“I understand. It’s what I’d do in your position.” Sighing, he scrubbed one of his hands over his face. “It’s complicated.”
A reluctant grin appeared on Nathan’s face. “It usually is with women.”
“That sounds like the voice of experience.” Now he was intrigued. He hadn’t been aware that Nathan was seeing anyone special.
“How do you feel about her?” Nathan relaxed back in his chair, but Abel wasn’t fooled. There was still a readiness about his posture that told Abel that he could explode at any moment, and very well might if the answer to the question wasn’t one that he liked.
“Erin is the most special woman I’ve ever known,” he answered honestly. “I don’t know where this is leading, if anywhere. I don’t even know if I’m gonna stay here.” Abel held up his hand to stop Nathan from interrupting him. “But Erin knows all this. Hell, man, I tried to discourage her, but she’s got a mind of her own, and she knows what she wants. I’ve never lied to her and never will. She’s happy with where we are now and so am I.”
Nathan sighed and tilted his head back and closed his eyes. “But what about when you leave?” The question sat there between them like a ticking bomb.
“If and when I leave, it will be between me and Erin.” Abel kept his voice low and firm. “I’m not out to do anything to hurt her. In fact, I’d want to pound anyone who harmed her in any way. I don’t know what the future will bring, but Erin is more than just a fling for me.”
Nathan opened his eyes and stared at Abel for a moment as if searching to see if he was sincere. He seemed to find whatever it was he was looking for because a moment later, he held his hand across the table. Abel extended his towards Nathan and they shook hands in mutual understanding.
“I’m curious, though.” Abel sprawled back in his chair once more. “How did you find out?”
Nathan snorted. “I went to Carly’s to check on her last night. Erin seemed too excited and nervous about a normal girls’ night out.” A slow, sensual smile covered his face. “Carly put up a good front, but that woman can’t lie to save her life.”
Abel noted that Nathan’s clothing looked a little rumpled and began to form a picture of his own. After all, investigating situations and putting together the facts was his stock in trade too. “I’ll bet you had a good time interrogating little Miss Carly.”
Nathan was a blur of movement as he reached out, grabbed Abel by the shirt and yanked him half across the table. “Don’t you ever insinuate that she’s anything less than a lady.”
Without backing off, Abel held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax. From what little I know about her, she seems like she’s a great lady. Erin obviously thinks the world of her.” He was very impressed at how fast Nathan had moved in his defense of Carly. His respect for the man was growing in leaps and bounds.
“Fuck.” Nathan let go of Abel and dropped back into his chair. “I suppose I deserved that after the way I came in here asking about your love life this morning.”
Abel just picked up his coffee mug and grinned. “Women. The most complex creatures on the face of the planet.” He saluted Nathan with his mug and then took a swallow of coffee.
“Yeah, well, she’s my woman now.” His whole face shone with pride. “And as soon as she’s ready, the whole world is gonna know.”
Swallowing hard, Abel was filled with the twin emotions of envy and longing. It surprised him, as he’d never thought in terms of settling down with one woman before. Being home and being with Erin were beginning to change him. He wasn’t at all sure he was ready for any of it, as the question of his career was already a big problem for him to deal with.
Pushing all of it to the back of his mind for now, he stood up and extended his hand once again. “Congratulations, Nathan.”
“Thanks.” Nathan stood and shook his friend’s hand. He had the look of a very satisfied man. “A word of advice.” He paused and made sure that he had Abel’s full attention. “Sometimes the best thing in your life is right in front of you and if you’re not careful you’ll miss it because you’re looking somewhere else. Don’t make that mistake.”
Abel ignored the obvious implications and changed the subject. “Have you told anyone else yet?”
“No. So don’t tell Erin when you see her later. Carly will kill me if someone else tells her before she gets a chance to.” Nathan paused for a moment. “I won’t tell Jackson about your affair because I think that it’s your and Erin’s decision, but don’t wait too long. The man isn’t a fool and if he finds out on his own, he’s gonna blow his stack.” Nathan strolled to the back door and opened it. “But don’t forget that I’m watching you.”
With that, he was gone. Abel stood in the middle of his kitchen pondering the strange twist his life had taken in the last week. But for the first time in months, the burning in his gut was gone and he felt lighter than he had in years. Shaking his head, he dumped the rest of his coffee in the sink and went to tackle the boxes of papers in the den.
Chapter Twelve
Erin ambled towards the pond, feeling slightly guilty for playing hooky from work. She justified her time off by reminding herself that in less than a week, her blueberry fields would be ready for picking and she’d be working nonstop until all the berries were harvested for the season.
Usually, she loved this time of year. It was the thrill of bringing in her crop and seeing all her hard work finally pay off that pleased her most. But this year, she found herself just a little resentful of the time it would force her to spend away from Abel, especially when she had no idea when he would be leaving. He said he was staying for the summer, but she knew that could change at a moment’s notice.
It was a perfect July day. The sun was shining, but a light breeze kept it from being too uncomfortable. The bees were buzzing and the occasional bird song could be heard. There was a stillness hovering over the fields as most of the insects and birds sought the shade through the hottest part of the day. Later tonight, they would be much more active.
Erin enjoyed the feeling of the sun’s rays on her face, shoulders and legs. This time she was ready for it, as she’d coated her entire body with waterproof sunscreen. Parts of her were still a little pink, and she didn’t want to take any chances. She wanted nothing to keep them from enjoying each other’s bodies whenever the mood arose.
Her day had been wonderful so far. Waking up in Abel’s arms had filled her with a sense of rightness. It had convinced her, that no matter what happened in the end, she’d done the right thing by pursuing a relationship with Abel. Some of her muscles ached slightly from the unusual positions she’d been put it in, but they felt good now as she stretched her arms and legs.
Erin was more aware of herself physically then she’d ever been in her entire life. The softness of her skin, the hollows and curves of her body, and an innate sensuality that she hadn’t even known existed, all delighted her.
Up until now, she’d seen her body as a source of aggravation and sometimes disappointment. She’d despaired at her height and lack of breast size. At best, she’d seen her body as a well-oiled machine that enabled her to work hard. She’d taken pride in her strength. Very quickly, she was coming to see her body as an instrument of sensuality and pleasure, and she was starting to view it with pride. Her time with Abel was certainly changing her perceptions of herself for the better.
When she’d dumped her stuff off at home, Jackson was out mowing the grass in the orchards and Nathan had already left for work. It was lunchtime before she’d had to deal with Jackson and he’d been in a hurry to eat lunch and get back to work, so she hadn’t even had to answer any questions about her “supposed” evening with Carly. She was glad for that, because she hated lying to either of her brothers, even if she only considered it a little white lie to keep anyone from being hurt. It would be easier for her if the subject never came up. Hopefully by suppertime, last night would be the furthest thing from anyone’s mind.