Page 78 of Wandering Souls

She stood. Though a dull ache echoed through her leg, she felt strong enough to tolerate weight on it. Now that she was up, the dog turned and trotted out of the room. Following behind slowly, Abi crossed the living area to open the front door and watch him scamper out to cock a leg at the bushes. He stood there for a long time and she chuckled. How long had he been holding on?

Standing in the doorway, she squinted against the bright morning sunshine. A warm breeze fluttered through the opening. Abi leaned against the doorjamb, the contentment flowing through her soft and comforting. Outside, Bruce trotted from bush to shrub, sniffing and marking his territory, glancing up at her every now and then as if to make sure she was okay.

“Morning.” Ray stepped up behind her, his body pressing against hers as his hands went around her waist. “Sorry, that’s my job.”

She shook her head and leaned back into his heat. “It’s okay.”

He nuzzled her neck. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Abi covered his hands with hers. “Much better. Apparently sleep and rest help a lot.”

Ray chuckled at her ear, the vibration on her skin a sensation she could get used to. “Unfortunately, I have to go to work.”

“You need some breakfast.”

“I think I’d prefer you.”

Her eyes slammed shut. How he could arouse her with just a few words was both infuriating and reassuring. “Did you eat last night?”

His hold tightened around her waist. “No. I was too worried for you.”

Turning in his embrace, she wound her arms around his neck. Her body registered every one of his muscles and the hard length at her hip. “I really appreciate you coming over. You don’t know how amazing it is to have you look out for me.”

He lifted a hand trace her hairline down the side of her face, the delicate touch sending a delightful shiver through her. His sleepy smile warmed her heart. “I noticed you didn’t have a nightmare.”

Thankfully.“Some nights are better than others.”

“Well, we have to find a way to make them all good nights.”

The scrape of nails behind her signaled Bruce’s return. He pushed past them and entered the cottage. “He’s probably hungry, too.”

“Don’t worry about him. Tell me, what’s the plan for today?”

“Rest.”

He grinned and pressed his lips to hers. What started out as a light kiss soon became deep enough to jumpstart her heart. Ray pulled back, looking as surprised as she felt.

“Okay.” He cleared his throat. “Breakfast, before we get carried away.” He set her on her feet and headed for the kitchen. “Unless,” he glanced over his shoulder with a wicked sparkle in his eye, “you want to get carried away?”

“You’re incorrigible,” she chuckled, stepping inside and closing the door. Abi wouldn’t lie, his proposal was enticing, but she didn’t want to distract him from work.

He cooked them up a feast of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon and toast, before grabbing a quick shower and taking off for the day. The quiet that settled over the cottage after he departed magnified his absence. She’d always liked her alone time but since meeting Ray, she couldn’t help but feel lonely when he wasn’t around.

Abi did some yoga and showered as the morning warmed. Blue skies stretched as far as the eye could see. A mob of kangaroos grazed on the wild grass outside her cottage until mid-morning, when a silver SUV appeared. From the window, she watched Penny and Stevie alight from the vehicle and found herself smiling at their arrival. Opening the front door, she stepped onto the veranda as they neared.

Stevie grinned and greeted her with a dramatic hug. Somewhat more understated, Penny embraced her and held on for longer than Abi would’ve expected.

“What brings you by?”

“We thought,” Stevie started, linking arms with her, “we could have a mother-daughter, sister-sister day. If you’re willing?”

And just like that, the loneliness took a hike. “I think that would be great.”

“Your father will join us for lunch,” Penny added.

“You sound like you have my day planned?”

“Well.” Stevie leaned in close. “We kind of do, but if you need to be somewhere, we can fit that in.”

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