Chapter Eight
On Monday morning, Abby pressed her hand to her tummy where everything was trembling as they approached the gate to The Weston Ranch. Arlene had picked her up at Annie’s a while ago and had fortunately been talking nonstop since they’d left Marietta.
“I hope you’re hungry.” Arlene smiled as she drove through the impressive gates. “Isabella is such a wonderful cook.”
“I am actually,” Abby said, surprised herself. “When I’m working and rushing from client to client, there isn’t always time to think about it.”
“Well, here we are,” Arlene said as she opened her door.
“This is where Hayden and his wife, Laura and their son, Luke live these days. This used to be the house where my husband and I lived. The arrangement that we all eat together way back when the kids moved out, was my idea, mostly because I missed them so much. Of course, they all do their own thing at times and even though I seldom join them these days, I love to think about them having meals together as a family.” She got out of the car.
Her eyes on the house, Abby got out as well. “It is a beautiful house.”
“Probably not as clean as you’d like it,” Arlene said. “Little boys with dogs tend to make a mess.”
“That’s a beautiful mess,” Abby said, realizing for the first time how true it was.
As they went up the stairs to the porch, the front door opened and Laura stepped out. “Come on in, everyone else is already here. Isabella has outdone herself this morning. Welcome, Abby, I’m so glad you’re here. Come on, we always have breakfast in the kitchen.”
As she followed Arlene and Laura down the corridor, the sound of deep male laughter reached them. Her insides shuddered in anticipation. Oh, my goodness.
As she stepped into the kitchen, her eyes zoomed in on Carson who was talking to his brother. She was still staring at him when he turned his head.
His eyes widened before a big smile lit up his face.
Oh, my. If she wasn’t mistaken, she was in deep trouble.
Before she could take her next breath, he was walking toward her. Lifting his hand as if to touch her, he grimaced, dropping it again. “This is a nice surprise,” he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “There’s an open chair next to me.”
Following him, she had to swallow her disappointment. She was craving his touch. Well, she had been the one who’d told him not to touch her.
“Hi, Abby, welcome.” Hayden smiled, as Carson pulled out the chair for her.
As everyone greeted them, she quickly took her seat next to Carson, overly aware of Willow’s eyes on her.
“Morning, Abby,” Willow said, her eyes sparkling. “There’s a rumor doing the rounds you’re also going to declutter and organize Carson’s house?”
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Oh, my goodness, Abby,” Laura finally said, still chuckling. “You have your work cut out for you.”
“I’d love to see the end result.” Rose grinned.
“Well, then I assume you’ll be staying another week?” Ellie asked.
Abby shook her head quickly. “Oh, no. I’m flying back on Sunday. I’m only here to help June and to celebrate her first book launch.”
“So then when are you going to declutter Carson’s house?” Willow asked.
“He’s mostly going to do it himself,” Abby said. “He’s promised to start with his kitchen. Throw away what can’t be used, give away what doesn’t give him joy, and keep the things that do give him joy.”
“That,” Willow said, laughing, “I have to see.”
“Just because I don’t always put everything away,” Carson said, “doesn’t mean I don’t know how to tidy up.
For your information, I decluttered my kitchen last night to make it easier for Abby.
It’s probably not quite up to her standards, but I’m giving away a lot of stuff I’m not using.
And …” he said as he took out his phone, “Abby wanted proof.”
With a dramatic gesture, he showed her the picture on his phone. He’d taken a before and after. Even the photo he’d taken with the camera of his mobile phone was artistic.
“Great,” she said and took a piece of toast from a plate close to her.
“That’s all I get?” Carson asked.
She didn’t dare look his way, Willow’s eyes were moving between the two of them like she was watching a tennis game.
Arlene fortunately came to her rescue and changed the subject by talking to June. “June, is there anything else we can do for your book launch on Thursday?”
“I don’t think so, Arlene, thank you. Barry, my boss and editor of the book will be here.
Jill, the new publicist Barry has appointed, is helping with this launch and the one we’re having in Seattle in two weeks’ time.
According to Barry, she has organized a caterer for Thursday.
Carson kindly offered to take pictures, my husband will be holding my hand, my best friend is here, my new family, all of you will be there so I think we’re all set. ”
“Do you know who’s doing the catering?” asked Arlene.
