“Nope. When I go somewhere, I go to have fun. I don’t worry about my clothing.” She tilted her head. “Where are the boys? And why are you here at the house instead of down by the river?”
“I left Graham and Josiah down at the river with Zoé. Everyone else is down there except for you. So I came looking for you to make sure you were all right and that you weren’t in any pain or anything from your fall the other day.”
“As you see, I’m perfectly fine. Just late is all. How rude of me to be late to my own gathering. I mean, really, you’d think I would at least have started out sooner so I wouldn’t be late. But no, I got sidetracked. That’s what I get for daydreaming again.” She spoke so fast, she had a hard time catching up with herself. Talking fast was a bad habit of hers. One she really needed to work on fixing.
“So, you’re a daydreamer, huh?” He threaded her hand through his arm and tugged her toward the front door.
“Yes. It’s one of my many failings.”
“Many, huh?”
“Yes. Many.”
“Well, I hate to differ with you, Miss Abigail Bowen, but I do not see where you have many failings, if any.”
“That’s because you don’t know me very well.”
“That’s true, perhaps. But I think I’m a pretty good judge of character, and you, ma’am, are quite a character.”
Shocked by his assessment, she yanked her gaze up to him and saw the teasing glint in his eyes. “And you, sir, have that right.”
They smiled.
“So, how are you feeling? Does your head hurt anymore?”
“No. Not at all. That first night it did and most of the next day. But now, it barely hurts. In fact, I feel wonderful.” She owned her speedy recovery to the fact that she loved picnics and loved spending time with her friends. Friends? Somehow the word friend didn’t fit the way she felt about Harrison. Fear waltzed across her heart. Without being obvious, she unwound her hand from his arm. After today’s message, she needed to be careful to not let her daydreams turn into real love. Dreaming about love and pretending they were in love was one thing, but to really allow herself to fall in love with him or anyone else was too risky. Rejection hurt way too much.
“Where are you, Abby?”
“Huh?” Her eyes collided with his. “Right here.”
“You daydreaming again?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Just thinking.”
“Oh. What about?”
“About spending the day with my wonderful friends.” She smiled up at him. That was partly the truth, anyway. And the only truth he needed to know. Of that she was certain.
* * *
For some odd reason, Harrison didn’t like being considered as one of Abby’s friends. He wanted to be more than that, a battle he’d been fighting ever since meeting her a mere week ago. It was a battle he was quickly losing. How could the woman have gotten under his skin in such a short time? He’d heard of love at first sight, but that was for saps. And he was quickly becoming one, so he needed to be more careful.
As they neared the river, he took in the small crowd of people Abby had invited. Underneath the canopy of trees sat Staimes, who appeared to be in deep conversation with Veronique, Colette, Samuel, Julie and Fletcher, whose eyes never once strayed from Abby.
Harrison cut a glance at Abby to see if she noticed Fletcher’s obvious admiration toward her. But her face was turned in another direction, toward Zoé and his two sons squatted down at the edge of the water.
After seeing them in their play clothes the other day, he’d made a special trip to the general store and purchased garments for them designed specifically for outdoor fun. Today they were wearing blue denim pants instead of their knickers and knee-high socks.
“Miss Abby!” Julie leaped up from sitting beside her father. She rushed toward Abby and flung her tiny arms around Abby’s legs.
“Miss Abby. Miss Abby.” Graham and Josiah barreled toward her as fast as their little legs would carry them. Within seconds all three children’s arms were draped around the petite woman.
Somehow, in spite of their arms around her, she managed to squat down and pull all of them into her embrace. A place he found he’d like to be.
“Are you having fun?” She eyed each one as she asked.
All three nodded gleefully.
“I’m so glad. Is anyone hungry?”
Again, all three nodded with the same enthusiasm as before. “Very well, then. Shall we get something to eat?” She stood. Each child vied for her hand. Harrison watched to see how she would deal with the situation.
“I’ll race you to the food basket.”
His admiration for her slipped up another notch. She had handled the situation very well.
The children whirled and bolted toward the picnic basket. Julie got there first, Josiah second, Graham third and then Abby.
“Ah-h-h. No fair. You all beat me. Does this mean I don’t get anything to eat?” Abby sighed as if that thought were the most horrible thing in the world.
“You may eat, too, Miss Abby,” Julie said, her manners were impeccable for one so young.
“And what do you boys say?” Her gaze touched on each one.
“Uh-huh,” they both said at the same time, nodding.
“Oh, thank you all so much. I am so very honored to have the privilege to dine with you all on this fine day.” She clasped her hands together with such flair and drama that the children’s faces glimmered as if they had indeed done something wonderful. One by one she planted a kiss on top of their heads, then dropped to her knees in front of the basket, giving no heed whatsoever to the dirt-loaded ground soiling her dress. She raised the lid on the basket and made a huge display of studying its contents.
Pretty soon all three heads joined hers, peering into the basket just as intently as she was.
Harrison chuckled. The woman sure had a way with children. She loved them, and they obviously loved her.
“Now what do we have here? I’m certain there is something in here that children will like.” She pulled a cloth off a sizeable platter to unveil several pieces of crispy brown chicken. Looking at each child, she asked, “Who here likes fried chicken?”
