Page 52 of A Soft Kiss in Summer
The closed sign was still up, but she could see people walking around inside the store.She stepped up on the sidewalk and stared into the windows at Edwin and four other men who were inside with him.They seemed to be arguing about something, if the look on their faces were any indication.The tallest of the men was standing toe to toe with Edwin, his face red as he yelled something she couldn’t quite make out.
When he straightened and looked her way, she stilled, met his angry gaze, then turned and hurried away.She hadn’t made it more than ten steps when she heard the door to the mercantile open.When Edwin said, “Violet, wait!”she paused and looked over her shoulder.
The men who had been in the store with Edwin were leaving, heading down the sidewalk in the opposite direction.Edwin didn’t even glance their way, only stood there staring at her as if everything was perfect in his world.
“Did you wish to speak with me?”
She did, and blurted out, “Where is Reverend Peele?”
The smile on his face disappeared in an instant.He straightened and held the door open for her.“Come inside, Violet.”
She looked down the sidewalk toward the hotel.Being alone with Edwin was the last thing she wanted, but if she wanted answers, she had little choice.”
The mercantile looked much like it did when she was a child.It was bigger than the store her family owned, but only because it was two stories.The bottom floor was nearly identical in size.
A pot-bellied stove sat in the middle of the store as it did in her own and the smell of leather and gun oil hung heavy in the air.Barrels of grain and flour sat along one wall and tables of folded trousers and shirts filled most of the space.
The door shut behind her, and she turned to see Edwin leaning against it.She’d never had reason to fear him, but after Josiah’s story about Ruth, she couldn’t help but wonder if Edwin would hurt her.After hearing of Ruth’s fate, Edwin’s erratic behavior would make her question every move he made now.
She turned away from him and started toward the stove and the chairs that sat around it.She settled into one and looked around the store before meeting his gaze.“Does your father not work in the store anymore?I know you said he was sick.”
“He doesn’t.It’s just me every day.”He pushed off the door and headed her way.He smiled when he was close.“It could be us if you’d just agree to marry me.”
Violet sighed.He wasn’t ever going to let this go.“I’m already married, Edwin, or have you forgotten?”
Something in his eyes as he looked away made her sit up straight.There was no way he could have forgotten, so what was that look about?
This entire situation seemed odd to her.He’d made such a big deal out of bringing Reverend Peele to the Founder's Day picnic.She had no doubt he’d done it with plans to either marry her himself or to force Josiah to, so, it was impossible for him not to know she was married, which really begged the question, why did he continue to ask her to marry him knowing she already had a husband?
“Where is Revered Peele, Edwin?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels.“Why?”
“I’d like to talk to him.”
“About what?”
“What I wish to speak to him about is a private matter.”He glanced around the room and for reasons she couldn’t name, she started to get a bad feeling.“I’ve asked several people in town about where I could find Reverend Peele and no one knows him.”
Edwin shrugged.“He’s not from around here.”
“You said he was.”
“No, I said he was a friend.I never said he lived in Elkin.”
She blew out a frustrated breath.“Then tell me where I can find him.”
Instead of answering her, he quickly took the seat beside her and grabbed her hand.“Do you doubt I could make you happy, Violet?”
“You could make any number of women happy, Edwin.”
“I don’t want anyone else.”He leaned toward her.“I’m only getting married once and I’ll have the perfect bride or it's not worth doing.I want you, Violet.I’ve always wanted you.”
“Edwin—”
“—I know,” he said, interrupting her.“You already have a husband, but what if you didn’t?Would you marry me then?”
What if she didn’t?What does he mean by that?