“I tried to get hold of Jill on Friday to find out,” June said, “but she didn’t pick up. I’ll try again tomorrow.”
As the conversation moved to food, Abby tried to eat.
Sitting next to Carson, being aware of his every movement, the heat radiating from his body reminded her of what had happened in the bar and of course then her thoughts moved to what happened afterward and she couldn’t concentrate on the food in front of her.
“… Tuesday night,” Willow was saying. “Abby, I hope you’ll join us? We’re reading Jane Eyre at the moment.”
“Thanks, I wish I could, I love reading and the classics are my favorite, but I won’t have time,” Abby said. “I’m leaving on Sunday.”
“Well,” June said, “I’m certainly going to do my best to change your mind.”
“Well, come on ladies, the shops are waiting,” Arlene said as she got up.
As all the women got up, Dylan grabbed June’s hand. “When can we expect you back?”
“You’ll see us when you see us.” Arlene teased. “Come on, Abby, let’s leave this lot to say goodbye to their husbands. It may take a while.”
“Enjoy,” Carson said, as Abby pushed back her chair. “And remember what you have to buy,” he said softly. “Don’t forget our date tonight.”
Without answering, Abby hurried outside. Oh, my goodness, she’d been so close to touching Carson. Her hands seemed to get a life of their own around him.
As she stepped outside, Willow joined her. “You’ve fallen for our Carson, haven’t you?” she said under her breath.
“No!” Abby said quickly. “Nobody has fallen. It’s just … it’s just …”
“Yeah?” Willow was smiling.
“It’s not what you think.”
“I’m talking about what you’re thinking,” Willow said as the others joined them.
June grabbed her arm. “Come on, you and I and Arlene are going with Willow. Ellie, Rose, and Laura are following us in Laura’s car. Don’t worry about the storage boxes we’re getting, they can be delivered later today or tomorrow.”
Abby grimaced. She hadn’t even thought of that. The reason she was here was to help her friend and she couldn’t even focus on the basics of her job because her mind was on a sexy cowboy.
Trying to evade Willow’s eyes, she followed Arlene to the car.
*
Hours later, Abby was tired, her feet were hurting, and she was hungry, but the Weston women were like a bunch of kids buying candy—still excited as they rushed from one store to the other.
Their first stop had been to get all the storage boxes she’d need for the two houses she was going to organize. Afterward, she was ready to go home, but the real shopping had apparently only just begun when they’d entered the shopping mall.
“One more stop, Abby”—Arlene motioned to the next shop—“and then we’ll have lunch.”
“Ooh,” June said as everyone else hurried forward. “This place has the most beautiful clothes, come on!”
In the middle of the big shop was a huge, inviting couch. Abby made a beeline for it and flopped down. “You shop, I’ll watch,” she said, out of breath.
“You haven’t bought anything yet,” Ellie said.
“Abby believes in a basic capsule wardrobe.” June pointed toward the one side of the shop. “But, Abs, I think you’ll see something over there that you’ll like. Abby’s kryptonite is sexy black or red lingerie.”
The others giggled and said something, but Abby barely heard them.
Getting up slowly, she moved to the beautiful display June had pointed out.
Black and red silk and lace—her favorite.
These were gorgeous. An image of Carson’s eyes, both darkened by desire, flashed in front of her.
Her heart kicked into gear; the butterflies woke up.
Seriously. This was getting ridiculous. She was with other people, this was so not the time to think about Carson.
“Come on, Abs,” June cajoled. “Live a little. I would love to buy you a dress to thank you for your help this week, so don’t even look at the price.”
“Don’t be silly.” Abby put out a hand to touch the delicate silk. Oh, the feeling against her skin …
“Buy yourself another red one,” Carson’s voice replayed in her ear.
Okay, she’d get one set. As she picked the set up slowly and turned to go and pay for it, June approached with a gorgeous deep green dress.
“You have to try this on for the dance, Abs. It’s the exact color of your eyes. It doesn’t have sleeves, but I have a jacket you can borrow if it’s a cool night.”
“It’s a beautiful dress but I’m not going to the dance …”
Everyone inhaled sharply.
“Of course you’re going,” Ellie said. “Everyone in town will be there.”
