Read Online Shades of Honor by Wendy Lindstrom - Free Book Online Page B

mind traveled back to the afternoon Kyle nearly broke his neck jumping a tree stump to cut in front of her and cross their imaginary finish line. The horse had stumbled and unseated Kyle, who was lucky enough to land in a freshly plowed field. Evelyn wanted to choke him for breaking the rules, instead she offered to wash out the dirt ground into Kyle’s shirt and pants. After he’d disrobed behind a bush and tossed his clothes to her, Evelyn clutched them under her arm and rode off, yelling to Kyle that it served him right for cheating.
    “What are you smirking about?” he asked.
    “I was remembering the day I stole your clothes and made you ride home in your undergarments.”
    His grin widened. “I still owe you for the beating I got that day.”
    “You deserved it for cheating.” Evelyn laughed and swung their arms from side to side. “Remember this little ritual we used to share when celebrating something grand?”
    He squinted in momentary confusion then slowly nodded. “ Kinda foolish, wasn't it?”
    “I didn't think so,” she said, but released his hands. “We were full of enthusiasm then. Remember, Kyle? You once told me that you wanted to go out West where the trees are so tall you couldn’t even see the tops of them. A tree like that would keep the mill busy forever.”
    Kyle leaned a shoulder against the wide trunk of the tree and propped a foot on a thick upraised root. “Our mill couldn't handle a tree that size.”
    “Oh.”
    “Have you considered what size stove you’ll need for our kitchen?” he asked.
    “What?”
    “I need to order the stove so it’s here when I get the kitchen ready. What do you want?”
    Evelyn shook her head, her mind jarred by Kyle’s abrupt change of topic. She should be used to his penchant for keeping their conversation to business, but every time he did it, Evelyn felt her hopes for an intimate union with him plummet.
      “Our wedding is in less than twelve weeks, Ev . You need to make a decision.”
    “I know that, Kyle, I just thought we could do this another time. I thought you wanted to talk to me tonight.”
    “We’re talking, aren’t we?” When Evelyn didn’t respond, Kyle shoved away from the tree. “What's bothering you? You’ve been acting odd ever since Radford came home. Are you still upset that he’s running the livery?”
    “No,” she said, and though it was true she’d been acting skittish around Radford, being unable to communicate with Kyle had nothing to do with his brother. Kyle honestly didn’t understand her, and Evelyn had no idea how to reach him. Sometime after his father died, Kyle had ceased to dream, and now he was incapable of going back.
    “ Ev .” Kyle slipped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “Daydreaming doesn't run the mill or the livery for us so it's best to keep our minds on what needs to be done.”
    He was right of course, but Evelyn missed the boy she could play with.
    “Let’s forget about talking,” Kyle said quietly. “I’d rather do this.” He lowered his head and kissed her.
    It felt as awkward as the first time, but as he deepened the kiss, Evelyn remembered to part her lips and allow Kyle’s tongue access to hers. When he groaned and pulled her hard against him, she thought maybe she shouldn't have done it. When his hand started to move up her waist, she knew it for certain.
    She pulled back. “That’s more than a kiss, Kyle.”
    Heat remained in his eyes, but he dutifully distanced himself from her. “Sorry,” he said. The sincerity in his expression pleased her, and she wondered if perhaps he did care more than he let on.
    He cupped her chin. “That was much better, Ev .”
    Those simple words shattered her hopes like a stone hitting glass. Did “better” mean “good enough”?
        o0o
     
    The following morning after Radford and Evelyn had serviced three customers and rented out a rig, Evelyn waited on the porch with her father while Radford brought the wagon