“Do you know where she lives?” Jessica’s tone sounded incredulous.
“I do,” Everly said, laughter in her tone.
They were near the craft shop, and Austin parked next to the back door.
“See you tomorrow, Jessica,” Everly said. “Remember, go to bed nicely for your dad like a big girl. I really need a big girl’s help tomorrow.”
“Okay!”
Austin held back a chuckle as he climbed out of the truck. He wasn’t sure about the staying power of Jessica’s agreement, but he was impressed that Everly had tried. She waited for him to come around the front of the truck and open her door. Then she slid out, and he clasped her hand as he walked with her to the back door of the shop
“Thanks for that,” he said. “She can be pretty headstrong.”
“Headstrong doesn’t bother me,” Everly said, casting a smile up at him.
He waited while Everly unlocked the door, and before she could pull it open, he said, “If you want to back out of our plans tomorrow, I understand.”
Everly turned and looked up at him. “I’m not backing out unless you want me to.”
He held her gaze. There was so much he wanted to say, not to mention that he wanted to kiss her. “I don’t want you to back out.”
“Good.” She pulled open the door and stepped through the doorway. Then she grasped his shirt and drew him toward her so that the door blocked Jessica’s view of them for a moment.
Everly lifted up on her toes and pressed her mouth against his. The kiss was much too short, but very sweet, and only made him wish he didn’t have to say goodbye to her tonight. He kept his hands on the doorframe because he knew if he touched her more than kissing her, it would be even harder to let her go.
But he had a kid in the truck, and he didn’t want to get her too far off her routine. “Thank you for everything,” he whispered against Everly’s mouth. “You’re an angel.”
She smiled, then twined her arms about his neck and kissed him once more. “See you tomorrow.”
He really wanted to stay in her space, keep her close. Instead, he drew back and waited until she shut and locked the door. Then he strode back to his truck.
“What took you so long?” Jessica asked as he settled into his seat.
“I had to say goodbye to Everly,” he said, glancing back at her. She was finally looking sleepy, and hopefully, that meant she’d go to bet without any fuss.
As if on cue, Jessica yawned. “I wish it was tomorrow.”
“Why’s that?” Austin asked with a chuckle.
“Then I can make bracelets with Everly.”
“I wish it was tomorrow, too,” Austin said.
15
Everly
Everly opened her eyes to see a pair of light blue eyes staring back at her.
Meow.
“Hi, kitty,” Everly said. “Are you hungry?”
Meow.
“All right, hang on.” She burrowed deeper into her covers, while sticking one hand out to pet Scratches. Everly was content to wake up slowly. It was Sunday morning, and today would be another day with Austin and Jessica.
Spending most of the day yesterday with Austin and Jessica had been more fun than she could have imagined. Austin had even helped them make bracelets. They made over a dozen since Jessica declared she wanted to make them for her camp friends.
Then they’d gone on the same hike where Everly and Austin had first kissed. This time they didn’t jump off the waterfall or find any privacy to revisit their first kiss, but it was fun to watch Jessica splash in the water. She also made two new friends, Damon and Penny. Everly knew both of the kids’ families, and she was starting to get used to the knowing looks from the residents of Hidden Hollows.
Today . . . today, Austin and Jessica were coming to the brunch with her family. At this thought, the butterflies awakened in her stomach. She’d already warned Brandy to be mellow, but there was nothing Everly could do about her mom. Her mom would likely ask a million questions, and who knew how she’d react to Jessica?
Despite this worry, Everly smiled. Austin had made no secret about his interest in her, and had no problem holding her hand in public, and truthfully, Everly felt flattered about that. And she sort of couldn’t wait to see Brock’s reaction when he met Austin, who was of course, superior to Brock in every way.
Austin was more of a gentleman, more generous, and made her feel like she was the only woman he was interested in. . . . Of course, the tiniest niggling thought kept trying to surface. What would happen when Austin met Brandy? The beautiful, flawless King sister?
