So why did the possibility of his rejection sting so badly?
Chapter Nine
THAT NIGHT, HALE FOUNDIsabella perched on the back steps of the boardinghouse. He’d gone into the kitchen looking for her, thinking she’d come for a cup of tea before bed. Instead, he found the back door open and Isabella staring up at the stars.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked as he shut the door behind him.
She twisted her neck to see him. “The sky was so clear, I thought it would be a shame not to come out here and look at it. Besides, I’m enjoying the quiet.”
“I can go,” Hale said, reaching for the door. The last thing he wanted to do was intrude on the one time of the day Isabella had to collect her thoughts.
“No, please stay.” She scooted over, making space for him on the step.
Hale sat beside her, silently pleased that she wished for his company. The steps were narrow, and his leg and arm pressed against her. She didn’t move away. He almost hoped she would. It was difficult to compose his own thoughts when all he could focus on was how warm her body felt against his.
He rested his arms on his lap and followed Isabella’s gaze toward the sky. The stars were indeed bright, winking at them as if they held their own secrets.
“I used to look at the stars every night,” Isabella said, breaking the silence. “It was a nice way to end the day. Especially if my brothers were irritating me.”
Hale laughed quietly. “You make me glad not to have brothers of my own.”
“That’s because you likelywerethe irritating brother.” Isabella gently knocked her leg into his.
Hale feigned innocence. “I was no such thing.”
“Shall I ask Tansy for the truth?”
He cringed. “You might not care for me anymore after she tells you a few stories.”
“I doubt that.”
Hale’s breath caught in his throat. Was it possible she meant the way he heard those words? He was almost afraid to look at her. But when he did, he found her watching him with a troubled expression.
“What is it?” he asked, half ready to jump up and fight whatever worry was on her mind.
She ducked her head. “I despise how easy I am to read. My mama always told me I couldn’t hide a single feeling.”
He hesitated half a second, not entirely certain if she wanted comfort, but when she looked up at him again, he reached over and rested a hand over hers. “I find it endearing. And I much prefer a person who is honest to one who hides parts of themselves.”
A stricken look shot across her face as she looked down at their hands.
“Isabella?” He was growing more concerned. “Please tell me what’s bothering you. I can help.”
She closed her eyes at those words. “I . . .” She opened her eyes again, but instead of looking at him, she returned her gaze to the stars. “It’s nothing. I’m being silly, that’s all.”
