Change of Heart

by Courtney Walsh

  Evelyn took a step back, wounded.

  Lilian snatched the bill from Lydia’s hand, bagged up the vegetables, and shoved the sack into her arms. “Thanks.”

  Lydia glanced at Trevor again. “When you’re done with the farmer, Evelyn, send him my way.” She winked at him and walked off.

  “What a horrible woman,” Lilian said. “Did you used to be friends with her?”

  “I think she slept with Christopher,” Evelyn said.

  Lilian spun around. “What?”

  “I was a fool for so long. It’s silly to think none of these affairs began until he started spending time in Denver. Isn’t it?” She turned to Trevor.

  He didn’t reply.

  “Is it okay if I go for a walk?” Evelyn asked.

  Lilian squeezed her arm. “Of course.” She looked at Trevor. “Trevor will go with you.”

  “You don’t have to,” she said. The last thing she wanted to do was burden him with her sudden, inexplicable sadness. Oddly, it wasn’t the loss of her relationship with Christopher that currently gnawed at her; it was the loss of her friendship with Trevor.

  He stood. “No, it’s fine. I’ll show you where to get the best fancy coffee drink.”

  “That would be good. Fancy coffee is my favorite.”

  He tossed his apple core into the garbage and joined her in front of their booth. As they walked, people stared. People whose faces she recognized sneered at them. She caught words like affair and fraud and criminal as they were whispered on the wind.

  People hadn’t accepted her innocence, and clearly some of them still thought she was having an affair with Trevor.

  She knew that people had only come to the dinner event because of their loyalty to the Volunteers and the Whitney family, though she had to admit, she’d hoped it would smooth things over somehow. It hadn’t.

  She inched closer to Whit, wishing for the solace of his friendship, but knowing she’d put quite a dent in that.

  They reached the coffee vendor. “Fancy coffee,” he announced.

  She gave him a sad smile. “Maybe this was a mistake.”

  He faced her. “You can’t stay hidden forever.”

  She sighed. “It’s easier.” A tear streamed down her cheek. What she wouldn’t give to be hidden right now.

  Whit reached over and swiped the tear with his thumb. She closed her eyes, expecting him to walk away, but he didn’t. His hand lingered there on the side of her face, his grip tightening ever so slightly, fingers tangled underneath her long braid.

  She leaned in to his touch and opened her eyes, but before she could decipher the look on his face, a voice behind her claimed her attention.

  “Well, well, well. Isn’t this cozy?”

  Evelyn straightened at the sound of Christopher’s voice. She spun around and backed into Whit.

  She hadn’t seen him since the hearing, and now he stood right in front of them, wearing jeans and a polo, carrying a bag of homemade kettle corn.

  “What are you doing here?” Evelyn’s heart raced.

  Christopher wore a smug expression. “Brought Darby out for some fresh air.”

  He nodded toward a booth across from where they stood. A leggy, pregnant brunette wearing not nearly enough clothing perused the goods at a jewelry table. She picked up a necklace, turned to Christopher, and waved. “I want this.”

  He smiled. “Anything you want, babe.”

  Evelyn’s jaw went slack. “You brought your . . . your . . . her here?”

  Christopher returned his attention to her. “My people thought it would be good PR. Make everyone forget she wasn’t my first wife to begin with. Once they see the pictures of our beautiful baby girl, they’ll stop thinking about the circumstances surrounding our marriage.”

  “So it’s true. You’re marrying her.”

  Christopher looked at the brunette. “She’s got a few things to learn, but she’s going to be the perfect politician’s wife.” He winked at Evelyn. “Maybe you could train her?”

  Trevor placed a protective hand on Evelyn’s back. It steadied her. “How are you even out here, Chris? Aren’t you confined to your house or something?”

  “I have friends in the DA’s office,” Christopher said. “This case could be tied up for years. I’m a free man until a judge says otherwise. Sounds to me like I might walk. This whole thing will be over by Christmas.”

