6. Abby

6

ABBY

W hen Abby arrived upstairs both children had put on the pajamas and were snuggled together in Sophie’s bed, as she read Jack a book about trains. Rufus was curled up on the rug near the bed, asleep.

Abby stood in the doorway, watching for a moment, fighting tears. She waited until the story was finished before coming all the way into the room and sitting on the end of the bed.

Both children looked over at her. Sophie set the book on the bedside table.

“Did you brush your teeth?” Abby asked.

“Sophie knew where the toothpaste was,” Jack said sleepily.

“All right, then. Let’s get to bed.” Abby was exhausted, having slept on the couch the night before. Sleeping downstairs had given her a crick in her neck, and her toes had been ice cold. She couldn’t wait to sleep in a real bed.

“We always get our tree the day after Thanksgiving,” Sophie said, sounding like an adult at a business meeting. “Can we do that tomorrow?”

“Yes, sure. Where do you get it?” She imagined trudging through the snow carrying an axe and almost laughed. Her friends from LA would not believe it.

“There’s a farm,” Jack said. “They have a million trees to choose from.”

Abby let out a sigh of relief. “Great. I was afraid you were going to make me chop it down myself.”

“That would be awesome,” Jack said.

“Is there anything else you do on tree day?” Abby brushed Jack’s hair away from his forehead. He was such a dear one. So adorable with his freckles and mischievous smile.

“We always have lunch at Bean Counters,” Sophie said. “It’s a café.”

“Before or after you pick the tree?” Abby asked.

“Before. That way, our tummies are full when we find the very best one,” Jack said. “Mommy says being hungry is a distraction.”

Mommy.

“All right. Let’s do it.” Abby gestured toward Jack. “Young man, off you go. We have a big day tomorrow.”

He didn’t argue, thankfully. She had no idea what she’d do if one of them misbehaved or talked back. She needed to get some parenting books as soon as possible. Maybe she could pop into the local bookstore tomorrow during their outing.

“I’ll be in to tuck you in—in just a minute,” Abby said.

“Night, Sophie,” Jack said as he slipped out of her bed and onto the floor. Rufus lifted his head, apparently assessed the situation adequately, and followed the little boy out of the room.

Sophie had slid all the way under the covers and lay on her back, her blond hair splayed out on the pillow. “I’m sorry I made you sleep on the couch last night.”

“Oh, sweetie, that’s okay. I understand why.”

“You do?” Sophie’s big blue eyes widened.

“Yes. All these changes and missing your mom—it’s a lot to handle.”

Sophie let out a sigh, possibly one of relief. “It’s weird to have you here.”

“I know. It’s weird for me, too.”

“Do you miss California?” Sophie asked.

“Not the place so much as my friends.”

“Mom says that home is where your friends and family are.”

“She’s right,” Abby said.

“You could make friends here.”

Abby thought of Luke, which made her stomach flutter. This was not good. Not good at all. Why had she kissed him? She didn’t need any further complications in this new life of hers. God, she was an idiot. These children needed all her focus.

But Luke. He was special. And there was something between them. Something real or something conjured out of fear and loneliness?

“I can and will. Plus, I have you and Jack. You’re my family.”

“I’m sorry you had to come here and give up your life,” Sophie said woodenly. “Mom should have had a different plan.”

This girl amazed Abby. She was insightful and sensitive, especially for someone so young. “I don’t want you to ever worry about me, okay? I’m an adult, and I’m here to take care of you and Jack, and I’m honored to do so.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Grace told me there must have been a good reason that your mom chose me to raise the two people she loved most in the world. She wanted us to be together.”

“Will this awful feeling in my stomach ever go away?” Sophie asked.

“Not all the way, no. After I lost my mom, it took a long time for me to feel normal again. But someday, you will. It doesn’t mean you miss her any less, it just means you’ll have found a new way to be in the world. Even without her.”

Tears gathered in Sophie’s lashes, then spilled down her cheeks. “I can’t think of how I could possibly find a new way. Without her. I miss her so much.”

