Chapter 18

Lott had hardly been able to believe it when he'd looked over and saw Melonie standing with another guy. Then, when he overheard a couple of girls say that the man was Melonie's new beau, he'd been stunned.

He'd also been kind of hurt.

While he and Melonie didn't exactly have anything settled between them, they had an understanding. Or at least it sure had seemed that way to him when they'd shared those moments together while Seth and Bethanne had gone on their walk. Melonie had been as sweet as could be. He knew she would've let him kiss her if he'd tried. Though he'd been tempted, he hadn't dared, wanting her to know that he respected her and was willing to wait to take their relationship to another level. As far as he was concerned, all that meant Melonie should not be going anywhere on the arm of another man.

And most especially not the man she was standing with. Lott knew he wasn't the most handsome guy in the county, but he was sure a far sight better looking than the man at Melonie's side. He looked like he had a permanent frown on his face.

Melonie had a ton of stuff on her plate. She needed to be around a man who made her happy. This guy looked like he didn't know the definition of happiness. What did she see in him?

Walking up to the stranger, he said, "I don't think we've met."

"Lott, this is my cousin Lorne Holst," Melonie told him.

Things were looking up. "You two are cousins?"

"Second cousins," Lorne said. "We don't know each other very well."

"Lorne is visiting from Ohio."

Melonie looked like she was trying real hard not to grimace. That almost made Lott smile. "Welcome to Crittenden County."

"Danke." Then Lorne blurted, "Could you introduce me to some women?"

Who was this guy? "Nee."

"Why not?" Lorne looked stunned.

"We don't know each other." Besides, Lott was pretty sure he already didn't like him.

Lorne raised his chin. "I'll have you know that I have a very good reputation back home."

"But no girlfriend?"

"That ain't none of your business."

"I'm just saying, if you have a girl, you shouldn't be flirting with other ones. Or with Melonie." Sure, he sounded possessive, but what was wrong with that? Someone needed to look out for Mel. Glancing her way, Lott wasn't sure if she was trying to keep from laughing or throwing herself into his arms.

He would be happy if she did either.

Lorne glared like Lott had just accused him of sleeping in on a Sunday morning. "I was not flirting with my cousin."

"It looked like it to me." Okay, it didn't, but he couldn't resist needling the guy.

"You shouldn't have been watching us in the first place."

Lott had to give it to him. Lorne had an answer for everything. "Do you ever get a word in edgewise with him, Mel?"

Melonie's eyes widened as they filled with mirth. To her credit, her voice was smooth and sounded almost serious. "Occasionally."

"Hmm."

"You know, there's no reason for you to act possessive of Melonie," Lorne said. "I sure don't want her."

Even though all three of them were good with that, Lott didn't care for how Lorne was referring to Mel—like she was something bad he'd found on the bottom of his shoe. "That don't sound very nice, Lorne."

"It's true."

"My mother asked me to bring him here," Melonie said. "Things are rather quiet at our house."

"It's been boring. I'm not sure why my parents felt the need to come to Kentucky."

"I'm not either."

"You're not much of a family sort of person, then?" Lott asked.

"We're extended family. And we have next to nothing in common."

Melonie's lips quirked. "He's not wrong."

Lorne folded his arms across his chest as he scanned the area as if some pretty girl was suddenly going to approach him with a bright smile on her face. Then he stilled. "Who is that?"

Lott glanced around. "Who is who?"

"Her."

There was a new tone to Lorne 's voice. It was a little hoarse. A little breathless. Like he'd just come across the Kentucky Derby winner in the middle of Crittenden County. They all looked.

"Oh. That's Ruby Bowman," Melonie said.

"She's pretty. Do you know her?" Lorne asked.

"Of course," she said. "We all do."

"Come introduce us, then."

Melonie looked stricken. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

Lott knew why. Ruby was a year younger than Melonie and always viewed her as a rival. There was no way she would give Lorne the time of day if Melonie introduced them. Of course, Lott was fairly sure that Ruby wasn't going to give Lorne her attention no matter what. "I'll take you over there," he said.