  Not a chance. Evelyn had seen the evidence against him. Was Christopher delusional? She turned away, feeling like her safe place had been invaded. For most of his life her ex-husband had avoided these small-town events, and he picked today of all days to check one of them out. How did he even have money to give his girlfriend “anything she wanted”?

  Christopher looked back and forth between her and Trevor. “So I read the paper. What exactly is going on here?” His eyes narrowed. “Surely you’re not looking at my misfortune as an opportunity, Whit.”

  Evelyn took a step toward him. “Don’t pretend you care. I can’t believe I ever thought I loved you.”

  Christopher’s face mocked. “Ouch.”

  Evelyn backed away just as the brunette—Darby—strolled toward them.

  “Be careful with this one, Whit,” Christopher said. “She’s feisty.”

  “Back off, Chris,” Trevor said.

  “No, you back off.” Christopher’s voice threatened. He stepped toward Darby. “Hey, beautiful. Did you get what you wanted?” He wrapped an arm around her and sauntered off in the other direction.

  Evelyn watched as Christopher greeted people in the crowd as if nothing had ever happened. How was it possible they all seemed perfectly accepting of him, but so many of them had completely turned on her?

  Trevor moved in front of her, blocking her view of the man who’d practically ruined her life. “How about that coffee?”

  She nodded, thankful that despite the turn this day had taken, at least she and Trevor were on good terms again.

  But as they stood in line for their fancy coffee, the image of Trevor’s face—when she’d opened her eyes before Christopher’s interruption—came back to her, kicking up nerves in her belly she hadn’t felt in years. And she had no idea what to do with them.

  CHAPTER

  34

  LATER THAT NIGHT, Evelyn curled up on the sofa, pushing aside the feelings at war inside her head. Seeing Christopher had brought forth unwanted emotions, and she replayed the day’s events like a movie in her mind.

  Of course the trial was dragging on. Of course he was walking around free as a bird with a new soon-to-be wife and a baby on the way. Of course he had money from who knew where for kettle corn and handmade necklaces when she was scraping pennies together for the basic necessities so she didn’t feel like a complete charity case.

  But what she didn’t expect was not to care.

  Seeing him with that Darby person had only confirmed that she’d done the right thing. And somehow even that made her feel guilty.

  Around dinnertime, the knock at the door sent panic racing through her as usual. While she and Whit had eventually been cordial, their friendship was anything but intact. He’d shown her kindness and she’d allowed him to look the fool.

  She’d hurt his pride.

  She checked her hair in the bathroom mirror and then quickly realized how ridiculous that was. What did she care if Whit saw her with messy hair? It was just Whit.

  But when she opened the door, it wasn’t Trevor waiting for her.

  “Christopher.”

  He smiled. “May I come in?”

  She hovered there, her body protected by the door. “Why are you here? Isn’t your girlfriend going to miss you?”

  His expression patronized. “That probably really bothered you, didn’t it?”

  She drew in a breath. Arguing the truth would be completely pointless. His ego would hear nothing but what it wanted to hear. “What do you want, Christopher?”

  He tilted his head, took her in. “You look good, Evelyn, but when are you
going to come home?”

  She frowned.

  “You didn’t think our divorce was actually going to last, did you?”

  She swallowed hard. “Of course I did. You’re planning to marry someone else. Someone who is going to have your baby.”

  He moved away from the door, toward the porch railing. “I know. That’s what my campaign manager wants me to do.”

  “You signed the papers,” she said, following him. “Without protest.”

  “I thought it would be a wake-up call for you.”

  She knew he was egotistical, but was he insane too? “I’m not interested in playing games with you anymore.”

  He approached her. “But I love you, Evelyn. I always have.” He pulled at the end of her sweater, tugging her closer to him.

  She looked at Christopher, searching within herself for some trace of affection for him, but came up empty. It was like a lightbulb had gone on and she’d been awakened to the truth. The only question she had now was why it had taken her so long to see.

