by Tara West
It was true, for Abby had frequently been moody around Charlotte, who tolerated her behavior with a cheery smile. Ironic that Abby should have acted so when it was Charlotte who had more cause for complaint. Abby had grown up in a loving, stable home, while Charlotte had been raised by nuns in a crowded orphanage. Charlotte’s dresses had been secondhand, and her meals had been scraps at best. Yet she’d endured without grievance. Now Charlotte was married to a kind and wealthy man, and she deserved every ounce of her marital bliss.
Abby turned to Charlotte’s husband, forcing herself to look him in the eye, though the blush of shame that fanned her face made the task especially difficult. “Mr. Carter, I’d like to apologize to you, too, for any grief I’ve caused your wife.”
Her breath hitched when his thick brows drew together. It was clear Teddy would not accept her apology easily.
“You are a very lucky man,” she continued, “for you have married the best girl in all of Galveston—perhaps the whole world.” Abby’s throat constricted as she ended on a rasp. Oh, she’d no idea how difficult this would be. Abby had never been a humble girl, and these new sensations of humiliation and shame would take some getting used to.
Abby could not explain the overwhelming sense of relief that washed over her when she saw a crack in Theodore Carter’s stony façade, one corner of his mouth turning up ever so slightly.
“I know that, and I thank my lucky stars every day.”
When he squeezed Charlotte’s shoulder, she placed her hand on his, her eyes alight with what could only be described as worship as she looked up at him. Abby felt like the odd third wheel when Teddy returned Charlotte’s starry-eyed gaze before kissing her forehead, his lips lingering long enough to make Abby blush with unease.
Not wishing to intrude on their privacy a moment longer, Abby slowly backed away, wondering if she could slip out the door without them noticing.
Just as she reached the threshold, Charlotte called, “Abby, where are you going?”
“I must return to my Nana before it gets too late,” she said.
Charlotte shot Abby a knowing look and then nodded to the beam of light spilling through the window. Charlotte knew Abby all too well. Abby had always been one to push her curfew, and the sun still hadn’t set.
Abby cleared her throat, fisting her hands by her sides. “I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Charlotte, but know that this apology is from the heart. I’ve done a lot of growing up in the past few days, and I promise to treat you with kindness from here on out. My only wish is that I might someday be as caring and compassionate as you.” She barely choked out those last words, her throat closing up so tight, she could scarcely draw breath.
Charlotte quirked a brow. “Is that all?”
“Yes. I think so.” Abby turned her gaze to the padded carpet beneath her feet. “I’ll leave now.”
“Wait!” Charlotte cried as her husband helped her from the chair. She held her tummy and waddled across the room, reminding Abby of a duck who’d eaten one too many fish. When she finally reached her, she clasped Abby’s hand in a firm grip. “Oh, Abby.” Tears cascaded down her face. “You are my best friend.”
Abby fought the urge to launch herself into Charlotte’s arms as she took her in a tender hug, mindful of the child between them. “And you are mine,” she sobbed.
They held each other for a long moment, mussing each other’s hair while alternating between crying and laughing.
“I’ve missed you so much.” Charlotte pulled away, wincing as she rubbed her lower back. “Won’t you stay with us for dinner?”
Abby worried her lower lip, casting a nervous glance toward Teddy. “I don’t wish to intrude.”
“Nonsense.” Teddy strolled over with a welcoming smile, wrapping an arm around Charlotte and letting her sink against him. “My wife enjoys your company, and so do I.” He squeezed Charlotte tightly, fixing a stern gaze on her. “You must sit back down, my dear.”
He helped her to the sofa, and Abby followed.
“Don’t worry,” Abby said. “I’ll look after her.”
He coursed fingers through his hair. It was then that Abby noticed lines of worry framing his otherwise youthful eyes. Charlotte smiled sweetly at her husband, but even Abby could read the suffering behind her friend’s expression. Abby only prayed the burden of motherhood wouldn’t be more than Charlotte could bear.
