Also interesting, as Trevor took a long glance down the hallway where Haven had disappeared.
Evelyn wondered what that story was about. She’d have to ask Gray.
“That lawn mower is done for,” Gray said, muscling Trevor out of the way as soon as he’d washed his hands. “I’ll hit the hardware store and get you a new one.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Ginger said, putting the carrots in a bowl and setting them on the table. “We can buy a new mower.”
“I saw a sign down the road as we were coming into town,” Drew said, taking his turn next at the sink. “Several of the students from one of the local fraternities have started up a mowing business. I guess they’re staying in town for the summer and need the cash.”
“You got all that from reading a road sign as you were passing by?” Ginger asked, folding her arms.
Drew shrugged. “I might have jotted the number down, and I might have called while we were out back.”
“It would take some stress off Bill having to mow,” Gray offered. “Especially now that we’ve determined the mower isn’t repairable.”
“It’s a temporary fix, at best,” Bill said. “But until we can get a new mower, it would give those boys some income.”
Ginger held out her hand. “Give me their number. I’ll look into it.”
Drew pulled the number up on his phone and wrote it down on a piece of paper, then handed it to Ginger. She smiled as she put it in her jeans pocket.
“Now sit. All of you. It’s time for lunch.”
Haven walked in. “Hey, y’all.”
“Hey, baby girl,” Bill said, pulling her into his arms. “Did you have a nice visit with your friends? I’m sorry I was asleep last night when you got in.”
“Hey, Dad. Thanks, I did.” She squeezed her eyes shut as she hugged her dad. “And I got in pretty late, so don’t worry about it.”
Evelyn’s heart ached for Haven as she swiped a tear away before she pulled back.
She took a long look at him. “You look like you might have put some weight on.
Eating those Oreo cookies again when Mom isn’t looking?”
Bill grinned. “Maybe a few.”
“I can hear, you know,” Ginger said. “Now y’all sit.”
Everyone took a seat. Gray sat next to Evelyn. Obviously Ginger and Bill had seats next to each other. Drew and Trevor scrambled for chairs, which left one open for Haven—right next to Trevor.
Haven hesitated.
“Well, go on and sit, honey,” Ginger said. “He isn’t gonna bite you.”
“I might.” Trevor looked up at Haven and grinned. Haven glared, but settled into the chair.
Lunch was delicious, and the conversation was lively. There was a lot of reminiscing about the guys’ college days, including teasing of Haven.
“If he hadn’t passed that math class, we weren’t sure Trevor was ever going to get sprung from the dorm,” Gray said with a grin.
“It was like prison,” Trevor said. “I felt like Rapunzel in the tower. Without all the hair, of course,” he said, winking at Evelyn. “If it hadn’t been for Haven, I might still be stuck in my room.”
Haven scooped peas onto her fork, refusing to meet Trevor’s gaze.
“Oh, I remember how reluctant you were when we asked you to tutor Trevor,”
Ginger said to Haven. “You would have thought we’d asked the worst thing in the world of her. She dragged her feet and said she didn’t want to. You remember that, honey? Lord, you were so difficult.”
Haven lifted her head up at that remark. “As I recall, I wasn’t the difficult one.”
Trevor cocked a brow. “She means me.”
“Well, you were a pain in the—” Drew glanced over at Bill and Ginger. “Butt.”
“I was not. I was cooperative as he—heck. I wanted out of that room.”
Haven snorted. “You were a pain in the ass. Uncooperative. Thought you knew everything—except math, science, and history. And when the going got tough and you were forced to actually knuckle down and do the work, you tried to bribe me into taking the math test for you.”
“Haven,” Ginger said. “Trevor wouldn’t do such a thing.”
She met her mother’s gaze straight on. “Of course not. He’s an athlete, therefore he can do no wrong.”
Trevor remained silent, but he cast a curious glance at Haven. Now Evelyn really wondered what the background was on these two. Was there animosity over the tutoring? It seemed like so much more than that. A lot of tension sizzled between them.
“Anyway, it all worked out. Trevor passed all his classes,” Ginger said with a wide smile. “We were so proud.”
“Excuse me,” Haven said, taking her plate to the sink.
Trevor’s gaze followed her as she left the room.
After lunch they sat out on the porch and sipped tea. Even Haven got over whatever had upset her and joined them, though she sat as far away from Trevor as possible.
Evelyn noticed Trevor throwing looks her way, but Haven wouldn’t meet his gaze.
When Evelyn went inside to refill her tea, Haven came in, too.