She slipped out and entered the back of the house, following her nose. Sure enough, she found Trudy in the kitchen, pulling a roast chicken with root vegetables out of the oven.
“Can I give you a hand?” Evangeline offered once the other lady had the pan settled on the counter. “Everything smells incredible.”
“Oh goodness, no, child,” Trudy told her with a smile. “I’ve got it all under control and there’s no need for you to do a thing but enjoy yourself.”
“Oh,” Evangeline said feeling a little deflated. “Okay.”
“You like to help, don’t you?” Trudy asked softly.
Evangeline nodded, feeling seen.
“Well, inthatcase,” Trudy said. “Why don’t you carry out that tray with our rolls and butter and jams?”
“Okay,” Evangeline said.
“But that’s all,” Trudy told her firmly. “You’re my guests and you work hard taking care of that sweet little baby. So I want you to relax tonight.”
“Thank you, Trudy,” Evangeline said as she carefully lifted the wooden tray and carried it back out to the dining room.
“Look at that,” Mr. Sullivan said, his brow lifted. “Shelikes you, Evangeline. Normally my Trudy won’t allow a guest to lift a finger.”
Evangeline couldn’t help smiling at his praise.
“You two live out this way permanently?” Jeff asked. “What’s it like out here for a young couple?”
“Oh—” Evangeline began.
“We’re not a couple,” Grayson said a little too loudly.
The table went silent for a moment.
“I’m Leo’s nanny,” Evangeline said brightly, trying to push away the awkwardness. “I just arrived in town yesterday, but I already love it.”
“Is there much to do?” David asked with a dubious expression.
“Oh, there’s a wonderful library,” Evangeline told him. “And lots of shopping and the people are so friendly. We went into the village today and I honestly didn’t know what to do first.”
“Isn’t that lovely?” Ethel said to Blythe.
David nodded, still not looking convinced.
But when she turned back, Grayson was eyeing her with a little twinkle in his eye, and Mr. Sullivan nodded to her approvingly.
Well, she couldn’t imagine anyone here not having a lot of town pride. She’d been here all of twenty-four hours and she already knew Trinity Falls was a special place.
“Here we are,” Trudy said, setting a beautiful platter of chicken and vegetables on the table alongside the wooden tray Evangeline had brought in.
Oohsandahhsof appreciation sounded around the table.
“That looks amazing, my love,” Mr. Sullivan said.
“I guess no one will go hungry tonight,” Trudy said modestly. But Evangeline noticed that her cheeks went pink with pleasure at her husband’s compliment.
Mr. Sullivan said a few words of thanks over the meal and then everyone was passing around their plates and chatting over the delightful meal.
Jeff turned to Evangeline partway through dinner.
“So, you’re new in townandsingle?” he asked her quietly.
