Page 21 of Lady and the Gamble (The Colby Brothers 2)

Clearing her throat, she stood and said, “I’m thirsty. I think I will fetch a glass of lemonade.”

A couple of them nodded in acknowledgment but generally, her announcement stirred little excitement.

She made her way into the kitchen where she found her mother kneading dough for a batch of fresh bread. At Evelina’s entrance, she lifted her head and wiped an arm across her sweaty brow.

“What can I get you, dear?”

“Nothing, I’m fine. I’m just getting a glass of lemonade.”

“Why didn’t you get one of your sisters to fetch it?”

She scowled at her mother. “I’m perfectly capable of fetching my own glass of lemonade.”

Still the same, May Hepworth wiped her hands on her apron and turned to a shelf to remove a glass. “Your young beau seems to be enjoying the sunshine.”

“He is not my beau.”

Her mother opened the icebox and removed the pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade she had made just that morning and began pouring some into the glass. “He is beginning to look rather warm, however. Perhaps he would enjoy a nice glass of lemonade as well

.”

Evelina wanted to say that she thought he deserved to fry beneath the hot afternoon sun for mocking her fear of the outdoors, but instead she replied, “Then I suggest he come indoors. Won’t you implore that he does, mother?”

“I’ve already tried, but he insists on remaining in the garden.”

She sighed. “Stubborn ox.”

Her mother smiled. “Shall I pour another glass?”

“How would I know!” she proclaimed, slightly overdoing her response. Then taking her glass from her mother she walked to the door that led out to the back porch and the garden beyond.

She eyed him through the screen door and called out, “Mother would like to know if you would care for a glass of lemonade?”

His raised his chin and smiled. “That would be lovely. Would you mind bringing it to me?”

She should have known. Rolling her eyes, she cursed him beneath her breath.

Out loud, she exhaled irritably and said, “She thinks you’ve had enough sun and should come indoors.”

He smirked and shook his head. “On the contrary. I don’t believe I’ve had enough. It’s a beautiful day and I do not care to get cooped up indoors.”

“I should think too much sun is not good for your skin, Mr. Colby.”

“Ludicrous. Whoever heard of too much sun being harmful?”

Her mother appeared at her side and handed her a second glass of lemonade. Evelina released a frustrated breath.

“Go on dear.”

She locked eyes with her mother who sent her a silent encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, she turned toward the screen door and pushed it open. Instead of walking through it, however, she stood frozen in the open entrance and stared at the wooden porch on the opposite side. It was amazing how that simple sight caused a sudden onslaught of fear.

“Are you coming?”

Ryan’s voice had her chin snapping up. He remained where he was seated, scrutinizing her standing awkwardly on the porch. For whatever odd reason, she suddenly wanted to go to him. If for nothing else, then to prove him wrong. That she was not so easily cowered by simply stepping outside of the house.

She lifted one foot and stepped onto the porch. Her leg shook and she looked nervously toward Ryan. He was frowning curiously at her giving her the resolve she needed to bring her other foot onto the deck. Once she had both feet placed squarely outside, she sucked in a unsteady breath and attempted to steady her nerves.

As she stood there with her eyes closed trying to calm her trembling nerves, she felt a gentle gust of wind sweep past her on the back verandah. It blew gently across her cheeks and down her throat where it lifted the loose tendril of hairs at the base of her neck, tickling the skin beneath them. Evelina had forgotten how wonderful it felt to have a warm summer breeze upon her skin and silently admitted how much she missed the feeling.

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