They both burst into laughter a moment before his head leaned down and his lips captured hers. They were caught up in the moment, in the joy of what this meant. Even though she hadn’t told him she loved him—
And then the front door slammed shut.
She jerked away from Lucas, and he released her lips but kept his arm wrapped firmly around her. And when she turned toward the door, she was grateful he was holding her. “Rhys,” she croaked, her knees buckling.
Her brother didn’t speak, only watched the two of them, the muscle in his jaw ticking. He took a few deep breaths, calming himself before speaking. “I saw you ride into town and wanted to make sure you were all right. Looks like I needn’t have worried.” His voice was laced with sarcasm.
“Rhys, I can explain.” She tried to step out of Lucas’ arms, but he held her still.
Rhys raked a hand through his hair. “Explain what? Explain why you’re kissing him? Explain why you’re even with him? Abby, I thought you had more sense than this.”
Her jaw dropped, but she wasn’t outraged, she was hurt.
Lucas pulled her tightly against him. “Don’t speak to her like that. I don’t care if you’re her brother or not. You’re not going to treat her that way.”
Rhys shook his head, bewildered. “When I told you to stay away from her unless she wanted you, I never thought in my wildest dreams that this would happen.” His eyes turned to Abby. “Did he force you?”
“No! Of course not,” she said, shocked her brother would even think such a thing.
Rhys nodded. “Then I have nothing else to say.” He turned around and left, slamming the door behind him.
Abby flinched, and Lucas gave her a light squeeze. “He’ll come around. It’ll be all right.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him so angry.” She was worried.
“He’s just surprised. Remember, he has no idea what’s been happening.”
She closed her eyes briefly and nodded. Lucas was right. They’d completely blindsided Rhys just now. She should have expected such a reaction. “I know. You’re right. I just hate this.” She let out a sound of distress and pulled away from him. “I’m sorry. I have to go after him, talk to him. I can’t just leave it like this.”
She glanced over her shoulder, and he nodded. “I understand. Let me come with you.”
“No. This is something I have to do on my own. I think it’d only make it harder having you there.”
“All right. If you’re sure.”
“I am.”
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead, speaking into her hair. “Come back after you’re done talking to him, so I know you’re all right.”
Her heart melted. This was exactly why she was in love with him. “I will.” She brushed a kiss across his lips before releasing him and walking out the door.
It felt like a death march.
Chapter 16
Abby caught up to Rhys just as he entered the hotel. “Rhys, wait. Wait!” He didn’t even slow.
She knew she looked ridiculous, chasing after her brother, yelling, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was making this right, making him understand.
Rhys shook his head, waving her away, and she knew he was trying to control his temper, trying not to blow up. She normally appreciated that and gave him his space, but there was no avoiding it this time.
None of the employees stopped her as she followed him behind the desk to the employees only section of the hotel. “I’m going to follow you until you talk to me.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “I suggest you don’t do that. For your sake.”
He continued on, but instead of listening to him, she notched her chin up and followed him into his office before closing the door.
“I’m warning you one last time. I’m not sure I can control my temper right now,” he said. He moved behind his desk and sat down.
She shook her head. “We need to talk about this now, before it gets any worse.”
He held up his hands. “I’m not sure what else there is to discuss. I think it was blatantly clear what’s been happening.”
“Fine, it’s clear, but I still need to explain myself.”
“Abby, you are your own woman. You don’t need to explain anything to me.”
She went to his desk and stood across from him, planting her hands and leaning forward. “I know I don’t need to explain myself. But I want to. Rhys, I love you. You’re my brother. You’ve always looked out for me. Always tried to protect me.”
He scoffed. “And I thought I’d been doing a good job. But apparently, I’m a fool.”
“You’re not a fool.” She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. “I was.”
He grunted in obvious agreement, but it didn’t deter her. “I’m a fool, but not for getting involved with Lucas again. I’m a fool for keeping it from you.”
“Why did you? Why hide it?” Irritation tainted his voice.
She nodded slowly. “I deserve your anger. Not telling you what was happening was wrong. But I don’t regret getting involved with him.”
“How could you not? After what he did to you before, I thought you’d be smart enough to stay away.”
“Well…” She tried to think of a way to explain it to him. “Could you stay away from Willow?”
His face turned hard. “That’s not the same.”
She cocked her head to the side “It is, actually. I know we were young, I know it was a long time ago, but Lucas and I truly loved each other back then. Over the years, I tried to convince myself that wasn’t the case, that I couldn’t have really loved him. But after he came here, I realized what I had felt for him had been true.”
“Is that what this is then? Leftover feelings?”
She shook her head. “No. I was worried it was, at first, but no longer. I love him, Rhys.” She let that statement linger in the air, remaining silent as her brother processed it.
Finally, he shook his head. “He left you once, Abby. How do you know he won’t do that again? How do you know he’s not involved with you just because he’s here, because you’re convenient?”
