An Unlikely Match

back his hand, thankfully.
“Why is it so dark now?” She heard the tremble in her voice as she shook the popcorn from her lap and onto the floor.
“The movie is about to start. There will probably be some previews first.” Jayce continued eating, but his eyes were on thescreen.
Evelyn couldn’t believe how big the screen was, nor how colorful and bright. She jumped again when Jayce’s arm brushed againsthers. When she looked his way, she saw that he’d only accidentally elbowed her as he dug his hand into his bag of popcorn.Now he was staring at her.
“Evelyn,” he whispered as he leaned close to her ear.
“Ya?”
“Quit being so jumpy and just enjoy the movie. I promise I’m not going to make a move. I won’t even try to hold your hand.”
She forced a smile, glad he couldn’t see the flush she felt filling her cheeks. Instead of trying to deny the reason for her jumpiness, she nodded. An unexpected disappointment assaulted her from out of nowhere, and she didn’t think she would have minded his fingers intertwined with hers.
Once the movie started, following several previews, she became lost in the story. Jayce laughed out loud several times, asdid Evelyn. It didn’t take her long to finally relax into the situation. And the movie was over much too soon.
“Danki—I mean, thank you—so much for taking me,” she said as they walked out to the buggy. The moon was high and bright, and shefelt light on her feet.
Jayce gave her a stern look. “If you tell anyone we went to see a cartoon movie for kids . . .” He threw his head back, laughing,his long hair falling forward across his face when he finished. “Wasn’t it great though?”
“I loved it.” Evelyn slid into her seat, and Jayce closed the door and made his way around the buggy.
On the way back to Evelyn’s house, they kept talking about the movie and laughing—and occasionally holding their noses. Shecouldn’t imagine what Lizzie must have spilled in the buggy to leave such a strong aroma.
Evelyn didn’t start getting nervous until Jayce stopped the buggy in front of her house and turned to face her. He staredat her for a long time, those captivating eyes locked onto hers. If he tried to kiss her, she would let him.
He still held the reins in one hand as he twisted to face her more fully, his knee brushing against hers.
“I know you have a life, and you probably already have plans, but I’m going to risk it. Are you busy tomorrow?”
She noticed a brown leather bracelet around his wrist. It added an allure he didn’t need. Jayce already oozed with charm, and his over-the-top good looks and easy manner were like a magnet drawing her in.
“No problem if you’re busy.” He shook his head. “My dad surprised us and gave everyone the weekend off, which leaves me nothingto do but hang out with him and the crew, which will be terrible. I mean, Quinn is okay. Hal is okay. Veronica is cool too.She’s the biggest star in the movie, but she doesn’t act like it. Still . . . if you don’t have any plans and feel like showingme around, I’d happily buy you another meal tomorrow.”
Evelyn tried to think about any plans she might have for the weekend. Reading a new book she’d bought at a secondhand shopwas at the top of the list. Mending her brothers’ socks and maybe trying a new recipe for roast. None of it was as importantas getting to know Jayce better.
“Ya, sure. That sounds gut.”
“Fantastic.” He rushed to get out of the buggy, looped the reins loosely around the fence post, then escorted Evelyn all theway to the front door. She coughed, struggling to find her voice, but happy to be away from the strong vanilla scent.
After clearing her throat, she thanked him again, but she couldn’t seem to get her eyes to look away from his mouth. Stop staring. Stop staring.
Jayce cocked his head to the side and smiled. “What? Do I have something in my teeth?” Still grinning, he shrugged. “Becauseif I do, just tell me.”
Evelyn opened her mouth to speak, but somehow her mouth took on a life of its own as she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, then hurriedly stepped back and momentarily froze.
Their eyes locked. Jayce’s looked like they might pop from their sockets.
“Um, ya, well . . . Thanks again.” She hurried to open the screen and nearly slammed the door behind her.
As she leaned her back against it, she lifted her shaking hands to her chest, her heart pounding like a jackhammer. She’dnever done anything like that in her life.
She’d never be able to face him again.

Six
After Jayce put Poppy in the barn, he continued analyzing the evening as he walked back to the inn. With all the informationhe’d received from Lizzie, Esther, and Billy, Jayce hadn’t even planned to hug Evelyn. He’d wanted to kiss her all night,but more than that he didn’t want to do anything to offend her or make her uncomfortable. He reached up and touched his mouth,shaking his head as he neared the house. They didn’t even know each other.
Lights were on in the motor homes, and the generators were buzzing. Maybe the old guy, Gus, had gotten used to the noise. Or maybe he’d paid the sisters another visit and they managed to calm him down. He opened the front door and closed it quietly behind him, then tiptoed to the stairway, hoping he didn’t run into his father. When he reached the stairs, he felt eyes on him. Turning slowly, he was relieved to see Lizzie and Esther sitting at the kitchen table and went to join them.
“Apple and pecan.” Lizzie nodded to the pies as she spoke. She already had a plate and fork set out for him. “We want details.”
Esther glared at her sister. “Lizzie, must you always be so brazen?” She turned to Jayce. “We just wondered if you enjoyedthe movie and where you went