Spring Comes To Barncastle Inn by Lynette Sowell Page B

and Jayne, but still it was different.”
                  “I still had to be ready, though. When I met Jayne, I knew I was.” He smiled, as though traveling down memory lane. “My in-laws, especially my mother-in-law, took the news a little hard at first. They thought I was trying to replace Edie, Andy's mother. But I wasn't. No one can replace another. However, I knew when the time was right, I wanted Jayne in my life, for keeps. At first, when Andy woke with night terrors, he'd cry for Edie. That hurt Jayne a little, but she understood. But now, you see them together—it's as if she's always been in his life. I think Edie would have liked that, very much.”
                  Her cousin had married a fine man. Of that, Sadie had no doubt. She also knew Peter had those same qualities.
                  “Thanks, Luke.”
                  Here came Peter and Marin, her face flushed red after her father had made her clean up the mess she'd made by kicking the hard-boiled egg. Peter's brow furrowed, but he held Marin's hand tenderly.
                  “Marin.” He glanced down at his daughter.
                  “Mr. Gilbert, I'm very sorry.” Marin's lip quivered. “I was a poor loser. I'm sorry for making the mess, and I'm still upset for not winning.” She glanced over to where young Patrick Donnelly tore into his prize candy basket for winning the race.
                  “You're forgiven, Miss Appleman.” Luke held out a cup of lemonade. “Now, for some lemonade. There are also plates, finger sandwiches, and cake at the other side of the table.”
                  “Thank you, Mr. Gilbert.” Marin flicked a glance at Sadie, who didn't miss the flash of pride in the little girl's eyes.
                  “Go get some cake, and some sandwiches,” Peter said. “I must speak with Miss Barncastle for a few moments.”
                  Marin frowned and stepped toward the food.
                  “Oh, you must speak with me?” Sadie asked as he offered her his arm. “I can spare a few moments, Mr. Appleman.”
                  “Yes, only for a few moments.” He covered her hand with his, and they stepped away from the tent, out of earshot of everyone else. “Okay, we don't have to stay in character here.”
                  “No, we don't.” Her pulse pounded in her throat. “Peter—”
                  “About last night—”
                  “I care for you Peter, I can't help but care. If you're not ready, you're not ready.” She swallowed hard. “I can't and won't force that.”
                  “I care for you, too. It's only been a few weeks, but everything has changed.” He reached a hand up, as if to touch her face.
                  “Please, don't. It's hard enough for me right now...” She bit her lip. Don't cry, don't cry. “I won't compete for your affections with a ten-year-old. I'm not saying forget about Kate, or ignore Marin, but—”
                  “You're not competing for my affections. Marin has nothing to do with us.” He took both of her hands in his.
                  “Yes, she does. And she will. If I take you, I take her too. I'm not saying I expect her to be one-hundred-percent in favor of you and me, together. Not right now, anyway. She's lost her mom, left her home. But, I want you to be one hundred percent in favor of us.” She allowed herself to squeeze his hands back.
                  “Oh, Cousin Sadie, would you please fetch more napkins from the pantry?” Jayne called out across the lawn.
                  “Yes, Cousin Jayne,” Sadie responded. “Peter, I need to go.” She forced herself to pick up her skirt with one hand and scurried toward the rear entrance of the house.
     
                 
    Chapter