Page 55 of More Than Meets the Eye

Seth nodded. “I filled him in last night.”

Evangeline’s brow scrunched. “Last night?”

“After I paid Logan a visit.”

“You went out to Logan’s cabin? Alone?” Evangeline stumbled and had to grab the table edge for support.

Seth wasn’t a hermit. He traveled to church once a week and occasionally went to town for supplies, but he rarely went anywhere by himself. She or Zach usually found an excuse to accompany him. Just in case.

“I’m not an invalid, Evie. I can take a ride in the evening should I wish.”

“Of course you can.” She pulled an exasperated face, knowing better than to show anything that could be construed as pity. “I’d no more try to dictate your comings and goings than I would let you dictate mine.” A little reminder about her own autonomy never hurt, either. “I’m just surprised, is all. I didn’t think you and Logan were all that friendly.”

“We’re not.” And judging by the grumpy look on his face, he wasn’t terribly interested in changing that status.

Well, tough turnips. He and Zach would just have to get used to Logan being part of the family, because she fully intended to keep him.

If he’d have her, of course.

Which he would, right? An honorable man didn’t kiss a woman unless he had intentions.

“I got wind of Logan’s investigations on Christie’s behalf in Ben Franklin,” Seth said, effectively banishing her romantic doubts and focusing her attention where it belonged—on her friend. “I decided to ask him some questions.”

Logan had been searching for Christie’s attacker? Why hadn’t he told her? Then again, he hadn’t told her his last name either, so she shouldn’t be surprised by his secrecy. That didn’t keep her heart from aching about it, though, as she followed Seth down the hall to the parlor.

Not that she didn’t have her own secrets, she supposed. If one were to split hairs, Logan didn’t know her last name, either. Not her real, born-into-it, last name. And she hadn’t yet confessed to her snooping, so that was another secret in her cache.

Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Evangeline pressed her lips into a tight line as she took a seat on the settee. The problem with memorizing scripture was that it rose up to prod her conscience at the most inconvenient times. Nothing like having Jesus call her a hypocrite to slap down her indignation over Logan’s infractions.

“You both look so grim,” Christie said, her voice shaking slightly. “Have I done something wrong?”

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

Christie’s face turned side to side and her forehead crinkled as she tried to take in Evangeline and Seth’s synchronous denials from her position in the chair across from the sofa.

Seth scooted to the edge of the cushion, leaned forward, and reached for Christie’s hand. Her gaze locked on his. Slowly, she extended her hand and fit it into his.

“We want you to be safe,” Seth said as he rubbed his thumb over the back of Christie’s hand. “And to help you.”

“You are helping me.” Christie dodged a look to Evangeline before turning back to Seth. “You’ve opened your home, taken me in.” She glanced down at her lap then forced her chin back up. “You haven’t looked down on me because of my deafness or my connection to moonshiners.” Her lashes blinked rapidly, and Evangeline felt her own eyes moisten in sympathy. “I owe you my very life.”

“I’m glad you feel that way.” Seth smiled at her, but the effort didn’t seem to comfort Christie.

The poor girl squirmed in her seat, obviously sensing the growing tension. Evangeline felt it too and gripped her hands together in her lap.

Seth rested his elbows on his knees as he brought his free hand around to cover the top of Christie’s. Her delicate hand was now fully encased in both of his. “I want to ask you a few questions about the day you were attacked.”

She frowned. “Why? I’ve already told you everything.”

“Not everything.”

Christie stiffened at Seth’s gentle indictment.

Evangeline sat a little straighter. It took every ounce of self-control not to interrupt with her own questions, but she was just here to be informed and to offer moral support to whichever adopted sibling needed it most.