Finding Abigail

by Christina Smith

  It was gentle at first until a fire erupted in my body and took over. I could no longer think, nor did I want to. This time I pulled him into the bedroom.

  We fell onto his bed in a blur of buttons popping, zippers ripping, bodies touching; we were desperate for each other. When the clothes were finally out of the way, Noah gazed at me. “You’re stunning,” he gasped, leaning down to kiss my neck, my breasts, leading down to my stomach. He breathed me in and sighed. “And you smell so good...like vanilla and raspberries.” He dragged his tongue upward along my skin, finally returning to my lips, and then he leaned up, staring into my eyes.

  “I love you,” I said softly. And it was true. Now that I was willing to admit it, I could let myself feel what I didn’t want to for so long. This man made me feel things I’ve never felt before, and I needed him desperately.

  “I knew it,” he whispered, a smile creeping over his full lips. “I love you too.” Those were the last words we spoke for quite some time.

  Afterward, we lay wrapped in each other’s arms, blissfully happy. I had never felt the way I did when we were together.

  “So, did you feel anything?” he asked, referring to earlier and the deal he had proposed.

  “Eh.” I made the noise and started to giggle as he bent down to nibble on my stomach, which led to Noah getting frisky all over again.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Goodbye, Cindy

  I woke feeling at peace, happy, and safe. It was a combination I could get used to. I was finally with a man I knew would never hurt me, and only wanted to make me happy. I opened my eyes and stared at his face, so peaceful in sleep. Stubble had appeared around his chin and cheeks, making him look even more rugged. I had never been this close to his face, and now that I was I could see that his nose was a little crooked, as if it had been broken at one time. There were a few little white crescent marks scattered around his forehead. Since I had the same ones, I guessed they were chicken pock scars. A thin line puckered above his left eyebrow indicating a healed cut of some sort. I had an urge to trace my finger along the scar. Just as I lifted my arm, he stirred.

  As if he knew I was watching him, his sapphire-colored eyes opened. A smile spread across his face, and a dimple appeared on the cheek that was exposed. Just seeing him like this, so happy and relaxed, melted my heart. “Am I dreaming?” His voice was deep and raspy.

  “If you are, then I am too.”

  He leaned up, wrapping his arms around me. “Let’s see what kind of dream we can make this.” He buried his face in my neck nuzzling my sensitive skin. I gasped as his tongue snuck out and heat flared once again. He pulled away to touch his lips to mine, taking the kiss deeper as he climbed on top of me.

  “Noah, do you know where—” Kathy stopped dead in front of the bed.

  Noah quickly whipped the blankets over us, hiding our naked bodies. “Jesus, Kathy, don’t you knock?”

  I was so embarrassed to be caught in this situation, but I couldn’t help find the look on Kathy’s shocked face hilarious. I fought the urge to giggle.

  She smiled and clapped her hands together. “Yeah, I knew it.” Then, hearing a noise out in the kitchen, she yelled, “Sam, take the boys outside to throw rocks in the water.”

  “Why?” Sam asked, popping his head in the bedroom. “Ugh… Christ, Noah, get some clothes on.”

  Noah sat up carefully, making sure the blanket fully covered me. “I’d like to, but suddenly my bedroom’s like Grand Central.” He leaned over to grab a robe from a chair beside the bed. “Do you mind?” he asked, when Kathy and Sam just stood watching us.

  “Oh right,” Kathy replied, snapping out of her trance. “I’ll go make breakfast.” They left, shutting the door behind them.

  “Maybe next time we should lock the door,” I suggested, shoving him back against the pillow. I kissed him, feeling heat erupt inside me at knowing we could get caught at any moment.

  He flipped me over until he was hovering above me. “Hold that thought until I kick them out.” He stood up, yanking on a pair of jeans that lay across the dresser.

  “No, you can’t do that. Let’s have breakfast with them, and then after they leave we can pick up where we left off.”

  “Okay, but eat fast.”

  I laughed at his playful mood. He was just about to open the door when I realized my clothes were ruined.

