Page 25 of Abigail
“I know you didn’t mean to hurt him. I saw the tape, hon. I saw how upset you were when you thought you had killed him. I promise I will do my best to ensure he never bothers you again.” The admiral sighs heavily. “I don’t know if my son will ever be in a state of mind to see his daughter, and I think it’s best he stays away from both of you. You have my word. I’ll do my best to keep him from knowing where you are and not let him bother you or Ellie.” Abigail nods at him, and he kisses the side of her head, much like a father would his daughter. “Is it okay if I go spend some time with her?”
“Of course.” Abigail manages to give him a smile. “I haven’t told her anything about her father yet. She’s only four…” Abigail trails off. She knows that she will have to have that conversation with Ellie sooner rather than later, but she isn’t sure this is the right time.
“I understand. I won’t tell her anything. I just want to be near her.” The admiral’s voice cracks. His eyes are bright with wetness. Abigail nods and watches as the man heads toward Ellie and the others playing on the playground. Abigail lets out a huge sigh, relief washing over her. She is still trying to process that it’s over. All this time living in fear, for nothing. What now?
***
Straw can feel Abigail’s relief as they watch Jenkins and Olsen walk toward the children. He sits quietly beside her letting her process everything that she’s learned in a few short hours. He can’t imagine how her world has just changed. The selfish part of him is pondering how this might affect her willingness to give them a shot. He feels like this is a good thing. In his mind, this should pave the way for her to move back to North Carolina with him. Is he trying to move too fast? Perhaps. He will need to reign in his enthusiasm.
“Well,” Abigail says softly. He turns to look at her. “Now what?” Straw can’t keep from chuckling at the dismay in Abigail’s voice. It’s as if this has all been a let down from what she’d been expecting. He thinks maybe a joke will help or perhaps just the truth.
“Move to North Carolina with me?” Straw dips his head to give her a side gaze. So much for reigning it in. It just popped out of his mouth. He’s worried about what she might say, but he has to take the chance. Anything worth having is worth taking the risk. Her answer could make or break him. He is hoping she will take the leap with him. Jump off into the unknown and give them both the opportunity to find the happiness they’ve both craved all their lives.
“Robert!” Abigail exclaims. She looks at him incredulously. “I…I don’t know what to say…I…” She huffs before continuing. “I want to. It’s just Ellie is settled here…and I have my job…” She trails off as she mulls over all the excuses she’s just given him. That’s all they are— excuses. Not very good reasons to not take the chance. “Give me a little bit to think it over?”
“Absolutely, sweetheart,” Robert smiles at her. “I know I shouldn’t have sprung that on you. Not like this. It was insensitive. I just wanted to give you something to think about, but I won’t push you to make a hasty decision. I know how important it is for you to do what’s right not only for you but for Ellie, too.” He’s relieved to see her return the smile. She shakes her head a little as if she fully knows he isn’t playing fair so he can have his way, but she isn’t offended in the least. He holds his hand out to her. She immediately takes it, intertwining their fingers together. He stands and hauls her to her feet.
“Come on,” Robert tugs on her hand gently. “Let’s go join everyone else and have some fun. Let all the heavy stuff go for the day. Sound good?” She gives him a large grin and nods agreement. They walk toward everyone else who seem to be having a blast with the kids. Even some of the adults have gotten on the playground equipment, seeking their youth maybe? Straw loses all thoughts of his friends when Abigail suddenly jerks her hand out of his and takes off jogging toward the swings. She throws him a sassy look over her shoulder. He’s momentarily dumbfounded but recovers quickly. A wicked grin lights up his face as he begins to give chase. Abigail shrieks and takes off at a dead run.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
What started out to be a terrifying day ends up being one of the best days of Abigail’s life. Robert catches her when she reaches the playground. Wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, he swings her up off her feet in a large circle.
“Got ya!” he exclaims as he twirls her around. She squeals in delight. Once he sets her on her feet, she intends to take off on him again, because let’s face it, the chase is exciting and thrilling. He’s ready for her though and snags her wrist before she can take a step. He pulls her to him and she gladly falls into his arms. She looks up into those beautiful bedroom eyes and allows herself to get lost in them for a moment. He lowers his head. His eyes drop to her lips and his pupils dilate in desire as he watches her tongue moisten her lips. He pauses, his gaze flicking up to meet hers in askance. She goes up on her tiptoes. Shocking both of them, she devours him.
She apparently catches him off guard as his lips part in surprise, taking advantage she deepens the kiss, slipping her tongue into his mouth to dual with his. It becomes a battle of wills as they kiss fiercely. How long it lasts, she can’t say, but the spell is broken when a voice calls out, “get a room!” Robert pulls away from her to growl at someone behind her. She can’t keep the giggle from escaping as he reminds her of a wolf guarding his territory. So ferocious and protective. His piercing glare leaves his friend to focus on her as she laughs.
“What?” Robert asks, confusion evident on his handsome face. This only makes her laugh harder. It takes her several minutes to get herself under control. Every time she thinks she can speak, the concerning look on Robert’s face has her cracking up all over again. “Seriously, Abigail what’s so damn funny?” She totally loses it. Her hilarity finally catches on, and he begins laughing along with her. Once she’s finally under control, she lays her head on his broad chest and snuggles into his warmth. His arms wrap around her, holding her close.
“Thank you,” she whispers. He tightens his hold on her briefly. When he relaxes, she looks up at him. “I haven’t laughed like that in…maybe I haven’t ever laughed like that. I haven’t felt this happy, carefree in my entire life, and I know so much of it is because of meeting you.” His handsome face softens. A sweet smile spreads over his face. The look is so gentle her eyes begin to sting with emotion. She has to look away and blink several times to will the tears away. Tenderly he takes her chin and lifts it until she is looking up at him.