She suppressed a wince. What he said was valid, but it still hurt. “I know because I trust him. We talked about what happened before, about the decisions we made, and how our circumstances are different. Lucas has changed. Before, he was obsessed with success, with making something of himself. But now that he’s accomplished it, he realizes that what he sacrificed to get there wasn’t worth it.”
Rhys rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know, Abby. It’s hard for a man to change, that I do know. Things are good right now, his business is doing well, but what happens if things go south? Will he abandon you again? Will he set off to reinvent himself?”
Rhys’ words hit home, and a needle of doubt speared her, but she plucked it out. “I know that no matter what happens, he’ll stick by my side.”
“I hope so. For your sake, I truly hope so.” He blew out a breath then met her eyes. “I can’t bear to see you hurt again.”
Love for her brother filled her heart. “Thank you for loving me as much as you do.”
He let out a soft laugh. “It’s a trial at times.”
She grinned. “Don’t I know it?” They both smiled at each other, the frustration on his face melting away. “Will you support me?” she finally asked.
“I don’t like it, and I’m worried, but I’ll always support you.”
He stood up, and she moved around the desk, going into his arms. She squeezed him tight before releasing him. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “I just hope we don’t come to regret this moment.”
“Me either.” She trusted Lucas, and she felt deep in her heart that everything would work out. She just needed to remember that.
Lucas nervously paced in his office, feeling as if every minute were an hour. He prayed Abby’s conversation with her brother went well.
If it were only him, he wouldn’t care what Rhy
s thought, but Abby did. And Abby would never be happy if she were estranged from her brother.
He swore and scrubbed a hand over his face. Maybe he should have insisted on telling Rhys up front, but he’d wanted Abby to feel comfortable, in control, and it was the only way she would agree to courting him.
What’s done is done. They could only move forward, and he hoped Rhys would help them do that. But with how her brother had reacted, it could hurt Lucas’ relationship with Abby. He couldn’t bear if that happened. It’d taken everything in him to be patient, to wait and let her control the pace. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out.
When the door jingled, he spun toward it, ready to pounce on Abby. Instead, Connor stood in the doorway. “Good afternoon.” He took his hat off in greeting.
Lucas widened his stance. “Is there something I can help you with?”
Connor spun his hat in his hands. “With mining?” He shook his head. “No. I have it handled. I came to talk to you about Abby.”
“You came to talk to me about Abby?” Lucas asked the question slowly, trying to understand the man’s audacity. “What more is there to say?”
Connor shrugged, confidently. “I just want to make sure there aren’t any hard feelings between us.”
“All right?”
Connor laughed. “I wanted you to know there aren’t any hard feelings on my end.”
Since Abby had just told him she wanted to tell Rhys about their relationship, Lucas found it highly unlikely Connor was aware of it. “Why would you have any hard feelings?”
“Because you tried to steal Abby from me.”
“Steal Abby…from you?” Even more confusion filled him. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Connor’s chin notched up. “I’ve asked Abby to marry me.”
Relief filled Lucas. Obviously, there was a misunderstanding. “I’m sorry you were disappointed.”
“Who said I was disappointed?”
Lucas frowned. “Abby is with me.”
“That’s not the impression she gave me.” Connor shook his head regretfully, like he pitied Lucas.
Doubt wormed its way into Lucas’ heart. “When did you ask her to marry you?”
“The night I drove her home after the job fair.”
“And she didn’t turn you down?”
Connor shook his head slowly. “No. She said she’d consider it.”
That made a little more sense. “I’m sorry to tell you, but I think she’s made up her mind and just hasn’t had an opportunity to refuse you.”
Connor rocked back on his heels. “I’ve seen her a few times since then. There was plenty of time for her to let me down. Last I heard, she was still thinking about it.”
Lucas didn’t know what was happening right now. If what Connor said was true, and he assumed it was, then what was Abby thinking? She’d told him she wanted to tell Rhys about their relationship, signaling her desire to be with him—but then she hadn’t rejected Connor? None of it made sense.
Lucas shook his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what was said between the two of you, but there must be some misunderstanding.”
Connor just looked at Lucas was sympathy. “She does that to a man, doesn’t she? She’s so sweet and quiet, she’s in a man’s heart before he even realizes it.”
Lucas snorted. “I’m sorry, are we talking about Abigail Winthrop?”
Connor’s eyebrows lowered as if Lucas had insulted her. “Who else would we be speaking of?”
“I wasn’t sure. Because the woman you just described is nothing like Abby.”
Irritation crossed Connor’s face. “Maybe you don’t know Abby as well as you think you do.”
Lucas didn’t know what to think at this point. Connor didn’t appear to be going away, and Lucas couldn’t talk any sense into the man. “I guess we’re not going to be able to resolve this until Abby returns.”
“Fine with me.” Connor placed his hat on his head. “Doesn’t matter to me how you come around to the truth, but I thought it was right to inform you of my relationship with Abby and how serious it is.”
