by Kari Shuey
“Abby? I have dinner. I sent you a message that I would be bringing home dinner… I hope you’re hungry.” Gavin walked through the house to Abby’s room. The door was shut, so he knocked. “Abby? Are you in there?” Concern started flooding his insides. Abby was usually home. She normally left a note if she was going to be out and about. Wandering through the house, he entered his room, thinking she might be putting laundry away. But she wasn’t there. Gavin looked through the whole house and that’s when the worry really started to set in. All the paranoid thoughts burst through his head.
Gavin pulled out his phone and called Abby’s cell. It rang until the voice mail picked it up. He tried one more time and still no answer. Something was terribly wrong. Gavin propelled himself through the house to the back door. He could see the light on in the guest house. Good, Windsor is back. He’ll be able to help. Crossing the lawn, he pounded on the door a few times before swinging the door open and yelling for Windsor.
“Windsor! I’m glad you’re back and all, but Abby-” He stopped short. Never in a million years would he have expected to see Windsor and Abby sitting at the table chatting like they were the best of friends.
“Hi, Gavin. Did you need something?” Abby looked up at him with pure ignorance.
How could she not know that he was sure something terrible had happened? “Where were you?!” His voice sounded more severe than he had intended, but at the moment he didn’t care. “I called you twice!”
Her big eyes stared at him blankly. It was like she was teasing him, making him work harder. “I’m sorry, Gavin. My phone is in my purse. When Windsor got home, I made him lunch and we’ve been chatting. I guess the time got away from us.” She looked at Windsor and back to Gavin. A twinge of jealousy pulled at his heart. Was she developing feelings for his friend? No, Windsor wouldn’t allow that. They were too close.
“I think it’s time to come back to the house.”
Abby looked again between the two men in the room. She shrugged and stood up. “I’m glad you’re back, Windsor.”
She left out the door, and Gavin watched to make sure she was out of earshot when he turned back to Windsor. “I’m glad you’re back. We have a lot to catch up on.” Raising his eyebrows, he hoped to convey to his friend that they had serious matters to discuss.
Patting Windsor on the shoulder, and squeezing it for good measure, Gavin left the guest house and jogged to catch up to Abby right as she entered the house. He grabbed her upper arm and forced her to face him, his adrenaline pumping, still tasting the fear.
She looked down at his hand and back up at his face, scrutinizing his motives. He could tell she was trying to read him and was being unsuccessful. Noticing a flash of something – maybe discomfort – he let go.
“You don’t have any idea what I just went through.”
“You’re probably right.” Abby agreed. “You are acting kind of crazy, you know that right?”
Gavin folded his arms and marched back and forth. “You realize a woman was murdered in my home… my home, right? And they haven’t caught the killer yet. Don’t you think that should constitute a little bit of caution on your part?” He stopped for a moment and looked at her, with what could only be an irrational look on his face. “I mean, what kind of sane woman would willingly work for a man in my position!”
“Gavin, are you okay? Are you having a mental breakdown or something?” She gave him a small giggle but sobered after he glared at her.
“I’m being serious.”
Abby’s expression softened. “Gavin, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. Lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice, right?” She moved over into the kitchen and started serving them the food he brought home.
Had he overreacted? Probably. She was not his responsibility. The way she spent her evenings were her choice, after all. Gavin squeezed the bridge of his nose to help him focus. His irrational reaction wasn’t necessary, and he had now made a fool of himself. Taking a deep breath, he stepped over to the table and took a seat. Dinner was placed before him, and he picked at it. She didn’t appear disturbed by his outburst and ate her meal contentedly.
“You look refreshed,” he pointed out, not knowing how to break the ice.
“Oh, I had a wonderful day. I visited my old boss, I went to the park – where I ran into Oliver of all people, and when Windsor got back, I got to visit with him. It was nice getting to know him a little better.” Abby took another bite of her food and met his gaze. “How about you? Better day?”