  He pushed her hair back, away from her face, eyes locked on hers.

  Before she could pull away, the sound of footsteps at the side of the house grabbed her attention. She turned toward the noise and saw Whit standing in the yard, carrying a stack of wooden hearts. He looked away from her, toward Christopher.

  “Or have you already moved on?” Christopher said.

  Evelyn glanced at Whit, who stood for a long moment and finally set the hearts against the front steps before heading back the way he’d come.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Evelyn said. “Whit used to be your friend.”

  Christopher laughed. “And what do you really know about him, Evelyn?”

  She steeled her jaw, a certain defensiveness coming over her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “He’s not the Boy Scout you think he is.”

  “I don’t think he’s a Boy Scout,” Evelyn said. “I think he’s a good person.”

  Christopher laughed. “Whit has secrets, Evelyn, just like I did. You’re not going to ever find someone who doesn’t, so you might as well admit that what we had was working.” Christopher leaned against the post, relaxed and calm. He thought he had her in the palm of his hand—she could see it on his face.

  Regret twisted inside her, her stomach hollow. “How can you say that?” Evelyn fought tears. “How can you say what we had was working?”

  Christopher straightened. “We were always good together, Evelyn. We can get back to that.”

  “You’re having a baby with another woman.”

  He waved her off. “We can have our own baby.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t believe you.”

  “I need you, Evelyn, and you need me. The public has always responded well to us as a couple.”

  Evelyn couldn’t remember a time she’d ever been so stunned. He didn’t want her back as a wife. He wanted someone to make him look good in the polls. As if she could even do that after he’d destroyed her reputation. “Did someone make you realize Darby isn’t marriage material?”

  “She’s fine. I can work with her. But why choose someone else when I’ve already got you?” He stepped toward her and took her hand. “I’m lost without you, Evelyn. You always knew how to make everything okay.”

  Tension radiated through her entire body. “I can’t be that person for you anymore, Christopher.”

  He leaned his forehead on hers. “I’m scared.”

  She took a step back and surveyed his face. Perhaps that was the only honest thing he’d ever said to her.

  “Of what?”

  He turned away. “Prison. Loneliness. Losing. I don’t know how to do any of this without you.”

  A tear escaped without her permission. She brushed it away. “You broke my heart, Christopher. You humiliated me.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry.” He looked down. “I thought you knew.”

  She felt her eyes go wide. “You thought I knew you were cheating on me?”

  He shrugged. “Babe, I’m away for weeks at a time. You didn’t think I was spending them alone? I mean, you know what I need.”

  She only stared.

  “I can do better.”

  “You don’t think you did anything wrong, do you?”

  He sighed. “Evelyn, don’t do this. Don’t lecture me about morals right now. I’m a powerful man. I have needs. I thought we understood each other.”

  “Why did you really come here?” Evelyn backed up, arms over her chest. “Was it to try to win me back? Because you’re doing a really poor job.”

  “I just thought after spending all these weeks out here on this farm, you’d be ready to return to the real world.”

  “In the house that’s no longer ours? Wearing clothes you picked out for me because you wanted me to play a part?” She shook her head. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”

  “What?”

  “You don’t want a wife. You want a puppet. Someone who will do exactly what you say when you say it.”

  “It never bothered you before. I gave you a good life.”

  “You gave me a lie,” she yelled, surprising even herself. “I deserve better than a lie.”

  “Did Whit tell you that?”

  “Whit has nothing to do with this!” She shouted the words, angry at herself for losing her temper.

  “Don’t think I don’t know the truth here. You’re all high and mighty with your code of honor, but you two are no better than I am.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “And you don’t know the truth about Trevor Whitney.” He straightened. “You think I’m despicable for the way I live my life, but he’s got plenty to answer for.”

  She turned away. “I don’t care how Trevor Whitney lives his life, Christopher.”

  He moved close to her, too close, and leaned in even closer so she could feel his breath on her neck. “I don’t believe you.”

