Page 80 of More Than Meets the Eye

Logan turned to face the front windows, scanning the growing number of people out and about. One in particular—a boy of about twelve or thirteen—appeared to be headed toward the bookshop.

“We might have to visit Greenville and dig up some property sales numbers,” Logan said as he angled his face away from the door that was opening. “Show them to Baldwin to see if they match the return on his investment. My guess is that they won’t.”

The bell above the shop door jangled, and the lanky youth bounded inside. Logan turned his back to the boy and pretended interest in a box of ivory writing paper.

Mr. Baldwin emerged from the back of his shop, a stack of thin books under one arm with a length of brown wrapping paper and twine dangling from the opposite hand. He smiled at the boy as he set his items on the counter.

“Billy. Good to see you. What brings you in today?”

The boy glanced at Zach, then gave him a wide berth as he made his way to the counter. “Got a telegram for ya.”

“Ah.” Baldwin accepted the folded message, then opened the till and gave the boy a coin. “Thank you for your timely delivery.”

Billy snatched the coin, tugged on his cap, and made for the door.

“Give my best to your mother,” Baldwin called after him.

A wave was all the response he received as the boy hotfooted it out the door and down the street.

Zach picked up one of the arithmetic books and started examining the slight damage around the binding, giving Baldwin the chance to read his telegram.

“Oh, dear.”

Zach glanced up. “Not bad news, I hope.”

“I’m not sure,” Baldwin said. “Lawrence, the man I told you about? He was supposed to meet with me and the others later this morning, but he wired to say he’s not coming. A situation arose that demanded his immediate attention. I do hope it’s not one of the children.”

Zach jerked his gaze to Logan. The panic surging in Logan’s breast reflected in Hamilton’s eyes.

Seth was walking into a trap.

33

Evangeline hunkered beneath the branches of a low-hanging oak behind the schoolhouse, scouring the landscape for any sign of movement. Christie sat poised across the way, watching the road, barely visible behind a clump of juniper near the front of the building. They’d followed Seth without his knowledge, deeming it wiser to avoid the argument that was sure to result if they informed him of their intentions. Evangeline only felt a little guilty. Seth and Zach had been protecting her for years. It seemed right to return the favor.

Her one hesitation centered on exposing Christie. Yet her friend had been determined to lend her aid whether or not Evangeline joined in, which left Evangeline with little choice. She couldn’t exactly tie the woman to the bedpost to keep her from leaving. Not that Evangeline hadn’t briefly considered the idea. At least this way, she could watch out not only for Seth but for her friend as well.

I know you see everything, Lord. Help us to see, too. To keep those we love safe.

No sooner had the prayer lifted from her heart than a motion caught her eye. Christie. Waving and pointing.

Evangeline crooked her neck around to view the road from the east. A man on horseback approached. A stout fellow dressed in black. The schoolmaster? It couldn’t be. He had left town this morning. Logan and Zach would have returned to the house to warn Seth not to search the school if he hadn’t.

Heart pounding, Evangeline crept out from under the branches. How Lawrence Benson had come to be here didn’t matter. All that mattered was getting Seth out of the building before he was discovered.

With Christie’s frantic gestures urging her to hurry, Evangeline sprinted across the open yard to the back of the schoolhouse, keeping her body hunched to make herself as small as possible, not wanting to draw the attention of the man on the road.

She reached the door and eased it open a few inches. “Seth!” If it was possible to yell and whisper at the same time, that was what Evangeline did. “Benson’s coming. We have to go. Now!”

“Evie?” A very angry-looking Seth yanked the door inward. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

She glared at him. “Lecture me later.” She grabbed his arm. “Let’s go.”

Thankfully, her brother was an intelligent sort and settled for a severe scowl that warned of castigation to come as he allowed her to drag him outside. He pulled free of her grip and clicked the door closed behind them, then took the lead, clasping her hand and dashing north into the more wooded area.

As they passed the privy, Christie darted out to meet them. “This way,” she urged. “There’s a path that leads to my old house. I’ll show you.”

Seth jerked Evangeline’s arm to keep them behind the young woman leading their escape. “You brought Christie? How could you?” The betrayal and stark fear in her brother’s eyes shredded her heart.