Abby pulled a tissue from the box on the bedside table and handed it to Sophie. “I know. I really do know.”

“Did you ever forget what your mom looked like?” Sophie asked.

Was she afraid of that? Of course, she was. It was an entirely normal reaction to losing one’s mother. “No. Never. And you won’t either. Plus, you have all these photographs of all of you together. You can look at them any time you want. Just because she’s in heaven now doesn’t mean that you’ll lose all your memories. You’ll have those for the rest of your life, and you can pull them out whenever you choose. Someday, when your grief’s not so fresh, they’ll make you smile. And something I know for sure? When you smile, your mother’s right there with you. She lives in your heart. Nothing can ever change that.”

Sophie nodded, dabbing at her damp cheeks. “I’m tired now.”

“Of course you are. All that turkey and gravy.”

Sophie smiled. “And mashed potatoes.”

“Sweet dreams, Sophie.” Abby brushed the child’s cheek with the backs of her fingers. “I’m here if you need anything.”

“Good night, Abby.”

Abby switched off the lamp, which prompted the nightlights plugged into several outlets to click on, leaving the room dim but not completely dark. She tiptoed out, leaving the door ajar as Sophie had asked of her the night before. All these details were important. They were the thread that would hold these children together in the days to come. Abby must pay close attention at all times.

She went to Jack’s room, expecting him to be awake, and was prepared to sit with him until he fell asleep. However, the day had worn the little guy out. He was curled on his side, fast asleep, holding his stuffed bear close to his chest. Rufus had curled up at the end of the small bed. “I see how it is, you naughty thing,” Abby said to Rufus, scratching behind his ears. “You’ve taken it upon yourself to look after Jack and forget all about me.”

Rufus whined and placed his chin on his front paws, tail wagging.

“You’re a good dog,” Abby said, fighting tears. “A very good dog.” She gave him a few more pets before turning her attention to Jack.

She drew the covers up and over his shoulders and knelt to kiss his forehead, catching a whiff of mint from his toothpaste and the sweet scent of his floppy hair. And those dark lashes against his cheeks. Her heart felt as if someone with a large, strong fist was squeezing it, wringing it dry of blood and filling it with tears instead.

Ramona, I’ll do my best. I promise.

Abby woke in the morning to her phone buzzing next to the bed. She sat up, eyelids heavy, dismayed to see it was nearly eight. Were the children up already?

There was a text from Grace on her phone.

Good morning, doll. I remembered as I drifted off to sleep last night that Ramona always took the kids to pick out a tree the day after Thanksgiving. I thought it might be nice if we went together. If you’d like to, that is. No pressure.

All of us. Did that mean Luke and Lily, too?

Abby texted back.

Good morning! Sophie told me about the tradition last night, and I promised we’d go today. She said they always started with a late breakfast at Bean Counters.

A few seconds later, a text came back from Grace.

Wonderful. Lily’s excited to spend the day with the kids. Luke is too.

Okay, well, that answered that. Luke would be joining them as well. Her stomach did a little flip at the thought of seeing him again. Not that it mattered one way or another. He’d forever touched her heart the moment he kissed her. Would he wake to regret it? Or would he feel as she did? That it was a gift. An unexpected one, but one nonetheless.

A few hours later, Abby walked into Bean Counters with the children in tow. She immediately spotted Luke and Lily at a large table in the back. Lily squealed at the sight of them and bounced in the booster seat attached to a regular chair. Where was Grace?

Abby grew warm at the sight of the ridiculously handsome man currently grinning at her, a spark of flirtation in his eyes.

“Morning, Abby.”

“Good morning.” For heaven’s sake, she was blushing like a teenager. “Where’s Grace?”

“She decided not to come at the last minute,” Luke said. “I think she’s tired after yesterday. She wears herself out during the holidays. So, you’re stuck with just me and Lily. I hope that’s acceptable?”

“ Stuck wouldn’t be the word I’d use,” Abby said, flirting right back. “And yes, it’s acceptable.”

