Chapter 9 Evangeline #2
“Trudy, this is Evangeline, Leo’s new nanny,” Grayson said politely. “Evangeline, this is Trudy, my mom’s best friend.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, dear,” Trudy said with a smile. “Come on in and have a seat. Dinner is nearly ready for you.”
“Thank you,” Evangeline told her, already feeling less shy.
They all stepped into a lobby that smelled like pine and cinnamon, and looked like something out of a movie with its dark wood wainscoting hung with boughs of pine and holly.
“Here we are,” Trudy said. “Hello, everyone. This is Evangeline, Grayson, and baby Leo. I’ll let you all make your introductions while I just check on our supper.”
Grayson pulled out a chair for Evangeline with his free hand and she just caught Mr. Sullivan nodding approvingly out of the corner of her eye. Maybe men out in the country were just more polite than the city ones.
Mr. Sullivan sat at the end of the table, closest to a big window overlooking the snowy woods and shimmering lake. Grayson seated himself beside Mr. Sullivan, with Evangeline on his left.
Past Evangeline were two men who seemed to be in their thirties. And across the table there was a pair of elderly ladies dressed to the nines, with a little girl seated between them.
The end seat nearest the kitchen was unoccupied, presumably Trudy would seat herself there when the meal was ready. And the seat to the left of that was also vacant.
“Jeff Golden,” said the man seated beside Evangeline.
“David Smithfield,” the man on his other side leaned forward to add. “We’re in town to make some final plans on excavation for the highway.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said politely. She didn’t know enough about the town or the highway to ask any follow-up questions.
“We’re Ethel and Blythe Hayes,” one of the ladies across from her said.
“And this is our granddaughter, Phoebe,” the other added, motioning to the little girl beside her.
“We’re here to look for the northern shrike,” Phoebe put in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“What’s the northern shrike?” Evangeline asked.
“It’s a bird,” Phoebe said. “And it’s hard to find.”
“What does it look like?” Grayson asked her.
The little girl beamed at him and dove into a very detailed description of the bird, where it lived, and its method of feeding, which was a little terrifying to Evangeline, but interesting nonetheless.
“It’s predatory,” Phoebe finished, breathlessly. “Even though it’s pretty.”
Her grandmothers looked on proudly, Blythe winking at Evangeline when she caught her eye.
“How long have you been here looking for him?” Grayson asked the little girl.
“Excuse me,” Evangeline said quietly. “I’m just going to see if Trudy needs a hand.”
She slipped out and entered the back of the house, following her nose. Sure enough, she found Trudy in the kitchen, pulling a roast chicken with root vegetables out of the oven.
“Can I give you a hand?” Evangeline offered once the other lady had the pan settled on the counter. “Everything smells incredible.”
“Oh goodness, no, child,” Trudy told her with a smile. “I’ve got it all under control and there’s no need for you to do a thing but enjoy yourself.”
“Oh,” Evangeline said feeling a little deflated. “Okay.”
“You like to help, don’t you?” Trudy asked softly.
Evangeline nodded, feeling seen.
“Well, in that case,” Trudy said. “Why don’t you carry out that tray with our rolls and butter and jams?”
“Okay,” Evangeline said.
“But that’s all,” Trudy told her firmly. “You’re my guests and you work hard taking care of that sweet little baby. So I want you to relax tonight.”
“Thank you, Trudy,” Evangeline said as she carefully lifted the wooden tray and carried it back out to the dining room.
“Look at that,” Mr. Sullivan said, his brow lifted. “She likes you, Evangeline. Normally my Trudy won’t allow a guest to lift a finger.”
Evangeline couldn’t help smiling at his praise.
“You two live out this way permanently?” Jeff asked. “What’s it like out here for a young couple?”
“Oh—” Evangeline began.
“We’re not a couple,” Grayson said a little too loudly.
The table went silent for a moment.
“I’m Leo’s nanny,” Evangeline said brightly, trying to push away the awkwardness. “I just arrived in town yesterday, but I already love it.”
“Is there much to do?” David asked with a dubious expression.
“Oh, there’s a wonderful library,” Evangeline told him. “And lots of shopping and the people are so friendly. We went into the village today and I honestly didn’t know what to do first.”
“Isn’t that lovely?” Ethel said to Blythe.
David nodded, still not looking convinced.
But when she turned back, Grayson was eyeing her with a little twinkle in his eye, and Mr. Sullivan nodded to her approvingly.
Well, she couldn’t imagine anyone here not having a lot of town pride. She’d been here all of twenty-four hours and she already knew Trinity Falls was a special place.
“Here we are,” Trudy said, setting a beautiful platter of chicken and vegetables on the table alongside the wooden tray Evangeline had brought in.
Oohs and ahhs of appreciation sounded around the table.