“I have an idea you won’t have to worry about a date,” Willow grinned, “but even if you don’t have one, you have to come with us.”
“You cannot miss a small-town dance.” Rose said, adamantly. “Believe me, you’ve never seen anything like it. Even the children go.”
Abby’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”
“Yep,” June said. “Come on, try on the dress. You’re going to the fitting rooms anyway.”
As Abby turned, her eyes fell on a beautiful tulle skirt, the color of champagne with a lace top in a slightly lighter hue. “Wow, this is beautiful,” she muttered as she fingered the soft material.
“Why don’t you try it on as well?” Arlene said.
Abby shook her head. “Oh, no. I don’t ever go to places where I’ll need a dress like that.”
“Come on, just try it on,” Laura coaxed as she took the skirt and top off the rack and put both items in Abby’s arms. “You don’t have to buy it. Trying clothes on is part of the fun.”
Giggling and talking, taking more clothes from the racks as they moved among the clothes, they slowly moved in the direction of the fitting rooms.
When Abby finally closed the curtain behind her, she stared at the stack of clothes in her arms. Oh, my goodness.
This would blow her budget for the rest of the year.
There was no way she could buy any of it, but …
Fingering the lovely material, she sighed.
She couldn’t resist trying on these beautiful clothes.
Normally she didn’t have time in a day to just wander into shops.
Back in Seattle, she usually ordered her basic wardrobe capsule online. She believed in buying timeless and versatile items she could mix and match and that would last for several years. Yes, it was simple and probably boring, but it suited her lifestyle.
Of course she loved pretty clothes, who didn’t? But for the work she did, she needed smart but comfortable clothes.
Minutes later, she was wearing the red bra. Of course it fit perfectly. Staring at herself in the mirror, all she could hear was Carson’s voice. “Buy another red one.”
Swallowing a groan, she grabbed the green dress and put it on. The top had a scooped neckline and fit as if it had been made for her. The skirt fell in soft folds to her ankles.
The curtain opened and June stepped in wearing a red dress she’d taken from the racks. “Abs!” she called out. “This is your dress, you look stunning in it. May I please buy it for you?”
“I can’t let you do that,” Abby sighed as she quickly undressed. “But thanks. I’ll think about it. If it’s still here after lunch, I’ll get it. You look gorgeous in the dress, are you going to buy it?”
“Oh, yes.” June grinned. “I can already see my husband’s eyes light up when he sees me wearing this.”
“You look so happy.”
June sighed. “I am. You know how scared I was to open my heart, but Dylan is one of the good ones.” She dropped her voice. “And Carson is too. The two of them didn’t have a happy childhood, but they’re good people.”
Abby nodded. “I know, it’s just …”
“You’re scared.”
“It’s all just moving too fast. Last week this time I didn’t even know he existed. Now I have a date with him tonight.”
June gasp. “You do? Well, while you try on the tulle skirt, I’m getting you something for tonight.” Before Abby could react, June was outside the cubicle.
“I have clothes!” she called out.
No answer. Picking up the tulle skirt, she put it on before pulling the lace top over her head. Of course, both pieces fit like a dream. Well, if ever she had the urge to marry, this was what she would like to wear.
Marry? Where on earth did that word come from? As she put her hands on the top to take it off again, the curtain opened again. June entered with a black top in her hands. Ellie, Rose, Laura, Arlene, and Willow, who were talking in the background, all turned to look at Abby.
As everyone oohed and aahed, Arlene moved forward, clasping her hands together. “Oh, Abby, that is absolutely perfect on you.”
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” Abby pointed to the top in June’s hands. “I’m not going to …”
June thrusted the black top in her hands. “Oh, come on, just try it on. We’re outside paying for our purchases.”
Of course, the black top was also a great fit.
The clever cut of the silky material left her one shoulder bare.
It definitely wasn’t something she would normally buy because it wasn’t the kind of thing she would wear when working, but it was way too easy to imagine Carson’s eyes when he saw her in this. Quickly, she took it off.
All of this was very temporary. By next week this time she’d be back in Seattle, working. Marietta and everyone she’d met here would just be a memory. Spending money on clothes she would never wear again was just silly.
The underwear set in red, however, she would get. With her own money.