Lorne studied him for a long moment before nodding. "That's appreciated."

This guy really was too much. Turning to Melonie, he winked. "I'll be right back."

"Please, take your time."

"What's with the two of you?" Lorne asked as they walked toward Ruby.

There was no reason to lie, especially since he didn't want this cousin of Mel's to suddenly start thinking he had a shot with her. "I've been courting Melonie."

"Do her parents know this?"

"They do. And before you ask any more questions, I'll just say that it's complicated."

"I'll say. Her mother was acting like I should court her." For once the guy didn't sound incredulous. Merely confused.

"Listen, if I introduce you to Ruby, you're going to need to not look too interested. She's used to men fawning over her."

"You've done that?"

"Nee. She's not my type." His type had wavy blond hair, big blue eyes, and the prettiest smile he'd ever seen.

Ruby stood talking with Jenn and Mary L. All three of them looked at him with curious expressions when he and Lorne approached. Lott didn't blame them. He hadn't spent any time with them after they graduated eighth grade.

"Hiya, Lott," Jenn said.

"Hi." He smiled at all of them. "This is Lorne Holst. He's in town from Ohio. Lorne, this is Jenn, Mary L., and Ruby."

Mary giggled. "No one calls me Mary L. anymore, Lott."

"Sorry, I guess not. We had three Marys in our Amish school," he explained to Lorne.

"The first time I introduced myself to someone new, I called myself Mary L.," she said with a grin.

"I'll be pleased to just call you Mary," Lorne said. "It's nice to meet all of you."

"You as well. Tell us about where you're from."

Lott figured that was a good signal to step away. "I need to go check on Melonie," he said.

Ruby frowned. "You're seeing her again?"

"I never stopped. Lorne, let me know when you're ready to leave."

"Will do. Thanks."

When the guy turned away like Lott was an annoying pest, Lott chuckled to himself and walked back to Melonie's side. He was glad that she wasn't alone. Rachel Byler, the host of the gathering, was talking to her.

After exchanging greetings with him, Rachel went on her way, and once again, he and Melonie were alone. Just the way he liked it.

Melonie watched the four in awe. "I can't believe it, but those girls seem to be enjoying Lorne's company."

"I was surprised too, though he was a lot more personable with them."

"That makes sense. Even though I told him I wasn't interested in him, he acted as if I should've been." She groaned. "I canna believe my mother thinks we would make a good pair."

Lott couldn't either, but that was a discussion for another day. "Well, he's out of your hair for now."

"I'm grateful for that."

Her eyes were shining, making him feel all warm inside. "He asked what our relationship was. I told him that I was courting you."

"I'm sure that made him pretty confused," she said lightly.

"I don't care. All I care about is making sure you're not confused about us." He pressed his hand to her lower back. "You aren't, are you?"

She leaned against his hand for a second before looking melancholy. "I'm not confused. It's everyone around us who is."

Thinking of all the people in their lives who seemed to feel entitled to have a say in his and Melonie's future, Lott reached for her hand. "What do you think about coming over to my haus one day soon?"

"I don't know. What will your parents think?"

"My mamm and daed like you." That was the truth. "Plus, it would be good for you and Bethanne to talk some more." His sister stayed to herself too much. Spending time with Melonie would do her good.

Melonie's eyes brightened. "I'd like to see Bethanne again. Maybe one day she'll even come to a gathering like this."

"I'd like that, though I can't see that happening. She still can't seem to handle being around too many people. Especially not a party."

"It's a shame, ain't so?" she whispered.

"Jah." Taking Melonie's hand in his, he settled for holding it instead of offering any false promises or empty platitudes.

She stepped closer, smiling up at him, and relief spread through Lott.

Everything was okay at that moment. Since tomorrow wasn't a guarantee, he'd take it and give thanks.