In Your Arms (Montana Romance) (32 page)

“No, no, not at all.”  Eve tried a breezy laugh.

The woman’s scowl deepened.  “Well you look like a whore with all that paint on your face.”

The sting of the accusation dug as deep as the emotion she had felt at the sight of the children.  Eve’s act dropped.

“I most certainly am
not
a whore!” she said, hands on her hips in a reflection of her sister Olivia’s sourness.  Indignant as she was, her denial still felt like a lie.  “I am Lady Eve deLaurent.  The Indomitable Lady Eve,” she went on, convincing herself as much as the outspoken woman.

“Well I am Sadie McGee,” the woman fired back at her.  “And I can assure you that I’m as indomitable as any woman that ever set foot in Cold Springs.”

Eve blinked at the woman, not sure what to make of her declaration.

“Ladies, what seems to be the trouble here?”

She was spared having to come up with an answer to Sadie McGee by the interruption of the sandy-haired man.  She switched back into the role of charming lady and turned to introduce herself.

Her act evaporated in an instant.  Up close, the sandy-haired man was a sight to behold.  He had soft blue eyes to go with his hair, a strong jaw and graceful nose.  Tiny lines radiated from his eyes, giving him an air of kindness and humor.  He could have played Hamlet or Algernon Moncrieff both and made the audience fall in love with him at a word.

“Just keeping the door open like you wanted, Reverend,” Sadie said as Eve scrambled to collect herself.

“But why?” Eve stammered, giving herself time to collect herself.  “It’s so cold outside.”

“It is,” Rev. Andrews replied, “but with the door closed people passing by can’t hear the children singing and be drawn in like you were.”

He ended with a smile that was as good as a wink.  Butterflies danced in Eve’s gut.

“No, no they can’t.”  Without choosing a character to play first, she held out her hand.  “Eve deLaurent,” she introduced herself in the simplest possible terms.

His face lit up.  “Amelia Quinlan’s sister!”

Her thumping heart flopped over in her chest.

“I believe that’s the first time in two years I’ve been recognized as who I truly am,” she said, more breathless than she should have been.

He took her hand and shook it, firm but not overpowering, warm but not moist.

“I’m Rev. Mark Andrews,” he said.  “Your sister has told me all about you.  She’s excited to have you here for Christmas.”

“Not as excited as I am to be here, I’m sure.”

He nodded.  She watched the sparkle in his blue, blue eyes.  It would probably be best to let go of his hand, but in that moment she had no desire to move at all.

The Noble Hearts

The Loyal Heart

The Faithful Heart

The Courageous Heart

Montana Romance

Our Little Secrets

Fool for Love

Sarah Sunshine (novella)

In Your Arms

The Indomitable Eve (novella – coming December 2013)

Seeks For Her (novella – coming February 2014)

Somebody to Love (coming April 2014)

Grace’s Moon

Saving Grace (coming summer 2014)

Fallen From Grace (coming summer 2014)