Page 84 of Magnolia Summer

Still she wouldn’t look at him. “Celia . . .”

She began walking down the aisle, then turned to glance at him. “Come for supper one night this week. Will misses you.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

* * *

Why hadshe asked Truett to supper?

Celia ran around shoving biscuits in the oven and stirring the gravy on the stove.

Lizzie entered the kitchen. “I’ve got the twins cleaned up. Celia, you go and get dressed. Almira and I’ll finish supper.”

Celia frowned at her sister. Why did she have to look so happy?

“Go on!” Lizzie stripped off Celia’s apron and made a shooing motion with her hands.

Celia didn’t dare answer her or she might blurt out something unnecessary, something like,Stop looking at me like that! I’m not marrying Truett Beverly. Who’s looking out formyhappiness? I’d like to know.

She didn’t say any of those things, though it was on the tip of her tongue every time Lizzie or Will or Almira caught her eye and gave her that annoying smirk of theirs that saidCelia and Truett are courting!

Celia hurried outside and washed her face from the pan on the back steps. She splashed the cool water on her arms. The day was hot and sticky and she felt as if she already needed another bath, though she’d just taken one a few hours ago. There was no time for anything except a change of clothes.

She didn’t care how she looked, but she chose the dress she’d worn to the dance, the feminine one with the pink flowered print, and jerked it over her head. She took her hair down and brushed it out quickly before pinning it back up in a bun. Perhaps she should try to style it in a more attractive way.

Who was she trying to impress? Celia glared at herself in the mirror. “No one. Especially not you, Truett Beverly.” But the words made her smile. She was lying and she knew it.

Truett’s masculine voice drifted in from the sitting room. Her hands shook as she smoothed her skirt. Her dress was still unbuttoned down the back! She stuck her head in the doorway and called in a panicked whisper, “Almira!”

Almira rushed in with a big smile on her face. Why was everyone so happy? Annoying, that’s what it was.

Almira hurriedly buttoned her up the back. “Come on. He’s here.” She took Celia’s hand and pulled her toward the door.

Celia pulled her hand away. “I know, I know. Be calm.” But she was the one who wasn’t calm. She took a deep breath and made Almira lead the way into the sitting room.

Celia hung back and watched Truett greet Almira. He smiled and chucked her under the chin, like a brother would greet a sister. “How ya doin’, Mira?”

When Truett noticed Celia standing behind Almira, his eyes took in her dress in a quick sweep and his smile grew wider. Celia bit the inside of her lip at his reaction. She should have worn her ugliest calico work dress. What was she thinking?

Truett stepped toward her. Before she knew what he was about to do, he lifted her hand and bent over it, planting a lingering kiss on her knuckles.

Celia’s cheeks began to sting. She couldn’t meet the eyes of anyone in the room, the excited grins on their faces. She was forced to look at Truett instead. She tried to frown at him, but her face muscles wouldn’t cooperate. Why did he have to be so good-looking? Even with the fading bruise she found herself breathless at the sight of him. His kind blue eyes, reflecting his steadfast heart and chivalrous soul. His gentle mouth, his noble jaw . . .God, I’m hopeless.But isn’t it Your fault for making him so wonderful?

“I’m going to finish dinner.” Celia turned on her heel and fled to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, as they gathered at the table for the meal, Lizzie and Will stumbled all over themselves to make sure they and the rest of the family took all the chairs except the one right next to Truett, forcing Celia to sit beside him. That would have been all right, except that the table was barely big enough to accommodate them all, so Celia’s arm ended up brushing against Truett’s at least a half dozen times while they ate. But somehow, she didn’t really mind.

Truett seemed so at home at their table. She looked around at the way everyone was interacting with him. Even Mama smiled at him and seemed more attentive than usual.

She’d really only wanted him to come and see Will and the rest of the family. They all missed him when he didn’t come around, and Celia knew she was the reason he didn’t come. That was her only motive for asking him to supper. But somehow, the evening had turned into a “Celia and Truett are courting” party. She could see it on everyone’s face, even Truett’s.

But the longer she sat beside him, the lighter her heart became. She liked his deep voice and laugh right next to her. She liked the way he glanced at her every so often out of the corner of his eye, and the way he didn’t move his arm out of the way when she accidentally brushed against him. She wished she didn’t like it, but she did.

Truett complimented all the dishes. Lizzie and Almira were quick to point out the ones Celia made.Oh, for pity’s sake.She didn’t know whether to roll her eyes or laugh.

When the meal was over, they moved to the sitting room. Truett waited to see where Celia would sit. In fact, everyone seemed to be waiting to see where she would sit!