All three darted a hand upward.
“Oh, splendid. I’m so glad.” Her head dipped and she peered into the basket again. “Hmm. Wonder what this could be?” Out came a round pan nestled onto the palm of her hand.
“I know. I know.” Julie raised her hand.
“I know, too.” Josiah wasn’t about to be outdone.
“Me, too.” Graham wasn’t, either.
“Very well, then. On the count of three, all together, tell me what it is. One.” Their eager faces stared at Abby. “Two.” She dragged out the word. The children’s mouths opened, ready to blurt out the answer. “Two and a half.”
Giggles erupted.
“Two and three quarters.”
The giggles increased. Seconds ticked by. Not one of the children took their eyes off Abby.
Suddenly she blurted, “Three!”
In unison, they yelled, “Pie!”
“Very good. Boy, you all are smart.” She sat back on the heels of her feet. “Who here likes pie?”
Young voices mingled as they all said, “Me, me, me.”
“I do, too. But—” she held up her finger “—if we want to have a slice of this here blackberry pie, we have to eat our lunch first. In order to do that, we have to wash our hands. We’d better hurry and go do that. Don’t you agree?”
Three heads nodded vigorously before the whole lot of them whirled around and darted down to the river. Abby snatched up a towel and followed them closely. Down at the riverbank, she helped each one of them wash and dry their hands.
“She’s something, isn’t she?” Fletcher said from beside Harrison. “She sure has a way with children.”
“That, she does.” In fact, Harrison wished she could be the mother to his sons. Shock bolted from his gut and lodged into his throat.
Wher
e had that thought come from?
When had she crept into his heart like that?
And even more important, how would he ever rip her out of it?
Was he falling for her? He searched his heart for the answer.
“Harrison, aren’t you going to come join us?” Abby’s voice pulled him from the reality he needed to escape.
He strode over to the spot where everyone was seated under the canopy of trees.
Food passed around the group and within minutes, everyone had their plates filled.
Abby looked over at him. “Harrison, would you like the honor of praying over our food today?”
Pray? His eyes widened before he could stop them. Him? He’d never prayed a day in his life. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, but it had been years since he had.
“Our daddy don’t pray,” Josiah said before Harrison had a chance to answer her.
Harrison’s gaze shifted to his son, then up to Abby. Her eyes were wide until he looked directly at her, then they quickly returned to normal. He had no idea what to do or say.
“Well, then why don’t we ask Mr. Hilliard to pray today?” She sent an apologetic smile to Harrison for no doubt putting him in this uncomfortable situation before she turned her focus onto Samuel. “Would you do us the honors, Samuel?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’d be more than happy to.”
They all bowed their heads except Harrison. He studied the top of Abby’s head. It shouldn’t bother him what Abby or anyone else thought because he wasn’t a praying man. After all, it was no one’s business but his own. Still, the thought of Abby thinking less of him bothered Harrison.
The short prayer ended.
Abby’s attention wafted back over to him. He waited for the disappointment to come as it had with so many other religious people when they discovered he didn’t share their faith. But it never came. Not one delightful thing in the whole world could compare to the smile she offered; it was one of complete acceptance. If ever there was a person he wanted acceptance from, it would be Abby.
* * *
Stunned by the news that Harrison didn’t pray, Abby’s heart went out to him and she felt guilty for asking him to pray in front of everyone. She tried to reassure him and to make him feel better by giving him her biggest, most accepting smile, but that wasn’t enough as far as she was concerned. Of course, that’s why he hadn’t come to services. How could she have missed something so very obvious? She needed to figure out some way to somehow make it up to him.
“Abby, do you mind if I join you?”
Abby gazed up from her spot on the ground to find Fletcher standing over her. Four adults could fit comfortably on the blanket and she saw no reason why he couldn’t join her. “That would be nice.”
“This was a great idea. Thank you for including Julie and me.” Fletcher lowered his lanky frame onto the blanket. He no sooner got settled, than Samuel stepped up. “Got room for one more? That is, if I’m not intruding or anything?” He looked from Fletcher to Abby.
“No, not at all. Please, won’t you be seated?” Abby motioned to a spot on the blanket.
Samuel barely sat down when Harrison joined them.
Next thing Abby knew, Zoé, Veronique, Colette and the three children vacated their chairs, spread out a blanket next to theirs and joined the rest of them. Staimes remained in his chair until Veronique invited him to sit with them and patted the spot next to her. That must have been all the encouragement he needed because he joined them and sat in the spot closest to Veronique. Abby wished the two of them would find a future together. She’d never seen Veronique smile so much before. But that wasn’t likely to happen as he would leave when Harrison did.
Oh, if only. Abby sighed.
Everyone took turns talking while intermediately eating Lucy’s excellent fried chicken, her fluffy biscuits, cheese slices, hard-boiled eggs and the new potatoes smothered in butter and sprinkled with parsley. When the main course was finished and the blackberry, strawberry-rhubarb and apple pies were devoured, Abby was the first one to rise. Her attention shifted to the children. “Anyone ready to do some fishing?”