  “Um… Noah, I don’t have any clothes.”

  He smiled, leaning over to pick up a red cotton shirt that was ripped down the middle. “Uh…Sorry about that.” He picked up the robe he had dropped and handed it to me. I stuffed my arms into the soft flannel, feeling warm and cozy after a great night.

  “Can you distract the boys, so they don’t see me sneaking out of here in a robe? I’ll go home and get dressed.”

  “Sure.” He gave me a quick kiss and then disappeared.

  I waited until I heard him outside talking before slipping into the living room. I waved at Kathy as I rushed by and out the door, across the driveway to my house.

  I showered, dressed, and brushed my teeth, all before Kathy was finished making breakfast—ham and cheese Spanish omelets. When I went back over, the boys were playing Noah’s game, and the grownups were just sitting down to eat. I gave Noah a quick kiss before I sat down beside him.

  “Aren’t the kids eating?” I asked Kathy with a glance at the boys. Jamie was sprawled on the couch, with his legs resting on the coffee table. Jeremy was lying on his stomach on the floor.

  “No, they had Pop-Tarts before we left, that’s all they’ll eat right now.” She placed a plate of bacon on the table, sat down, and glared at me. “Okay, we’re all here. Now tell us what happened.”

  Before I could answer, Noah spoke. “Just like I told you would happen. She came over begging me to forgive her, and after I kissed her, she tore my clothes off.”

  Kathy glanced at him, eyes wide, face expressionless. “So, Anna, how did it happen?” she asked, turning to me.

  I laughed at both of them. “Well, he’s kind of right, I did come over trying to get him to change his mind. He told me he would, but I had to kiss him first. If I felt nothing we could go back to the way things were.”

  “Good one,” Sam said, nodding at Noah.

  “I told him I didn’t need to kiss him, I knew how I felt. I explained why I was scared to move forward and he made me see that what we had was worth the risk.”

  Kathy smiled at Noah. “You are good.”

  He nodded, giving her a cocky grin. “Yes, I am, and after that, she tore my clothes off.”

  I kicked him under the table. “No, I didn’t.”

  “Yes, she did, but it’s okay, I tore her clothes off too.” He wiggled his eyebrows, while the rest of us laughed.

  Happiness soared through me as I watched them. I was so glad to be back with not just Noah, but all of us as a group. I had missed it.

  After we finished breakfast, I was helping Noah with the dishes. When Noah went to the closet to get a dish cloth, Sam asked to see me outside. I agreed reluctantly. Kathy was playing a car racing game with the kids and didn’t notice our departure.

  “I will tell them, I promise,” I assured him as soon as he closed the door behind us.

  “When? It’s been months, and now that you’re involved with Noah, he really needs to know.” He narrowed his eyes, his tone serious. “Everything.” I knew he said the last word because even though he knew I was on the run, he didn’t know why. And he expected me to tell not just the others, but him.

  I sighed, folding my arms close to my chest for warmth. “I know, but we just got together, I need more time, to see how it goes. Please,” I begged him, because I was afraid I’d lose Noah if he knew the truth. Of course I knew that was ridiculous. I loved him because he was kind, loving, and generous just like his grandmother, but now that I had him I was afraid of losing him.

  Sam’s eyes turned soft with sympathy. “Fine, you have two weeks. If you don’t tell him by then, I will.”


  Relieved that I was granted this short reprieve I hugged him. He smelled of bacon. “Thank you.” I rushed into the house before he changed his mind.

  Kathy, Sam, and the kids left shortly after. And Noah and I did indeed pick up where we left off.

  Since it was Saturday, we stayed inside between the bed and the couch getting to know each other in every way.

  Sunday morning, we headed back to Wade’s to ride the horses. I hadn’t been there in about two weeks and I really enjoyed seeing Midnight again. I didn’t realized how much I missed him.

  After our ride, I was in his stall giving him a good brush, and some oats to eat. Noah was out in the tack room helping Wade.

