“I don’t know,” Evelyn said, her expression was conflicted. She buried her head in her hands. “My mom spoke to me yesterday, and she told me something… I… Ever since… I just… The thought of getting married at twenty suddenly feels like a prison sentence. I love Jeremy… But I don’t know if I want to marry him yet.”
“What are you going to do, Evie?” Zasha asked with a gasp.
It felt as though the entire world had been tipped on its head. Zasha had known Jeremy almost as long as she’d known Evelyn. She didn’t want to see him get hurt, but she also didn’t want Evelyn to do something she’d regret for the rest of her life.
“I don’t know,” Evelyn said miserably. “I was hoping that you’d help me.”
“How could I?” Zasha asked, shaking her head. “I have no experience with these types of things.”
“Oh, please,” Evelyn said, rolling her eyes. “You’ve got Tom wrapped around your little finger. And let’s not forget how you’ve got Sebastian Black on the line. I swear, every girl in this town wishes they were in your shoes.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Zasha said with a frown. “Tom and I are together… but you know it’s not like what you and Jeremy have. The boy’s only dating me because his mother told him to. Besides, Sebastian hates me. You’ve seen how he bullies me for no reason.”
“Sure,” Evelyn said, rolling her eyes. “Sometimes I forget how clueless you are, Zasha. I love you, but I swear, you can be so dim.”
“We’re not talking about me right now,” Zasha said, rolling her eyes. “We’re here for you. Let’s think about this rationally. You love Jeremy, right?”
“Right,” Evelyn said firmly.
“And you’re engaged. So, maybe you could ask him to wait for a little while? I mean, there’s no rush. You both know you love each other.”
“What if he doesn’t get it?” Evelyn asked in a small voice. “I mean, I hardly understand any of this myself.”
“To be honest, I don’t know how he will react,” Zasha said with a sigh. “This is all so sudden. I mean, what made your mother decide to bring this up now? She knows how things have been between the two of you.”
“It’s complicated,” Evelyn sighed, pulling her knees up against her chest. “What do you know about your mama, Zasha?”
“What do you mean?” Zasha asked with a frown.
“I mean, what do you know about her life before you? What was she like? Did she have another boyfriend before your papa?”
“I … don’t know,” Zasha realized slowly.
“It’s strange to think that they had this whole other life before we came along. I wonder if they ever wish they could go back and do things differently.”
“Evie,” Zasha said softly. “I’m worried about you. What’s wrong?”
“I’ve just got cold feet,” Evie said with a sad smile. “I’m sure everything will be alright by morning. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“You know you can count on me,” Zasha said firmly. In that moment, Zasha felt that she would rather die than betray her friend’s trust.
As Zasha looked at Jeremy’s heartbroken expression, she felt a wave of guilt pass over her. She wished she could take back the secret that she had told Ivy, but it was too late.
“Zasha,” Jeremy asked again, his voice trembling. “Is it true?”
“Evie loved you more than anything,” Zasha said sincerely. “She would never have hurt you. You have to believe that Jeremy.”
“Was she going to call off the wedding?” Jeremy asked, his voice becoming firm.
Zasha looked between him and Ivy. She felt claustrophobic, even though they were standing out in the open. Before she could think about what she was doing, she turned on her heel and ran away. She pumped her arms as she ran, pushing herself further.
When she finally stopped, she was back behind the church at the spot where she had promised Evelyn that she’d keep their conversation a secret. Her chest was on fire, and she struggled to catch her breath. The world seemed like a darker place, and she was finally hit with the reality of the situation. She might never see her best friend smile again. She leaned against the big oak tree and crumpled to her knees, hugging herself tightly as tears streamed down her face.
A leaf crunched behind her, and she quickly turned around. She viciously wiped her tears away when she caught sight of Sebastian Black. His eyes widened when he realized that he’d been caught, and he gave her a sheepish smile.
