Bea had helped her get ready for the day, and Abigail felt confident that she looked her best. She found that because she was doing business for her father, she wanted to look professional, not just for her sake, but for his as well.
“You are awfully quiet this morning. Are you all right?” Marcus asked as they started down the street.
“I’m fine, thank you. I forgot to tell you that I’m meeting Sally Monroe at the hotel for lunch at noon. She’d asked me about it at your parents’, and I had a note reminding me of it first thing this morning.”
“I’ll be sure to have you back in plenty of time. We can visit one or two bathhouses this morning and another this afternoon or tomorrow. But before I forget, my mother wondered if you’d have dinner with us on Saturday evening.”
Abigail had been wondering when she would see Mr. and Mrs. Wellington again and was quite happy to receive the invitation. “I’d love to.”
“Good. I’ll let her know.” He gripped her elbow as he accompanied her inside the Big Iron Bathhouse. After a quick tour of its facilities, they agreed they had time to visit the Independent Bathhouse. Marcus led Abigail up to the reception desk.
“Good morning, can we see the manager, please?” Marcus asked.
“I’ll see if I can find him. Please have a seat.” It was apparent that the young woman was attracted to Marcus by the smile on her face. She appeared to be about Abigail’s age. When she got up to go find the manager, Abigail could see that she was a bit taller. She had dark hair and brown eyes and was quite pretty. Abigail couldn’t help but wonder if the young woman and Marcus knew each other—and then she wondered if he was courting anyone.
Knowing it really wasn’t any of her business and trying to ignore a little niggle of jealousy at the thought that he might, Abigail turned and looked around the foyer. “This is nice. All the bathhouses seem to be a bit different inside, but I suppose it is that and the way each are managed that draw in different people.”
“That is true. The city also has a free bathhouse for those who can’t afford to come to the nicer ones.”
“Oh? I didn’t know that.”
“With Hot Springs being inside the National Reservation, and even though it has its own city government, the federal government oversees the springs and anything to do with them.”
“I see. Papa will have to take that under consideration, too.”
“Yes, he will. I can set up an appointment with the park superintendent, if you’d like. He can tell you all you’ll need to know.”
“I might need to do that. I’ll let you know.” Hard as she tried, Abigail couldn’t keep the coolness out of her tone, and she wasn’t sure why it was there.
When Marcus raised an eyebrow and looked at her questioningly, she realized he’d heard it, too.
She quickly added, “I need to check with Papa, first. Then if he thinks I need to meet with the superintendent, I’ll ask you to make an appointment.”
“Good enough,” was all Marcus said.
The receptionist returned, and Abigail caught the smile that passed between her and Marcus. She didn’t like it, and more. . .she didn’t like that she didn’t like it. What was wrong with her? This man had been hired by her father to make sure she was safe. He was the son of dear friends of her parents. That was all. She and Marcus had no relationship, and she wasn’t looking for one. Not after loving someone for as long as she’d loved Nate and then to have it all for naught. No. She didn’t need to think along those lines.
The receptionist turned to her. “Mr. Martin asked if you could come back a little later. He’s showing a prospective client around.”
“That’s all right.” Abigail wasn’t sure she wanted to come back. At least not soon. And possibly not with Marcus. “I’ll check back or make an appointment for another time.”
“We can make an appointment now, if you’d like. That would probably be best,” the young woman said.
She was being nice, and Abigail didn’t want to appear rude—especially not in front of Marcus. “Can we make it for around three today?”
The receptionist consulted her appointment book and nodded. “Yes, he is free at that time.”
“We’ll be back then,” Marcus said, taking Abigail’s arm. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The receptionist’s smile seemed meant only for Marcus. Deep down, Abigail couldn’t blame her. He was a very nice-looking man.
Once they were outside, Marcus turned to Abigail and asked, “Do you want to try the Palace?”
“Why don’t we just make an appointment there for this afternoon or later this week? I think my chances of getting a good tour will be better if we set up a time instead of hoping for the manager to be free. Then we can head on back to the hotel. It will almost be time for lunch by then.”
“I think that might be for the best, too.” He led her to the next few bathhouses where they set up appointments for the next several days. Then they started back to the hotel. “I’ll pick you up this afternoon around a quarter of three and tomorrow around ten again, if that is all right with you?”
“That will be fine. Oh, and thank your mother for the invitation on Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing your parents again.”
“You’d be welcome to call on them anytime, you know.”
She did know. She’d felt it that first day when she’d met them. “I do. I just wouldn’t want to interrupt their daily schedule.”
“You needn’t worry about that. If Mother were going out for the day, you’d be welcome to accompany her anywhere. You’ll see as you get to know her.”
His words made Abigail feel better. She had begun to feel a little awkward after seeing Marcus and the receptionist’s reaction to him. After all, this was his town and a lot of these people were his friends. She was the stranger in town, and at the moment, she felt a little lonely.
