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“She never remarried?”
“Never. I thought for a time that she and David would get back together, but it wasn’t to be. Ellen left him, you see, and returned to England. Christian was about ten at the time. She was gone well over a year.” She shook her head, then sighed. “You can understand how David’s death affected everyone in town. Especially Sawyer.”
“Of course.”
“What I don’t get is why he’s upset now. He’s walking around like a bear with a sore paw, snapping at everyone.”
Abbey gaped at her. “You think it’s got something to do with me?”
“That’s my guess. But what do I know?” Pearl asked. She drank the rest of her coffee and stood up to leave. “I’d best get back to the clinic before someone misses me.” The clinic was in the community building, close to the school and the church.
She tucked the thermos under her arm. “So, are you staying in Hard Luck or not?” she asked. Her question had an edge to it, as if she wasn’t sure she was going to like the answer.
Abbey told her the truth. “I’d like to stay.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Abbey grinned. “I’m staying.”
Pearl’s lined face softened. “Good. I’m glad to hear it. We need you, and I have a feeling Sawyer wants you to stay, too.”
Abbey laughed in disbelief. “I doubt that.” And if it was true once, she felt certain it no longer was.
“No, really,” Pearl countered. “Unfortunately that boy doesn’t have the brains of a muskrat when it comes to dealing with an attractive woman.” She made her way to the door. “Give him time and a little patience, and he’ll come around.” With a cheerful wave, Pearl left.
Abbey returned to work and got busy unloading another box of Ellen’s books. Knowing what she did now, the collection took on new meaning for her. Many of the books dated from the early to mid-fifties. Those were the childless years, when Ellen had yearned for a baby. Abbey suspected that Ellen O’Halloran had gained solace from these books, that they’d substituted for the friends she hadn’t been able to make in this town so far from England.
As she set a pile of Mary Roberts Rinehart mysteries on the desk, she heard the distinctive sound of Sawyer’s truck pulling up outside.
Her heart started to race, but she continued working.
He stormed inside and stood in the doorway, hands on his hips. His presence filled the room until Abbey felt hedged in by the sheer strength of it. “Have you decided to stay?” he demanded.
“Yes,” she answered smoothly. “I’m staying.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes,” she said with conviction. And she was sure. During her conversation with Pearl, she’d made up her mind.
“Fine. You’re moving.”
“Where?” Abbey had been told often enough that there wasn’t any other place available.
“You can stay in Christian’s house. He phoned this afternoon, and he’s decided to make a vacation out of this trip. I’ll let him decide what to do with you when he gets home.”
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