The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(15)

“Sir,” Sandy called.

He paused.

“Yes?”

“You have a guest.”

Olivia and he shared a look, then looked back at Sandy.

“Who?”

“A gentleman, Miss Evelyse drove him here from town.”

William’s jaw tightened.

“Did you think to ask who he was?”

Sandy wrung her hands. She shook her head.

“He just said you’d be expecting him.”

Wes stared at her, realization flooding his body. He swallowed. Perhaps it all would end tonight. He nodded to Olivia.

“Go to bed, honey. I’ll be up soon.”

Olivia looked hesitant. She put a hand on his. “Are you sure? Should I go with you?”

“It’s fine. Go on.”

She went up the stairs and Wes closed his eyes for a moment.

He should have known that Avalon Prince would surprise him. He always seemed to be a step ahead of him.

Still, having Evie bring him here was a direct taunt. His sister was to stay out of it all. Then again, Wes hadn’t spared any of Avalon’s siblings after his father’s death.

He knew Avalon, and how girls were attracted to him. He admittedly didn’t mind how much female attention they received when they hung out together in boarding school. Alone Wes wasn’t much of a lady’s man. He was told that he looked too serious, and didn’t have much of a sense of humor.

Geek.

Nerd.

Those were the labels he’d lived with since childhood. He didn’t mind. It was a testament to his superior intellect, and Olivia loved him for it. She was a good wife. Pretty and obedient.

Evie’s giggle was faintly heard from the library.

Wes and Evie shared and embraced those labels. He wanted great things for her. Her future was much brighter than Woodland Creek could provide.

He sighed. He really didn’t need Evie getting in the way. She was young and pure — too pure to be involved with their plot.

“Where are they?”

“She’s entertaining him in the library.”

Wes rubbed his brow. “I expected as much. Thank you, Sandy. Will you bring me some of the Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon to the library, along with some cheese and olives?”

“Certainly, sir.”

He stretched his neck muscles and changed direction to head to the library at the back of the manor. He could hear Evie’s voice before he even made it down the hall. Her laughter was a welcome sound in this dark and taxing time.

His little sister was one of the few things that could make him smile these days.

“Well, what do we have here?” Wes opened his arms when he entered the library and Avalon stood from his seat on the sofa.

“Wesley Scarlett,” Avalon said as Evie hugged Wes. “What’s it been? Almost ten years?”

Wes nodded. “Just about.”

“Welcome home,” Evie said, wrapping her arms around his waist to hug him warmly. She went up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “How was your day?”

Wes smiled at her and kissed the top of her head. “Good. Thank you. Everything okay here?”

“Yeah,” she said. “Everything’s great. I ran into Avalon at Geek Beans.”

Sure you did, Wes thought. Knowing Avalon, he’d planned to meet her by chance. He’d probably been watching them to find out their routine.

“Well what a coincidence,” he said and looked to Avalon. “How long have you been in town?”

“A couple of days,” Avalon said. “Come to show support for good ole’ dad. Look how that turned out.”

Sandy entered with a tray full of the items Wes asked for. She set it on the coffee table. “Do you need anything else?”

“Just tell Eloise that we will have breakfast an hour later tomorrow.”

“Very good, sir. Sleep well.”

“You too, Sandy.”

Evie took Wes’s hand. “Come sit. Avalon has been telling me some very interesting stories about you guys at boarding school.”

“Did he now?” Wes followed her to the red Victorian sofa and sat on the edge. He poured three glasses and handed Evie one.

She accepted it with a smile. “Thanks,” she said. “In a few months I’ll start my own wine collection.”

“But you’ll still drink from our stash…”

She laughed. “Well of course. It’s vintage and free.”

Wes shrugged. “At least you have good taste.”

“I learn from the best,” she said and took a sip.

Avalon picked up a glass and sat near the fireplace in an antique sitting chair. “Your lovely sister here was just telling me how much Woodland Creek has changed.”

Pursing his lips, Wes looked to his sister. He didn’t like the idea of her getting involved… especially with Avalon. Not until he assessed the situation.

“It hasn’t changed that much,” Wes said.

“But it has,” Evie said. “There are so many new things in New Town.”

“Exactly,” Avalon agreed.

Wes and Avalon’s eyes met. He almost thought he saw something unusual in Avalon’s eyes.

Wes drank from his glass and rested against the sofa’s plush back.