“Thank you, Abby.” Teddy’s shoulders slumped. “I’ll have Josiah set an extra plate.” He kissed Charlotte on the cheek before walking out of the parlor.
As soon as he left, Abby turned to Charlotte, clasping her hands. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Charlotte nodded. “Just be my friend, Abby. That’s more than enough.”
Abby hung her head, feeling more shame wash over her. How could Charlotte gracefully bear so much suffering when Abby had spent most of her life complaining about the smallest inconveniences? And how could Charlotte so easily forgive Abby when she’d wronged her so many times?
Abby wiped away a stray tear. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
Charlotte squeezed Abby’s hands, her tone urgent. “Please don’t cry, Abby. There’s nothing to forgive.”
Abby couldn’t help the sardonic laugh that burst from her throat. “There’s a lot to forgive.”
Charlotte frowned. “You loved him first, and I fell in love with him anyway.”
Abby’s hand flew to her chest. She couldn’t let Charlotte take the blame for this. “Teddy was never mine. He was always yours, Charlotte. You two were meant to be together. I was just too foolish to see it.”
“Well, let us put the past behind us. The world is filled with enough heartache.” Charlotte let out a slow exhale. “After the baby is born, you must come with us to Houston. Teddy has many bachelor friends there.” Charlotte winked.
Abby laughed so hard, she snorted like a squealing pig. “Thank you, but no. I still have a bit more growing up to do.” She patted Charlotte’s knee. “Can you imagine me with a husband? Oh, the poor man. You must really despise Teddy’s friends.”
Charlotte snorted, too, this one much louder than Abby’s. Before they knew it, they were both hunched over, laughing so hard, they were crying.
Charlotte winced before leaning back against the cushion. “Oh, Abby, how I’ve missed you.”
And how Abby had missed Charlotte. She only prayed the baby wouldn’t give her friend any more trouble. Then an idea struck her, as she recalled the one person she knew who could help Charlotte find relief. If Miss Fiona could heal her skull and Pedro’s wound, she could ease Charlotte’s suffering and maybe ensure she safely delivered a healthy baby. Now that Abby had reconciled with Charlotte, she didn’t know how she could live without the sound of her best friend’s laughter.
Yes, Abby decided, Miss Fiona simply must help Charlotte.
* * *
Safina heaved a satisfactory sigh as she nestled in the crook of Gabriel’s arm. After a filling dinner of fish, roots, and fruit, they’d made love well into the night, and now she was thoroughly sated and exhausted, feeling as boneless as the fish Gabriel had filleted.
“Safi,” Gabriel murmured into her ear while stroking her arm. “Is this what you want?”
She turned over, setting a hand on his chest and looking into his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Settling here in Cuba, or do you want to travel the world?”
Safina heard the restlessness in his voice as the ache in his soul made her heart beat wildly. Gabriel wanted to leave their sanctuary!
She leaned up on her elbow, frowning. “I’m afraid of the world.”
He sat up, resting against the headboard, clutching her hand. “Why?”
Safina thought back to all the places she and Mother had traveled. Not long after they’d settled in a new home, they had to find another. Mortals feared them, and fear made mortals do very bad things, like threaten them with pitchforks and bows and arrows.
Her should
ers slumped. “Because I do not understand the world, nor does it understand me.” She was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt, for her mate wanted to explore, and her fears would keep him tethered.
“That’s what books are for, mi amor. They help you see the world through a new pair of eyes. I wasn’t able to bring all of my collection, but perhaps we can pick up new books on our travels.”
He had that boyish gleam in his eyes, which made Safina’s heart ache even more. Who was she to deny her mate?
He squeezed her hand before nodding toward the nightstand beside her, which was piled with tattered books. “Would you hand me The Love Letters? I promised I’d read them to you.”