  When I finished taking care of the other man in my life, I headed out to see if they needed my help. But it wasn’t Wade Noah was with, it was Cindy. “Come on, Noah, I heard you two broke up. Stop playing hard to get.” She was snuggled against him with her hands reaching around to squeeze his ass. She was wearing a thin black leather jacket and skin-tight jeans. Looking at her I felt a little frumpy in Noah’s extra work jacket, my baseball cap, and faded blue jeans. Which was ridiculous, of course. We had been riding horses, it wasn’t something you dressed up for. Besides, I already had Noah, I didn’t have to work for it, like she was doing.

  Noah tried to back up, pushing her hands away, but instead of moving away like he had obviously wanted, she leaned in to kiss him.

  That was it. Who the hell did she think she was? “Take your hands and lips off of my boyfriend.” My arms were folded in front of me as I stared coldly at her.

  She spun around, embarrassment clouding her face for getting caught. She recovered quickly, scowling at me. “You blew it. Word around town is he dumped you.”

  “Cindy, I told you that wasn’t true,” Noah added, looking helpless. He looked so pathetic that I wanted to stand up for him.

  I stepped over to stand beside him, taking his hand in mine, and to get my point across I gave him a not so quick kiss on the lips hoping to set her straight.

  “Oh well, you’re together for now, but don’t worry, I’ll wait for you, Noah.” She didn’t give us a chance to answer before she rushed to the doors.

  “Cindy!” I yelled, shocking myself. I hadn’t meant to yell at her. She turned around, an impatient expression on her face. “What kind of a woman throws herself at a man like this? He told you he wasn’t interested. The more you pursue him when he clearly doesn’t want you, just makes you look desperate.”

  Annoyance flashed in her beady little eyes. “Who says he isn’t interested?”

  “He did, time and time again. Why don’t you stop attacking men, and be happy with yourself. Maybe they’ll come to you.”

  Her face changed to a look of shock. “I don’t need advice from some blond prude from the city.” With that, she stormed out.

  “Wow, that was interesting,” Noah whispered into my ear as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

  His hot breath sent shivers through my body, and my skin tingled. “I’m sorry I got angry, but seeing her about to kiss you pissed me off.”

  He turned me around so I was facing him. “I’m not complaining, but it was a pretty pathetic chick fight. I always thought if two girls were to fight over me there’d be a lot less clothes and a lot more mud.” He smirked. “I’m a little disappointed.”

  I laughed. “Shut up and kiss me.”

  “I’m not sure I want to kiss some blond prude from the city.”

  “Fine, I’ll just go call Cindy back, she does seem more your type.” I started for the door.

  He grabbed my arm before I reached it. “Fine, if I have to.” He was grinning as he leaned down to cover my lips with his.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  A Letter from Home

  Noah chose not to stay at my cottage, saying it felt strange making love in his grandmother’s bed. So I slept at his place every night. We’d have breakfast together, and then he’d go off to work at the shop while I went home to write. Sam’s deadline was soon approaching, and I tried to tell Noah many times, I just couldn’t find the words.

  I hadn’t been back to Martin yet, so I wasn’t able to check if there was a response from Debbie. I could have checked from here, but I was afraid Nick would somehow trace where the email was sent from. A library in a small city was harder to find me than in the cottage I was living in.

  Kathy and I were planning to go shopping in the city on Saturday so I could check the email then. I just wasn’t sure what I’d use as an excuse.

  “Why can’t I come?” Noah whined, lying in bed Saturday morning.

  I was sprawled out on his bare chest listening to his heartbeat, drawing lines on his smooth skin with my finger. I loved his chest; it wasn’t muscular, more broad and defined. His skin was still tanned from the summer we had, but it was starting to fade. My own tan was long gone. I was fair-skinned and when I tanned, it didn’t stay long. “Do you really want to come and watch two girls shop?”

  “Not really, but I miss you already.” His voice rumbled in his chest, sending vibrations against the side of my face.

  I lifted my head to look at him. “Oh please, the minute I leave, you’ll forget my name. I know you’ve been planning to watch football with Sam all week. I heard you even said since the women wouldn’t be around to bug you, you’d be able to watch the whole game.”