“Sorry about that,” Sebastian said, “I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Why are you here, Sebastian?” Zasha asked sullenly. Her cheeks were burning, and she wished the earth would swallow her whole. She had promised herself a long time ago that she would never let Sebastian Black see her cry.
“I was minding my own business when I saw you bolt away from my brother as though the devil were chasing you. I felt I would be remiss in my duties as a gentleman if I didn’t follow you.”
“Go away,” Zasha hissed.
She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Sebastian liked to pretend that he was just a no-good troublemaker, but the problem was that he was the smartest person she had ever known. His intellect made him all the more dangerous, and she hated the way he spoke. It was as if he was trying to prove to the world that he was better than everyone else.
“I can’t do that,” Sebastian protested. “It’s my responsibility to make you feel better.”
“And why’s that?” Zasha asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
“Well, I don’t see your shadow anywhere, so I’m assuming that no one else is going to comfort you.”
“My shadow?” Zasha asked, raising her eyebrow.
“Tom,” Sebastian said with a grin. “Isn’t he always following you like a pathetic little puppy?”
“Leave Tom alone,” Zasha said, glaring at him. “He’s a good man. Unlike you.”
Everyone in town knew how Sebastian Black made his money. They all knew that eventually the law would catch up to his bootlegging and then it would be the end of his arrogant smirks and pricey suits. No one knew why he was still in town, but Zasha hoped that eventually he would move on to deeper waters.
“If he’s such a good man, then why isn’t he comforting his girl during this difficult time?” Sebastian asked as he sat down next to her. He didn’t seem to care that his suit would get creased.
Zasha felt like a little girl next to him in her simple cotton dress and braided hair. He scanned her whole face critically, and she had to fight not to blush and look away.
Sebastian always looked at her in a way that made her feel vulnerable and exposed, as if his penetrating eyes could see into her soul.
“I’m sure he’s looking for me,” Zasha sniffed. “I’ve been away all morning. He doesn’t know where I am.”
“And yet, you’re sitting right here in front of me,” Sebastian said, his eyes dropping to her lips. Zasha forced herself to sit still. She wanted nothing more than to get up and run. “It’s not hard to find you. When will you realize that you’re not in love with that little boy?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Zasha snapped, irritation rising up in her chest. She wished she could punch Sebastian in the face.
“Yes,” he said softly, his eyes flicking up to meet hers. She felt trapped by his intense gaze. “You do. Tell me, will you be happy living the rest of your life with a weak man and his overbearing mother?”
Zasha didn’t answer, she looked down instead, not wanting him to see what was in her eyes. He reached out and took hold of her chin. Despite his callous skin, his hold was gentle and not as uncomfortable as expected. He turned her face toward his, making it impossible to keep her eyes averted. Her heart stopped. She pushed against his arm, hoping he would let her go but almost dreading the moment that he did.
“Tell me the truth,” he said, his voice gravelly. His scent overpowered her senses and she forced herself to purse her lips. He would not get the better of her. Unfo
rtunately, the action drew his attention again and he smirked at her.
It felt as though they were trapped in their own bubble. His face filled the whole world, and she hated how handsome he was. The grass pricked the back of her legs, and she felt the rough bark behind her back. Nothing else existed except the two of them in that fragrant garden.
“Don’t you know that you could be so much more?” Sebastian asked, his breath fanning her face.
“Let go of her,” a cool voice said, snapping them out of their spell.
Chapter Twelve
Sebastian instinctively held on tighter to Zasha, but she pushed him away firmly and got up, dusting her skirt off. She glowered at him and took a step back. She hated that Ivy had caught her in such a compromising situation, but she hated that she had allowed Sebastian to get that close.
“What are you doing here?” Zasha asked Ivy, narrowing her eyes at the woman. “I won’t keep helping you if you insist on hurting everyone close to Evelyn.”
“What happened?” Sebastian asked with a frown. “What did she do?”
“I’m not going to tell you,” Zasha told him, feeling somewhat petulant. “You can leave now. There’s no need for you to be here.”
