Dallas stood and waved her over, and instead of turning and rushing back to the house, as she was dying to do, she let her eyes latch onto his tanned face, with his blue eyes and sandy-blond hair, and smiled confidently, as though she were her old self.
“Hi,” she said, still smiling as she drew close enough to speak. But she could feel her lips tremble. She hoped no one would notice.
He studied her as though he wanted to say something encouraging. But he didn’t. Maybe he thought it would be too patronizing or would embarrass her in front of the others. Instead he said, “Have a seat. I’ll grab you a tray.”
As he walked over to where the food was, she sank down next to his brother Eli and Eli’s wife, Cora, a teacher at the school, both of whom she’d seen at the house several times. Gavin sat across from her, by Aiyana. She’d met him, too, but only once since he lived off campus and didn’t come to the house as often. Fortunately, Eli and Gavin were tall enough to shield her from some of those who were still staring at her. The students were probably only curious if she was a new teacher or something, but she couldn’t bring herself to look beyond those at the table to determine if the interest she felt was really that casual.
“Heard you went shopping yesterday,” Gavin said.
She could tell he was trying to put her at ease and was grateful. “Yes. I...er...we got some Christmas shopping done,” she said, even though she’d been too worried about spending money to buy more than that box of chocolates for her mother and a pretty picture frame for her grandmother. Dallas had picked up a few more things for his family. “It was fun.”
“Good. Maybe Dallas can manage to get his gifts wrapped this year,” Eli said. “Usually, he just hands us each a sack.”
Gavin laughed. “I’d make fun of him, but until Savanna came along, I wasn’t much better.”
“Neither were you, not until you married,” Aiyana told Eli. “It’s Cora who does all the shopping and wrapping, isn’t it?”
When Cora shot him a look that made him concede the point, they all laughed.
“That just means Dallas needs a woman in his life,” Eli said, and the awkward silence that fell immediately after made Emery squirm. Dallas was one of the most vital men she’d ever met. Although he was a little rough around the edges—certainly didn’t bother with anything but the most practical haircut and clothes—there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, his mind was quick, his smile impossible to resist and his eyes spoke volumes with a single look. If she had her guess, most women would find him attractive.
But after what she’d been through, she wasn’t looking for another relationship. And when she did start looking, she hoped to find someone who was already established, who had more direction in his life. She had no problem with Dallas climbing half the year, but she wouldn’t want to be involved with someone who needed so much time alone.
“I’m sure he’ll find the right woman,” she mumbled.
Dallas returned and slid a tray of spaghetti and meatballs, with a piece of garlic bread and a box of chocolate milk in separate sections, in front of her.
“Thanks,” she said, relieved when he sat down, because he made just as good a shield as Gavin.
She stared at her food, far too nervous to eat. “This looks...delicious,” she said lamely, and picked up her fork.
“I’m glad you made yourself come out,” he said softly, for her ears alone. “It’ll get easier.”
She nodded as though she believed him and pretended to eat while the others talked and laughed. She didn’t have much to contribute to the conversation. The ambient noise kept her on edge; she was waiting for the moment when a teacher approached the table and recognized her. She thought something like that was happening when a boy walked up just as the bell rang.
“Do you remember me?” he asked.
Her breath lodged in her throat, and her face burned with shame. She didn’t remember him, couldn’t remember ever seeing him before. But if he knew her, she felt certain he had to have heard about the sex scandal.
Before she could respond, however, he said, “Probably not. I was only about six when I saw you.”
She’d been so prepared for the humiliation of being called out in front of everyone at the table, that it took her a moment to process that he was talking about years ago. “Where—where did we meet?” she managed to say.
“I was staying at my cousin’s house. You know Avery Tillerman, right?”
She recognized the name. Although they’d lost touch, she’d gone to high school with Avery. They’d both been part of the equestrian club. “I do.”
“That’s my cousin.”
“Oh. What’s Avery up to?” She was reluctant to continue this conversation, was afraid of where it might lead. What if he called Avery to say that he’d run into her, and Avery informed him of her recent disgrace? But she couldn’t risk cutting him off too soon, either. Then he’d have even more reason to mention her to Avery. I saw your friend, and she was so rude to me.
“She’s a veterinarian. Just opened her own practice here in town last year.”
Shit. Avery lived in Silver Springs? That meant he probably would say something to her. “I’ll have to look her up, say hello.”
When he pulled out his phone, she caught her breath. “I can give you her number...”
“Right.” She let her breath seep out slowly. “Um, that would be great.” Her hands felt unwieldy as she clumsily created a new contact.
After she managed to type in Avery’s name and number, she set her phone aside—with absolutely no intention of contacting her. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
“You’d better hurry or you’ll
