‘That sounds goo—’ I started to say but before I could finish, I heard my name again. Only this time, it wasn’t a whisper, it was a yell. A very concerned yell.
‘Emily? Emily!’
Over Wyn’s shoulder, a panic-stricken Catherine stalked towards us at a rapid but dignified pace.
‘Emily, honey, there you are,’ she said, stepping daintily off the footpath and onto the grass. ‘I have been lookingeverywhere for you. What were you thinking, running out like that? Everyone was so worried.’
‘I’m sorry. It was so hot in the Powells’ parlour, I needed some fresh air.’ I pressed the back of my hand against my clammy forehead to back up my half-truth. ‘I didn’t mean to worry you.’
She put her own hand against my cheek and pursed her lips. If I hadn’t been warm before, I was now, my face burning up. I couldn’t talk to her about what had really happened in front of Wyn. I didn’t know how I was going to talk to her about it at all.
‘Well, there’s no fresh air out here. It’s the humidity that’ll get you,’ she replied, seemingly satisfied with my answer before she turned her gaze towards Wyn. ‘Now, would you like to introduce me to your friend?’
‘Wyn Evans,’ he replied with a slight bow. ‘Pleased to meet you, ma’am.’
‘Wyn was helping me find my way back home,’ I added quickly.
‘Well, bless your heart,’ Catherine said, considering him through narrowed eyes. ‘What a little gentleman. Emily, we’d better get you inside before you faint clean away.’
‘I feel fine now, maybe I could meet you la—’ I caught the look on her face and cut myself off. ‘Yes, you’re right. We should get home. Thanks for your help, Wyn.’
‘Yes,’ she agreed, still glaring at him like she recognized him from the FBI Most Wanted list. ‘Thank you, Wyn Evans.’
‘Any time.’
He touched two fingers to his forehead and, as I dutifully followed my grandmother back onto the footpath, mouthed the words ‘see you tomorrow’. I felt the thread around my heart pull tight.
It was going to be a long twenty-four hours.
Chapter Six
‘Was Ms Powell feeling better?’ I asked, sliding my locket back and forth on its chain as we climbed the front steps up to Bell House.
Now Wyn was out of sight, I’d regained control of my senses or at least most of them. Part of me was definitely still underneath the oak tree, staring into his mysterious eyes, and I feared it always would be.
‘Virginia?’ Catherine replied as though she’d already forgotten about her morning visit. ‘Oh, yes, much better, how kind of you to ask. It’s a wonder she hasn’t lost her mind altogether with those twins under her feet. You know, the three of you were born just a few weeks apart. She and I used to joke about how our grandbabies would grow up to be best friends like us. Or even get married someday.’
She looked at me expectantly, a playful smile on her lips.
‘Oh no,’ I said with an embarrassed chuckle. ‘Neither of them are really my type.’
Not that I’d even had a type until ten minutes ago but now it felt set in stone. Messy hair, crooked smile and, most of all, those strange, beautiful eyes. I flushed a deep shade ofcrimson, burning up until I was sure my cheeks were practically maroon.
‘And I really don’t think I’m theirs,’ I added. I definitely wasn’t cool enough for Lydia and surely super flirtatious Jackson only dated the kind of girls who posted daily videos to let everyone know where they bought every part of their outfit.
‘Emily James, you are a gorgeous young woman. People will be falling all over themselves to court you. When the time comes.’
A smile tugged my mouth upwards, even if I couldn’t stop myself from rolling my eyes at the same time. I might have been new to this grandmother thing but I was sure telling their grandkids they’re cute and smart even if they weren’t was part of the job. Not that I was mad at it.
‘They mentioned their mom moved to Charleston?’ I said as Catherine opened the unlocked door.
She pulled a face and groaned.
‘As if poor Ginny hasn’t suffered enough.’
Wow, I thought to myself as we went inside. These people really did not care for Charleston.
‘Alex always was a selfish little thing, putting herself before anyone else, never thinking how her actions might affect her mother, and it seems to me those children of hers … well, let’s say the apples haven’t fallen too far from the tree.’ Catherine set her purse on the table beside the door then turned to face me. ‘Now, tell me, sweetheart, who was that young man you were speaking with?’