  He grinned, his eyes shining with laughter. “I meant that I would be distracted by your beauty. I’d never be able to focus with you in the room.”

  I leaned my chin on his chest digging in. He winced, running his hand though my hair. “Nice save.”

  The grin returned. “Thank you.”

  I sat up and gave him a kiss, lingering longer than I had intended. I was surprised at how reluctant I was to leave. But spending so much time with him, I was getting attached. “Well, I better get up. Kathy will be here soon.” I pulled on my underwear and then my T-shirt.

  “Man, I hate when you do that.”

  I froze, about to put on my pants, wondering what I did wrong. “What?”

  “Put clothes on.”

  I smiled, reaching out to rub his bare chest. “Well, I don’t think the people of Martin are ready to see me walking down their streets naked.”

  He held my hand stopping it from moving, linking his fingers in mine. The gesture was loving, and I felt protected. “That’s because they’ve never seen you. I think you can change their minds.”

  I leaned down, giving him another kiss. “I’m going to go home to shower and do my hair. I need to look good for my day of naked shopping.” I jumped off the bed before he could grab my hand and pull me back. I was smiling as I walked through the door.

  “If you’re naked, no one will notice your hair,” I heard him yell from his room. I chuckled to myself as I shut his front door, heading to mine.

  On our drive to Martin, Kathy gossiped about the customers from Mable’s. She knew almost everything about everyone. The beautiful scenery rushed by as we headed out of the rural area, seeing more houses and buildings as we drove. The radio was playing Aerosmith’s latest, and a stab of fear ran up my spine. It was ridiculous, Nick was nowhere to be seen, but like smells, music was linked to my memory. Every time I heard “When a Man Loves a Woman,” I thought of my parents. It was their first song at their wedding, and my father use to swing my mother around the kitchen when it came on. “So, how are things going with you and Noah?” Kathy asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

  Shaking off my memories, I sighed happily, leaning back in the soft leather seat, my elbow up on the edge of the window. “Amazing, I’m so happy he pushed me into this. I’ve never been in a relationship where we enjoyed each other’s company so much. I’m glad we became friends first.”

  She smiled as she glanced at me. “You look really happy, you both do.” She pulled off the highway and onto a side street, entering the city.

  “Thank you for pushing me too.”

  “You’re welcome.”


  At the mall, I found some really nice tops and a few skirts. Even though I had no place to wear them, Kathy talked me into buying them, saying my wardrobe was severely lacking.

  It was at the shoe store that we started to butt heads. “Try them on or I’ll kill you.” Kathy threatened after we argued for a few minutes.

  “I’m not trying on heels. I’m happy with my tennis shoes.” Desperate, I noticed a pair of burgundy flats. “Or how about these?” I asked holding them up.

  “How the hell can anyone be happy with tennis shoes?” She sighed. “And those are not the right color. Try these on.” She waved the black pointy-toed pumps.

  “They hurt my feet,” I whined.

  “How do you know, you haven’t tried them on yet.”

  I pursed my lips, annoyed that another friend of mine hated my sneakers. What was wrong with them? To me heels weren’t for everyday use, but reserved for weddings and special dates. “They look like they would.”

  “Listen, I feel like I’m arguing with my kids. Just try them on and if they hurt, take them off.”

  “Fine.” I took them from her and sat down on the bench behind a little boy trying on rubber boots. What a lucky kid, he could wear whatever he wanted. Reluctantly, and with an annoyed glance in Kathy’s direction, I shoved my feet in the pointy shoes. I stood up and walked with shaky legs to the mirror, and was pleasantly surprised. They looked sharp with the jeans and the black sequence top I was wearing. But above all they were comfortable.

  “So, what do you think?” Kathy asked, stepping up behind me.

  “I like them. If Debbie could see me now.”

  “Who’s Debbie?”

  A flash of homesickness settled inside me. Oh, how I missed her. “A friend of mine who bugged me just as much as you to get me to wear heels.”