“Everyone should have someone they can talk to without having to guard their tongue,” Mr. Kane said.
She glanced at him, meeting his eyes. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, as if the earth had stopped spinning on its axis and the world held its breath.
Mattie ducked her head and began to walk again, squelching through the muddy field towards Creed Hall.
Mr. Kane fell into step beside her. “Is this gentleman really coming to . . . er, look you over?”
“Yes.”
Mr. Kane walked in silence beside her for several seconds, and then ventured: “He may be more amiable than you anticipate.”
“He’s sixty,” Mattie said bluntly. “He has children older than I.”
“Ah.”
She glanced at him. Tell me I’ll be lucky if he offers for me.
Mr. Kane didn’t. He frowned and said nothing.
As if from nowhe
