Eva tried to keep up with Becky, but the little girl was swift on her feet. They followed the walking trail near the gurgling creek, which looked more like a river, as it meandered through the woods toward the big bay.
Tanner talked to Jasper and Teresa but kept his eyes on his daughter. He hurried toward Eva but called out for Becky to slow down. Eva couldn’t decide if he wanted to walk with her, or if he held back for propriety’s sake. There could be talk, of course. But they were friends, and she did work for him.
Eva studied her surroundings, rather than the man who’d made his way into her life. This was a beautiful place, so peaceful and tropical. But her nerves jingled and purred, just being near Tanner. She had to get herself together. She’d had boys as friends, but Mamm always found something wrong with them and kept her at home. Telling herself she shouldn’t fall for the first real man she’d ever been around, Eva decided being Tanner’s friend was for the best. Just a friend and helper for Becky. She’d pour all her feelings into her work and Becky’s care. Then she’d leave a piece of her heart here when she returned home.
Eva concentrated on her surroundings and waved to several people on kayaks—little boats that reminded her of canoes—but these were very colorful and not made of wood. More of a hard plastic. She wasn’t sure she’d enjoy that kind of ride in such a wild place. The creek beside them grew shadowy at times, thanks to the old oaks covered with gray moss hovering over the water. The area was both beautiful and mysterious, with moments of darkness and light.
Kind of like the man walking beside her, his gaze on his little girl.
“Ospreys,” Tanner pointed out as two hawks flew through the trees and circled, searching for prey.
“Turtles,” Becky said, running toward the bridge. “They like to visit here in the sun.” The child began counting them. “Ten, Daed. I counted ten.”
Eva laughed as she watched a huge turtle slide off an old stump and disappear into the dark water near some interesting trees. “What are those?”
Tanner glanced to where she pointed. “Mangroves. They’re all over Florida, especially in the Everglades.”
Eva studied the strange trees mushrooming out with tiny green buds, their roots jutting out of the water like little hunched legs. “They looked all tangled to me.”
“They are,” Tanner explained. “Mosquitoes love them and so do fish and snakes. They help protect the coastlines when the big storms hit.”
“And the Everglades?” she asked, wanting to learn about this new world. “I’ve never heard of that place.”
Tanner explained about the massive protected wetland farther down the state. “It’s a brutal place, a swampy place, but it’s thousands of acres and holds a lot of interesting creatures.”
“The Everglades has big alligators,” Becky added, her arms stretched wide while she made a mean face. “And they have the biggest teeth ever.”
“I’ve never seen an alligator,” Eva admitted, pretending to be scared. “We only have fish, turtles and frogs in Campton Creek. And snakes. I do not like snakes.”
“We have those, too,” Becky said with a shiver. “I don’t want to see one.”
Teresa chimed in. “But we do love the manatees. They are huge and grayish, like a big fish with a funny face, or a seal but cuter. But they usually don’t show up until later in the spring.”
“I have a lot to learn about my surroundings,” Eva said. And she still had a lot to learn about Tanner Dawson.
“Let’s see if we can find any butterflies.” Tanner was probably trying to get his daughter off the scary creatures around here. “Remember how you love those, Becky?”
“I do,” Becky said, giggling. “Daed calls me Butterfly, sometimes, ain’t so?”
Eva laughed at that. “Well, you do flitter about, and you are as cute as a butterfly.”
Tanner glanced at her while Becky held her head up, looking for any sign of her favorite insect. “I need to give you a nickname.”
Surprised, Eva asked, “Oh, and what would that be?”
“I don’t know. Little Bee, maybe. Or perhaps Blue Bird.”
“I’m not sure I’m either of those things. I do like to stay busy though.”
“Sparrow?” He stared over at her. “You’re always interested but you fly away at times.”
“Then you must be a hawk,” she retorted. “Circling, but never finding what you really want.”
“Ach, that hurt.” He held his hand to his heart. “Do I seem that cruel and determined?”
“Neh, but you do seem distant and watchful at times. It’s as if you’re waiting for something to happen.”
Tanner gave her an apologetic look. “Eva, I wish—”
“I see one. I see one,” Becky said on a squeal. Then she was off to chase her butterfly.
And Tanner took off after her, leaving Eva to wonder what he’d been about to tell her.
“So what do you think so far?” Teresa asked, Jasper right behind her. He obviously had a huge crush. His brown-eyed gaze followed Teresa. It was sweet, really. Teresa deserved a nice fellow in her life and Jasper was cute, at that.
“I think this is a wild and mysterious place,” Eva admitted. But her eyes were on the man in front of her.
“So mysterious.” Then she smiled over at Teresa. “But... I like it here, all the same.”
