All Chapters of By the Time the Evening Wind Came: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

When I got home, only one lamp was on in the living room. The moment Liam Jordan heard the door, he raised a finger to his lips."Keep it down," he whispered from the couch. "Sophie took the day off to help with your wedding dress fitting today, and her boss gave her hell for it. She came home crying. She only just managed to fall asleep, so don't wake her."I stood in the entryway, listening to the concern in his voice, and suddenly remembered what had happened the year before.A brutal cold snap had hit Cedarford, and what started as a cold had turned into pneumonia. I was home recovering, feverish and so weak I could barely move, while Liam kept asking me how to pay the water bill and how much detergent to put in the washing machine.Eventually, I pulled the covers over my head, desperate for a little peace.He yanked them off and shook me awake."Stop sleeping! We're short a player. Get on and join us!"Yet now, for Sophie Lawson, he had somehow learned to be quiet and considerate.

Liam looked up at the sound of my voice, and the smile vanished from his face."Whatever it is, we can talk tomorrow."Then his tone hardened."Yara, it's late. Don't start making a scene again."Before I could answer, he'd already turned away. He reached over and brushed a loose strand of hair from Sophie's face."Ignore her. Where were we?"Sophie leaned close to his ear, her voice soft and playful. She deliberately spoke a little louder, making sure I could hear every word."I said I want strawberry shortcake at the reception. You have to add it to the menu."Liam looked at her with an indulgent smile."Fine, fine. You're probably the only person who'd insist on something that sweet and childish."I stood a few steps away, wanting to tell him that what I had to say was important.Canceling our wedding was important.Then, all at once, I didn't want to tell him anymore.I turned away and went back to the master bedroom.The room was unbearably quiet.I leaned against the door and slo

Sophie stepped directly in front of him."What are you doing, Liam?" she demanded. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is in there? What if the building collapses?"Besides, Yara's a grown woman. She knows how to get herself out. She's not a child."Diane grabbed his arm too, though there was a trace of guilt in her voice."She's right. Yara isn't stupid. If there's an earthquake, of course she'd know to come downstairs."Liam tore himself free of them."What if she's asleep?" he snapped. "She has a sleep disorder. If she took her medication, she might not wake up!"I have to go get her."Sophie clung tightly to his arm. Her eyes reddened almost instantly, her voice breaking as she spoke."Liam, I can live without my sister... but I can't live without you."If something really happens to her this time, then I'll take her place."I'll be your wife. Okay?"Liam went completely still."What the hell are you talking about? Yara is the woman I'm marrying."You're her sister. You're famil

It was as if last night's breakdown had never happened.I steadied myself against the wall as I changed my shoes by the door, my face completely blank.Liam's eyes immediately reddened."Yara! You're back!" His voice shook. "Where have you been all day?"He moved aside in a fluster to let me in, then hurried to bring me a pair of house shoes. After that, he poured me a glass of warm water and started straightening the throw pillows Sophie had left scattered across the couch.This was the same man who had spent years taking everything I did for him for granted.Now he was scrambling around the apartment, clumsily trying to take care of me.It was almost funny.Sophie watched from the side, jealousy and resentment flashing across her face."Wow. So you do know how to come home."She gave me a mocking smile."I thought once you stormed out, you'd never come back. What happened? Spent a whole day and night running around outside, finally got over your little tantrum, and came crawling back

Three years later, I was promoted to department head, and my salary doubled with it.My career was steadily moving upward when I met Xavier Stone.He was the project lead at one of our partner companies. We first crossed paths at an industry networking event, where he sat quietly near the windows in a neat, well-tailored suit. He spoke gently but handled things with calm efficiency, always polite without ever overstepping.There was no dramatic spark the moment we met, no string of carefully engineered "chance" encounters afterward.Even so, when Xavier eventually told me how he felt, my first reaction was unease.After what I'd been through with Liam, I no longer trusted easily. I was extremely cautious about letting anyone get close, so I didn't accept Xavier's feelings right away.I watched him for six months.By then, I knew he and Liam couldn't have been more different.Xavier was kind, but never indiscriminately so. Thoughtful, but always respectful of boundaries. He never tried