Lydia froze, putting a hand to her lips. “It’s nothing.” But her face said differently.
Elsie stared her down and Lydia squirmed, avoiding her gaze.
“I could have another talk with Mom and Dad about your spending habits.”
“Okay, fine. Whatever. Will’s the one who paid for my bail, and the fees, and the lawyer and all that. Happy now?”
Happy? Elsie’s knees started to buckle, and she reached out and put a hand on Lydia’s shoulder. “Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know. Let go. You’re going to wrinkle my outfit.”
Elsie let go and Lydia stalked off. Elsie did another scan of the room. Her mom waved her over and Elsie reluctantly went to see what she wanted.
“Jane said you’re looking for Will, dear. I asked him to take the garbage out.”
Elsie’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Don’t look at me like that. He’s a strong young man. He didn’t mind.”
Elsie ran outside and around to the side where they kept the garbage can. Will was just shutting the lid. He turned around and stopped short when he saw her standing there.
“I liked your song.”
“Thanks.”
He walked forward until they were standing together, his eyes never leaving hers. Her heartbeat sped up and she twisted her hands together in front of her, suddenly nervous.
“I’m sorry my mom put you on garbage duty.”
“Someone had to do it.” He shrugged. “And look, now we can talk to each other.”
“We could have talked inside.” She wanted to kick herself. Why was she scolding him?
Will gave a hint of a smile. “I was trying to be sociable, but it’s like studying a language. It takes all my concentration, and afterward, I feel drained.”
“I feel the same way.”
“I did want to talk to you. I still do. Can we go for a walk?”
“Yes.”
Their hands brushed, and he took hers, leading her toward the gate. “Do you mind holding hands with someone who just took out the trash?”
She laughed. “I’ll brave the germs.”
He reached up and undid the latch, and they walked through to the front yard.
“Elsie, I want you to be honest with me. Sometimes you give mixed signals, and if you’d rather be friends, or not even that, I’ll understand.”
“Mixed signals?”
“My feelings have not changed since throwing myself at you in the library. But I don’t know how you feel about me.”
“I feel…” They’d been calling each other for weeks with no indication of what it meant, to either of them. She wanted more than friendship. She wanted a love stronger than even the giddy happiness Jane and Charlie shared. Was it possible with Will? She needed to be brave. She needed to just say it.
Laughter drifted over from her house, and they continued walking down the street where they could be alone. Her parent’s neighbors were way too enthusiastic about Christmas. Tinkly music accompanied their light display, and Winnie the Pooh in a Santa hat wobbled back and forth from the porch.
His hold on her hand loosened and she gripped it tighter before he could pull away completely. “Thank you for what you did for Lydia,” she blurted out.
