Chapter 7 Evangeline
EVANGELINE
Evangeline awoke with the sunrise, surrounded by physical comfort.
The blankets were soft and warm and smelled like jasmine, and the pillows were just the right balance of firm and fluffy.
She had showered last night and though she’d had to put back on the clothing she’d been wearing all day yesterday, it felt really good to be warm and clean after her long and trying day.
Slipping out of bed, she tried to listen for signs of life in the house. But the place was so big that it was honestly useless.
She slid her jeans on, pausing when she felt her phone in the pocket.
The temptation to turn it on and try to get news of her brother was almost overwhelming, but she reminded herself of her promise and left it alone.
I’ll need a phone if I’m taking care of Leo, though. Grayson will want to be able to reach us.
She could buy a prepaid one in town today. Of course, if Grayson saw that she had a phone already, he would wonder why she was buying another one.
Without overthinking it, she pulled the cell phone from her pocket and tugged at one of the window seats.
Just as she had suspected, the cushion and seat lifted up easily, revealing a completely empty space inside for storage.
Leaning down as far as she could, Evangeline placed her cell phone in the darkest corner. It would probably be a long time before Grayson furnished this house to the point where he needed storage in the guest room window seats.
And by then I’ll be long gone.
The idea made her a little sad, though of course she didn’t want to be away from Rory any longer than necessary and she hardly knew Grayson and Leo.
Slipping into the bathroom, she freshened up, brushing her teeth with a bit of toothpaste on her finger like she had last night.
She was going to have to buy so many things today.
Thank goodness she still had her debit card and the bit of cash in her wallet. She hadn’t even discussed salary with Grayson, but if he was giving her a place to live then she could get by on almost nothing, if necessary.
A guy with a big house like this will surely be able to pay me a fair wage.
It hit her again that Rory could be in jail right now. She might need every penny she could raise to get him representation.
Panic slid icy fingers through her gut and she had to force herself to stop thinking about it. She promised herself that she’d get to the library today so that she could email the Andersons and check in with Rooster. For now, there wasn’t much more she could do.
Evangeline opened the bedroom door as quietly as she could and slipped into the hallway. Immediately, she heard Grayson’s deep voice speaking in soft tones, which had to mean that Leo was awake.
She felt bad that she hadn’t been up earlier to help out. But it was only a few minutes past dawn, and he hadn’t exactly let her know what time Leo’s day started.
Well, I can’t go back, she told herself firmly. So I’ll just be as helpful as possible starting now.
“Good morning,” she said softly when she reached the kitchen doorway.
“Good morning,” Grayson echoed, his eyes flashing to hers. “We’re just having a little breakfast.”
“What can I do to help?” she asked, biting back the apology that danced at her lips.
“Have a cup of coffee and take a seat,” Grayson said. “This is my favorite time of day with him, so you don’t need to do anything.”
She smiled at that kind invitation. The coffee smelled incredible, and it would be good to gather her thoughts. She fixed herself a mug, grabbing milk from the fridge and adding a splash before sitting at the table.
Grayson had placed Leo’s half-full bottle on the counter and was lifting the baby up onto his broad, towel-covered shoulder.
Leo let out a yell of protest that was interrupted suddenly by a big burp.
“See?” Grayson said softly. “That feels better, doesn’t it?”
Leo settled and allowed his back to be patted for another moment before he began bumping his little face against his daddy’s shoulder.
“Okay, okay,” Grayson said with a smile. “We can finish up now.”
Was head bumping a sign that a baby was hungry? Evangeline thought so but couldn’t remember.
She’d never been so frustrated not to have a phone to look things up with.
“Is there a library in town?” she asked without thinking.
“Yes,” Grayson told her. “It’s in the same building as the firehouse, just up at the top.”
“Oh, that’s right,” she said, relief washing over her. “Sam was saying something about that.”
“You a big reader?” Grayson asked.
“Yes,” she said. And it was true, though it wasn’t why she needed the library today.
“I’m glad,” he said. “Leo’s pretty small now, but when he’s a little older we’ll both want to read to him as much as possible, and develop his interest in books and reading.”
“That would be great,” Evangeline agreed, ignoring the part about her still being here when Leo was older.
