by Sherry Lewis
If Erin maintained her composure long enough, Abby could get her into the bathroom and calm her down without anyone asking questions. Whispering words of encouragement, she led Erin toward the house slowly, but she could feel Kurt shadowing them.
They still had at least twenty feet to go when Bill pulled away from Jack and ran back to the patio, taking Naomi by the shoulders and pulling her slightly off balance. Under no circumstances would Abby have called the action abusive, simply the uncontrolled movements of someone under the influence.
But when Jason ran toward his mother and Bill lurched in the boy’s direction, Erin pulled away from her and cried, “No! Make him leave them alone!”
Abby jerked as if she’d been struck. This time she knew Kurt had heard. His eyes met hers and held, and when he didn’t look away, she turned from him and grabbed Erin’s hand. “Please, excuse us.”
Kurt stared after Abby, speechless. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Abby in an abusive situation. Now he couldn’t believe anything else. After all his experience with abused spouses, nothing should have surprised him. Abby did.
But Erin did not. How many abused children had he seen in his life? Too many to count. He should have recognized her withdrawal, her too-quiet shyness, her almost pathetic eagerness to please those around her.
He should have understood their situation sooner. If he had, he could have—
What? Approached Abby? Pumped Michael for information? And now that he did know, what would he do?
Nothing.
Was that why they were here? Was that why Abby was so secretive? Had she left her husband?
Although his heart might leap at the possibility that Abby was in the process of divorce, would she want to get involved with him immediately after? Should she? It’d taken him a full year—all the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries alone—to truly get over Laura. Even if Abby got a divorce, she wouldn’t be ready to get involved anytime soon—if ever.
Some women ended one abusive relationship only to leap straight into another. Some healed, adjusted and then entered a healthy relationship. Some swore off men forever. Abby might be the type to rush into a relationship, but he couldn’t allow himself to take advantage of that, no matter how badly he might be tempted.
He watched her flee from him. Even if he’d known how to react, he couldn’t have made himself move. And while he stood frozen to the earth, Abby and Erin reached the patio, ducked into the crowd and disappeared.
WITH THE BATHROOM DOOR locked behind them, Abby finally felt secure. She knew they’d earned a few curious glances as they dashed through the kitchen, but she hoped people would pass off Erin’s tears as those of some minor childhood woe.
She wiped the girl’s tearstained face with a cool cloth. “Are you all right?”
Erin nodded and gripped Abby’s hand. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not supposed to say anything, but he made me think about my mom. Do you think she’s all right?”
“She has to be. We can’t let ourselves believe anything else. Besides, she’s not going to let Vic win.”
Erin smiled tremulously and blew her nose. “Kurt’s a nice man, isn’t he?”
All the times Kurt had picked up on an inconsistency in their stories, Abby had waited for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for it had been like walking through a field of land mines. But now he knew something was wrong. He might not know what, but if he tried it wouldn’t take him long to find out.
“Yes,” she answered truthfully. “A very nice man. They’re not all like Vic.”
Erin made a face. “I wish he was my dad.”
“Who? Kurt?”
Erin nodded and Abby stifled the groan that rose to her lips. The first really positive sign from Erin and it had been because of Kurt.
“Don’t you like him?” Erin persisted.
“Yes, of course I do.”
“He likes you, too. I can tell.”
“I didn’t mean I like him that way, Erin. We’re friends, that’s all.”
“He’s not married, you know.”
“Erin—”
“And he likes you.”
“But he thinks I am married.”
“But you’re not.”
Their eyes met and held. Abby resisted the logic in Erin’s statement and the frantic hope for a deeper relationship with Kurt that came with it.
A heartbeat later, a knock on the bathroom door broke the tension. Turning off the water, Abby smoothed her hair and checked Erin’s face once more. Maybe nobody would notice she’d been crying.
“Ready?” she asked, and at Erin’s nod Abby unlocked the door and ran straight into Kurt’s chest. His eyes sought hers again, and she couldn’t fight his look of genuine concern.
“Are you all right?” he asked softly.
“We’re fine. Thank you.”
But when she tried to pass, he touched her arm. “Do you want to talk about it?”
No. She didn’t want to talk about it. She didn’t want him to turn those incredible eyes in her direction. She didn’t want that frown to crease his face or his mouth to tip down at the corners when he looked at her.
Taking her arm gently, he guided her and Erin down the hall and into an empty bedroom. She wanted to resist, to turn away, but even more she wanted to avoid a scene, especially in front of her niece. Kurt closed the door behind them and pointed to the bed. Abby sat on the end and Erin perched beside her.
Kurt faced them, his hands on his hips, his face solemn. “I think we need to talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” When he hesitated, Abby dared hope he’d change his mind.
Instead, he turned to Erin. “Would you let me talk to your mom alone?”
Knowing that Erin would refuse to leave her side brought Abby small comfort. But to her surprise, Erin nodded and ducked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Shocked, Abby jumped up. She wouldn’t—couldn’t—stay in this room alone with him. But when she took a step toward the door, he leaned against it and didn’t look inclined to let her leave.
