Sister's Choice Read Online Free PDF Page A

same age, had done so. They called him four-eyes because he wore glasses, and teacher’s pet because he always made good marks. Maggie remembered Mama scolding Boyd for it, telling him that the boys were just jealous of Evan because he was so smart. He’d won every prize in school and most of the county prizes, as well. Only the educational ones though, not the athletic prizes. They usually went to Colby or Boyd or a couple of the other more popular boys.
    Evan now came over to greet the Newcombs. He politely shook Dad’s and Georgie’s hands—Boyd was absent, still working at the lumber camp. Then he gave a small bow to the women. When he smiled, Maggie noted there was a bit of chocolate cake stuck to his front tooth. Other than that, she did think he had a nice smile, even if it did twitch nervously a little. He was about as tall as Dad, not quite as husky, but certainly not slender. His complexion was ruddy, his hair a carpet of tight blond curls cut short, probably to prevent a wild mass like Maggie’s long curls. His eyes were brown, and he wore wire-rimmed spectacles, no doubt because he’d ruined his eyes with all his studying.
    “My goodness, what fine manners they taught you back there in Boston,” said Mama.
    Maggie thought the little bows were a bit old-fashioned, even silly, but she kept that to herself.
    “We are so very proud of our boy,” gushed Mrs. Parker. “He graduated law school at the top of his class!”
    The other day he’d been fifth in his class, but Maggie wasn’t about to quibble with a proud mother.
    “So you are a practicing lawyer now?” Dad asked.
    “I am licensed to practice law,” Evan replied. There seemed a peculiar edge to his response, as if there were more behind his words than he was saying.
    “Maybe you can give Earl Cranston some competition,” Maggie said. “We can sure use a lawyer around here that isn’t in the saloons half the time.”
    Dad arched a brow. “What do you know of Mr. Cranston?”
    “Well, he—”
    Just then the door was opened again by Mr. Parker, and new guests arrived—the Stoddards. Excusing herself, Mrs. Parker flitted over to them, calling for Evan to join her. The New-combs made their way into the parlor, but Maggie lingered in the foyer for a moment. She was delighted to see Colby among the new arrivals. Unlike all the other men in the crowd, he actually looked marvelous in his Sunday suit, but then she always thought he looked wonderful. Colby was simply at ease in any situation, as a gentleman, a farmer, a lumberjack, or whatever guise he chose.
    Next to him was obviously Tamara Brennan, a dark-haired beauty if ever there was one. Just as Colby outshone every man in the room, Tamara made every female appear pale and dowdy in comparison to her. And to see her and Colby standing side by side as though they belonged together made Maggie’s stomach queasy.
    Even in her dismay, however, she noted something else. Evan Parker had turned red as a beet. Had he just realized his teeth were covered in cake? It couldn’t be the presence of Sarah Stoddard, who was all but hiding behind her brother. No, that wasn’t it. Evan was looking right at Tamara and looking a lot like Maggie did when she looked at Colby. Was he merely flustered by her beauty? Then Maggie recalled Mrs. Parker mentioning that Evan and Tamara’s brother had been classmates at Harvard. He must already know Tamara, and by the look of it, he must have a crush on her.
    Everyone was now moving into the parlor, and Maggie joined them. She said hello to Colby and was a little perturbed that he barely acknowledged her. Still, she lingered in the little circle that formed with Tamara, Colby, Evan, and herself as they continued to exchange pleasantries.
    “Well, Evan, how are you adjusting to our little backwater burg after the big city?” Colby asked.
    “I am happy to be home,” Evan replied.
    “I loved Boston when I was there this spring for the graduation,” Tamara said.