A Treasure Worth Keeping by Kathryn Springer Read Free Book Online Page A

her amazement, Sam didn’t laugh. But he did smile. A slightly lopsided smile that lightened his eyes to silver and warmed up her insides like a Bunsen burner.
    “How can I turn down…SPF 50?” he murmured.
    Maybe he was reckless but he knew his sunscreen.
    Evie waited for Faith to join her, and they started down the driveway. Faith’s plodding steps conveyed her unhappiness with the situation, but Evie didn’t push for conversation or attention. When Faith wanted to talk, she would.
    “What did you say we’re going to study?” Faith finally asked.
    Evie hid a smile. “Canis familiaris.”
    Faith kicked a rock and sent it skittering down the lane. “I’ve never heard of that.”
    “It’s Latin for the domestic dog,” Evie said. “We’re going to visit Sophie’s puppies.”
    Faith grinned. “I think I’m going to like having you as a teacher, Miss McBride.”
    “This is summer school. Call me Evie.”

     
    By the time Sophie’s modest, two-story house came into view several minutes later, Faith was still chattering about the puppies and how it was up to her to choose a name for her favorite.
    “I’ve always wanted to have a dog, but Mom doesn’t like it when they shed,” Faith continued. “Sophie says she’ll keep the one I name and I can visit it whenever I want to. That’s kind of like having my own dog, isn’t it?”
    Evie thought it an extremely generous gesture on Sophie’s part, which made her more anxious to meet the woman. And even though Faith’s comment about her mother made Evie curious, she knew it wasn’t the time to press Faith to talk about her family.
    “There she is.” Faith broke away and sprinted toward a woman kneeling in a patch of freshly turned soil. “Hi, Sophie!”
    No wonder Patrick talked about her. Sophie Graham was beautiful. Blessed with classic features and smooth, porcelain skin, Sophie resembled an aging film star. Her faded housedress and scuffed gardening clogs couldn’t disguise her natural grace as she rose to her feet and greeted Faith with a hug.
    Faith pointed in her direction and Evie quickened her steps, hoping Sophie wouldn’t mind they’d shown up without a formal invitation.
    Before she could apologize, Sophie’s warm smile put her at ease. “Evangeline. I’m so glad to finally meet you. Patrick talks about you and your sisters all the time.”
    “Dad talks about you, too,” Evie said, surprised to see a hint of rose tint Sophie’s cheeks.
    “Can I show Evie the puppies, Sophie?”
    “If we’re not interrupting anything,” Evie added quickly.
    “Not at all. You came at just the right time. I’m ready to take a rest.” Sophie swept her straw hat off and used it as a fan.
    Evie’s breath caught in her throat as she saw the irregular patches of silver hair on Sophie’s head.
    “I’m in remission, praise the Lord,” Sophie said simply, and then gave Evie a mischievous wink. “Now, let’s get acquainted over ice cream and puppies, shall we?”

Chapter Five

    W hen an hour went by and Evie and Faith still hadn’t returned, it occurred to Sam that his niece may have tried to sweet-talk Evie into stopping at Sophie’s house.
    Which meant Sophie might inadvertently reveal the real reason behind Patrick and Jacob’s fishing trip.
    Sam winced as the hammer missed the nail and ground the tip of his thumb against the shingle.
    None of your business, he reminded himself. If Evie had a problem with her dad, she should take it up with him. Sam had his own stuff to worry about. He was one hundred percent uninvolved in the situation.
    Except that Evie was Faith’s tutor. And for the next few weeks, he was committed to making sure she stayed that way.
    Sam sat back on his heels, trying to convince himself it wasn’t necessary to look for them. Evie would be a strict teacher—the kind who wouldn’t waste precious minutes of a two-hour tutoring session playing with a litter of puppies. Hopefully the reason they were late was because the