Page 5 of Johnathan

“No.” Abby took the drink Emma was sliding across the counter top and sighed as the first hit of sweetness slid across her tongue from the hazelnut cappuccino. She hadn’t stopped ordering them since a certain drop-dead gorgeous deputyrecommended them to her the first time she was out after the attack. Of course, that same deputy was the one who saved her from dropping dead, so it was likely she was projecting an unhealthy crush on the man.

It didn’t matter how many times Abby saw John Boone since that night, she could not get over the butterflies that swooped and fluttered around in her stomach.

“Have you cried yet?”

“What’s there to cry about, Em? So I’ve got a scar on my neck. Big deal. I’m alive. I’m teaching. My life is good.”

From the way Emma stared, she knew her little proclamation hadn’t done her any favors.

“It’s not healthy to not be feeling an entire emotion, Abby. Sadness is part of healing. You’re running to avoid facing that, and it’s not okay. Sam asked me the other day for the name of my therapist. Maybe it’s time.”

“Sounds like I can just keep talking to you and you’ll counsel me until I’m blue in the face.”

“I absolutely want you to talk to me. You can whenever you need to. But I’m not a professional. Sam really wants you to talk to someone. And I think he’s right.”

“God, he needs to stop. He caught me coming home from my run this morning and lit into me. Just like you. Pains in my ass.”

“Yeah, well, sue me for caring, but I’m not going to stop. And you know Sam feels guilty for not being with you that night.”

“Well, the both of you need to stop feeling guilty about what happened, because it wasn’t his fault, and it certainly wasn’t yours.”

“I am at fault though. And you know my offer always stands. If you want to speak to someone, I will pay for your sessions.”

“I don’t want you to do that. But maybe there is something you could help me with.”

“Name it, babe. Unless it’s going to stress Sam out more. He’s looked so damn defeated every time I’ve seen him lately.”

“I keep telling him he’s going to end up just like our dad. But he won’t listen. Stubborn ass.”

“The absolute definition of ‘it takes one to know one’ my friend.”

Abby laughed. “Yeah. I won’t even argue with you about that.”

“Alright, so spill before the next rush of people come in. What do you need help with? Are you finally going to try that dating app?”

“We’re getting off track, but I totally set up my profile last week. I’m not sure I’m going to find anyone I’m interested in, but it’s been fun flirting.”

“Ah! That’s so great! So, you want my opinion on which one of the guys you’ve been talking to you should invite for a spicy sleep over?”

“No,” Abby giggled before taking another sip of her coffee. “I actually think I’ll be stuck with just myself for the foreseeable future.”

“I happen to know one very smitten deputy who would be more than happy to take care of you.”

“You are so bad. Stop it. I’m not here for love connections. I finally told Sam I’m moving into town. Ireallythink being at the ranch is making things worse for me. And because things are worse for me, it’s stressing Sam and my mom out. I was wondering if you knew how the apartments in the old paper mill were coming along. Is Seb going to be done with them soon?”

“They’re waiting on some permitting, unfortunately. It’s going to be a while.”

“Shoot. I was going to try and fill out an application. It would be a stretch on my salary from the school, but I could make it work if I budgeted right.”

“That would have been good, but I’ve got an even better idea!”

“You do?”

“Yeah! Why don’t you take my apartment?”

Abby smiled. “The one above here?”

“Yes! I don’t use it at all and I’ve been thinking about finding someone to rent to. Seb had his brother Declan oversee the renovations after the fire here and it’s beautiful!”

---