She could figure out how to talk to him about that later.
“A lot of libraries have really good programs for kids too, with fun activities and a chance to try new things. The one in the city is amazing. I take the Anderson kids there all the time. Well… I used to take them.”
“The family doesn’t need you anymore?” he asked.
“Their oldest is twelve,” she told him. “And Mrs. Anderson stays home with the kids anyway. They’ll be just fine without me.”
That much was true, but the Andersons hadn’t had any intention of letting her go. Her stomach twisted at the thought of not being totally honest with this nice man, and more guilt over leaving her post.
I owe my loyalty to Rory, she reminded herself. He will always come first.
After all, Rory had always put her first. And Grandpa always told them to look out for each other.
The greatest gift your parents ever gave you was each other, he had been fond of saying.
“Well, I guess it’s lucky for Leo and me that they don’t need you anymore,” Grayson said. “Are you ready to head out once I get him changed?”
“Of course,” she told him. “But I think you mean after I get him changed?”
“Wow,” he said, blinking. “I guess I’m not used to all this yet, but sure, if you want to take over with him, that’s great.”
She rinsed out her coffee mug and came over to get Leo.
He had just finished his second set of burps and he was looking around at the morning sunlight reflecting in the windows.
“Good morning, Leo,” Evangeline said softly. “I’m so happy to see you today.”
He blinked at her, his little mouth forming an “O” and then smacked his lips.
She put her arms out for him and he wiggled his hands and stuck his legs out straight.
“I think he wants to go to you,” Grayson said, sounding a little stiff.
She glanced up at him but his face told her nothing. Was he frustrated that she wasn’t taking the baby faster? Sad at giving him up temporarily?
She left her arms up, but didn’t take Leo until Grayson held him out.
As she pulled that squirmy little body close to her chest, she couldn’t help smiling.
“What a wonderful day we’re going to have,” she told him softly. “And we’ll start it off with a nice, fresh diaper.”
“Ah,” Leo said, his eyes wide, legs kicking.
“I think so too,” she agreed. “Let’s go get that diaper.”
She had watched like a hawk last night when Grayson changed him, so they got through that part pretty well. She had to try more than once with the side tabs, since Leo was feeling so wiggly and talkative and it was hard to get the thing on snugly.
“You have so much to say,” she told him, smiling.
“Uh-ah,” he replied, his eyes serious while his little feet danced.
She picked him up and he molded himself to her, warming her heart all over again.
By the time they got downstairs, Grayson was already bundled up. He took Leo so that she could get her boots and coat on, and she felt embarrassed all over again that she was basically wearing motorcycle gear.
To Grayson’s credit, he hadn’t asked her about it. But she was really hoping to find some affordable things that might help her to fit in better in Trinity Falls.
They headed out to the car in silence, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable one. She was starting to understand that there was more to Grayson than the laid-back, humorous man he was in public, and the gentle father he was at home.
Some darkness clouded his past, and her sign that it was drifting over him was when his hand went to his neck and jaw.
She wondered where he’d gotten those scars, but of course it wasn’t her place to ask him, or to speculate. She was here to take care of Leo and make Grayson’s life easier. Well, that and to hide out from the people her brother had gotten mixed up with. And it was only temporary.
But as the farmland melted away and they approached the little village it was hard not to wish she were here to stay.
The little town had been so charming last night, with the festive decorations and the flurries coming down.
But today it was alive with bright colors and activity.
People walked down the sidewalks in their woolen coats, carrying bright reusable shopping bags.
Verdant wreaths with red ribbons adorned the doors to many of the shops, and the window displays were a cheerful salute to the coming holidays.
“Wow,” she murmured without thinking.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Grayson said. “When I was away I used to picture it like this. I started to think I’d built it up too much in my mind. But if anything, it’s better in real life than it was in my imagination.”
“I can see that,” she said, her mind racing. Was she supposed to know he’d been away? She didn’t think so.
Then it hit her.
Sam knew him from the center. Of course he’d been away.
She turned to him, her eyes catching on those scars before she could remind herself not to look.
Had he been hurt serving his country?
That idea tugged at her heart. Tears were burning in her eyes and she tried to force herself to think about something else, anything else.