Prologue

Shreve, Ohio

1873

“Excuse me, miss. Would you care to dance?”

“Oh… no. I mean, I’m watching the gifts for my sister.”

“I understand. Perhaps, next time.” The handsome young man smiled and gave Evelyn a slight bow before moving on.

Evelyn Smith smiled politely, then relaxed. The truth was, she didn’t feel much like dancing today. So, to discourage any other prospective dance partners, Evelyn shrank back behind the tower of gifts laid out on the table. They were for her sister, Mary, who’d just married her true love—those were Mary’s words. And for some inexplicable reason, Evelyn was sad.

She didn’t mean to feel like that. But after watching Mary laugh and dance with her new husband, she became convinced that it was the formal end of her own childhood and young adult life. And maybe she was a little bit jealous, too. She hoped that someday she’d find love like that for herself. But mainly, she was sad because she was losing her sister.

Never again would they steal ginger snaps from their mother’s Christmas tray and giggle about it. They wouldn’t argue over who got to lick the bowl when their mother baked a pie. They wouldn’t hike to Juno Creek in the wretched heat of July and August to take a refreshing dip in the cool water. And they wouldn’t be a team anymore. Mary had a new teammate now.

“Should I just place this here?”

Evelyn looked up and smiled at the nice young couple standing in front of the table. The man was toting a large, beautifully wrapped package with a bright red ribbon.

“Oh, yes, please. You can put it right there,” Evelyn told them. “Thank you.”

She watched the couple saunter away, holding hands and speaking to other guests as they made their way to the food tables. Things could be worse, she supposed. It was a beautiful day. And at least she liked her new brother-in-law, George. He was a kind, handsome man and seemed to be Mary’s perfect match in every way. She’d never seen her sister so happy.

Across the way, her mother was engaged in a deep conversation with George’s mother, Mrs. Hayes. The women had a lot in common, both being of modest means, widowed with two children, and both adored the other’s kids. With all the many months of planning and preparation, the two women had grown quite close.

“Oh, Evelyn!” her mother called, waving at her. “The gifts will be fine. Come and dance. Have fun.”

Evelyn shook her head, blushing and looking down at the table. Quickly, she busied herself arranging the gifts and straightening the cards. Anything to avoid being paraded around the grand church grounds.

It’s not that she didn’t adore weddings. She did. Mary’s ceremony had been a picture of perfection, with Mary absolutely glowing with happiness as she walked down the aisle. Her bridal gown was the toast of the town, the likes of which many folks had never seen. Evelyn had spent many long hours sewing the lace and embroidering the fine stitch around the wrists and the bodice. But she never complained. It was a labor of love.

She took a deep breath, and even though they were outside in the large courtyard, the sweet scent of honeysuckle and blooming flowers filled the air. She closed her eyes, reveling in the perfect, peaceful moment as the soft murmur of the guests’ conversations washed over her.

A high-pitched, grating giggle had her eyes popping open. She’d recognize that giggler anywhere. What was fifteen-year-old Eugenia Patterson doing here, anyway? She sighed and continued to scan the gathering. Almost immediately, her eyes settled on a ruggedly handsome man with dark hair and chiseled features standing alone beside the hydrangeas. It was Garrett Hayes, the brother of her new brother-in-law. She’d yet to meet him, but the man’s presence was hard to ignore.

She had meant to introduce herself at the chapel, but never quite found a moment. She supposed she could do it now. Making her way over to the hydrangeas, she began to feel uneasy. She didn’t know why. At twenty-two, she’d met several handsome young men and had never faltered in her manners yet. Perhaps it was the perpetual scowl he wore or the judgment that lingered in his eyes when he looked at people.

Whatever it was, she was sure she was being ridiculous. She approached him and smiled. “Hello, Garrett. I’m Evelyn, Mary’s sister,” she said, extending her hand.

GarrettGarrett glanced at her hand, and then his eyes met hers, sending a shiver down Evelyn’s spine. What a rude man. She was about to turn around and return to the gift table when he finally took her hand. His grip was firm but not overly so. Calloused but large and warm.

“Yes, Miss Smith. I know who you are,” he replied, his tone cool and measured.

Evelyn blinked, her smile faltering. What was that supposed to mean? She had expected a more conventional, if not convivial, response—perhaps a polite introduction or a compliment. Instead, his words left her momentarily stunned. Before she could gather her thoughts and reply, Mary appeared beside them.