“I think you’re in trouble, Abby. I want to help.”
She tried to laugh, but the sound came out more like choking. “And I think you’re imagining things. Now, please excuse me.”
“Tell me about your husband. What kind of man is he?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Straightening, he took a step toward her, his eyes dark with some emotion. “What company does he work for? When was the last time you heard from him?”
“Stop it.”
“You’ve been telling stories that don’t add up since the day you got here. It may not be any of my business, but if you’re in trouble, I’d like to help.”
She flinched and took a step back.
“Come on, Abby. You can’t do this alone.”
She wanted to trust him. She longed to tell him the truth and take comfort from him, draw on his strength.
“What about the kids?” he demanded. “And don’t tell me they haven’t been going through something terrible. All anyone needs to do is take a close look at Erin. And do you know that Michael never mentions his dad? Why?”
Abby’s mind reeled, but no words formed, no thoughts coalesced from the swirling mists. Why did he even care? Tears threatened to spill, but she blinked furiously, willing them away. The need to tell him the truth hit her full force. He was right, of course; she couldn’t do this alone. She didn’t have the skills to deal with Erin’s needs—or Michael’s. She didn’t want to live with lies any longer. She didn’t want to ask the kids to keep lying. And if she could trust anyone, it would be Kurt.
As if sensing her weakening resolve, Kurt stepped toward her. “What is it, Abby? Tell me.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and warmth spread through her. For the space of a heartbeat, he held her gaze. For the length of a sigh, he stayed too close for comfort. And for the measure of a breath, she thought he would kiss her.
&n
bsp; She grasped desperately at her reasons for keeping the truth from him, but they skittered away, refusing to form a coherent thought.
“Tell me Abby.” With his lips inches from hers, she could feel the warmth of his breath when he spoke, could almost feel his lips on hers.
Shivering, she closed her eyes and sought vainly to hold on to reason. But then, Kurt pulled her to him and settled his lips on hers.
Without realizing what she was doing, she lifted her arms and let her fingers touch the back of his neck then trail to his shoulders. She met his kiss and returned it, losing herself.
He released her suddenly and stepped away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Sorry? Abby struggled to regain her composure, to calm her breathing, to hide her embarrassment at his apology.
She had to get out of this room and away from him. “I’ll find Erin and Michael, then I’ll ask Theresa to give us a ride home.”
His head shot up and he stepped toward the door again, blocking her path. “Abby—”
Every instinct told her to melt into his arms, to seek strength from him, to tell him the truth. But logic forbade it.
She waited without speaking until he stepped away.
“If you need anything, call me” was all he said.
She didn’t acknowledge him, but as she walked through the door, she wondered if he had any idea how hard this was for her. And she wondered what Rachel would say if she knew the price she was paying for keeping the children safe.
CHAPTER EIGHT
WHEN KURT ENTERED the kitchen a few minutes later, he found Theresa standing over the sink. He leaned against the counter and watched her dry a pan and slip it into the cupboard.
Untying her apron, she smoothed her clothes and turned toward him with a little laugh. “You caught me. Don’t tell Merilee I was helping—she’d kick me out.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.”
“It’s just so much easier if you don’t have to do everything yourself when you’re the hostess.” She found a tube of lotion by the window and applied some to her hands, nodding toward the bedroom he’d just vacated. “So what happened in there?”
Her question surprised him, but he couldn’t tell her the truth. After all the stones he’d cast at Laura for her infidelities, how could he confess he’d just kissed a married woman?
When he didn’t answer immediately, Theresa planted herself in front of him. “I saw you both go into the bedroom, and I saw her come out a minute ago looking upset. What happened between you two?”
He’d let attraction get tangled up with compassion and he’d made a mistake. “Nothing.”
Her face betrayed her disbelief.
Kurt had grown closer to Theresa since her marriage to Jack and he’d never been able to hide anything from her, but maybe half the truth would divert her. “I think she’s hiding from an abusive husband.”
“Abby? You’re kidding!”
“I wish I was.” He pushed away from the counter, pacing the length of the kitchen. “After that little scene with Bill, Erin got pretty upset. Something she said hit me like a ton of bricks. I should have seen it before. I should have recognized the signs.” He should have kept his attraction to Abby under control.
“So you followed Abby into the house and confronted her. And you told her what you suspected?”
Among other things. He nodded.
“And what did she say?”
“That it’s none of my business.”
“She’s right.”
“Not entirely.”
Theresa blocked his path. “It isn’t any of your business.”
Though her advice about Laura had always been right on target, tonight she was missing the mark. “I don’t believe that. That’s what people say because they’re afraid to get involved, afraid of rejection.”
“So what do you intend to do?”
He jerked away and walked to the doorway. But he couldn’t make himself go through it, and he couldn’t answer. He was bitterly aware that kissing Abby had only magnified her problems.
Slumping against the doorjamb, he said, “I don’t have any idea.”
“But you’re determined to step in.”
“She’s in trouble.”