Josiah and Graham leaped up and made it to her side in an instant.
“Julie, don’t you want to join us?”
Julie wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
“It’ll be fun. I promise.”
She shook her head again. “No, thank you. Fish smell funny and they’re icky and slimy.” The poor girl looked so repulsed that Abby didn’t ask her again.
“Well, if you change your mind, we’ll be right around that bend.” She pointed to where the wide river disappeared around the corner.
“I’d like to join you, if you don’t mind.” Harrison stood. “I’ve never fished before, and I’d like to see what you do. Perhaps you could even teach me how to?”
Abby thought that a splendid idea. Anything to spend more time in Harrison’s company. Not wanting to leave anyone out she eyed each person. “Anyone else want to join us?”
“I think I’ll just rest here a spell. This is my favorite place on your property. Always was.” Samuel leaned his back against the tree and stretched his legs straight out in front of him.
Colette settled on her side, braced herself on her elbow and rested her head in the palm of her hand. “I’m perfectly content to stay here myself.”
Veronique and Zoé agreed.
“What about you, Fletcher? You want to come?” Abby watched as his gaze slid to his daughter seated next to him.
“No. I’d better stay here with Julie. Besides, I don’t much care for fishing, either.”
“Oh. All right. We’ll see you all later, then.” The four of them made their way to where the fishing supplies had been placed earlier that morning, including the coffee can of worms she’d dug up and placed in a cool spot.
Harrison took the fishing equipment from her, and the boys nestled their hands in hers. She led the way to the spot where Samuel had shown her the best fishing was. Josiah and Graham chattered the whole way there. Their excited voices had her feeling quite giddy.
They found the small clearing, and Abby went right to work showing Harrison and the boys how to bait their hooks and how to throw out their lines. Several times, Josiah’s and Graham’s lines got tangled. Finally, their lines were safely in the water. The current carried them up the river a fair piece. After giving them instructions on how to tell when they had a fish, she turned to help Harrison.
His casting was as bad as his sons’, if not worse.
“Here, let me show you by guiding you through it.” She placed her hand on top of his and froze. Their gazes collided, neither looked away. Some unique bond was transpiring between them.
“Daddy, you gotta throw it. Not hold it.”
Abby was the first to break contact. She raised her hand, and instead of touching him again, she went through the motions on how to cast.
Harrison finally got his bait in the water instead of the trees behind them. Within minutes he had a bite. Like a Fourth of July firework display, his face lit up but quickly turned to panic. “What do I do? I got one!”
“Set the hook by giving a yank on the line.”
He gave a sharp yank, and the pole came within inches of smacking her in the face.
Concentrating hard on the task before him, Harrison’s hands cranked fast in small circles. The fish flopped and broke across the top of the water several times.
“See it in the water, boys?” Abby pointed to where the fish swam near the bank.
“Where? I don’t see it?” Josiah squatted down and peered into the water. “I see it. I see it!”
“Where?” Graham looked at him.
Josiah grabbed his hand and pointed to it.
“I see it, too. I see it, too, Daddy.” Graham jumped up and down.
“That’s great, boys.” His voice was filled with a case of the nerves. “Now please move back so your father can bring it onto the bank.”
The twins slowly backed
out of the way.
“Okay. Now. Whatever you do, Harrison, don’t pick up your pole when the fish reaches the bank. Slide it in instead,” she instructed.
He did as he was told and slid the fish over the riverbank and onto the dry ground yards away from the water.
The boys squealed and clapped their hands, their own poles all but forgotten now.
Abby watched Harrison. His face glowed with the same childlike expression as his sons had. He pressed his shoulders back, protruding his already broad chest. “This is the first fish I’ve ever caught. Thank you, Abby.”
She smiled and nodded.
“I wanna catch a fishy now.” Josiah hopped up and down.
“Me, too.” Graham mimicked his brother by jumping up and down, too.
“All right, but let me get this one off the hook first, and then I’ll help you boys, okay?”
They nodded.
“You don’t mind touching them?” Harrison asked, sounding a little queasy.
“Nope. Been doing it ever since my sister-in-law Selina showed me how to fish.”
Abby ran her finger under the fish gill on one side and her thumb under the other one until her finger and thumb touched. The fish flopped but there was no way it was going to get away from the grasp she had on it. She grabbed a rope and attached the fish to it. She tossed the fish into the water and anchored the rope with a heavy rock.
“You’re a very impressive woman, Miss Abby Bowen.”
She peered up at him. “Why? Because I can fish?”
“No. Not because you can fish. Well, not just because you can fish. You amaze me. Not only do you have a great business mind, you’re a very elegant woman and yet you aren’t afraid to get dirty or touch a fish. Most woman would never do that.”
“Well, I’m not most women.” She sent him a sassy smile.
“Thank goodness for that.”
Abby frowned at the way he said that and wondered what he meant. Rather than ask, she tore her attention off him and put it onto the boys. After everyone caught at least two fish each, they headed back to the others.
“Well, how’d you do?” Samuel was the first to ask.
“We caught lots of fishies,” Josiah answered.
Graham nodded.
Debra Ullrick Page 13