Instead, he asked, “Would you like company?”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
He brought a sturdy chair beside the platform.
For several minutes, they sat quietly.
Outside, the evening wind moved through the grass.
Then Evelyn spoke.
“He made a joke about me.”
Caleb's jaw tightened.
“Victor?”
She nodded.
“He told everyone he was charitable for employing me.”
For a moment, Caleb looked toward the barn doors.
His expression became hard.
Then Evelyn continued.
“I know I'm large.”
He looked back.
She laughed bitterly.
“It's not exactly a secret.”
Caleb remained quiet.
She stared toward her hands.
“But sometimes I wish people could look at me for a few moments before deciding my body is the only thing worth discussing.”
His throat tightened.
Evelyn continued.
“I know I'm not the kind of woman men imagine marrying.”
Caleb turned toward her.
“Who told you that?”
She smiled sadly.
“Nearly everyone.”
He frowned.
“Then nearly everyone is foolish.”
Evelyn looked up.
For a moment, she stared.
Then she laughed through tears.
“Caleb.”
He looked embarrassed.
“What?”
“You can't simply call the entire world foolish.”
He shrugged.
“Never claimed I couldn't.”
She laughed harder.
The sound filled the barn.
Then she covered her mouth.
Caleb smiled.
For several seconds, he watched her with an expression that made her heart beat faster.
Evelyn lowered her hand.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
He hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
“Because you're beautiful.”
She froze.
For a moment, she thought she'd misheard.
“What?”
Caleb's cheeks reddened.
He looked down.
“I shouldn't have said that without knowing whether you'd welcome it.”
Evelyn stared.
Her eyes filled again.
But this time, the tears were different.
She whispered, “Say it again.”
He looked up.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then he answered.
“Evelyn, you're a beautiful woman.”
She covered her mouth.
Caleb looked frightened.
“Did I upset you?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He waited.
Then she whispered, “Nobody has ever said it like they meant it.”
Caleb's expression broke.
He stood and approached the platform.
Then stopped at a respectful distance.
“I mean it.”
For several seconds, she stared at him.
Then she reached toward his hand.
He took it gently.
And there, in the quiet barn where her father once read stories beside her, Evelyn Hart began to understand that something extraordinary might still be possible.