It was nearing noon when they got back to the hotel and parted ways. She barely had time to freshen up before meeting Sally in the lobby. The other woman looked fresh as a daisy in a yellow and white dress, with a sheer overskirt in yellow draped to the side. Once they were seated at a table in front of one of the windows overlooking the street, Sally smiled at her. “I am so glad you were able to meet me for lunch. How are you liking Hot Springs?”
“Thank you for inviting me,” Abigail said. “I like your town a lot—although all I’ve mostly seen are the bathhouses I’m checking out for my father. I’d like to see some of the shops, but I’ll get to them.”
“I’d love to go shopping with you anytime. I can show you where I like to shop.”
“Wonderful! I’d love to do that.”
“I also wanted to invite you to a dinner I’m giving a week from Friday evening, if you are free. You may bring an escort, of course.”
“Why, thank you. I’d like that. Perhaps Mr. Wellington will come with me.” Abigail didn’t really want to get into the fact that the handsome man was only protecting her while she was here, but Sally probably had an idea, knowing the business he was in.
“That would be perfect. We always enjoy it when we can get Marcus to come to dinner, but it’s not too often that we do.”
Somehow that made Abigail feel better, and she wasn’t sure why. She enjoyed the lunch with Sally, and they lingered over their dessert of coconut cake and coffee.
“I’d think it would be very lonely to travel alone,” Sally said. “Don’t you miss your friends?”
Truthfully, Abigail hadn’t given her friends much thought. When she did, she could just imagine them discussing her broken engagement, and that wasn’t something she wanted to think about.
“Actually, my life had become very busy, but I’m not sure any of it counted for much. I do miss my parents, though.” More than she’d thought she would. Each day, she appreciated them a little more.
“I can imagine. I’m married, but I see my mother nearly every day. Are you planning on going home after you finish the business for your father?”
“Oh, my dear. I am so sorry. I am just too nosy sometimes.”
“You aren’t nosy. It is all right. Actually, it feels good to tell someone about it. I just couldn’t stay there.”
“Well, I’m glad you are here. I would have wanted to do the very same thing,” Sally said, endearing herself to Abigail.
Abigail found she could actually chuckle. “I just kept thinking that everyone in town would be talking about me behind my back, and I just couldn’t face it. I don’t think I’m a very brave person.”
“I know I’m certainly not. Don’t you worry. We’ll find all kinds of things to keep you busy until you feel at home here. Why don’t we go shopping soon? You can tell me how we compare to your hometown.”
“Perhaps we can go on Monday?” Abigail had the rest of her week planned out, and she was sure Sally would want to spend Saturday with her husband; it would be nice to look forward to the next week, though.
“I’d like that. Just let me know what time is good for you.”
“Let’s plan on around ten, and then we can have lunch while we’re out and keep shopping after or not.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Abigail was sure that since Marcus knew Sally, they’d be able to shop alone. . .well, except for whatever agent he’d have watching them from a distance.
❧
Marcus felt all right about leaving Abigail with Sally. He had his man in the hotel and knew they’d be watched well. But he found himself thinking about her all the way back to his office. He could get quite used to being with Abigail Connors on a regular basis. He had to keep reminding himself that the only reason he was seeing so much of her was because of her father. Otherwise, she would most likely rather be left to herself.
He was glad she wasn’t planning on leaving once her work for her father was done. Jacob had told him that she was coming for an extended stay, and he hoped she didn’t get homesick and decide to return anytime soon. Not because he’d been hired by her father. Marcus would be watching after Abigail Connors even if Jacob hadn’t asked him to.
Arriving at his office, he called his mother to let her know that Abigail had accepted her invitation.
“Good. Did you tell her that it was a party in her honor?”
“Well, no. I didn’t.”
“Marcus!”
“Mother, it will be fine. She’ll be pleased. She said she was looking forward to seeing you and Father.”
“I think you’d better tell her when you pick her up, then.”
“I will.” Marcus could hear his mother’s sigh on the other end of the line.
“You be sure to. We’ll see you later, then.”
He heard the click on the end and had a feeling she was a little put out with him. He probably should have told Abigail it was a party, but he’d not thought it was that important at the time. He turned his attention to the mail he’d picked up earlier. Shuffling through the letters, he pulled out the one that interested him the most. The agent he’d sent to Eureka Springs to look into Abigail’s background, other than what Jacob had told him, had some information for him.
Marcus scanned the letter quickly, but there wasn’t really anything there he didn’t already know—except that the man Abigail had been engaged to was her widowed brother-in-law. From all accounts, she’d been in love with him for a very long time. And now he was set to marry someone else.
Leaning back in his chair, Marcus could see how that would be a devastating blow one would want to run from. He folded the letter up and slipped it into the envelope. He couldn’t understand it. Abigail was lovely. She seemed a little brittle at times, but after all she’d been through, that seemed understandable.
There wasn’t much he could do about the hurt she’d suffered except pray for her, and he bowed his head and did just that.