Perhaps Everly had gotten completely over Brock, but she’d never get over the fact that it was her very own sister who had come between them.
Meow.
“You’re right,” Everly murmured to her cat. “I need to have more faith in Austin, and more faith in what’s happening between us.” With everyone they’d encountered yesterday, Austin had been friendly and open. He’d even asked questions about what they liked about living in Hidden Hollows. Everly couldn’t deny that she’d felt tingly all over when he talked like that—when he acted like he might consider moving to Hidden Hollows.
Although it might not matter because Everly was pretty sure that if things kept moving forward between them, she’d be willing to relocate.
“What do you think about moving, Snatches?” she said, pulling the purring cat close. “A new town? A new life?”
Meow.
“That’s what I think, too,” Everly said with a laugh. Then she released the cat and climbed out of bed. After feeding Snatches, she cracked open the window—the cat’s favorite mode of escape.
Everly showered and dressed, her heart light and hopeful. Showing up to the family brunch with Austin would be so much better than showing up alone like she usually did. Less than an hour later, Austin’s truck pulled up alongside the curb in front of the store. She’d told him to meet her there since he’d texted he was running late. Saving even a few minutes would make a difference to her mom, who’d already called twice. Once to make sure she was still coming, and a second time to ask where she was.
“I’m on my way,” Everly said into the phone. “Austin is running late. Life is more complicated with a child.”
“You don’t have to tell me that,” her mom snapped.
And the day had suddenly dimmed. Her mom was already on edge, and Everly would soon follow if she didn’t pull herself out of it right now. “I didn’t mean it that way, Mom. Look, I see his truck. We’ll be there as soon as possible. You can start without us, it’s seriously okay.”
“We’re going to wait, but you know how important it is to me to start a meal on time. Does Austin always run late?”
Why did her mom’s tone sound judgy? Her mom had been pushing her for months to start dating, and now that she was . . . Maybe Everly was being hypersensitive herself. She decided not to answer her mom’s question. “See you in a few minutes.”
She hung up without allowing her mom to respond. Then she walked toward the curb as Austin’s white truck slowed. She reached for the door handle when it stopped, tugging it open.
“Hey, guys,” Everly said, smiling at Jessica then at Austin. The little girl looked like she’d been crying, and Austin’s face was grim.
“Are you okay, honey?” Everly ask Jessica as she climbed into the truck. She didn’t know where honey popped up, but it had.
“Can you do my hair?” Jessica asked, her voice trembling. “Daddy doesn’t know how.”
“I know how,” Austin said with a sigh that barely concealed his frustration.
It didn’t take Everly long to assess the situation, especially after seeing the disarray of Jessica’s hair. “I can help,” Everly said, opening the door again.
“What are you doing?” Austin asked, his tone faintly alarmed.
“I’m going to sit by Jessica while you drive,” she said. “I can do her hair on the way.”
When she settled next to Jessi
ca, Austin pulled away from the curb.
Everly held back a smile as she examined the little girl’s hair. The ponytail was crooked, and the hair that should have been smoothed was bumpy. This was a crisis she could help with.
“Do you have a hair brush?” Everly asked.
Jessica’s eyes filled with tears. “Daddy only has a comb.”
“It’s okay, honey,” she said, “I have one in my bag.” She snatched her bag from the front seat, then dug through. In seconds, she had the hair brush. Next, she gently pulled out the ponytail holder that was the kind of elastic found on rolled up newspapers.
“Ouch,” Jessica complained.
“Sorry,” Everly murmured.
Austin’s jaw had tightened.
“I have a ponytail holder that won’t hurt,” Everly said, digging through her bag. She always kept spares with her. She pulled out one she found. “This one’s blue, and it will match your pretty dress.”
“My dress is wrinkled,” Jessica complained.
“Well, sometimes busy girls don’t have time to iron dresses,” Everly said. “Look at my shirt. See the wrinkles?”
Jessica nodded solemnly. Then she turned her head as Everly carefully brushed through the tangles. “Did you wash your hair last night?”
