Free The Romancing of Evangeline Ipswich by Marcia Lynn McClure Page B

exhaled heavy sighs of what appeared to be relief and exchanged understanding glances.
    “Calvin! Hutch!” Jennie called in a loud whisper from the bedroom. “Evie, bring those two into me right now!” she added.
    Evangeline giggled, smiled at Calvin, and said, “I think she is feeling better, Calvin.”
    Calvin chuckled and hurried into the bedroom.
    “You too, Hutch,” Jennie called.
    When Evangeline entered the bedroom just before Hutch, she audibly sighed with relief. Jennie did indeed look much better. In fact, the pink had returned to her cheeks, and her eyes were sparkling with mischief.
    “Was that Heather Griffiths I heard at the door?” Jennie asked in a still lowered voice.
    “Indeed it was,” Hutch almost moaned.
    Somewhat absentmindedly, Evangeline went to the window of Jennie and Calvin’s bedroom, gazing through the sheer curtains and watching Heather Griffiths rather wiggle her way across the street.
    “She’s getting mighty brazen, Hutch,” Jennie laughed. “What’re you gonna do when she corners you alone one day, hmmm?”
    “Are you courting her, Hutch?” Evangeline asked before she could stop herself. The hot anxiety of jealousy was smoldering in her bosom—even though she had no right to feel it.
    But when Calvin, Hutch, and Jennie all three burst into laughter, Evangeline turned to see Hutch shaking his head emphatically as he repeated, “No! No, no, no, never!”
    “Remember how you explained to me about Amoretta’s husband, Brake, Evie?” Jennie asked. “How all the girls in town were doe-eyes and puppy slobbers over him?”
    “Yes,” Evangeline assured her.
    “Well, it isn’t any different here in Red Peak where the handsome Hutchner LaMontagne is concerned,” Jennie explained. “And no woman in town is more improperly forward in her obvious desire to win Hutch for herself than Miss Heather Griffiths.”
    “That’s enough,” Hutch grumbled. “I don’t want to talk about that…not at all.”
    Evangeline looked to Hutch and then back to Jennie. Jennie still wore a smile of amusement stretching from ear to ear, at her brother’s expense.
    “So am I to understand you’re not courting her?” Evangeline asked Hutch.
    “Oh, hell no!” Hutch growled, frowning.
    “I told you not to swear in front of Evangeline, Hutch,” Jennie playfully scolded.
    Calvin chuckled, adding, “Heather Griffiths is after Hutch as serious as a hound dog chasing a rabbit! She pretty much makes his life miserable at least four days a week. Isn’t that right, Hutch?”
    It was obvious Hutch was uncomfortable—uncomfortable with Heather Griffiths’s pursuit of him, as well as being the topic of conversation in the room. Evangeline tried not to smile—tried not to be amused by his discomfort—but she couldn’t help it, and she smiled at him when he glared at her.
    “Hey,” Calvin exclaimed, snapping his fingers, “I’ve got it!” He turned to Evangeline and said, “Why don’t you just take Hutchner here as your lover, Evangeline? Then Jennie and I can spread some mild gossip about it, and Heather Griffiths will run for the hills where Hutch is concerned.”
    “What?” Evangeline exclaimed in an astonished whisper.
    “Yes, that’s a wonderful idea, Calvin!” Jennie agreed with enthusiasm. “That would work just fine!”
    “I do hope you all are teasing!” Evangeline scolded, blushing to the tips of her toes.
    “Why?” Hutch asked her. “Don’t you think I’d make a good lover?”
    Evangeline shook her head and said, “Now you all are just being plain ridiculous with your teasing!” Almost roughly Evangeline began to straighten the curtains in Jennie’s bedroom. “Why, I’ve never heard of such a thing! Starting terrible gossip and ruining my reputation just to keep Hutchner from being bothered by an admirer.”
    She gasped, however, when Hutch took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I’d be a good lover for you, Evie,” he said. His voice was