She chuckled. “He might’ve been ranting about you living with a dangerous guy.”
“Ramsey’s not dangerous.” Those words came easily and with more force and bite than I’d intended.
Everly slowed, studying me. “No, I don’t imagine he is.”
I looked back at her, trying to find the reason for her agreement.
Everly pulled open the front door, wiping her feet on the mat. “I know Hayes is overprotective. He’s gotten so much better, but it’s still a challenge for him. Especially when it comes to you.”
I bit back a curse. I was so tired of being seen as the weak one. The one who needed shielding. If anything, my ordeal should’ve shown them how strong I was.
Everly led the way to the kitchen, pulling out a pitcher of lemonade. “It can make him blind. Working in the animal rescue world, I’ve heard about Ramsey and the miracles he can work with wounded horses. I don’t imagine a man like that has bad in him. The animals would sense it.”
She was right. It was what had put me at ease with Ramsey over the years. I’d seen his gentleness and patience. It was the opposite of what I’d seen from those who were evil and cruel. “The things he can do are pretty amazing.”
Everly’s mouth curved as she poured two glasses of lemonade. “I’d love to see it someday.”
I could’ve told her not to hold her breath. Instead, I took the glass she offered me. “Thanks.”
“Want to take it out back?”
“Sure.”
We made our way to the back deck that looked out across an extensive garden, and a gazebo butted up to the forest. It was a magical atmosphere, and I couldn’t help but be a little envious. I’d never done the nesting thing—settling and making a place mine. Maybe it was time. I could start small. Perhaps some pots on the front deck of the guest cabin.
“The gardens have really come in.”
Everly’s face lit up as she eased into the Adirondack chair. “It’s the perfect backdrop for a wedding, don’t you think?”
I sat in the chair next to her, studying the yard. “I don’t know if I’m really an expert on weddings, but it is beautiful.”
“Who cares about expertise? All that matters is if you like it.”
“I do. It’s magical.”
She beamed at me. “Good. Magic is a quality I can get behind.” Her smile wavered a bit. “I actually wanted to ask you something about the wedding.”
My mouth went dry. “Sure.”
“It would mean a lot to me if you’d be a bridesmaid. Hadley said she’d be one, and Addie’s going to be my matron of honor. I’d ask Laiken, too, but she’s doing some of the photos.”
My fingers curled around the edge of the chair. I gripped it so hard splinters poked into my palm. “You don’t have to ask me, Ev.”
Her face fell. “I know I don’t have to, but Iwantto. I don’t mean to force you into it, but you’re important to me.”
My throat clogged. Everly’s and my paths were interwoven in so many ways, but I knew I was a reminder of painful things for her. Of a choice she’d had to make that’d cost her the love of her family—most of them, anyway. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
Of course, the words I’d practiced came at the most awkward time imaginable. It was me, after all. I never seemed to manage to say the right thing at the right time.
Instead of shock or confusion, Everly simply rolled with the punches. Something she had always been great at. “Thank you.” She leaned back in her chair. “It’s a relief, if I’m honest. His life wasn’t a happy one. His sickness ate at his mind until he didn’t trust anyone.”
“Is there evil in you? I’ll beat it out.”
Howard’s voice battered at my skull. The smell of his sweat filled my senses, and I felt the cramps in my stomach fromhunger. Other images flashed in my mind, too: his face twisted in rage and the certainty that I was going to die.
“I’m so sorry he hurt you, Shy.”
Everly’s voice pulled me out of the memories, but the panic had already been set free. It raced through my bloodstream and pulsed in my muscles. I clenched and flexed my hands in my lap, trying to stave off the worst of it.