“I see. And that leaves you with no choice but to do something about it.”
“I can’t turn my back on her any more than you could walk away from me when I needed a friend.”
“You’re my brother-in-law, and I’ve known you since I was three. There’s a difference. I don’t understand why you feel compelled to help Abby.”
“You’re deliberately misunderstanding this. She needs help.”
“From you? You’d better think this over carefully, Kurt. You’re not the kind of man who could get involved with a married woman and still respect yourself. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
This time he didn’t answer. He’d already crossed the line.
Theresa touched his shoulder gently. “I’ve known you all my life, and I’ve been watching you since she came to town. You’re not admitting to yourself how you feel about her, but I can see it.”
He hadn’t admitted it before and he couldn’t deny it now, but he still tried to sound convincing. “I know what I’m doing.”
She stepped in front of him and fixed him with the same look he’d seen her use on the kids when she suspected a lie. After a moment, she squeezed his hand. “Just do me one favor, okay? Figure out why you want to help before you get involved.”
“She’s a married woman,” he insisted, more as a reminder to himself than to Theresa.
“Exactly. Don’t compromise yourself. You’ll never be able to live with it if you do.”
Theresa gave him a quick hug and left him standing there, torn apart by her logic. Everything she said was true, and he hated it. Her argument made sense. His inner voice urged caution, but this time he wasn’t able to listen to any advice.
Theresa was right. He couldn’t live with himself if he got involved with Abby knowing she had a husband—good or bad. On the other hand, he couldn’t live with himself if he let her struggle through this alone. He wouldn’t be able to face himself knowing he’d turned his back on her. But if he got involved, he’d be drawn farther into her orbit. And he already felt powerless to pull away.
ABBY FOUND ERIN in the living room, and after taking a few minutes to compose herself, they went in search of Michael. They found him attacking another plate of strawberry shortcake at one of the tables outside.
When he looked up and saw them, he called, “Mom! Come and have some of this. It’s really good.”
Brody looked up from his own plate and waved.
But Abby didn’t want to stay here any longer. She wanted to collect the children, find Theresa and beg her for a ride home. She stood her ground at the edge of the patio and said, “I think it’s time for us to go, Michael.”
“But I just got this.” Michael’s whine floated across the air and several people at nearby tables looked up.
“Please, Michael. Let’s go—now.”
“But Brody’s not finished, either, and I don’t know where Kurt is. We’re not ready to go.”
She couldn’t let Michael drag her into a debate, and she didn’t want to offer any explanation about her desire to avoid Kurt. “Finish that quickly. I’m going to look for Theresa.”
From behind her, Kurt’s voice sounded low in her ear. “Sit down and join your son, Abby. I won’t bite you.”
She wheeled around to face him. His lips curved, but the smile went no farther.
With at least four sets of eyes watching her, Abby realized that to refuse would only invite trouble. Michael’s protests would raise questions from others, and she didn’t need that.
The set of Kurt’s jaw told her he wasn’t pleased, but he wouldn’t ask any more questions tonight, she was sure. And he wouldn’t kiss her again. Still hesitant, Abby sat beside Michael, and Erin took the space next to her.
&nbs
p; “Do you want anything, Erin?” Kurt asked. “Strawberry shortcake? Watermelon?” When she nodded, he stood. “What do you want?”
Shyly Erin told him, smiling easily when he went off to do her bidding. Within minutes he returned with a plate and placed it on the table with a flourish, earning another timid smile from Erin. His eyes danced and he gave her one of his deep-dimpled grins in return.
But when he faced Abby across the picnic table again, his smile died and his eyes lost their luster. And when he looked away, a sense of loss invaded her and her heart fell.
She tried desperately to listen to Michael’s chatter, to pay attention to Brody’s enthusiastic responses, to think of something to say. Instead, she sat in painful silence. And Kurt did nothing to relieve it.
To anybody watching them, they probably looked normal enough. Kurt’s face gave nothing away, and Abby knew she could control her own facial expressions sufficiently to mask her inner turmoil. But she knew she’d lost something during those few minutes they’d spent in the back bedroom.
For one fierce moment, Abby resented Rachel for putting her in this situation. In the next, remorse hit her like a lead weight. This wasn’t Rachel’s fault.
Rachel hadn’t made her come to Pine Cove. Rachel hadn’t placed Kurt in her path. And Rachel certainly hadn’t made him so attractive. If her proximity to Kurt for the rest of the summer made Abby uncomfortable, she had no one to blame but herself. She was the one who’d let things get out of control. From here on out, every time she came in contact with him, she would have to be extra careful.
She dragged her thoughts back to the present. Brody and Michael were chattering, and Erin was eating silently, responding to Kurt’s occasional comments with little smiles. Both her niece and nephew were taking their time about their food, but Abby wished they’d hurry so she could leave. Though Kurt ignored her, his presence unnerved her.
When Theresa wandered toward them, Abby finally felt relief. Straddling the picnic bench, Theresa sat next to Kurt and rested her arms on his shoulder.