Page 61 of Wandering Souls

Her lungs sucked in cool, moisture-laden air as the identity of the woman dawned on her.

Penny McCafferty.

Chapter Twelve

Thunder cracked inthe distance as Abi’s feet hit the ground. Watching the woman who brought her into this world close the distance between them sent a shiver down her spine. She hadn’t anticipated what it would feel like to come face to face with her biological mother, but she doubted she could have predicted the riot of emotions rolling through her belly.

Swinging the driver’s door closed, she waited. Uncertainty made her heart race while a feeling of déjà vu crept along her scalp. A strong gust of damp wind tried to unsettle her and Galahs squawked overhead, but Abi focused her attention solely on Penny. Her face was pale and the deep lines at the corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled but her hands, nervously clasped in front of her, gave her away. Hesitant and apprehensive, her pace slowed as she neared.

“Abigail?”

Abi’s throat tightened. It wasn’t possible she had any memory of the voice, yet the familiarity of it was undeniable. “Penny?”

The older woman’s confidence grew. She held out a hand. “I hope this is okay. I didn’t quite know how or when this should happen.”

That made two of them. Tentatively, she reached forward and took the outstretched hand. Penny’s firm grip eased some of her jitters. How long she would have waited to meet Penny in person, she didn’t know, nor did she want to examine it. Mixed feelings tumbled through her any time she thought about Penny’s decision to give her up and usually threatened to make her ill.

More thunder rolled through the sky. Abi glanced up to see the heavy, almost black clouds hanging low over their heads. “I’m not really sure what to say.”

Penny pointed to the cottage veranda. Uncertainty clouded the woman’s blue eyes. “Can we talk under shelter? I don’t want to take up much of your time.”

Knowing Penny felt as awkward as Abi did helped. “Sure.”

They turned and walked side by side. “I can’t imagine what you must be feeling,” Penny said as they stepped under the edge of the overhang. Fat rain drops began to hit the ground. “And I don’t want to scare you, but I really wanted to meet you.”

Abi pointed to the outdoor setting. “Can I offer you a coffee or tea?”

Penny shook her head. “Thank you but there’s no need. I see you got caught in the rain. You should change before you catch a chill.”

She sounded like Ray. Abi glanced down at her sodden attire. “I won’t be but a minute.”

“Take your time. Perhaps I will have a tea after all. I think a hot drink will do you good, too.”

Inside, Abi switched the kettle on to boil before changing into dry clothes. She gave her meagre civilian wardrobe a worried glance. She’d need to go shopping sooner rather than later.

Once dressed, she went about making two cups of tea, all the while trying to settle her rattled nerves. She set tea bags in mugs and filled them with water. While they brewed, she filled a small glass with milk.

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