“Oh, good. You two have met,” she said, then whispered conspiratorially, “I need your help. We’ve misplaced your mother’s wedding present, Garrett, and I need to find it before it’s time to open gifts.”

Evelyn nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Of course, Mary. I’ll help you find it.”

Garrett’s expression remained inscrutable. “She may have left it in the wagon. I’ll look there.”

All three set off in different directions to search for the missing gift, weaving through the garden and crowds of guests. Evelyn was still off-kilter from Garrett’s cold demeanor and rude introduction. She didn’t care if he had good looks and an air of mystery about him. That was no excuse for poor manners. Besides, there was something about him that unsettled her.

Evelyn searched through all the gifts on the table but found nothing from Mrs. Hayes. It might have helped if she knew whether the present was small, large, or somewhere between. As it was, she was buried beneath a flap of burlap when Garrett returned.

Evelyn crawled from under the table, smoothing her hair and straightening her dress. “Well?”

Without a word, Garrett directed his gaze at her, then raked it across the table, his eyes sharp and observant. The man was infuriating! She wondered what lay beneath his cool surface. Were there ever moments of nonplus when he actually showed some emotion? The unease she felt earlier had not gone away. If anything, it had turned to anger.

“That’s quite all right. I don’t need any help,” she said sarcastically, reaching out to grab the table and lifting herself off the ground. She dusted off her dress and smoothed her hair. “Did you find the present?”

“No.”

That was it. That’s all he said—no. “Where did you look?”

He stared for a moment, his lips pinched tightly together. “I believe I said when I left. I looked in the back of the wagon.”

Evelyn frowned, biting back a retort. “Let’s go check the chapel. Maybe she left it in there.”

They made their way to the chapel, where the tension between them reached a boiling point. Garrett’s stubbornness clashed with Evelyn’s impatience, and the bickering grew louder.

“Why are you looking back there?” she asked when Garrett started at the back pew, working toward the front. “She didn’t sit back there. She sat in the front,” Evelyn said, her frustration mounting as he seemed to ignore every suggestion she made.

Garrett took a deep breath and exhaled, pausing long enough to give her a look. “This is why I try to avoid people at all costs,” he murmured. “Look, it’s lost. So it stands to reason that it’s somewhere you wouldn’t expect it to be.”

“I understand. But by your own admission, it makes sense to look at the more obvious places first.”

“You’re already doing that,” he pointed out.

Finally, she snapped. “Why are you being so difficult? Are you always like this?” Evelyn shouted, her voice rising.

Garrett’s eyes narrowed, and he drove his fingers through his hair. “I’m not being difficult. I’m trying to find the gift.”

“Well, you’re not doing a very good job of it,” she retorted, her anger flaring and her hands fisting at her sides.

After exchanging a heated glare and working for a while in silence, they finally managed to find the gift tucked away beneath the pulpit. And somehow, they saw it at the same time.

“It’s a miracle,” Evelyn sighed.

Garrett glanced up, then all around the chapel. “We seem to be in the right place for it.”

Evelyn laughed despite herself, and Garrett smirked. “We’d better get this back before your mother notices it’s missing. The box was light as a feather, which piqued her curiosity. She held it up and shook it a little. “What is it, anyway?”

Garrett looked straight ahead, his expression serious. “Horseshoes,” he replied.

Evelyn did it again—she barked out a laugh that echoed around the empty sanctuary for what seemed like minutes. She recovered quickly, clearing her throat and hurrying back to the exit.

The odd tension between them remained as they walked back to the courtyard together. It appeared the crowd had gotten even larger while they were gone. She was very aware of Garrett walking behind her. It made her nervous, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.

As they reached the reception area, Evelyn tripped on a rock and shrieked. She was about to plant face-first into the ground, but Garret was there. He had his arm around her waist, lifting her up and planting her back on her feet before she even realized what had happened.

“Careful,” he said, walking ahead.

She stood there, gawking momentarily before rushing ahead to catch up. “Garrett!”

He slowed and swiveled his head to look at her, one eyebrow cocked.

“Thank you,” she said sheepishly.

He eyed her like a side of beef for a few beats, then nodded and walked away.

Yes, she was certain. There definitely was something about Garrett Hayes.

She put the gift on the table with all the others, her thoughts consumed by Garrett. He was such a strange man, quiet and serious but also funny at times.

“There you are!” Mary said, still half-frantic. “Did you find it?”