“It was alright. I got a lot done… Wait! You saw Oliver?” Gavin’s thoughts swirled erratically. Between seeing Oliver and getting to know Windsor a little better Abby’s day had been a lot more busy than she was letting on. He wondered what Oliver had to say and he stilled, no longer pushing the food around his plate. “How did you and Oliver happen to cross paths?” Hoping his inquiry didn’t sound like the jealous ex snooping around a new relationship, Gavin shrugged his shoulders to ward off the itch of concern.
“I went to Albertson’s Park and he happened to be there too”
“During the middle of the day? I didn’t realize that I was the only job he had…” Gavin winced at the implication of his statement. “I mean, did he happen to tell you why he was ‘in the area?”
Abby didn’t seem to notice the derogatory dig at her friend. “Oh, he didn’t say. But we caught up and said we’d have to do it again sometime.”
Gavin made a mental note to tell Windsor to keep an extra eye on Oliver. The fact he was making himself available to his housekeeper didn’t sit well with him. Changing the subject so as not to linger on the feeling of unrest he had, Gavin inquired about the other interesting part of Abby’s day. First Oliver, then Windsor… Abby was getting pretty familiar with her fair share of men. “So what did you think of him – Windsor – after ‘getting to know him a little better’?”
Abby paused her eating and looked at him with a crooked kind of smile. “Is that what this is about? Gavin, don’t be ridiculous. Neither Oliver nor Windsor are my type. Besides, I don’t think I’m ready to be in another relationship where secrets run rampant.”
Gavin wondered how she knew that was what he was getting at. Was he being so transparent? Embarrassed, Gavin looked at his plate. “Maybe a little, sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s flattering… if not a bit stalker-ish.”
Both continued eating their meals in silence. The awkward exchange had taken everything out of Gavin and he didn’t want to shove his foot farther into his mouth than he already had. Instead, he concentrated on what he needed to tell Windsor. It would be best to keep Abby ignorant of his suspicions until he had proof.
After dinner, she cleared his place, and he headed back out to talk to Windsor. Gavin gave him the paper with his notes and filled him in. Windsor agreed his suspicions had merit and that he would look into it as soon as possible. Windsor had the connections to get this done right.
“About Abby…” Gavin interjected the final note he wanted to discuss.
“Sir. Don’t be ridiculous. Amara was my ‘one’. I have no intention of falling for or wooing Miss Russell. In fact, it was odd that she chose to come visit. I tried to shoo her off, but she seemed intent on making sure I was settled in again.” Windsor brushed off Gavin’s concern and turned to the computer system. He was busy going through the footage that took place while he was gone. “Besides, after watching the chemistry the two of you have… I don’t think I have a chance with her. She has eyes for you.”
Gavin stopped short. “You really think so?”
Windsor sighed and turned to face him one last time. “When you work security, you can see a lot more than even the people you are surveying. She has it bad for you. She just has trust issues. If you are willing to stick it out, I don’t see why she wouldn’t fall for you again and again. Now, leave me alone. I have a lot to catch up on. Miss Russell talked way too much.”
Gavin nodded and promptly left. If Windsor was right
, then maybe Gavin just needed to be patient. He could do that, right? The best things come to those who wait after all.
Chapter 25
Despite the odd encounter with Oliver, Abby had enjoyed her walk in the park a lot more than she’d hoped. The fresh air, the colors, and the calm scenery helped clear her mind. She didn’t feel so stressed about the dream she’d had, and she didn’t feel the need to define the struggle she was having about Gavin.
She’d returned home the same time that Windsor got dropped off. She watched him head straight to the guest house without so much of a wave in her direction. She wondered how he was doing. Abby went into the kitchen and fixed some sandwiches. Practically skipping over to the guest house, Abby hoped that Windsor wouldn’t mind the company so soon after getting back from his all-nighter at the station.
He opened the door right away, as if he were expecting her. Heaving a sigh, he moved out of the way and let her have access to his office/ home. “Miss Russell, to what do I owe this pleasure?” His tone was somewhat sarcastic, but Abby ignored it.
