“We’re fleeing the masses.” Brian swooped in to scoop up Jewel. “Your carriage awaits, Sugar Princess.” To the sound of her giggles, he made off with the child.”
“Bye-bye, Mi-ca.” Jewel waved over Brian’s shoulder.
Torin and Ivy exchanged bewildered glances.
“Come on. Make haste.” Cora linked her arm through Ivy’s and pulled her toward the street. “We’re taking the coach back to the house. The others will join us there.”
A coach and team awaited them, with Sam grinning from the coach bench. He touched his hat to them. “In you go, everyone.”
Brian set Jewel inside. “Hurry. Get in and slide over there, Sugar.” He indicated the driver-facing seat. Then he handed Ivy up.
She claimed the seat next to Jewel.
“What’s going on?” Torin asked.
“We’re kidnapping you two, naturally.” Brian gave Torin’s shoulder a small push. “Git on with ya,” he drawled.
With a puzzled shake of his head, Torin obeyed the order, sitting in the place next to Ivy. Their legs touched. He inhaled the scent of roses.
Brian helped Cora up to settle in the opposite seat, and then he climbed inside, scooted next to her, and shut the door.
The coach jolted forward. But rather than racing down the street, scattering people in their great escape, Sam kept the horses to a walk.
With a pleased sigh, Brian sat back. “We figured today would be tough enough without you having to cope with a curious mob. What with the Nortons and Bellaires, you’ll have enough new people to become acquainted with.”
My friends know me so well. “Appreciate that.”
Ivy tilted her head. “Youknewabout Torin and Jewel being here?”
Cora raised her hands, palms up. “Not knew.Hoped.”
“Reverend Joshua came to visit me yesterday.” With a rueful smile, Torin shrugged. “He was the final prod I needed.”And you were the enticement, he tried to tell her with his eyes.
“But,” Ivy sputtered.
She looked bewildered, but not, to his relief, upset.Hopefully, she’ll be willing to talk to me—that is, if we can find some privacy to converse.His pulse raced as nervous anticipation sped through him. The drive to the mansion seemed interminable…and far too fast.
Cora leaned forward to touch Ivy’s knee. “We kept Reverend Joshua’s visit to Three Bend Lake a secret because we knew if Torin didn’t come today, you would be deeply hurt.”
Brian chuckled. “And this way…surprise!”
Torin looked at his friends’ mischievous expressions. “This trip was pretty well choreographed.”
“Choreographed, I like that,” Cora said brightly. “Much better description thanplanned.”
“We’ll be sure to use that word in the future,” Ivy said wryly.
“We rehearsed for an hour yesterday,” Brian quipped. “No sense letting you get thrown to the wolves.”
Jewel clutched her candy to her chest. “Wulf?”
“I was teasing. There are no wolves, Sugar Princess,” Brian chuckled. “Just curious people who would have wanted to meet you and your father. Lots of talking. Lots of questions. We figured, just sticking with your friends and only meeting the Nortons and Bellaires would be enough.”
“You figured right.” Torin’s tone held his relief.
“Everyone is meeting up at the mansion for a meal and a chance for you to relax with your friends.Relax, Torin,” Brian stressed again. “Experience being away from Three Bend Lake.”
The coach pulled to a stop, and within minutes, Sam opened the door. He reached in to swing Jewel down. She giggled and patted his arm. “Sam.”
