“Aunt Elma just seems to have a bundle of less-than-helpful tidbits to dispense these days,” Owen observed before he nodded to Charles. “However, since Camilla has just pointed out something that may have a lot of merit, you may now expect to have me as your constant shadow from this point forward. And, also know that if I catch you attempting to kiss my sister instead of merely thinking about it, there will be consequences, and not pleasant ones.”
“If you’re my constant shadow, I don’t believe I’ll have an opportunity to do more than imagine kissing her,” Charles grumbled.
“You’re doing absolutely nothing to make me want to set aside the urge to inflict some bodily harm.”
Charles’s lips curved into a grin, but before he could retort to that nonsense, Nems, who was still on the other side of the garden, released a whistle, waving at Charles a second later.
“Oh, would you look at that,” Charles began. “Seems like Nems is ready to supervise me again. This time he’ll be watching meplant corn.” With that, Charles sent Camilla a wink, sent Owen another grin, then strode away.
“Remember, I’m your shadow from this point forward,” Owen called after him.
“You need to stop being ridiculous,” Camilla said, tugging him into motion and across the garden, even as Owen kept swiveling his head around to track Charles’s progress, probably to ascertain that he wasn’t sneaking off to find Luella instead of going to speak with Nems.
Unwilling to slow their pace since that might give Owen an opportunity to change their direction and go after Charles, Camilla settled for merely smiling at the numerous Chesterfield relatives who were calling out greetings to her, all of whom she’d met while attending church services with Owen over the past few Sundays, and all of whom had been more than welcoming after they’d made her acquaintance.
Truth be told, everyone she’d met during her stay in West Virginia had been hospitable, and she’d found herself more than enjoying the time spent amongst Owen’s family and friends, delighting in the stories she heard about him as a child, and then learning about all the good he’d done in the community since he’d returned from college and taken his place in the family business.
Not only had Owen financed new schools, he’d also bankrolled the new wing at the local hospital, arranged for a charity pantry to open in town, and spent many an afternoon after work traveling to one relative’s home or another to see if they were in need of anything.
As she’d listened to the stories and spent time with Owen’s family, she’d found herself longing for the sense of kinship all of them enjoyed, as well as the sense of camaraderie that was always present.
She’d never experienced that before, having been an only child and growing up in a household where she rarely saw her parents or grandparents. On the occasional times everyone was togetheras a family, though, she’d been expected to behave with utmost decorum, never stepping a toe out of line, or, heaven forbid, getting a speck of dirt on any of her expensive garments.
One of the things she relished the most since leaving New York was the sense of freedom she’d found in West Virginia—a freedom to say what she wanted, dress how she wanted, and never worry that her disheveled hair or the dirt that was often smudged over her face or lingering under her nails would have Owen, or anyone else for that matter, finding fault with her.
“Done with the lima beans?” Beulah asked, materializing beside her and pulling Camilla out of her thoughts as Owen drew her to a stop.
“I am,” Camilla returned. “I’m sure you’ll be pleased to learn that Elma came by and inspected my work, declaring that for a city girl, I’d done an ‘a-okay’ job of it.”
“High praise coming from my sister.”
“I thought so as well, and now that I’m finished doing an a-okay job with the lima beans, I’m heading back to Moonlight Manor to clean up before helping Mr. Timken, along with Luella, who’s been more than proficient with organizing an outdoor gathering, with the final preparations for the family reunion.”
Beulah took hold of Camilla’s arm. “Before I forget, you and Luella might need to reconsider the name you’ve chosen for the country house.”
“Why?”
“Nems and Andy have begun referring to it as Moonshine Manor, thinking that’s a hoot, and ... I’m afraid their version is catching on with the family.”
“I’m definitely going to have to include a bit during my next etiquette lesson with those two about it being less than amusing, or chivalrous, for that matter, to rename a manor house after moonshine.”
“And that you’ve taken it upon yourself to disperse etiquette lessons to some of our more colorful characters leaves me longing to slip that recipe right into your pocket.”
“Which you’ll refrain from doing since those colorful characters, as you very well know, have said they’ll assist me if you don’t behave yourself.”
“You truly are a menace.”
Camilla smiled. “You know I adore you, as well.”
“Of course you do, dear, but adoring me aside, tell me this. I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed to be dragging poor Owen across the garden a few minutes ago. Care to share the reason behind that dragging?”
“Elma shared her kissing insights with Charles and Luella, and Owen, being Owen, isn’t taking that very well.”
Beulah grinned. “Leopold thought Elma’s kissing insights were highly amusing.”
Owen blinked. “Aunt Elma talked to Leopold about her views on kissing?”
“She did.”
