A Match for a Willful Bride (The Mystery Matchmaker of Ella Pointe Book 4) by Tess Thompson

Author:Tess Thompson [Thompson, Tess]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781960288431
Publisher: 4kids5cats Editions
Published: 2023-05-17T23:00:00+00:00

That night, Ella didn’t appear for the evening meal. I’d not seen her since I dropped her off earlier other than when her car appeared in the driveway. Mr. Bains and Mrs. Bains were fine company at dinner, even though I felt a bit out of place. These were not the sort of people I’d ever known intimately. By that, I meant rich. I hated to admit it, but wealth intimidated me.

After supper, I excused myself and went out to the back porch to look up at the sky. The inky night with millions of silver stars twinkled from God’s vast canvas. They seemed so close that I lifted my hand as if to draw them to me, but they did not come, simply enjoying their spots from the heavens too much, I supposed. I drew in a deep breath, feeling the peaceful surroundings entering my body, freeing me from the strain of the day. The crisp evening air caressed my skin and carried the scent of the sea and woodsmoke.

Torches on either side of the steps had been lit, and their orange flames occasionally flickered and sputtered. I’d splurged earlier that day and bought a cigar. First, I took a moment to breathe in the fresh air before lighting it from the flames rising from one of the torches. An aroma of decaying leaves mixed with the smoky scent of the cigar as I settled on the bottom step of the porch where I could sit without the obstruction of the awning.

It was remarkably quiet here. Nothing but the sounds of nature. A rustle here or there from an unseen critter and the whisper of a breeze ruffling the last of the autumn leaves. An owl hooted, sending shivers up my spine. An owl! I’d never heard one before now. All these years, I’d thought it more of a construct of children’s books, but here he was, evidence of the distinct call I’d heard only in my imagination. Another hoot, as if to remind me of his presence, sent a lonely yet exhilarating feeling through my bones.

This was a wonderful place to live. Ella should not be run out of here. Not because of me. I had to convince her to stay and work with me. It was the only solution for both of us. I had nowhere else to go. She had no desire to go anywhere else. A compromise must be found.

I puffed on my cigar but didn’t inhale the smoke into my lungs, enjoying the smell and sense of luxury it gave me.

I heard the door to the porch open and close and turned to see that it was Ella. She obviously hadn’t seen me yet because she wrapped her arm around one of the pillars and let out a long sigh staring up at the stars. The scent of my cigar must have alerted her to my presence because she turned in my direction.

“Lucca, what are you doing out here?” Her voice was as crisp and lovely as the air.

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