The next day, Eva helped Ramona with another tea, this time a group of Amish women who’d just come down from Shipshewana, Indiana. Five of them in colorful dresses and pretty crisp aprons, some wearing sneakers and some wearing sandals. They were so cute and prim as they listened to Ramona explain high tea. They tasted the delicious spread and sipped at their various flavors while she also explained the fresh herbs and how to make a great cup of tea.
“I could live with this,” Eva said to herself as she finished cleaning the kitchen. She’d have to rush to get to the store before Becky was dropped off after school. After putting away the leftovers and checking that everything had been cleared, she freshened up and grabbed her canvas tote.
She was on her way out the door when Ramona called out, “Eva, your mamm’s on the phone.”
Shocked, Eva spun around. She didn’t have long to talk, but she took the cordless phone from Ramona.
“Mamm, is everything okay?”
“You didn’t call yesterday,” Mamm said. “I waited at the phone booth until it started raining. Got soaked getting home.”
Eva let out a sigh. “I forgot. I’m so sorry. I can talk for a minute or two now.”
“A minute or two? Where are you off to, and why are you too busy to call me?”
What to say? “I’m babysitting for a friend. A little girl named Becky. I’m trying to make my own money.”
“You shouldn’t be around children. They have all types of germs. I forbid it.”
“Mamm, I’ve already committed to the job. I don’t want to burden Ramona and she is feeding me and housing me while I’m here.”
“You should just kumm home. This is silly. Do you think you’ll get any better if you’re dealing with a child all the time? I don’t think so.”
Eva took a breath. “Mamm, I’m not returning until the end of April, maybe early May, and I’ve already promised her daed I could help out.”
“Her daed? Where’s her mamm anyway?”
“She died a long time ago. He needs help.”
“I don’t like this one bit. You need to get home before you get too wild and independent. Put my sister back on the phone.”
“I will, but I have to go. I’m late. I will call you at the regular time in two days, okay?”
“You’d better be back on a bus in two days.”
Ramona took the phone with a knowing smile. “Now, Helen, your girl is doing great. She’s healthy, no sniffles or coughs, and she’s enjoying this nice warm weather.”
Eva went on her way, her mind in turmoil. She wasn’t ready to leave Pinecraft yet. She’d made a commitment to Tanner and Becky. She ran toward the shop, her mind on getting there before Becky did.
But when she entered, Martha stood there talking to Tanner and Becky. They all turned to face her. Tanner had a solid frown on his face. She’d messed up yet again. And she was out of breath, at that.
Tanner dropped the frown and rushed toward Eva. “Are you all right?”
She bobbed her head. “Sorry. Phone call. My mamm.”
“Martha, will you get Eva some water?” he called, his mind full of turmoil in the same way it had been when he’d watched Deborah die. “Now!”
Martha hurried away. Becky came running. “Are you sick, Eva? Did you get a boo-boo?”
“I ran,” Eva said. “I didn’t want to be late. I’m so sorry.”
Becky tugged at Eva’s skirt as Tanner eased her down on a chair by the dressing rooms. “Daed says don’t run on the sidewalks.”
“Well, I now know I’m not gut at it, that is for certain sure.”
Tanner shook his head. “Don’t scare us like that again. We were already concerned since you’re never late.”
“I’m just out of breath,” she replied, acutely aware of the fear in his eyes. “I always manage to mess things up, so I didn’t want to do that today.”
“Is your mamm okay?” he asked, wishing she could see her value. Eva was one of the best workers he’d had besides his family members, but she seemed to live in fear of failing.
“I missed calling her yesterday, and now she knows I’m working for you and she’s not happy.”
“I see. So you haven’t shared a lot with her?”
Eva glanced at Becky, then shot him a warning look. “I’ve talked to her about a lot, but she would not approve of me working all the time.”
Becky stared up at her. “You won’t quit, will you?”
“Neh,” Eva said, “I want to sit with you and read to you, and we have our walks planned, and ice cream to eat, don’t we?”
“We do,” Becky said. “That will make you feel better.”
“You are correct.”
Martha brought the water and Tanner explained what had happened. Martha smiled. “I could use some ice cream.”
Tanner groaned. “I guess I must make an ice cream run. I’ll let them know it’s an emergency.”
Martha nodded. “We three will watch the store.”
“Are you sure you three won’t get into trouble?” he asked, concern still pinging in his heart.
“We’ll behave, Daed,” Becky said, grinning. “But don’t let our ice cream melt.”
“Neh, I will run fast, too.”
“Neh.” Becky put her hands on her hips. “No running on the sidewalks.”
He did an eye roll but nodded before he gave Eva one last glance. “Don’t overdo.”
“I’m okay, really.” She drank some more water. “I’ll get busy straightening things. Becky can help.”
Tanner smiled and watched as Eva and his daughter went off hand in hand, but he didn’t miss the sadness surrounding Eva’s eyes. What had her mamm really said to her?