“Daddy made me.”
Austin glanced over, his eyes wary, but Everly only smiled at him. His expression softened before he looked back at the road.
“After we get back to my place, I’m going to show your dad my most favorite conditioner to use,” Everly soothed. “It won’t make tangles in your hair.”
“Okay,” Jessica said in a small voice.
“Oh, and you can meet my kitty named Snatches.”
Jessica’s voice brightened. “You have a kitty?”
“I do, and she’s very nice,” Everly said. “She especially loves little girls who are seven.”
Austin shook his head, but he was smiling.
“There, all done.” Everly tucked the hair brush into her bag.
“That didn’t even hurt,” Jessica said, throwing her arms about Everly’s waist.
“I’m so glad,” Everly murmured, pulling her close.
Austin glanced over again, and for a moment their gazes held. Austin’s brown eyes were full of gratitude, and Everly . . . she was grateful that Jessica’s tears seemed to be a thing of the past.
All too soon, they pulled up to her mom’s house. Everly immediately recognized Brock’s SUV. She tried not to let her nerves get the better of her. She also recognized the car of one of her aunt and uncle’s. Austin opened Jessica’s door, and Everly slid out the same way.
“Thank you,” Austin said, grasping her hand and squeezing. “Have I told you that you’re amazing?”
He hadn’t shaved this morning, and the scruff on his face combined with his chocolatey brown eyes made him very kissable. But Everly was pretty sure her mother at the very least was watching out the front window of the house. So, she settled for squeezing his hand back. “You might have, but I accept all compliments.”
“Okay, then you’re beautiful and amazing, and my daughter loves you.”
The word loves might have sent the butterflies in her stomach into a tailspin, but Everly only smiled. “I’m good with that. Now, come on before my mother throws open the door.”
As if on cue, the front door to her mom’s house opened.
Austin only winked at her, then released her hand so he could rein in Jessica, who was climbing back into the truck because she forgot her Barbie. “Leave it in the truck, sweetie. We’re not here to play.”
“It’s okay,” Everly cut in. “I mean, no one will mind, if that’s fine with you.”
Austin hesitated, then shrugged. “Okay, Jessica. You can bring one.”
“Hooray,” Jessica said, snatching her doll, then beaming at Everly when she climbed out of the truck.
Sure enough, her mother stood in the entryway of the house, a wide smile on her face, although Everly wasn’t fooled. Her mom was watching every movement and forming opinions of Austin and Jessica.
Sure enough, Aunt Janice and Uncle Stanley were present. Everyone crowded the living room to meet the new arrivals, so Everly made the introductions.
“Everyone, this is Austin Hayes and his daughter Jessica,” she said. “And this is my sister Brandy, her fiancé, Brock, my aunt Janice, uncle Stanley, and my mom, Lydia.”
She watched as Austin greeted everyone, shaking their hands, and she couldn’t help comparing him to Brock as the two men exchanged short pleasantries. Brock’s short blond hair and blue eyes were a contrast to Austin’s dark hair and dark eyes. Brock was about an inch shorter yet broader than Austin. Everly knew first-hand how he spent one to two hours a day at the gym working on his sculpted physique. Austin was leaner, but more real to her.
Everly also caught Brandy sizing up the two men. Everly waited for Austin to notice her sister’s beauty, to maybe gaze at her a moment too long, but he didn’t seem affected. He simply shook her hand, smiled, then moved on. He came to stand next to Everly and linked their fingers.
Brock’s gaze went to their linked hands, then moved back up. It had been subtle and quick, but Everly had noticed it. She had no idea what was going through Brock’s mind, but she didn’t care. She’d cried and agonized enough over how his smiles were now directed to her sister, how he could hardly keep his gaze off of her . . . yet, this morning, he was looking at Everly again as if he hadn’t noticed her in a long, long time.
Everly refused to meet his gaze again, although that didn’t mean she didn’t feel it on her throughout the meal.