The urge to tell Connor exactly his relationship with Abby was overwhelming, but he choked it back. This wasn’t a competition. All that mattered was what Abby truly felt.
He wanted to think she was in love with him, but she hadn’t said that, had she? He thought over their conversation earlier, and he realized she’d only said she wanted to tell Rhys about their relationship.
Dread settled in his gut. Was it possible she didn’t feel as strongly as he thought? She must be considering a future with him if she wanted to tell Rhys. But then again, maybe she was tired of lying to her brother? Maybe she just wanted to set the record straight.
And if that were true, maybe she was considering marrying Connor.
An ache settled through him. He wanted to rage, to growl like a wounded animal, but he held it in.
Right as he was about to tell Connor to leave, the bell above the door chimed again, and Abby walked in, a grin on her face as she stepped in the door.
That smile slowly left as she looked between Lucas and Connor and closed the door behind her.
Connor tipped his hat with a grin. “Good afternoon, Abby. I’m happy to see you.”
“Connor. What are you doing here?” She seemed bewildered and darted a worried glance at Lucas.
His heart froze as he saw the truth on her face. What Connor said was true. He’d proposed to her, and she still hadn’t turned him down. Is she playing me false? He would’ve never thought such a thing possible, but then again, Abby had changed. His spine stiffened.
Connor stepped forward, taking her hand, and Abby allowed it. Lucas wanted to howl, but instead, he held himself rigid. If Abby wanted this man to hold her hand, to marry her, Lucas would let her. He meant it when he said it was her choice, and no matter what happened, no matter how much it destroyed him, he wouldn’t stand in her way.
Connor cleared his throat. “I was hoping to see you. I also thought it right for Mr. McDermott to know that I asked for your hand in marriage.”
Abby’s wide eyes darted back to Lucas.
Even though he knew the truth, he still needed to hear her say it. “Is it true? That Connor asked you to marry him and you haven’t said no?” He stood in place, refusing to go to her.
She chewed her lip. “It is. I was going to tell you.”
He held up his hand. “You don’t need to tell me anything. As I said before, this is your choice.”
“Lucas, it’s not like that.”
He wanted to hear her explanation, hoping it would ease the hurt inside, but he refused to have that talk in front of Connor, who still stood between them, a satisfied grin on his face. Lucas knew it wasn’t the man’s intention to tear him down, just to stake his claim on Abby. And he obviously felt as though he’d been successful.
Connor lowered his head apologetically. “I’m sorry this has made you uncomfortable, Abby. Why don’t I take you home?”
Lucas’ jaw locked. He wanted to tell Connor to get out and to force Abby to tell him what she truly wanted. But instead, he remained quiet. It was her choice.
“We can talk about this later, if you want,” he said, seeing her struggling.
Her shoulders fell. “Lucas…” But she didn’t say anything else. What else could she say?
“It’s all right. I understand.”
“I meant everything I said earlier.” Her eyes pleaded, she wanted him to understand that this wasn’t the time to explain it. If only Connor would leave.
He nodded. And finally, as if realizing she wouldn’t be able to set this right, she turned to Connor and smiled, taking his offered arm.
After Connor escorted her out, Lucas stood still for several minutes, counting his breaths, attempting to control his emotions. This had to be some sort of misunderstanding. He knew Abby. No matter how much time had passed, she would never deceive him like this. If she said she wanted to
tell Rhys about them, it’s because she wanted to be with him. He had to believe that.
Accepting his conclusion, he nodded to himself. This would all work out. He just had to remain patient. He was meant to be with Abby.
Reassured, he went back to his work, putting the entire situation out of his mind as he worked through one problem with the mine after another. An hour had gone by when a knock sounded on the door.
He’d closed up for the day, not being in the mood to interact with others, so he ignored it. But when the knock came again, he cursed, and rose from his chair.
He looked out the front window and opened the door quickly when he saw the Western Union agent. “Do you have something for me?”
The man nodded. “Yes, sir.” Without further delay, he handed Lucas a telegram.
Lucas opened it, scanning the brief message before cursing. “This just came in?”
“Yes, sir.”
There was trouble with the bank in St. Louis, and they needed Lucas immediately. He tried to come up with a way to speak with Abby before leaving on the next train in an hour, but it would be impossible. He’d seen her ride out of town alone, and assumed she’d returned home.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. What a mess.
“Will you answer, sir?”
He nodded grimly. “Tell Eversly, I’m on my way.”
“Very good, sir.” The man left quickly to deliver his message.
Lucas quickly cleaned up his desk, barely having enough time to pack before rushing to the train. But he couldn’t leave Abby without telling her where he’d gone and reassuring her they would finish their discussion when he got back. It gutted him to leave before resolving this, but the problem in St. Louis couldn’t wait. His partners were depending on him.
He grabbed a fresh sheet of paper at the ticketing counter and scribbled a quick note, apologizing profusely, and telling her how much she meant to him.
He just hoped it was enough.
Chapter 17
Western Bride Page 11