“Hi Windsor. I thought you could use some good food after…,” she trailed off. “Anyway, how do you feel about some sandwiches?”
She held out the plate of sandwiches and he took them from her. Part surprise and part relief that he was letting her stay, Abby motioned to a seat. “Mind if I sit here?”
Windsor shrugged his shoulders. “Be my guest.”
Abby sat and wrung her hands. She didn’t expect to get this far. And now she felt like she was encroaching on Windsor’s privacy. Trying to come up with something to say that wouldn’t sound trite, Abby motioned to the house. “Nice setup you have here.” So much for not sounding trite.
Windsor looked around the guest house and back at her. One eyebrow raised as if to say You’re joking right?
“I’m sorry I came over without asking. I don’t know what I was thinking… Maybe I should go.”
Windsor just stared at her, not asking her to go, and not insisting she stay. Abby remained glued to her spot.
Taking a bite of his sandwich, Windsor appeared to be letting her make all the mistakes in this encounter. Finally, he took pity and broke the uncomfortable silence. “Miss Russell. We don’t have to be friends.”
Abby’s face turned red. Was that what she was ultimately here for? Was she trying to force a friendship from someone she didn’t have anything in common with? Shaking her head, she couldn’t help blurting out the first thing that came to her mind. “I wasn’t trying to be your friend. I guess I thought you could use the company and I… heaven knows I could use some insight too.”
Windsor was unreadable. She didn’t know if that statement was something that would offend him or not.
“And here I am making an absolute fool of myself.” Abby put her head in her hands and laughed. “I don’t know what the heck I am doing. I’ll leave you be. You could probably use some time to regroup.” Abby made a move to leave and Windsor stopped her.
“Miss Russell, I do appreciate the occasional company. My job can be pretty monotonous. I guess that is why Amara gravitated toward me, and I her. We were kindred spirits from the moment I met her. I wasn’t on-site, mind you. But after we met, I couldn’t get my mind off her.”
“That’s so romantic.” Abby allowed herself to compare Windsor and his tragic love story to the millions of stories written. Lovers who were destined but unable to be together. “I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing her must have been awful. How long were you together?”
“We were dating for almost a year. I was planning on asking her to marry me.”
Abby gasped. “And you didn’t tell Ga- Mr. Saxe? Why wouldn’t you tell him?”
Windsor shook his head. “I didn’t think he’d approve. He’d been so shut off from the world – dating or otherwise. I felt he would tell me I was being crazy. So I kept it a secret.”
“That’s so sad. And now the police are investigating you. That is so messed up.” Abby picked up a sandwich and took a big bite.
“You’re telling me,” Windsor whispered.
Abby looked at him closely. She could have sworn she saw a tear brimming on his lashes, but figured she was probably seeing things. They munched on their meal, and Abby noted how nice it was to sit with no expectations of anything. They didn’t have to be friends, nor did they have to expect anything more than just companionable silence.
“Miss Russell, may I make an observation?”
Her mouth full of food, Abby nodded.
“I’ve seen the way that Mr. Saxe looks at you. And, I’ve seen the chemistry between you. Keep in mind, I don’t go looking for it… but you guys share some pretty intense moments. I can tell he has deep feelings for you. He’s said as much. I’d like to think I can see the same thing on your side. My suggestion is not to squander it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. It will never come.” Windsor took another bite of his food and waited for her response, expectantly.
Filled with shock, Abby fought the instinct to spit out her water – choking on it instead. Abby was stunned. She knew that there were cameras everywhere. Why should it surprise her that Windsor was privy to a lot of what was going on inside the big house?
He smiled at her. “Sorry. Was that too forward?”
