“I was digging up potatoes. That makes a man awfully thirsty.”
“It sure does, partner.” Lawson handed him the cup and poured himself another. “Slug that down. I bet it will help.”
“Thanks.” The dark-haired boy showed his gap-toothed grin and did just that.
The front door opened and Lawson heard Nathan and Chris enter. Chris went immediately into the parlor while Nathan joined them in the kitchen. “Looks like the men are taking over the kitchen. Kate’s going to stay in the room with them.”
“Chris, if you came about that silly list, you should know that I’m not going to talk about it anymore.”
Lawson’s eyebrows rose at the faint but clear sound of Ellie’s voice, then he stared into the hall that separated the kitchen from the parlor. He looked at Nathan. The man shrugged. “There are thin walls in the old part of the house.”
Lawson grinned. “No kidding.”
Timothy frowned. “Who was that man you were walking with?”
“I didn’t come here for the list, Ellie. I came here for you.”
“That was Chris.”
Ellie’s voice sounded in response but Lawson couldn’t hear what she said because Timothy started talking. “That didn’t look like Chris. That looked like some kind of fancy man all gussied up.”
Lawson laughed. Nathan shook his head. “Chris got all gussied up because he came to court Ellie.”
Timothy turned to Lawson. “I thought you were courting her. At least, that’s what the other kids say at school.”
“Those were just rumors,” Lawson said. “Don’t believe them. You’d know for sure if I was courting your aunt.”
“How?”
“You’d see me doing it, kiddo.”
“I can’t hear—” Nathan complained before he could catch himself. He turned to Timothy. “How about a piece of your ma’s cake? You can have some if you’re very quiet.”
Lawson shook his head. “Shameless.”
“Ellie, I’ve wanted to court you for a year now.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I knew you thought we were only friends. I don’t want to be only friends anymore. I know you’re courting with Lawson and I respect that, but I couldn’t go any longer without letting you know how I feel about you. I wanted you to know that before you did something you couldn’t take back.”
“For the last time, I am not engaged to Lawson.” There was a pause, then her voice became gentler. “You’ve been such a good friend to me—”
“But it could change into something better if you gave us a chance.”
“No, I honestly can’t imagine us being anything more than just friends. I see you like a brother. Nothing more.”
Nathan gave a nod of approval.
“You said the same thing about Lawson.”
“I know, and I’m not going to marry Lawson, either.”
“Does he know that?”
“Yep.” Lawson nodded just as Ellie said, “Goodness, yes.”
“Then why not—”
“Chris, let’s forget all of this and go on as we always have.”
“Poor man,” Lawson said while Ellie said goodbye to Chris. “That has to hurt.”
Nathan nodded. “That’s about what I expected but I did warn him. I guess that means you and Ellie are still on the road to matrimony.”
Lawson shook his head at Nathan’s teasing. “For the record, when I asked she said ‘no’ so there is no possible way we’re engaged or courting.”
Ellie breezed into the kitchen to grab Kate’s mending basket. “It would have served you right if I had said yes. What would you have done then?”
He shrugged nonchalantly as he returned her challenge with his own. “Picked out a ring.”
“Oh, sure.” She breathed in disbelief but that uncertain look in her eye told him she’d picked up on that slight vein of truth in his voice. “We would have one-upped each other right to the altar.”
“Probably.”
“Well, if you gentlemen are done eavesdropping, you should probably get back to work.” She sent them a knowing look over her shoulder before she breezed out of the room.
Yep, she had them figured out, all right. He turned to share a chagrinned grimace with Nathan only to find the man scrutinizing him thoughtfully. Lawson cleared his throat then decided he’d better follow Ellie’s advice before Nathan asked him to explain that comment about the ring. He wasn’t sure he wanted to explain it to himself.
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