  “I don’t care,” she whispered. She squared her chin and straightened her shoulders. “I deserve better than this.”

  He scoffed. “Fine, Evelyn. Have it your way. Keep hiding out here on this disgusting farm.” He moved back. “I’m finished with you anyway.”

  She swallowed. “Get out of here.”

  His laugh mocked her. “I’m already gone.”

  She stood on the porch, watching as he hurried to his car, started the engine, and peeled away. When she turned to go inside, she had the distinct impression that Trevor was still at the side of the porch, just out of sight but well within earshot.

  And she wondered if she’d ever trust anyone again.

  CHAPTER

  35

  TREVOR SPENT THE NEXT TWO DAYS avoiding Evelyn. The hearts were all cut out and his collaboration with her was over. So should his feelings be.

  If only it were that easy.

  He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on her conversation with Chris. In fact, he wished he’d just gone back to the house, but something in Chris’s eyes wasn’t right, and he couldn’t walk away without making sure she was okay.

  “We going to this thing?” Lilian stood in the doorway of the kitchen, interrupting Trevor’s thoughts.

  He groaned. “It’s not like I have a choice.”

  “Well, you look great.” She grinned. “Picking up Evie?”

  He grabbed his truck keys off the counter. “It’s just you and me tonight.”

  He felt her eyes on him but walked outside anyway. He didn’t need a lecture about how he should at least offer Evelyn a ride to the Sweetheart Festival dance. They were a team on this wooden heart revamp and they were friends—or had been for a little while, anyway.

  He knew all those things. He’d been battling the unwanted thoughts all day long. In the end, he decided he couldn’t offer her a ride because he couldn’t sit next to her in such a confined space. He couldn’t inhale the scent of her or drink in the thought of her. He couldn’t deny these feelings he’d been working so
hard to eliminate.

  Especially not after Chris had planted the seed that her good friend Trevor might not be so good after all.

  Because he wasn’t good. He was lousy. And both he and Chris knew it.

  Lilian opened the passenger door of the truck and stared at him.

  “You coming?” he asked without looking at her.

  “You really aren’t going to go pick up Evelyn?” She was probably glaring at him.

  “Let’s pretend you already gave me the lecture and now we’re at the part where you get in the truck and go to this ridiculous dance. Anyway, Evelyn probably left already.”

  She didn’t move for several seconds and then finally pulled herself up into the seat.

  Trevor focused on the road and not on the huffing and puffing Lilian sitting next to him.

  Chris probably couldn’t stand the fact that when he’d seen Evelyn that day at the farmers’ market, she wasn’t the broken woman he no doubt thought she would be. In fact, spending time with her at the market, even Trevor had noticed she seemed to have turned a corner.

  Maybe it was the overwhelming triumph of their community dinner, which he had to admit had been a bigger hit than he’d expected. It would be months before they saw any real change in their profits as a result, but they were creating multiple streams of income, which was how he planned to keep the farm profitable into the future.

  She had to feel pretty good about that, didn’t she?

  But what if that conversation with Chris knocked her back to the sweater-wearing hermit who never left the couch in the guesthouse?

  Worse, what if she realized Trevor wasn’t a “Boy Scout”—as Chris pointed out—and she packed her things and moved away? Leaving Loves Park in the rearview mirror once and for all?

  Lilian let out a particularly vocal sigh. “This just isn’t right, making her come by herself. I don’t care how uncomfortable you feel.”

  The statement pinged Trevor’s conscience. He knew she was right. Saying it out loud didn’t help.

  He did his best to ignore his aunt as he drove through town. The Sweetheart Festival had been a weeklong event, though Trevor had barely noticed. Old Town Loves Park had been decked out for the occasion. From a scarecrow-building contest to a caramel apple–dipping station to a small makeshift café serving pulled pork and apple cider donuts, this town looked for any chance to celebrate, and they’d done a good job getting locals and tourists to come out and show their support this year.