Yes. “No, not at all. You probably have a pretty good perspective on the situation.” She hated how flippant that statement sounded. She tried to make her tone more genuine. “I just don’t think our relationship will be going anywhere. We barely know each other. We are very different people if you haven’t noticed…”
“Well, if you barely know each other, how can you be so sure that it won’t work? In my experience, those with differing backgrounds make the strongest relationships. No one wants to be with someone who’s too similar to themselves.” Windsor’s raw insights slapped Abby in the face. She truly didn’t know where things would go. All she knew was Gavin wasn’t willing to share a deeper connection with her. She considered Oliver for a moment. They were fairly similar in their backgrounds. Would she look at that as a strength or a weakness? Granted she didn’t have the chemistry with Oliver that she had with Gavin… but Oliver also didn’t have the money and fame could lead to being entitled and selfish. But isolating Gavin as a prospect came with some very different barriers above and beyond simply being a wealthy jerk.
“Gavin – I mean Mr. Saxe… he and I can’t see eye to eye on a few pretty important things. I don’t know if I can settle when it comes to my romantic future.” But would it be settling? He appeared to be everything she was looking for in a guy - and one’s history is something that could come out later…
Windsor seemed to be thinking the same thing. “I wouldn’t consider Mr. Saxe anything but cream of the crop.” He sounded irritated now. “He is the kind of man who would go to the ends of the earth to help those he loves. He would rather throw himself on a sword than see someone in pain. He has literally saved my life so many times I have lost count.”
Abby looked up at Windsor. Listening to Windsor talk about Gavin as if he worshiped him was not what she expected. But they were best friends, of course he would stand by Gavin.
“I know he’s a good guy-”
Windsor interrupted her. “No, Miss Russell, I don’t believe you do. But you will.”
“No, Windsor, I have my reasons for not trusting him. He’s received letters for someone with a different name. Can you explain that? Huh? Someone with nothing to hide wouldn’t mind telling his girlfriend his past. And it’s not just that. I can tell he’s holding back quite a bit more than a simple name change. It’s gotten to a point where I know he knows me – like really knows me. And I can’t say that I feel the same about him. I can’t settle for that kind of unbalanced relationship.”
“Have you considered that his past may not be your business? If it isn’t who he is right now, then why should it matter?”
“If he can’t trust me with his past – dark or innocent – then how can I ever trust him?” Abby
felt like her argument was solid. But Windsor made her willing to reconsider.
“Miss Russell. Everyone has a past. Some are more checkered than others. I guarantee if you were to look at mine, you’d find yourself running for the hills. That didn’t seem to bother Amara. She loved me for who I am right now. For the person I had become. She was willing to overlook my past – because I chose to leave that part of me behind. Mr. Saxe’s past is his to share. It could be simple; it could also be scary. But it is only your business if he makes it so. Have you considered if he had a name change for legitimate reasons? What about being forced to change it because of witness protection? What if it was because he wanted to erase his past mistakes? Given the opportunity, I think a lot of people would jump at the chance to do that. So, Miss Russell, I ask you to consider what you are demanding from Mr. Saxe when you insist to know his history. He will share with you if you earn it.”
Abby felt put in her place. Windsor knew what to say to help her see her own flaws. If she had a past she didn’t feel safe in sharing, would she? At the same time, since Windsor knew Gavin pretty well, he probably knew exactly what Gavin was hiding. “You know, don’t you.” It was a statement.
Windsor nodded. “I do.”
“And you won’t tell me anything.”
“No.” His statement firm and unyielding. “It isn’t my secret to tell. But it is also not something I would say you should fear. With how much he cares about you, you are safer with him than without.”
They chatted for a couple of hours. Abby lost track of time but she continued to go back to Windsor’s glowing opinion of Gavin. The fact that he would do anything for the people he loved, made her wish she could fall into that category. Was Gavin the type of guy who would sacrifice himself for her? She jumped at the pounding on the door. She looked at Windsor, he reached for something behind him. When they heard Gavin’s frantic voice, Windsor stopped reaching and moved to open the door. Instead the door was flung open and Gavin started rambling about something and Abby.