“Dear Father, I don’t know the facts on Abigail’s hurt, and perhaps I’m not meant to. But You know I’m a have-to-know kind of person, and I’ll try to find out so that I can understand her better. In the meantime, I just pray that You help her through the pain she must be feeling. Please help her to get over her broken engagement and be able to have the kind of life You want for her. Please help us to make her feel welcome here, and while You are at it, Lord, I have a feeling I’m beginning to care a little too much for her. Please help me not to lose my heart to her. She’s not likely to return any feelings I might have for her. Not right now, anyway. Please just help me to help her and keep her safe while she’s here. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
❧
Abigail was surprised at how much she enjoyed the evening at the Wellingtons’ on Saturday night, considering how nervous she’d been when she found out that it was a party in her honor. Mrs. Wellington was so gracious and kind to do something like this.
She’d been introduced to Dr. O’Malley and his wife and to one of the pharmacists in town, a Mr. Primm, and his wife. . .Donna, Abigail thought her name was. She knew she’d never remember them all, but by the end of the evening, she had a feeling she’d met most of the people she might need to know if she stayed for very long. She’d already met the minister on Sunday, but tonight, besides a doctor and a pharmacist, she’d met a lawyer and a banker and their wives. They were all very nice.
She had a feeling she’d be receiving invitations for other dinners and outings very soon. Once the last guest left, she turned to her hostess. “Mrs. Wellington, I can’t thank you enough for having me tonight. My mother will probably cry when I write her about your kindness.”
Mrs. Wellington patted her on the shoulder. “I just want you to feel at home in our town, dear. And I hope you will feel you can drop in on us anytime.”
“But—”
“And don’t you worry about formality. You are always welcome in our home. Always. If we are not here, you feel free to come in and stay as long as you’d like. In fact, I think you should just stay with us instead of at the Arlington, although it is a very nice hotel.”
“How sweet of you. But I can’t impose that way.”
“Abigail Connors.” Mrs. Wellington sounded so much like her mother that Abigail found herself fighting tears. “You are my dear friends’ daughter. That means you are family. You would not be imposing in any way, but I will try to understand your need to be on your own. Or at least accept it.”
She smiled, and Abigail couldn’t help but chuckle.
“But,” Mrs. Wellington continued, “I will be very hurt if you don’t visit often and keep in touch.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do,” Abigail answered honestly.
“Good. Now, how would you like to come with me to a meeting at church next week? We are trying to find ways to help those who come here to make use of the springs but can’t afford to stay in the hotels.”
Marcus had told her about the free bathhouses, but Abigail hadn’t really thought about those who might not be able to afford to stay indefinitely. And even if she had, at one time she would have put it to the back of her mind. She was a bit surprised to hear herself answer, “Yes, I’d be glad to go with you.”
“Good. It is at eleven o’clock on Wednesday. After the meeting, we’ll have a nice lunch.”
Abigail had never been very demonstrative, but she found herself hugging the older woman. “Thank you. Being around you makes me feel as if I have family here.”
Mrs. Wellington hugged her back. “That’s exactly the way we want you to feel. I wish your parents could come for a visit.”
Abigail grinned. “If I stay long enough, perhaps they will.”
“Then we shall strive to keep you here,” Mr. Wellington said.
Abigail looked over the older man’s shoulder at Marcus, and something about the look in his eyes made her heart turn over. When he smiled at her and showed his dimple,
that same heart seemed to do a sort of flip and dive that left her feeling more than a little breathless.
The feeling didn’t leave her until long after she and Marcus had said good night from opposite sides of her door.
The next day at church, Abigail tried to ignore the way her pulse raced as she sat beside Marcus. She had to admit that she didn’t mind having him escort her wherever they went. It was obvious that he was well-thought-of and respected by those people she’d met when with him. And if anyone had heard of her broken engagement, she certainly didn’t think they’d bring it up, knowing she was a friend of the Wellington family. All in all, she was very pleased her father had hired Marcus, and knowing her father as she did, he probably took the family friendship into consideration when he did so. That way, people wouldn’t just naturally assume he’d been hired to protect her.
She stood up when the rest of the family did to sing a hymn and chastised herself for thinking about Marcus when she should be paying attention to the church service. . .and for all the times she’d let her mind wander back home when she was in church. She’d been attending all her life and could remember when she’d been baptized. But it suddenly hit her that somewhere along the way, she’d only been putting lip service to her Christianity. It was time for that to change.
Seven
Abigail’s mother had written to let her know that Nate and Meagan had set their wedding date for the third of September, and while she’d shed tears over it, Abigail also felt relief that she hadn’t destroyed their chance for happiness. Over the next few weeks, Abigail began to feel at home in Hot Springs. She’d been invited to several more dinners and had gone shopping a few times with Sally. But the time she’d enjoyed most was the hours she spent with Marcus and his family. She loved going to church with them and then spending the rest of the day at their home. Usually, others were invited for Sunday dinner, and she was beginning to feel comfortable around them as well. It was hard to believe she’d been in Hot Springs for more than a month and that it was now September.
A Love All Her Own Page 6