Ivy looked between the two of them with a thoughtful expression. She shrugged her shoulders lightly.
“I’m going to continue with the investigation. You can come with me or continue with whatever it is you were just doing.”
“I wasn’t doing anything,” Zasha said, blushing furiously.
“Liar,” Sebastian muttered under his breath.
“Shut your mouth, Sebastian Black,” Zasha said in annoyance.
“Is he bothering you?” Ivy asked curiously.
“Yes.” Zasha said at the same time Sebastian said, “No.” They shared an annoyed look and Sebastian’s brow knitted together in frustration. Ivy walked toward them and stepped in front of Zasha. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Sebastian.
“She doesn’t want you here, it would be best if you left now.”
Sebastian looked at Ivy incredulously. His eyes met Zasha’s, and she immediately mirrored Ivy’s pose, conveying all her displeasure in her movements. He rolled his eyes at them, saluted sarcastically and walked off.
“What was that all about?” Ivy asked curiously.
“Nothing,” Zasha said with a huff. “Look, we need to talk about what happened back there with Jeremy. I don’t like how you handled that. He didn’t deserve to be treated in that way. I’ve known him since we were kids, and he would never hurt Evie. He loves her more than he loves himself. I don’t know why you insist on suspecting the least likely people. You’re not listening to me at all, and if things continue this way, then obviously I don’t need to be around.”
Ivy pursed her lips thoughtfully and leaned all her weight on her hip. She nodded slowly, her red hair bouncing in the sunlight.
“Fair enough,” Ivy said with a shrug. “I guess you have a point. But if it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t have a new lead. When you rushed off like that, I got Jeremy to name the person he thinks is behind the attack. I think it’s time we spoke to Daniel.”
“Yeah, good luck with that,” Zasha said dully. “I have to get back. My mama will kill me if I’m not there in time to make dinner. In fact, you should probably come help. She might warm up to you if you’re helpful.”
“I don’t know how to cook,” Ivy said, waving her hand dismissively. “I would only get in the way, and I don’t think your mother would appreciate that.”
“You fought in a war,” Zasha said incredulously. “It won’t be that hard to peel a few potatoes. Come.” She grabbed Ivy’s hand and pulled her as she walked.
Ivy followed hesitantly but made it clear from the way she sighed that she wasn’t looking forward to the exercise.
“Mama!” Zasha called as soon as they walked into the kitchen. “We’re home!”
“Kitchen!” Yelena called.
When she caught sight of Ivy trailing in behind Zasha, her expression soured slightly, and she looked down at her work. Ivy gave Zasha a knowing look which she ignored.
“It smells wonderful,” Zasha said sweetly, “what can we help with?”
“Peel potatoes,” Yelena commanded, nodding at the sink where the potatoes were waiting in a basin full of water. “Why is she still here?”
“I spoke to a mechanic today,” Ivy said, looking around awkwardly. “My car should be fixed soon, and I’ve made a few interesting discoveries. I hope that we’ll get this case solved in no time.”
“We?” Yelena echoed suspiciously.
Zasha immediately turned around and dropped a potato. When she went to pick it up, she gave Ivy a warning glance. Ivy’s eyes widened imperceptibly, and she gave a curt little nod.
“I meant me,” Ivy said soberly. “I hope that I’ll get this case solved in no time.”
Yelena narrowed her eyes at her daughter but decided not to say anything.
“It must be difficult work,” Yelena said slowly. “How do you know what to do?”
“It’s like building a puzzle,” Ivy explained. “I pick up all the pieces and try to figure out where they all belong. It can be a tiring process, but someone has to do it.”
“And that someone must be you?” Yelena asked skeptically. “Why?”
“Uhm,” Ivy shifted uncomfortably. Zasha looked at her mother questioningly, but Yelena ignored her. She focused all her attention on Ivy while she worked. “Why not? If not me, then who? Besides, it’s what I’m good at. What else would I do with my life?”