Jack and Sophie had already taken seats at the table, leaving only one left, right beside Luke. It was embarrassing how much joy that gave her. She slid into the wooden chair, scooting it a little to the left so she wasn’t on top of the man. If she felt a thigh brushing hers, she might come completely undone. Best to stay far, far away.

“So, what’s good here?” Abby asked.

“Everything,” Sophie said.

“The special’s kind of famous around here,” Luke said, pointing to the first menu item.

The Vermont Special consisted of pancakes, bacon, toast, and a wedge of cheddar cheese, and a small jug of warm Hayes Maple Syrup.

“That’s a lot of food,” Abby said. “I think I’ll just have a couple of eggs.”

“You have to have the pancakes, Abby,” Sophie said. “They serve Luke’s family’s syrup, and it’s the best there is.”

“The locals are very loyal to our product,” Luke said, pride evident in his voice. “It’s a nice thing. A generous thing.”

“Because it’s the best,” Sophie said. “And everyone knows it.”

“Thanks, Sophie,” Luke said. “You’re too kind.”

“All right then. Eggs and pancakes it is,” Abby said, smiling at Sophie and then Luke.

Everyone else ordered the Vermont Special—the child’s portion for the kids. While they waited for their food, Jack and Lily colored pictures of turkeys the server had brought for them. Sophie saw a friend from school and asked if she could say hello.

“Sure. For a few minutes,” Abby said.

Sophie scurried off, heading toward a table with a family of four, including a girl Sophie’s age.

“Are they good people?” Abby asked Luke, nodding discreetly toward Sophie’s friend’s family.

“The Tuckers. For sure. They’re newcomers, but they fit right in.”

“Newcomers? How long have they been here?” Abby asked.

“I’d say around ten years.”

Abby laughed. “That’s not exactly what I’d call a newcomer.”

“That’s because you’re not from around here.” Luke winked at her. “But we won’t hold it against you.”

“How generous.”

Luke leaned closer, lowering his voice. “About last night…are you okay?”

“Define okay.”

“Like, you’re not feeling regretful or anything. I mean, if you are, don’t worry, I’ll back off. Or we can take it slow. I don’t know what came over me. It’s not the kind of thing I do. I would hate for you to feel any pressure.” His gaze met hers, and goodness, the way the man could look into her eyes was enough to have her melting right into his lap.

“Yeah, me either. It surprised me. I surprised myself.” She picked up a fork, poking the tines into the pad of her index finger. “No regrets either. I’m overwhelmed right now with everything, so slow sounds like the right speed.”

“Does this mean you’ll let me take you out?” Luke said softly, leaning even closer, so that she caught the scent of his spicy aftershave. He had the best neck. “With a charming local guy who wants to make up for his first impression?”

She couldn’t help but feel charmed. “I’d like that. I mean, once the kids are a little more settled.”

“Of course. They have to be your first priority. I’ll take whatever you have left.”

She laughed, all breathy and ridiculous-sounding. Good God, how old was she? “That sounds nice.”

“In the meantime, allow me to be your holiday tour guide. You and the kids, I mean.”

“I want to do as many things with them this season as possible, so I’d appreciate the help. I want this to be as good a holiday as it can be, given everything.” Abby placed the fork back on the table.

Luke held out his hand. “Let’s shake on it. We’ll do our absolute best to make it magical for them.”

Her eyes filled, touched by his kindness. “Thank you. It means a lot to have your support.”

“It’s the least I can do. For you and Ramona.” He rested his cheek in one hand, peering at her. “Vermont suits you. You’re looking gorgeous this morning.”

She flushed from head to toe, more pleased by the compliment than she should be. She’d just met the man. Yet there was something so familiar about him, as if she’d known him for a long time—like really knew him, not just admired him from afar as she had when she was a girl.

“Thank you. You’re looking well yourself,” Abby whispered back.

Sophie returned to the table, eyeing them with suspicion. Had she picked up on their flirtation? If so, what would she think? Abby put it aside for now, thankful for the arrival of their breakfasts. She would worry about it later after she had some pancakes smothered in Hayes Maple Syrup.