4. Evelyn
CHAPTER 4
EVELYN
I can’t remember the last time I slept this well. Certainly, it had to be before I lost my parents, and maybe not even then. It’s so quiet out here in the mountains. There was nothing to disturb me, and I slept so soundly. Now though, the smell of coffee and bacon wakes me up, and my stomach growls at me to get up.
I don’t want to go out in my pajamas and messy hair, so I take a few minutes to get ready and brush my teeth. Then, because they are so warm, I decide to leave the pajamas on and head into the kitchen.
When Scar sees me, he stops and smiles. It’s the kind of smile that lights up his face and does funny things to my belly.
“How did you sleep?” he asks as he turns back to the food on the stove.
“Better than I have in a long time. It’s so quiet here and peaceful,” I say honestly, searching the counter for the coffee I smell.
“Coffee?” he asks.
It’s as if he can read my mind. “Yes, please,” I say with a smile.
“How do you take your coffee?” he asks, then moves to the other side of the kitchen and opens a cabinet to grab a coffee cup.
“Oh, I can make it,” I say, starting to walk over to where he is.
“If I’m going to make coffee for you, I have to learn how you take it.”
I stop in my tracks.
He plans to make coffee for me? I thought I’d be the wife to do all his stuff and learn how he likes things, but this is completely throwing me off.
“Normally I have it with a splash of flavored creamer,” I say.
“I have some vanilla creamer, but what kind do you like?” he asks as he goes to the fridge.
“This time of year, I love peppermint creamer, and I can drink that all year around, actually.” I clamp my mouth shut before I start rambling.
“Since I was thinking of going into town today, we can get you a jacket, and stock up at the store with things you like, too. You can meet Ruby at the Merc, and we’ll get some Christmas decorations. I don’t have many,” he says.
Smiling, I try not to let my excitement show. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to shop for anything other than groceries, and I had to do those via the pickup service, so I didn’t stray from my budget. It’s been even longer since I was in any kind of store.
“That would be great. I’m excited to see Mustang Mountain,” I say as I take the plate of food Scar hands me.
We sit at the table and talk, getting to know each other, but staying on safe topics this time: favorite foods, things we like to do, movies we like to watch, books we enjoy reading. If this was a formal date, it would be the best one I’ve ever been on because he is actually getting to know me and letting me get to know him.
“Why don’t you get ready to go into town, and I’ll clean up here?” he says when we finish dinner.
“Okay,” I agree, but only because he’s already dressed and I still need to take a shower.
An hour later, we are entering Mustang Mountain, and I can’t help exclaiming how pretty and perfect it is. I have always loved small towns, and Mustang Mountain looks like one of the small towns from all the travel brochures where all those Christmas movies are madeThough I had never heard of it until Scar said it’s where he lives.
The town is already decked out for Christmas with lights on every streetlight. There are over-the-top displays in the store windows, and everything looks magical and inviting. Scar parks his truck on the street, and we walk down the block to the Merc.
The moment we walk in, it smells like hot coffee, fresh pine, and peppermint. There are Christmas carols softly filling the air, and a little old lady greets us with a huge smile and a hug for Scar.
“Scar, there you are! Perfect timing. I need something off that top shelf, and I was hoping one of you boys would walk in and be able to help. Oh, my, who is this?” Ruby asks when she sees me.
“Ruby, this is Evelyn,” he says, pausing for a moment before adding, “My fiancé.”
Ruby’s eyes go big, and I can tell the news caught her by surprise.
“Well, Scar, I am just plum shocked. I didn’t even know you were seeing someone! Oh, come here, Hun,” Ruby says before pulling me into a big hug like my grandmother used to do.
“We are so happy you are here in Mustang Mountain! Where are you from?” She grills me while Scar goes to the back to get the box Ruby asked for.
“Kentucky,” I say.
“And how did you two meet?” I’m not sure if he wants people to know that we met on a mail-order bride website. Since I don’t want to lie, I just smile “You will have to ask him the story.”
Thankfully, she accepts my answer and gives Scar her attention as he comes back in with the box. While he talks to Ruby and some of the other people there, Scar gives me time to shop.
I find a jacket I like, but the price makes me cringe, so I set it back and look at the sale rack. I don’t notice Scar beside me until he is placing the first jacket in my hands.
“If you like it, buy it. Money isn’t a problem. Also, I saw you eyeing the blanket and pillows over there. Grab them. I think they will look great on the couch,” he says before selecting a few other items before we check out.
“Oh, Evelyn, that jacket is going to look stunning on you. I can’t believe Scar here has been keeping you a secret. I can’t want to get to know you some more. In fact, Orville and I have been invited to this Christmas party at the Hot Springs. Someone just bought it and wants to share the remodel ideas,” she says.
Judging by Scar’s frown, this is not a good idea.
“I didn't know someone had bought that place. Any idea who it is?” he asks.
“No, that's why Orville and I are going to go down and see if we can meet them and find out what's going on. It would be great to have you guys there with us,” Ruby says.
Scar turns to me. “What do you say? You up for a little impromptu Christmas party?”
It's been a while since I’ve been able to attend any kind of Christmas party because of working at the diner and all. I love the thought of getting dressed up, having a good time, and enjoying the night.
“Yeah, I think it could be really fun,” I say.
Scar turns back to Ruby. “Looks like we'll see you there.”
“Ooh, that's so wonderful! Wait until I tell Orville,” Ruby says as we finish paying for our stuff.
We visit a few more stores on Main Street, including the outdoor store. I’m shocked that the experience of shopping with Scar is much like at the mercantile. He makes sure that I get what I want, and price doesn't seem to matter. With all my shopping, I try to buy the cheaper version or go without when something is expensive, and he stops me. He even buys the bigger pack of Oreos for me at the store instead of the small one I grab.
“One more stop. I want to let the guys at the club know about what's going on with the Springs. Plus, I think it will be good for you to meet some of the girls,” he says once we're done shopping and back in his truck.
“Sounds good to me.” I try not to let on that I'm nervous about meeting everyone, but I could really use some friends in the area as well.
“Luna should be there. She's my buddy Ford's wife, and a teacher at the school, so she might have some tips if you're looking for a job there.”
When we walk into the train station where they are meeting, there are quite a few people there already. Scar walks me right over to where the girls are all hanging out on some of the couches.
“Hey, this is my fiancée, Evelyn. Can she hang out with you all while I go talk to the guys about a few things?” Scar then introduces me to a few people, including Luna and Ginger.
I watch him meet with a few of the men, and then they head to one of the back offices, so I turn my attention to the women.
“You just got in yesterday, right?” The blonde one whose name I can't remember asks.
“Yes, it was a two-day bus ride, so I was really happy to sleep in a real bed,” I say with a smile.
“Have you had a chance to see any of the town?” Luna asks.
“Today, we did a little shopping downtown. I got to meet Ruby.”
That launches the girls into conversations and stories about Ruby leading into talking about all sorts of Christmas planning.
They make sure that they include me in the conversation, and they seem like generally nice people. It's been so long since I've had a good friend that I could talk to, and it's been even longer since I felt so at ease around people.
This might work out after all.