“I should be thanking you, sweetheart.” Robert’s deep voice is thick with emotion. Perhaps she is imagining it, but his eyes are very moist, too. “I feel happy, too. I have loved being on the team with my brothers and felt like I was happy with my life, but now I know I was merely content with what I had. I wasn’t truly happy. Not until I began spending time with you and Ellie. You said before that I gave you hope. You have given it to me in return. Hope that I didn’t even know that I needed until I saw a glimpse of how great the future could be if you are in it with me.”
Abigail can’t keep from smiling so big her cheeks hurt. In this moment, she decides she doesn’t want to know what a future without Robert would be like. It will be an adjustment, but Ellie needs to be closer to her grandparents so they can be a part of her life. Ellie deserves the best, and Abigail will make sure she gets it. Even if it means moving across the country.
“Mommy!” Ellie calls as she runs up to the couple. Abigail pulls back, and although Robert seems reluctant, he releases her. Abigail hopes he isn’t offended, but Ellie’s never seen her with a man. Abi isn’t sure how her daughter will react. She doesn’t have long to wonder. “Are you and Robert getting married? Is he going to be my daddy? ‘Cause if you are, I want to be the flower girl. Kari got to be flower girl at her aunt’s wedding. She got to dress up like a princess and everything. She said she got to throw roses all over the floor! I want to do that. Can I mommy? Please?”
Abigail is shocked at the string of questions flying from her daughter’s mouth. She doesn’t know whether to laugh or die from embarrassment. She feels Robert tense when Ellie starts her question tirade, but it isn’t long until she feels him shaking against her. She spares him a glance as she tries to formulate a response to her precocious daughter’s questioning. He’s shaking in silent laughter. Not wanting to embarrass Ellie by laughing at her, he struggles to hold it all in. He manages to get his voice to sound normal when he answers Ellie’s barrage of questions, when Abigail remains speechless.
“Hey munchkin,” Robert begins as he kneels down to talk to Ellie. “We aren’t getting married. Well at least not right away, but maybe someday before too long your momma will be agreeable.” Abigail gasps at his candor. He glances up at her for a moment but turns his attention back to Ellie before he continues. “See, your momma has a lot of responsibility. She has you to worry about. She hasn’t known me very long. So she needs time to get to know me well enough that she can trust me to look out for you and her. I need that time to show you and her I will be a good father and husband. Someone you both can depend on for whatever you need. Trust doesn’t come easy, and it shouldn’t. Trust is earned through actions, not just words. I would never do anything to hurt you or your momma, but it will be time and my deeds that will give you and your momma the confidence to let me into your lives.”
Abigail knows that he is talking to her as much as he is talking to her daughter. It makes the walls around her heart crack and crumble even more than they already have. Damn this man. He’s going to make her love him in spite of herself and her fears. He stands and pulls her to him once more, kissing her forehead in the sweetest gesture. Ellie is staring up at them. Abigail can see the wheels turning in her head and knows the child is about to say something highly accurate or highly inappropriate and likely it will be both. Abigail braces.
“Okay.” Ellie huffs in disappointment. “But I still get to be the flower girl, right?” He nods and chuckles. Ellie turns her gaze to Abigail. “Don’t take forever to trust him mommy. I like Robert and Tank and everyone else. And I really, really want to be a flower girl.” Laughter rises up all around them. Abigail looks around to see everyone as wandered closer to listen in on the exchange. She can’t help, but smile at their friends and her child. Shaking her head in mock exasperation, Abigail answers her daughter.
“I’ll do my best to not take too long.” Abigail chuckles. Ellie gives her a sharp nod then takes off toward the monkey bars, calling out to the children playing there. Ellie climbs up to join her friends and Abigail turns her attention to Robert. He’s looking at her with what just might be fear on his face. She frowns at him.
“I hope I didn’t over step there, Abigail,” Robert answers her unasked question. “I should have let you handle it, but I meant every word. I know this is fast and maybe I’m being too impulsive, but I see you and Ellie in my future. I want you there, if…it’s what you want.” His jaw ticks as he waits her reply.
“I do want us to have a future Robert,” Abigail replies. “I want Ellie to have a relationship with her grandfather, and that will be difficult with us being on opposite sides of the country. So moving back to the Carolinas is the best option for that to happen. As for you and me, I hope that in time this relationship is everything that we both want and that it will last a lifetime, but we need to be realistic. It’s going to take time for both of us. This is a huge step. I will need to give notice at the hotel. I’ll have to find a place for us to live, get a new job. You might find that you can’t stand me when you really get to know me.” Abigail huffs out a fake laugh.
“Never,” Robert answers immediately. “I am more than willing to give you all the time you need. If you decide you want to stay out here, I’ll apply for a transfer. I believe in us, Abigail. I don’t expect you to give up your life if you’re happy here.” Again, she is over come with the thoughtfulness and kindness of this man. She clears her throat to remove the huge lump that has formed in it.
“Robert, other than Sara and Sharon, I don’t have anything or anyone keeping me here.” Abigail smiles at him. “I just have to figure things out. Work through the logistics of moving across the country.” She pauses as she thinks about everything. “The furniture in my apartment isn’t worth anything. I got most of it from the local Goodwill for cheap. I could donate it back or have a sale to generate a little cash for the move. I just dread the drive across country with a four-year-old.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t sound very fun.” Robert gives her a wry grin.
“Trust me,” Hawk interjects. “Just sell your car, all your stuff, and fly. Three to four days or more likely a week in the car with preschoolers, not going to be fun.” He glances over at Charlotte. She rolls her eyes and swipes at his shoulder.