Evelyn smiled, pointing it out on the table. “Yes, we found it.”

Mary sagged with relief, throwing her arms around her sister and giving her a bear hug. “Thank you! Thank you! I owe you.”

“You sure do,” Evelyn scoffed. “Throwing me together with your brother-in-law like that. You didn’t even warn me!”

“What do you mean? Warn you about what?”

Evelyn gaped at Mary. “Surely, you’re teasing me.”

Mary wrinkled her forehead. “About what?”

“Mary! Your brother-in-law is a rude, cantankerous, insufferable man.”

“And here I thought I was being nice,” a deep, masculine voice rumbled behind her.

Evelyn didn’t turn around. She closed her eyes and squinched her face. Maybe if she focused hard enough, she could disappear.

“Evelyn!” Another deep, masculine voice called out. “I haven’t even had a chance to say hello.”

“George!” Evelyn beamed.

George Hayes was the exact opposite of his brother, Garrett. Much like Garrett, George’s broad shoulders and strong, muscular build made him look like he could handle any trouble that came his way. But George’s warm, hazel eyes reflected a kinder, more carefree spirit compared to Garrett’s intensity. The only other thing she could see that the brothers had in common was their dark brown hair and rugged good looks.

“Mary said she sent you two on an important mission,” George said with a wink.

“She did. But don’t worry. We found it.”

“Good. My wife can relax and enjoy her party now.”

Mary giggled and went to her husband, kissing him on the cheek. It was an intimate act that Evelyn wasn’t accustomed to seeing. She blushed, which Garrett apparently found hilarious.

Evelyn huffed. “I’m going to check on Ma.”

After the food had been eaten, everyone had danced, and a few of the Hayes uncles had imbibed a little too much ale, she set off to find her sister. She was exhausted and couldn’t wait to get out of her dress.

“Hey, can you give me a hand?”

Evelyn glanced up to see Garrett standing beside the gifts.

“Please,” he smirked.

Evelyn scoffed. “One ‘please” does not a gentleman make.” Immediately, she regretted saying it. She would have rolled her eyes at herself if he hadn’t been staring at her with that stupid grin on his smug face. “Why should I?”

“Now, who’s being rude?”

Darn it! He was right. “I apologize. How can I help?”

Garett smiled. “We need to finish loading these presents into George’s wagon. I think they’re ready to leave.”

They weren’t the only ones. “I’d be happy to help.”

“Thank you,” he said, emphasizing the words.

Evelyn smiled and shook her head. She just couldn’t figure out what to make of this man. It took a few trips, but finally, they had everything loaded on the wagon.

“Well, I guess that’s it,” she said, wiping the table.

“Is this your first time in Shreve?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes, it is.”

“It’s a nice town. Are you planning to stay for a while?”

“No,” she smiled sadly. “We have two major orders that are due Friday. We have to go back first thing in the morning.”

“You’re a… seamstress, right?”

Evelyn shrugged. “Our mother is. I don’t really know what I am yet,” she admitted.

Garrett smiled. “Will you be coming back to visit your sister?”

“I’m sure I will,” Evelyn chuckled. “After all, she is my sister.”

“I look forward to it,” he said, smiling as he turned to leave. “Safe journey, Miss Smith.”

Evelyn stood still, watching Garrett walk away. The man was an enigma. An intriguing, dashing, mysterious enigma who smelled like trouble. It was a good thing she lived hundreds of miles away. The faster she got away from here, the better. So why, after all that, did she wish he’d stayed just a moment longer?

Chapter One

Cincinnati, Ohio

1875

“It’s beautiful, sweetheart,” her mother said as Evelyn gave another twirl in her gown.

She paused, staring into the mirror and brushing a hand through her long, dark hair. She loved the dress. It seemed to accentuate her brilliant green eyes, which were almost striking against the fabric, and her usual fair complexion. She stood straight and tall, determined to project an air of understated elegance.

“Thanks, Ma,” she said, her voice full of emotion. “I can’t wait for Victor to see it.”

Evelyn sighed, dreaming of her fiancé. Victor Langley, the charming, wealthy businessman who had promised her the world, proposed to her and treated her and her mother like queens. She had always dreamed of this moment, and now, it was finally happening. The dress was finally finished, and she couldn’t wait to tell him.

“Take it off before you get it dirty,” her mother said.

