Special Delivery (Mountain Meadow Homecoming 1) by Laura Browning Page B

I called Holly from the station and let her know I was on the way so she could get Noelle ready.”
    “God, Allred,” Evan’s voice dripped disgust, “you sound like you enjoy all this domesticity. Got the ring through your nose already?”
    Jake cocked a brow at his friend as they stepped inside. “You might try it yourself sometime.”
    Evan shuddered, his gray eyes wary as Holly descended the wide staircase with Noelle in her arms and a diaper bag on her shoulder. He examined the wrapped bundle she held. “Is there something alive inside?”
    “Evan,” Jake snapped. He took the baby from Holly and peeked under the blanket before he rocked her back and forth.
    Evan arched one brow, smiled at Holly, and stuck his hand out. “Hi. I’m Evan Richardson. I live next door. Jake and I have been friends since kindergarten, and I try very hard to have nothing to do with babies.”
    Holly laughed. “Wow. After that introduction, what’s left to say? I’m Holly Morgan. I’m guessing you’ve met my brother Tyler…”
    “Indeed.” Evan glanced over his shoulder before turning back to Holly. “And after a very thorough inspection, I received tentative approval to be allowed into your presence without making a blood sacrifice, although I believe it was touch and go there for a while.”
    Holly smiled. “He’s a little protective. The wad of blankets is Noelle. You’re in luck right now because she sleeps almost all the time, but I understand that will change.”
    Evan eyed the baby again. “Hmm. Just don’t expect me to do anything for it.”
    Jake shook his head. Since it looked like Sam had accurately predicted their future, he just hoped Evan ended in the same boat. His glance strayed to Holly. Correct that. He hoped Evan ended just as lucky. Jake took a deep, steadying breath. “Let’s go.”
    * * * *
    They bounced their way down Mistletoe Lane while Evan muttered about how a road could have such an idyllic-sounding name yet be suited only for mountain goats.
    Holly enjoyed Evan’s sarcastic sense of humor and wondered why such an attractive man was just as single as Jake. Were the women in this part of Virginia blind? At least Jake had been overseas for years and had just come home. However, the way Jake talked, Evan had left only for college and law school. So why hadn’t someone snapped him up? He was good-looking, just a little intimidating. She knew from reading the paper he served as commonwealth’s attorney for the county. So he must be one of the area’s most eligible bachelors.
    When they parked in front of the house, light glowed from the small windows and smoke curled from the chimney. Holly smiled. “Great. Doc made it. She said she was a half mile as the crow flies and she would try to get the woodstove going.”
    “Jenny can build a fire?” Evan remarked. “How unexpectedly domestic.”
    Holly’s eyes narrowed at his tense expression in the glow of the dashboard lights. Something in his tone warned her that Evan and the doc together might not be the best idea, but it was too late now.
    Jenny hurried off the porch, but her step faltered and her smile faded as she saw Evan unfold from the passenger side. Ignoring him, she spoke to Holly. “It’s warming…at least enough you can bring Noelle in. I packed your dishes while I waited. I hope you don’t mind.”
    Holly laughed. “How could I? Thanks, Doc.”
    Jenny’s gaze skittered to Evan. “Just call me Jenny, okay?”
    Holly glanced over her shoulder at his glowering expression. “Okay, Jenny. Here. Would you take Noelle while I unhook the baby carrier?”
    “Sure.” Jenny cradled the baby in her arms, cooing to her as she rocked her back and forth. “Aren’t you just the most beautiful baby?” She glanced at Evan again, her expression almost stricken before she hurried into the dilapidated house. Evan had definitely put a chink in her polished, professional exterior.
    Evan’s jaw twitched, his expression bordering on furious.