Page 35 of Spilling the Tea

Milton frowned. He’d seen her in action before as well. At the time he thought she’d acted worse than a bully but as a mean-spirited, awful person. “Did she bully you?”

“No. I think she figured I would tell you if she did.”

“Have you talked to Waylon about her behavior?”

“Honestly, Milt, when could I do such a thing? Although I’m old enough to take company now that I’m sixteen, Pa hasn’t permitted me yet. That means Waylon and I are never alone. And I cannot discuss anything with him in front of our parents or his. Penny Satterfield thinks the sun rises and shines on Charlotte. I’ve heard Mr. Satterfield chastise her before, but never Mrs. Satterfield. She thinks Charlotte can do no wrong.”

“I think it’s something you and Waylon need to discuss if you think it will cause problems in your marriage.”

Victoria nodded. “I don’t think it will since Waylon and I will have our own place. I couldn’t imagine living under the same roof as Charlotte.”

Although Milton didn’t say anything, he thought the same thing. He couldn’t imagine living under the same roof as Charlotte either.

Milton glanced at Victoria. “Are you looking forward to nursing school?”

“Yes. Then, as my fiancé, it will be appropriate for Waylonto visit me in Savannah. I am hoping those two years go by fast. When I return home with my degree there shouldn’t be a problem with me being hired at the hospital in Houston after we get married.”

She got quiet for a minute and then asked, “How much longer now?”

Milton grinned. The one thing his sister lacked was patience when she was anxious about something. “We’ll spend another night at a motel and should reach your summer camp before noon tomorrow.”

***

They reached the camp around ten in the morning the next day. Milton had planned to unpack Victoria and then haul-tail it back to Houston. He’d missed a week on the ranch getting her here and would be missing another getting back.

“Felicia Laverne!”

“Victoria!”

He was busy getting his sister’s luggage out the back of the truck and had heard the two females’ excited hellos. He didn’t bother to glance up. All he wanted to do was help get his sister settled into her cabin and then return to the road.

“Milton, I want you to meet my best friend, Felicia Laverne Lee.”

He intended to give the girl a cursory nod, but he suddenly went still when he turned to look at her. Then he drew in a ragged, deep breath. At the same time, he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Standing before him was the most beautiful female he had ever seen. She was a pinup babe whose picture he wouldn’t hesitate to put on his wall.

Milton wasn’t sure what was more appealing: the shape of her finely arched eyebrows, the color of her almond-shaped eyes that reminded him of a copper penny, or those cute freckles that were spread across her nose. Her skin was smooth, creamy,light brown, and seemed to glow. But then he couldn’t discount her lips, which were tilted in such a stunning smile.

He let go of his sister’s luggage, which fell at his feet, while extending his hand to her. “Nice to meet you, Felicia Laverne.” The moment their hands touched, he knew just as sure as he was standing beneath the heat of the Tennessee sun that she was affecting him in a way no other girl had before. He could actually feel his body heating up.

“It’s nice meeting you, too. Milton. Victoria has told me a lot about you.”

He nodded as he continued to hold her hand in his. There was no telling how long he would have continued to do so if Victoria hadn’t cleared her throat while pointedly looking at their joined hands. He let go of her hand and then switched his gaze to his sister. “Where do you want this?” he asked, picking up her luggage.

“Just follow me,” Felicia Laverne said. “I got here yesterday and claimed our room already. I got us one close to the bathroom.”

“That’s great!” was his sister’s reply.

The two girls were walking ahead of him with their arms entwined and heads together. Both were wearing poodle skirts and short-sleeved blouses with bobby socks and black-and-white saddle oxfords on their feet. Their steps appeared in unison as he followed behind, trying hard to recall everything Victoria had said about her new best friend when he’d been trying not to listen. Now he wished that he had. Milton knew she and Victoria were the same age and that Felicia Laverne’s father was a minister. Had Victoria mentioned anything about a boyfriend? College plans? Did she like children?

When they reached the cabin, he entered behind them and gazed around. The room with the two beds wasn’t all that big, but he could see them making it work.

“You can set my luggage over there, Milt,” Victoria said, claiming his attention.

“Sure.”

He crossed the room to the other side, which he figured belonged to Victoria. He made two trips out to the truck before returning and saying, “That’s it.” Both girls had their heads together, looking at a picture, and he knew it was one of Waylon. He’d seen Victoria slip it inside her satchel before leaving home.

“Do you girls need me to do anything else before I leave?” he asked.

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