Page 16 of Claws and Feathers

Would the nightmares ever end?

Abby took a moment to rein in her emotions. She glanced around the sunlit room, noting she had managed to sleep through the night. She let out a sigh. It registered as both relief to have finally gotten rest, and sorrow for the fact that she’d woken up in the exact same world she’d fallen asleep in. Waking up to a new day was only a blessing when there was a new day to look forward to.

She kicked her legs over the side of the bed, running her fingers through strands of knotted hair. Abby stepped over to the window and looked outside, relaxing at the sight of the patrol car parked in front of the house. Daphne’s Beetle was gone, which meant her friend had already gone to work at the beauty salon.

A knock on the front door made her jump in place and she cursed her body for being so sensitive. Everyday noises startled her. Mundane sounds unhinged her. Abby wondered if that feeling would ever go away.

Her bare feet slapped against the hardwood floor as she made her way to the front of the house. She cracked the door with caution, poking her head out to inspect the company. Abby was relieved to find Cooper standing on the porch with coffee and donuts in hand. She pulled the door open wider and unlatched the screen. “Hi,” she said.

Cooper held his arms up, showcasing the goodies. “I wasn’t sure what you liked.”

“Anything deep-fried and glazed in sugar usually does the trick.”

“Nailed it,” he smiled.

Abby stepped aside and watched as he entered. The screen door slammed shut, causing her to flinch once more. He noticed. “Sorry. I’m a little jumpy lately.”

There was a warmth in his demeanor that hadn’t been there yesterday. Cooper set the coffee and donuts down on the kitchen table, then regarded her. Before he replied, his gaze traveled up and down the length of her body with slanted eyes and a hint of confusion.

Abby’s own eyes widened when she realized she’d just answered the door with no pants. An oversized t-shirt fell just below her hips, leaving little to the imagination. She gulped in mortification. “Okay, so, funny story. Forgot to put pants on.” She instinctively pulled at the hem of her shirt, trying to cover as much as possible. “Going to go die now.”

The shadow of humor on Cooper’s face did not go unnoticed, nor did the slight upturn of his mouth, before Abby spun on her heel.Cue black hole. Where the hell are you, black hole?Don’t fail me now, black hole.She slipped on a pair of jeans, hopping on each leg as she yanked them up over her waist, and ran a comb through her mess of hair. She pressed her palms against her cheeks as if that could diffuse the rosy blush that had settled in. Abby idly wondered if Cooper would notice if she just happened to escape out the window, then made a swift exit out of town. Possibly out of state.

Out of the country? Even better.

She groaned at her misfiring brain. It had never served her well.

Abby gathered her courage, and what was left of her dignity, and rejoined Cooper in the kitchen. He was sitting on a bar stool, sipping on his cup of coffee. She was pleased to find that the twinkle in his eyes had not fizzled. “I’m just going to change the subject now if that’s okay with you.”

Cooper smiled again as he ran his hand along his chin, scratching at the stubble that resided there. “Never happened.”

“What never happened?”

He blinked. Then the corners of his eyes creased, his grin widening.

That was three smiles she’d procured from him in only a few minutes. Maybe it wasn’t such a terrible day, after all. Abby twirled a piece of hair around her finger as she made a beeline for the donut box. She pulled out a glazed blueberry and leaned back against the counter. Crumbs sprinkled onto her toes as she took a bite. “Thanks for the breakfast. I haven’t been eating much lately.” The truth was, she hadn’t had much of an appetite. It was odd, considering she’d spent weeks starving and thinking of nothingbutfood – only now when she had a stocked fridge and pantry at her disposal, she turned her nose up. Abby blamed it on the queasy feeling in her stomach that had been lingering since her hospital stay.

Cooper dangled his coffee cup between his knees as he sat on the stool. He was studying her face –readingher. It was as if he was trying to pull information and memories right out of her with his hazel eyes. Abby liked his eyes. There was a subdued passion in them that intrigued her. She decided they would be even more beautiful if they hadn’t seen so many ugly things.

Abby cleared her throat. “Anyway, I’m sure you’re not getting paid double to keep me company. I really do appreciate the donuts.”

“I’m… actually not getting paid at all. It’s my day off,” Cooper said, ducking his head slightly as he spoke. His knee began to bob up and down.

She gave him a curious frown. “Why are you here then?”

Something unspoken passed between them – a feeling. A charge.

Cooper looked away and took a sip of his coffee. “Kate thought I should check on you and see how you were holding up. I know you don’t have many friends in town yet.”

“I see.” Abby couldn’t help but prickle at his answer. His sister had told him to come by. Her stance stiffened against the island countertop. “Well, you can tell your sister I’m just peachy. Never better.”

Her sarcasm was rich, as it often was when her defenses flared. Her mother always said her caustic tongue would get her into a lot of trouble one day.

“Listen,” he said, setting down his cup. “I can’t imagine what you went through –”

“No. You can’t.”

He paused, his eyes flickering over her face again. “You don’t have to put up a wall with me. I’m in your corner.”

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