“Ma, I’m not five years old, making mudpies in the backyard,” Evelyn scoffed. “But I’m taking it off. I want to go see Victor.”

“Evelyn, it’s late. Why don’t you wait until tomorrow?”

“I can’t. I’m too excited. I’d never get to sleep.” Evelyn began working on opening the many pearl buttons on the dress. She’d counted them. There were 113 buttons in total. Extravagant, for sure. But a girl only gets married once in her life. And a man like Victor didn’t come along every day.

Sighing, her mother helped her with the buttons. “I don’t know if Vernon is still here to hitch a buggy for you.”

“That’s fine. I feel like walking, anyway.”

Outside, the heat of the day was replaced with a comfortable, cool breeze. She walked briskly for a while and still had a good way to get to Victor’s house at the edge of town. But as she approached the Langley Building, where Victor and his father ran their land brokerage business, she noticed a light burning inside. Poor man. He must have been working late again.

She grinned, feeling mischievous. She’d tiptoe inside and surprise him. They’d laugh at her antics, and she’d tell him about her dress. Then, he could walk her back home. And, if she was lucky, she might even get a goodnight kiss. Smiling, she quietly entered the building and crept back toward Victor’s office.

She hesitated at the door, overhearing voices from within and suddenly realizing he wasn’t alone. She thought about sneaking back out again, but the door was slightly ajar, and the temptation to peek was more than she could resist. She put her face to the crack and looked inside.

What she saw staggered belief. There he was, Victor Langley—her fiancé—sitting in his chair with a blond-haired woman in his lap. And they were kissing! Evelyn’s heart shattered as a wave of betrayal washed over her. Without a word, she did the only thing she could think of at the time. She turned around and ran.

When she reached home, she stood outside for several long moments as the image of Victor with that other woman seared itself into her mind. It felt inconceivable because of the man that he was—or at least the man she thought he was.

He used to bring her wildflowers and read her poetry by the fire. She could still feel his fingers brushing lightly over hers with a tenderness that made her believe in forever. He had promised that he would spend his life making her smile. Those moments had felt so genuine and sincere.

And now, seeing him with that woman, all those cherished memories turned to ash. How could someone who had once been so thoughtful and loving hurt her so deeply?

Finally, she opened the door and went inside. Her mother was in her usual spot, rocking in front of the fire as she quietly embroidered a handkerchief.

“Ma,” she sobbed.

“Evelyn! What is it, child?” she said, standing and dropping the embroidery in the seat.

Evelyn ran to her, collapsing into her arms as she sobbed uncontrollably. “I. Have. To. Leave,” she hiccupped.

Her mother was silent for a while, petting and comforting her daughter. She waited until Evelyn’s sobs had ebbed before speaking again. “Tell me what happened, dear.”

Somehow, Evelyn managed to tell her mother what had happened. She ended with, “I have to get away from here.”

“Evelyn,” her mother cooed. “That’s a bit drastic, don’t you think?”

Evelyn shook her head. She didn’t think that was drastic at all. In fact, the further away, the better as far as she was concerned.

“Let’s go sit in the kitchen, and I’ll make us a cup of tea,” her mother told her.

Evelyn nodded. “Okay.”

A few minutes later, the two women were seated at the table with a cup of chamomile tea. Evelyn’s sobs had all but dissipated, and her tears had dried.

“I’m going to leave, Ma. I’ve made up my mind.”

“Don’t be silly,” her mother said, sipping her tea. “Honey, sometimes men are just weak, that’s all. And…well, they can stumble. But he loves you, dear. He’s going to marry you next week, not that awful woman.”

Evelyn considered her mother’s words for a moment. “If he’s this weak now, imagine how bad he will be after a year of marriage.”

“Does he know you saw him?”

Evelyn shrugged. “I don’t know. And I really don’t care. I don’t want to see him again.”

“Eleanor,” her mother scoffed. “Don’t be hysterical.”

Frowning, Eleanor stood and took her empty cup to the sink. “I’m not being hysterical. I just don’t want to marry him anymore. I think… I think I’ll go stay with Mary for a while.”

Her mother nodded. “That’s a good idea. Visiting Mary and George might give you some perspective.”

“What do you mean? Is George cheating on her, too?”

“No. That’s not what I meant. Victor was wrong for doing what he did. Maybe seeing what a real marriage looks like, you might better understand why forgiveness is so important.”

“Papa’s only been gone for a little over a year.”

“Two,” her mother corrected sadly.