Page 36 of Spilling the Tea

Victoria looked over her shoulder just long enough to say, “No. Have a safe trip back to Whispering Pines. Tell Ma and Pa that I promise to write each week.”

He stood there, feeling dismissed, and honestly didn’t like it. After a few minutes, he cleared his throat, and both girls gazed at him. “Is something wrong, Milt?” Victoria asked with curious eyes.

He switched his gaze from Victoria to the girl standing by her side. “No, but I was wondering if the two of you would like to join me for lunch at that restaurant we passed down the street?”

Victoria lifted a brow. “I thought you wanted to get back on the road to make it to Arkansas before dark.”

He checked his watch and then said, “I still have time. So, what about it?”

Victoria smiled at Felicia Laverne. “That would mean we’ll get a good meal before eating the camp’s chow for supper.”

Felicia Laverne grinned, and Milton felt weak in the knees at how her lips had looked when she’d done so. “That sounds good to me.”

He couldn’t help but return her smile. “Alright. Lock up the place, and let’s go,” Milton said.

***

Felicia Laverne Lee couldn’t control the beating of her heart whenever Victoria’s brother looked at her. He was so good-lookingthat she had to tear her gaze away, or else he would detect she liked him. Worse than that, she was totally into him. He was so handsome. The first thing she’d noticed about him had been his smooth caramel skin and eyes the color of midnight. Then his masculine mouth caught her breath in her throat whenever he smiled. He was taller than her father and had such a pleasant, deep-sounding voice. She was convinced nobody pronounced her name the way he did.

“Felicia Laverne?”

She blinked. He was saying it now. “Yes?”

“Tell me about yourself.”

It was only then that she realized they were alone. “Where’s Victoria?” she asked, looking around.

“She went to the girls’ room.”

“Oh,” Felicia Laverne said softly. “Well, I’m sixteen, attend high school in Atlanta, and will graduate in June next year. I’m part of my church choir and play the piano and clarinet.” She paused and then added, “I am the middle child of three sisters. I love to cook. I think my parents are the greatest, and so are my sisters. Also, I love having Victoria as my best friend.”

Milton leaned back in his chair, wondering if he made her nervous. “One thing you didn’t mention.”

She lifted a brow. Confused. “What?”

“You didn’t say if you have a boyfriend.”

“A boyfriend?”

“Yes, a boyfriend. Do you?”

“No. I just turned sixteen a few months ago, and any guy has to ask my pa’s permission to see me. He’s a pastor, and that scares them off.”

Milton wondered why. He didn’t go to church every Sunday, but he went enough and wasn’t afraid of Reverend Potts. “Can I ask you something else, Felicia Laverne?”

“Yes.”

“I would like to get to know you better. Can I write to you this summer?”

She nibbled on her bottom lip and asked, “Do you have a girlfriend, Milton?”

“No, I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Felicia was glad to hear that. “Then yes, I would love to get letters from you. May I write to you as well?”

He seemed pleased that she had asked. “Yes, I would love to get letters from you.”

***

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