Page 6

The look she gave him made him regret even more he’d opened his mouth. “Doug is a fine, upstanding man. He’s kind and attentive. He values the same things I do. Did you know he volunteers at the church’s soup kitchen even more than I do?”

Jack resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“And he’s successful too. Did you know he’s the youngest man to ever make partner at Blomquist, Allan, and Middleton?”

That bit rankled. He understood why women wanted men who could give them financial stability, but ever since Myrtle broke their engagement to run off with a wealthy banker, it had been a sore subject. Still, he wanted the best for Constance, and he knew how worried she was about her family’s reliance on Ernie.

“Pop likes him. Even Ernie likes him,” she continued.

Hell, I like him. He’s a good man. I just don’t like the thought of him with you.

“But do you like him?” he asked, a little too interested in her answer.

“Of course, I like him. I want to marry him, don’t I? And he’s got that cute little dimple when he smiles…”

Ugh.

“Enough. I’ll help you marry Mr. Perfect, though I can’t help thinking there’s something wrong with him if he hasn’t kissed you properly yet.”

“He’s being a gentleman. And besides, it isn’t as if men have been lining up to kiss me. I’m practically an old maid at this point.”

Men had absolutely been lining up to kiss her. Did she not realize how hard he and Ernie worked to keep them all at bay? Though, come to think of it, perhaps they’d been a little overzealous.

“You aren’t an old maid.”

“I’m twenty-three.”

“Practically a baby.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Jack. I’m only two years younger than you. I know that seemed like a big age difference when you were eight and I was six, but we’re adults now. I’m not your kid sister.” She crossed her arms and looked out the window. “What I am is firmly on the shelf, collecting dust. All my friends are married. I’m the only one left. It’s amazing Doug doesn’t think there’s something wrong with me.”

Damnit. Now he’d gone and upset her. He needed to fix this. “I’m sorry. I was being insensitive.” Though he still wasn’t sure how saying she wasn’t an old maid got him in such hot water.

She let out a long sigh and turned to him. “Are you going to help me or not?”

There was no resisting the look of challenge in her eyes. “I’ll help you. I said I would, and I will. Here’s what you do…”

3

Constance had a plan. It started with what she was wearing. The pale mint-green dress barely covered her knees. She felt daring in it, though it was modest enough to pass muster with her mother. The soft, thin cotton clung to her curves, despite the fashionably low waist. A string of pearls dripped down her front, drawing attention to her figure. She even put on a bit of makeup, painting her lips a deep rose color.

Step two: lingering looks. Jack said the eyes were the window to the heart, and the best way to draw Doug in and show her interest was letting her gaze rest on him a little bit too long. That would be easy enough. Doug was adorable, like an oversized puppy, brimming with innocent enthusiasm with his big hazel eyes, light brown hair, and lanky limbs. She liked to look at him.

Step three: innocent touching. Contact feeds attraction, Jack said. She should find excuses to touch Doug’s arm, hold his hand, let their shoulders touch when they sit together. It would build up the tension between them.

Jack left off there. They’d arrived at home, and he swore that should be enough to get Doug’s attention. It seemed almost too simple, too subtle, but what did she know? She’d give it a try.

During Easter services, she managed to sneak in a few long looks from across the aisle. She made Doug blush in the middle of Pop’s sermon, which made her both triumphant and slightly guilty. Fortunately, Mom and the twins didn’t notice a thing. She glanced back at Jack who was sitting a few rows behind Doug, and he smiled and winked. The plan was working. She was on the right track.

After services, she grabbed the basket of vibrant, dyed Easter eggs she was supposed to hide and hooked her arm through Doug’s. The poor man jumped a mile.

“Sorry to surprise you. I was just hoping you might help me hide these Easter eggs. Will you? Please?”

She looked deep into Doug’s hazel eyes and smiled. His eyes went wide, and his brow furrowed. Was she sending him into a panic? Because that wasn’t at all her aim, but then his expression softened as she continued to hold his gaze.

“Uh…of…of course. I’d be happy to.”

From afar, Jack was watching the exchange, a frown on his face. He must have been keeping an eye on his pupil to make sure she implemented his advice. Was she doing something wrong? Why was he looking at her so strangely?