Evy blew out a breath. “Wow. Great analysis by everyone. I’ve never seen the story that way before.”
Mrs. Davenport tapped her finger to her chin. “It’s never wise to come to a conclusion about someone until you have all the facts.”
Charlie couldn’t have agreed more. Which was why he’d decided to escalate his investigation. He’d never seen Evy and Kole together. Watching their interaction might provide further clues as to what was going on with a certain intriguing librarian.
Evy rose in a graceful, fluid motion. “Facts or trust? An interesting dichotomy for relationships. Which do we rely upon most often?”
Something tightened in Charlie’s stomach.
Evy rubbed her finger across the rim of her glasses. “Important questions to ponder this week as we move on to next week’s selection.”
Her beautiful eyes sparkled. “Sense and Sensibility.”
The meeting ended as the women cleared the refreshment table and gathered their belongings. At the ladies’ teasing looks, Charlie realized he’d given the Kiptohanock matchmakers entirely the wrong impression.
And what he was about to do next would only solidify that impression. The group followed Evy out to the foyer to collect the books for the following week’s discussion.
He hung back in the kitchen, waiting for Evy. “You’re good with children, Evy.”
She poured the remains of the coffeepot down the sink drain. “Thank you. I like children.”
“That’s why I hoped maybe you could help me with a project.”
She rinsed out the pot. “If I can. What project?”
“It’s for the department, really.”
“Sheriff’s business?”
“Deputy sheriff business.”
Her mouth quirked. “How in the world can a librarian like me be of assistance to SuperDeputy?”
“Who?”
She bit her lip and turned to wipe the counter.
He hunched his shoulders. “The library is closed over Labor Day weekend, right?”
She unplugged the coffeemaker from the wall socket. “Yes.”
“If you’d care to join me, I need to make an appearance—in an unofficial capacity—to present a friendly face behind the uniform to the kids.”
Stretching on her tiptoes, she stashed the unused paper plates inside the cabinet. “What kids?”
“The kids at Keller’s Kids Camp.”
She froze. “Sawyer Kole’s foster kid camp.”
Charlie didn’t like the sound of the ex-Coastie’s name on her lips. “Yeah. Him.”
Evy drifted onto her heels. “Isn’t camp over until next summer?”
“It’s a new two-month pilot program on autumn weekends. Follow-up with local foster kids. Friday night through Sunday afternoons.”
She averted her gaze. “The Duers won’t want me.”
“With the Labor Day harbor festival and folks on their last vacation before school starts Tuesday, I have it on good authority the volunteer pool is light this weekend. Too light for the number of children expected. You’ll be welcome.”
She looked at him, then. As if she didn’t believe him.
“We’ll be doing them a favor. You’d be doing me a favor.” He moistened his lips. “Would you come with me, Evy? Please?”
She searched his face. Not quite buying his explanation.
“I do love kids...” She gulped. “Sure. Why not? I’d love to go. Thanks for asking.”
He smiled. “I’ll pick you up Saturday morning. Bright and early. It’s a date.”
“Okay.” She tucked a loosened strand of blond hair behind her ear.
Following the motion of her hand, his heart beat rapidly. Should he trust his first impressions of Evy Shaw? Sweet, smart, very pretty. Was his initial instinct about her correct?
“You don’t have to wait for me, Charlie.”
“Of course I do. I’ll walk you to your car.”
She slung the purse strap over her shoulder. “Another Southern gentleman thing?”
He followed Evy to the front door. “Let me be one, okay? And for the record, I want to walk you to your car.”
Evy worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she set the alarm on the library. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. Before he did something stupid like touch her. Or kiss her.
Suppose he was wrong about Evy? Could she be hiding behind a mask, the image she wanted him to see? And if so, why?
Who was the real Evy Shaw? Was seeing believing in her case?
Maybe...maybe not. Only time would tell.
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