a bit so she could talk to his profile. “Your mother doesn’t honor the code, though. She’s been kind to me, and I know she likes Bettina.”
A half smile pulled up the corners of his lips. “Maw’s got a good heart. A tender heart, kind of like you.”
Addie’s pulse skittered at the compliment.
“Maw and Bettina’s mother were good friends from childhood. She refuses to get caught up in Paw’s scorn toward Burke and Bettina, even though she wishes Burke was a better husband and father. I think when Maw looks at Bettina, she sees Rosie, and that makes her more accepting and patient.”
Rosie…Could Bettina’s mother be the same woman who went berry picking with Nanny Fay? But that Rosie was dead, and Emmett said his mother wanted Burke Webber to be a better husband, so it was probably a different woman. “I’m glad your maw accepts Bettina. That should help. But won’t it be hard to be married to her if your father thinks so poorly of her and her pap?”
“Married to whom?”
“To Bettina.”
Emmett’s frame jerked. “To Bettina?” His tone rose a full octave. Dusty mumbled in his sleep, and the horse’s ears twitched. He gaped at her, his spectacles reflecting the sunlight. “Why do you think I want to marry Bettina?”
Addie drew back and gawked at him. How ridiculous they must look, sitting on opposite sides of the bench, staring at each other with astounded expressions. “Because…She…I thought…”
Emmett shook his head so hard his spectacles bounced on the bridge of his nose. “I’m not marrying Bettina, Addie. She’s like a pesky little sister. It’d be downright awkward. And it has nothing to do with how my paw feels about her or Burke. I just…couldn’t.”
“Then why does she think you are?”
“How should I know?” His voice rose again, and he swung one arm. “I haven’t done anything to encourage her, I can tell you that. Especially not since Maw told me she’s unhappy at home and looking for an escape. That’s a pretty poor reason to marry somebody, don’t you think?”
Addie didn’t know what to say. How could two people hold such different views of the same relationship? Sympathy for Bettina rolled through her. Even if her motivation was selfish, she seemed to love Emmett. Embarrassment at having opened such an uncomfortable conversation and uncertainty of what to talk about next kept Addie silent the remainder of the drive to Boone’s Hollow.
Emmett drew the wagon to a stop outside the library and set the brake. He cleared his throat, his gaze aimed ahead. “Listen, Addie, I’m sorry I got so upset. I’m not sure why it bothered me so much that you thought I was…er…betrothed to Bettina. But I shouldn’t have hollered like I did. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Addie toyed with a fresh snag on her skirt, probably from brushing against the crate when she helped Dusty down. “There’s nothing to forgive, Emmett, truly. It was a misunderstanding, and I shouldn’t have been so nosy. I’m sorry, too.”
She braved a sideways glance and found him smiling at her. She returned it with one of her own.
Dusty stirred and sat up. He rubbed his eyes. “Emmett?”
Eyes locked with Addie’s, Emmett said, “Whatcha need, Dusty?”
“The outhouse.”
Emmett and Addie exchanged a grin. Addie pointed. “There’s one behind the library. You could use it.”
“No. I wanna use my outhouse.”
Emmett reached into the back and tousled Dusty’s dark hair. “All right, buddy, I’ll walk you home.” He looked at Addie and shrugged. “I should get the seltzer tablets to Paw anyway, then find some men to help me unload these crates. It might be fifteen or twenty minutes before I get back, so I’ll say goodbye now.”
Addie swallowed a knot of unexpected sadness. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye. “That’s fine. I hope Dusty’s tummy will be okay.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine after he, er, visits the outhouse.”
Addie’s face heated. She looked aside.
Emmett hopped down and, being the perfect gentleman she’d told Mother he was, helped her out. He lifted his brother from the back and draped his hand over Dusty’s narrow shoulder. “See you tomorrow at church, Addie.”
Thank goodness it didn’t seem to bother him for her to come to service with Nanny Fay. After being glared at each Sunday by so many pairs of distrustful eyes, his simple comment was as sweet as a wisteria-laden breeze. She offered him a smile. “Yes, tomorrow. Bye, Emmett. Bye, Dusty.”
Dusty flapped a weak wave, and the pair ambled off together.
She started for Nanny