“That looks amazing, my love,” Mr. Sullivan said.
“I guess no one will go hungry tonight,” Trudy said modestly. But Evangeline noticed that her cheeks went pink with pleasure at her husband’s compliment.
Mr. Sullivan said a few words of thanks over the meal and then everyone was passing around their plates and chatting over the delightful meal.
Jeff turned to Evangeline partway through dinner.
“So, you’re new in town and single?” he asked her quietly.
She opened her mouth and closed it again, not sure what she was supposed to say. Both statements were true, but to say yes in this moment felt like she was agreeing to something else, and she certainly didn’t have any interest in spending time with a stranger.
Especially when there’s a man like Grayson Ward at home, an unhelpful little voice whispered in her mind.
“I’d love to take you out for dinner tomorrow night, if you don’t have plans,” Jeff continued, seemingly unaware of her discomfort. “Maybe you can show me around town.”
“Evangeline stays very busy with Leo,” Grayson growled suddenly.
Evangeline was so startled, it was all she could do not to jump out of her seat. She hadn’t even realized he was listening in. Phoebe had been regaling him with more birdwatching facts the whole time Jeff was talking to her.
“Oh,” Jeff said, straightening up. “I see.”
The faintest little smirk played around the edges of his mouth, like he knew something Grayson didn’t. Evangeline couldn’t imagine what it could be. It was awfully impertinent of the man to judge Grayson in any way.
“Speaking of Leo,” she said. “I think it’s my turn with my favorite guy, so you can eat.”
This time, Grayson didn’t frown or go still when she put her arms out for Leo. Instead, he turned the baby over to her happily.
“Hello, sweet boy,” Evangeline said.
Leo smiled at her and reached for her cheek, his eyes getting wide.
She watched his little face. The expression in his eyes was so tender. He was a very sweet baby. Hopefully, he would grow up to be a kind and thoughtful man.
She felt a sudden pang, knowing she wouldn’t be here for any of that.
“Sorry, sorry,” a cheerful voice boomed from the lobby. “They asked me to stay late after training.”
“Chad,” Trudy said happily. “So glad you could join us. There’s plenty here for you to enjoy.”
“I’ll just wash up first,” the young man said as he entered the room.
He had blond hair to his collar and his cheeks were flushed from the cold outside.
It took a second for Evangeline to remember him as one of the men they’d delivered sandwiches to at the firehouse.
That whole thing had been kind of a whirlwind for her.
He smiled at Trudy on his way past her to the kitchen.
“Chad is in law enforcement training,” Trudy said proudly. “He’s also our handyman around the inn.”
“Busy guy,” David put in.
“It must be nice to have a young man around the place,” Ethel said.
“Oh, he’s such a help,” Trudy told her.
“Like a son to us,” her husband put in with a smile.
Chad was back in a moment, taking the chair next to the end where Trudy sat. He piled his plate and praised the meal while Trudy looked on fondly.
He ate politely but very quickly. Evangeline wasn’t sure if he was ravenous, or if he just didn’t want to slow down the pace of the meal.
“Amazing,” he declared at last, leaning back from his empty plate and patting his belly.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Trudy told him. “Would everyone like some coffee and dessert? We have regular and decaf coffee, and I’ve got a nice homemade apple pie.”
“A la mode?” Mr. Sullivan asked.
“No ice cream, I’m afraid,” she replied.
“I’ll run into town for ice cream,” Chad offered, hopping up from his seat.
“No need, son,” Mr. Sullivan said. “We’re fine.”
“I’ll be back by the time the coffee’s ready,” Chad said, already halfway out of the dining room.
“He just wants an excuse to walk by the jewelry store and get himself a peek at that Valerie,” Mr. Sullivan said quietly as the front door closed behind Chad.
“Oh, Ward,” Trudy said.
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” he went on. “She’s a great girl. But I don’t think she’s ready for him.”
“She’s not ready for him yet,” Trudy said, her eyes twinkling. “But she will be one day. I’m sure of it.”
“Don’t be in a hurry for that,” Blythe said. “You don’t want to lose your handyman.”
“Oh, Trudy’s a romantic at heart,” Mr. Sullivan said. “She would sacrifice her handyman in a heartbeat for a good love story.”
“He’s right,” Trudy said, smiling. “Love is the only reason we’re here.”
“So true,” Ethel said, wrapping an arm around her granddaughter and giving her a squeeze.
Evangeline found herself gazing down at Leo’s tuft of hair. He was looking around the table in absolute awe right now, and she was pretty sure she’d never seen a more adorable sight.
But as the conversation moved on, he got a little wiggly.
“I’m just going to walk with him a bit,” she said softly, sliding out of her chair.
As she headed out of the room, she found herself thinking about Trudy’s wise words.
Love is the only reason we’re here.