Courted by Trouble: A Courting Romance (In Hyacinth Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

reaction to anything highly emotional. Her friend rarely gave emotion away, but she had several tells that as if the last year hadn’t happened, Stephanie could recall clearly. And she saw each and every one of them in the woman next to her. Dora was hurting. “Thanks. Mom and I are getting by.”
    “Are you?” Stephanie asked gently, not wanting to dredge up anything bad, but at the time needing Dora to know she could turn to her if needed. “We’ve all got some stuff going on, but at least we’ve got each other, right?” She wrapped her arm around Dora’s and pulled her into the Lava Lamp which was crowded on a Saturday morning. “Oh, a table’s opening up. Grab it while I get our coffees.”
    Dora quickly made her way over and captured the table while she ordered their drinks. “One peppermint mocha, one cinnamon latte, and one black coffee. All tall.” After paying, she waited the few minutes for their drinks to be ready and thought about how to bring their friend out of what was obviously a bad time for her. Stephanie knew she had needed to disappear, but that didn’t stop her guilt. Dora had never been anything but supportive and loving of her. She would find a way to make this right.
    “Who else is coming?” Dora asked as she removed the drinks from the tray, handing Dora her mocha while putting the latte in front of herself.
    “There you are!” Cami’s happy voice made Stephanie smile as Dora startled in surprise and then joy. In her normal exuberance, Cami tackle-hugged their friend, almost knocking her over. As she pulled back, she sat down and said, “Kathy would’ve come but every scent makes her ill right now.” She inhaled the coffee in front of her and took a large drink, humming in enjoyment.
    “How did you come to enjoy black coffee?” Dora asked, watching her. “You used to think it was gross.”
    Cami smiled. “Jerod loves it this way. I’ve learned to adapt.”
    “So,” Dora said after a couple uncomfortable moments, “it’s been awhile.”
    Wincing, Cami nodded. “Yes, it has. Sorry about that. I was involved in my own mess and kind of ignored what else was going on.”
    “Me too,” Stephanie said. “I’ve been living in Hins Creek.”
    “So close?” Dora said in surprise. “I’ve been worried about you both.”
    Stephanie felt like kicking herself. How could she have felt that she was the only one hurting? She felt so selfish.
    “So what are you two up to?” Dora asked, her tone clearing which for her meant that in that moment she had forgiven them for forgetting her. Stephanie shook her head, thinking that Dora had to be the sweetest and kindest woman alive. She wondered if Cami and she deserved her friendship. “I mean, I know you’re getting married, Cami. Congratulations, by the way. But what else?”
    And as if no time had passed at all, all of their stories poured out and it felt like back before all the troubles began as they laughed and giggled over the stupidest stuff.
    “So what about you?” Cami finally said. “Do you enjoy working for the auxiliary?”
    “It’s okay. It’s a job I can do.”
    “Oh, that’s a rousing recommendation,” Stephanie said dryly. “What do you want to do?”
    “You mean besides pour the rest of this mocha over your head?” Dora asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
    By the time the three of them had finished their coffees, she felt lighter and if Dora’s expression was anything to go by, she felt the same.
    “Come to the picnic with me?” she found herself begging as they left the café.
    “Oh, I don’t know,” Dora said, frowning. “It’s such a courting fiasco.”
    Grimacing, Stephanie nodded. It was true. No matter what the town wanted to call it, the fact was, the Memorial Day Picnic was the day all the men who were considering courting got a good look at this year’s eighteen year olds.
    “Please?” she begged. “I’m trying to get out more and while I’m going with Cami and Jerod, you know what