Jessica was perfectly polite and charming, and Everly’s mom was sweet to her. A big relief. Brandy acted pleasant, but barely interacted with Jessica. Instead Brandy focused on Austin, asking him all sorts of questions about his job, his education.
“Are you divorced?” Aunt Janice asked.
Everly hadn’t told her aunt about Austin specifically, but surely she knew . . .
“Widowed,” Austin said simply.
“My mommy died,” Jessica added in a matter-of-fact tone. “When I was five.”
The table went absolutely silent, and Everly wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Oh, goodness,” Aunt Janice said. “I’m very sorry to hear that.” Her gaze shifted to Austin. “And you’re already dating? That is so great.”
Really? A hole right about now would be good. And Everly had been worried about her mom saying something awkward.
“Actually, Everly is the first woman I’ve dated since my wife’s death,” Austin said, his tone casual. “My mother would have liked me to be dating a lot sooner than now, but my career has been busy and I’d rather spend my nights and weekends with my daughter. Not only that, but no one had caught my eye until I came to Hidden Hollows. And now I don’t know who likes Everly more, me or Jessica.”
Everly was pretty sure she was blushing, and Brock and Brandy were definitely looking at her with interest.
“Oh, that’s sweet,” Aunt Janice said. “Everly always was a great babysitter.”
“This salad dressing is really good, Mom,” Everly said. “Is it homemade?”
Too obvious?
Her mom dragged her gaze away from Austin. When she met Everly’s, she hoped her mom could see the pleading in her eyes. “Yes, in fact I found it on Pinterest. Which reminds me, I can’t wait for you all to try my dessert. It’s a new recipe. Jessica, do you like chocolate?”
And the conversation was finally diverted. Everly took another bite of her salad as Brandy talked about her charity work for African orphans and how Brock was putting together a trip for them later in the year to go visit some of the orphanages. His law firm was one of the top donors to Brandy’s nonprofit.
“That is so wonderful,” her mother said. “Such important work. Think of all those poor children over there with next to nothing.”
Everly was starting to blank out, as she usually did when she was in the same ro
om as Brandy and Brock. He’d never taken an interest in her art or any of her jobs. But with Brandy? He was putting resources from his law firm into hers.
It didn’t matter. Not anymore. And then Everly felt another pair of eyes on her. She wondered what Austin thought of her family, or if he was ready to flee.
“You should come with us, Everly,” Brandy said.
Everly lifted her gaze. She’d love to do a humanitarian project sometime, but with Brandy and Brock? No, thank you. “When you work out the details, I’ll see what I can do,” she said, because she was too weak to say no outright. Besides, she didn’t want it to become a family discussion.
Brock then asked Austin about his dad’s parents, and they figured out that his dad and Brock’s dad were second cousins, which made Brock and Austin third or maybe fourth cousins? During the rest of the meal, Everly felt on edge, although everything seemed normal on the outside. On the inside, her mind raced, her stomach clenched, and she wanted to find a way to apologize to Austin for Janice’s audacity.
16
Austin
Austin wished that Everly would talk to him as they drove back to her place. Well, she was talking, mostly to Jessica, but he knew there were things on Everly’s mind that she wasn’t saying. He could hear it in the higher pitch of her voice, and he could see it in the slight tremble of her hands. Right now, she and Jessica were talking about a Disney series that he’d never heard of. Something about wizards.
“Can we watch it together when I come back?” Jessica asked.
“That sounds fun,” Everly said.
They were almost to Everly’s place where they’d drop her off, then Austin would be taking Jessica back to his parents. She’d already protested, and asked to stay longer, but Everly had effectively calmed her down. She was good at that. And Austin appreciated it, but he also wished that he could have some alone time with Everly to find out what was really going on in that mind of hers.
It was pretty clear that being around Brock still rattled her. Thankfully, Austin didn’t sense that she was attracted to him or anything, just that he was a giant elephant in the room. Brandy seemed nice, but overly analytical. Didn’t she realize that Everly might need her space from Brock?
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