Page 20 of Evan

“What is it?” Placing the tip of his index finger on the line he had been reading, he looked over at her impatiently.

“Well…,” she cleared her throat delicately, wondering how to commence. Her boss was usually as sharp as a tack, but for the third time today, he seemed to be more than a little off.

“Ms. Jones?” The note of impatience was evident in his deep baritone.

“Your board meeting is not until tomorrow and Mr. Higgins already sent you the report.”

He held her gaze for a few pulsing seconds as if questioning the logic of her sentence. She barely managed to contain her surprise when color seeped into his skin and the look of embarrassment on his face was priceless.

“Yes, right.” Putting aside the folder, he picked up a paperweight that had been passed down to him from his father.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

Evan started to refuse but nodded instead.

“Thanks.”

“If course, sir. It’s past lunch time also. Might I suggest that a ham and cheese sandwich be sent up from the kitchen?”

“Thank you. That is all for now.”

With a prim nod of her neat coif, his assistant rose and left. Minutes later, she came back with the sandwich and a carafe of fresh coffee.

“Thank you.”

Evan waited until she had closed the door before pouring a cup of the excellent coffee. He was not in the mood for beverage, and he was certainly not hungry. What he was couldn’t be defined by mere words.

He had abruptly left the quaint little cottage, a wonderful setting for the exquisite woman and almost ran to his vehicle. He had spent several minutes cruising the area, until he had finally shown up at his aunt’s.

The afternoon had been pleasant enough, but his concentration had been shot to pieces.

He could not take his mind off her. The way she looked as she stood there surrounded by the incredible beauty of nature. She had reminded him of a barefoot nymph. And the comparison had startled him.

He was waxing poetic, something else he was not accustomed to being. But Cassandra Daley brought out the best in people. It was not just him. He had noticed the way people gravitated towards her. She had a smile for those around her. She was kind and compassionate and made everyone feel wanted.

Talking to her had delighted him and when she toed off her boots and wriggled her toes in the lush grass, he had wanted to follow suit. Taking a healthy sip of the coffee, he put away the cup restlessly. He could not settle.

And he wanted to hear her voice. Before he could change his mind, he picked up his personal phone and dialed the number of the church office. If the pastor answered, he was going to take it as a sign that he should not have called in the first place.

But her melodious voice came over the line and he had to close his eyes to try and settle his heart.

“Russell Baptist Church, this is Cassandra speaking.”

“That’s quite a mouthful.”

He heard her startled gasp and imagined the look on her exquisite face. He wondered if she was pleased to hear his voice.

“Mr. Davenport. How nice to hear from you.”

“I see you recognize my voice. I am going to take that as a good sign. Don’t you think that it’s foolish to be standing on ceremony? My name is Evan. And yours is Cassandra.”

“You are absolutely right. What can I do for you?”

“I called to apologize for my abrupt departure yesterday.”

“You said you had to rush.”

“Yes.” Leaning back in the chair, he stretched his legs out. “Supper with my aunt. She is my only living relative.”