“Evie.”
“Pastor Patterson.” Evie refused to acknowledge her sister.
“I haven’t seen you in church since I’ve gotten here. Lucky said you were a faithful parishioner when he was pastor.”
Evie decided to be truthful. “I’ve decided to go to the church in Jamestown.” She almost regretted her bluntness when she saw the hurt look on Merrick’s face. He was a nice man--too nice--and he was completely blind to his wife’s faults.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I was hoping you and Brooke would overcome your childhood arguments now that you are older. Brooke has sent numerous invitations for dinner; the least you could do is respond. Evie, it is your niece that she is carrying. We really would like our baby to get to know her mother’s twin.”
Evie ignored King’s body tensing across the table at Merrick’s cutting words.
“I don’t think that’s going to be possible, Pastor. I’m afraid I haven’t reached the point of turning the other cheek.”
“Evie, that was uncalled for.” Brooke’s tearful voice drew both men’s eyes, one more discerning than the other.
“I see I was wrong in trying to make an effort to encourage Brooke to make an attempt of reconciliation. I hope your new church can give you what you need.”
“I hope you take those blinders off, Merrick. I truly wish you the best.” Evie was sincere; she wouldn’t wish Brooke on her worst enemy, much less a man like Merrick who deserved better.
“Let’s go, darling. I told you it was useless.” Brooke gave King a sweet smile before turning into her husband’s protective arm as he led her away from the table.
“The check I had done on her doesn’t do her justice. The poor bastard.”
“Why did you run a check on her?” Evie made herself lower her voice.
“Don’t be angry, but I had you checked out, too.”
Evie started to smart off then closed her mouth. “We had you checked out, too, but you knew that, just as I should have. So, you already knew my past before I told you?”
“Some of it, yes, but I became curious after you told me what happened. It didn’t match the report I was given, so I looked into it further. That’s when I discovered one of the men’s testimonies about Brooke’s involvement.”
“You already knew about Levi before I told you?”
King nodded his head.
“You want to know the ironic part? She did it to break up my friendship with Shade, and it only strengthened it. She was angry we were stationed together. I wouldn’t have made it through those days after Levi was killed if I hadn’t had him to lean on.”
“I’m glad he was there for you.” Evie saw the truth in his eyes.
“She has the life I wanted. Levi and I were going to get married and make a family together. She never wanted kids, though. She hated them.”
“Evie…”
At that moment, the waitress brought their food, and thankfully, the topic was changed, but the lighthearted atmosphere was gone. Evie managed to take a couple of bites yet couldn’t force herself to take another drink of the appalling wine.
King motioned for the waitress to bring the ticket, giving her his credit card.
“Finish eating. I’ll be fine in a minute.”
“Yours isn’t the only appetite she ruined,” he said, signing the check and rising to his feet.
They drove back to her house in silence. “King, I...” she started when they got to her door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Evie.” His mouth brushed her lips before he stepped back, going to his car. He waited until she was inside before pulling out of her driveway. She had been tempted to invite him in but had not wanted to return to her habit of using sex to escape the pain of her past.
Evie went into the living room, sitting down on the couch and staring into space.
King had irrevocably changed her; all she could think of was wanting him. She had missed him and wanted to touch him. None of that had to do with missing Levi. She was tired and aggravated at Brooke, but she didn’t feel like sitting and thinking about the past; it had finally lost its grim hold on her.
Evie got off the couch and went to bed.
* * *
Monday’s were always busy days. She was returning a file to the office when she looked out into the lobby to see Beth sitting there. Evie opened the door, motioning her back.
“I didn’t know you had an appointment today with Dr. Jones.” She caught the brief twinge of pain Beth tried to hide.
“I didn’t. I haven’t been feeling well, so I thought I would get Dr. Jones to check me out. I know I’m probably just being paranoid, though.”