“Get married,” Yelena said simply. “And have children. What’s wrong with doing that?”
“Nothing!” Ivy said. “There’s nothing at all wrong with that. It’s just that I don’t think that I would be good at either of those things, so this is what I’m doing with my life instead.”
“Your mother must be disappointed,” Yelena said sadly.
“Mama!” Zasha protested. “You can’t say things like that.”
“Why not?” Yelena asked, sounding bewildered. “Why can’t I ask questions in my own house? Is she afraid of answering?”
“It’s not polite, mama,” Zasha said, feeling embarrassed.
“It’s not a problem,” Ivy said, despite her tense smile. “It’s perfectly normal to be curious. And your mother is welcome to ask about me. I’m not quite that interesting.”
“This is not true,” Yelena said, gesturing at her outfit. “You are new, and I don’t know who you are. I don’t know if I’m comfortable letting my daughter spend so much time with you. What if she becomes disrespectful?”
“From what I’ve seen, I’m not the one who’s making her disrespectful,” Ivy muttered under her breath.
“What did you say?” Yelena asked with a frown.
“Nothing, nothing,” Ivy said innocently. “I understand why you’d want to get to know me. Honestly, Mrs. Ross, I don’t have a good reason for why I’m not married yet. Ever since I was a little girl, I somehow knew that I was different. And I knew that I wouldn’t be able to follow the traditional path.”
For some reason, Yelena looked away when Ivy said this. Zasha had been paying close attention to her mother’s reaction and was surprised to find understanding in her mother’s eyes.
“The funeral is tomorrow, we need to prepare a pie to take with,” Yelena told Zasha, firmly changing the subject. “You and your friend can bake it while I clean up after dinner.”
“So soon?” Zasha said, feeling aghast. “How is that possible?”
“Dorothy worked hard to make it happen,” Yelena explained. “It’s better that it happens so soon. We don’t want Mary and Clara left unburied for too long.”
“Did you know them well?” Ivy asked curiously.
“No…” Zasha started, but she was surprised when her mother started talking.
“Yes,” Yelena said with a quick nod. “Mary was my first friend when I came to New Hope with my husband. She
was very kind. I will miss her.”
“I didn’t know,” Zasha said in surprise.
“You don’t know everything, malyshka, no matter how much you think you do.”
“Tell me, do you know of anyone who might’ve wanted to hurt Mary?” Ivy asked.
“Daniel,” Yelena said without hesitation.
“Why is that?” Ivy asked, her eyebrows shooting up.
“She broke his heart,” Yelena said, looking off into the distance. “Men don’t easily forget something like that.”
If Zasha didn’t know any better, she might’ve thought that her mother was speaking from experience. She quickly shook that thought out of her head. That was impossible.
“What happened between them?” Ivy asked, leaning against the table and looking intently at Yelena.
Yelena sighed heavily and shook her head.
“Mary was a rebellious child,” Yelena said sadly. “She didn’t want to be like her mother, who had ten children and no life. When she was a teenager, she and Daniel fell in love. She liked that everyone hated him and enjoyed the thrill. I don’t think she truly loved him.”
“Why did everyone hate him?” Ivy asked curiously. “And why do you think she didn’t really love him?”
Zasha stopped peeling potatoes and listened intently to what her mother had to say. It surprised her that Yelena was talking freely. Whenever she tried to get information out of her mother, Yelena would clam up and refuse to divulge anything.
“He knew that when his aunt died, he would get everything, so he was very proud. Poor Estelle spoiled the boy rotten. Mary was the prettiest girl in town, and so he thought that she was the only one good enough for him. I think she enjoyed the attention but didn’t know what she was getting into.”
“What happened, mama?” Zasha asked breathlessly.
Yelena fixed her daughter with a stern glare but continued with her story.
“Daniel asked her to marry him. The date was all set, but then one day, Mary changed her mind. She broke off the engagement, and a month later, she started a relationship with James Turner.”
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