Safina released his hand and worried her lower lip as she squinted in the darkness, trying to remember which book was the one she’d seen him carry to the beach, for all the books looked so similar.
“It’s the one with gold lettering,” he said.
He smiled softly when she handed it to him. Safina recognized that smile as one of pity. Her chest and cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She loved Gabriel and wanted him to love her in return. As for pity, that was an emotion she could do without.
“Did your mother never teach you to read?” he asked.
Safina shrugged, averting her gaze. “I doubt even she knows how.”
“Then I shall teach you.”
Safina looked him in the eye. “Truly?”
He nodded solemnly.
“Will you teach me how to write as well?”
“Of course.” He flashed a devilish grin. “We must find some way to fill our time when we’re not making love.”
Safina flushed again, but this time it was desire that made her do so, as fire pulsed through her veins at memories of their coupling.
Gabriel grabbed a writing pad and pencil off the table beside him. “Come here.” He patted the bed beside him.
Safina sat beside her lover, resting her head on a pillow. She watched with interest as Gabriel wielded the pencil, a writing tool made from graphite, making writing easier and faster. Back in Safina’s day, the only writing tools had been quill and ink, neither of which her mother could afford.
“We shall begin with your name,” he said as he flipped to an empty page. “S makes the sss sound.” He drew a long, curving symbol, reminding Safina of a snake basking in the sunlight. “A – F-I-N-A. SAFINA.” He drew more letters, so fast she could hardly keep up with him. “And now for your surname. Even though we haven’t been properly wed, since we are mated, your surname should be Cortez. C as in cat. OR-TEZ. Cortez.”
Safina frowned as he scribbled more letters on the page. “My surname is Firesblood.”
“Not anymore,” he said matter-of-factly, as if the decision had been his alone to make. “You are my mate now, so you take my surname.”
Safina arched back, looking at him through slitted eyes. “Why don’t you take my surname?”
“Because that’s not how it’s done. The woman takes the man’s surname.”
Safina couldn’t help but laugh. “Gabriel, you are worried about mortal tradition now?”
He tapped his chin with the end of his pencil, looking lost in thought. “You make a good point, but my family name is generations old. I can’t just give it up.”
“My family name is thousands of years old, dating back to the first dragon royal, the Almighty Mother. Do you really expect me to toss aside my royal heritage?
“You make another good point,” he said with a wink. “What about Safina Firesblood-Cortez?”
He had that eager, boyish look in his eyes again, the dimple in his cheek twitching as he awaited her response. Damn Gabriel for being so irresistible. How could she deny him anything when he looked at her that way?
With a resounding groan, she slowly nodded. She supposed this mating thing would engender many more compromises. “Aye, I think that will do. And you can be Gabriel Firesblood-Cortez.” She held her breath, awaiting his response.
His grin stretched nearly ear-to-ear, filling her with warmth and love.
“All right.” He tapped the pad with the tip of his pencil. “But three names will take much longer to learn.”
She couldn’t help but smile at his willingness to accept her dragon-born name. She leaned over him, letting her lips linger on his flushed skin as she kissed his forehead. She traced more kisses down his brow before nibbling his ear. “Gabriel, if it’s one thing a dragon has, it’s patience.”
He rolled her over with a growl, his hands roaming her buttocks and hiking up her shift. “Good, because we will have to postpone the lesson.”
Chapter Six
Abby clutched the porcelain doll to her chest as she turned the corner to her house, quite pleased with herself at her find. Though the baby hadn’t been born yet, Abby trusted Safi’s intuition that Charlotte was having a girl. Abby imagined the baby would look just like Charlotte, with big blue eyes and corn silk hair. Though it cost more than she’d wanted to spend, this doll, with pretty blonde curls, rosy lips and cheeks, and a baby-blue silk dress, fit her to perfection.
Abby had already delivered invitations to Charlotte’s party and stopped by Miss Rose’s to order delectable pastries. Though it wasn’t Charlotte’s birthday, Abby felt a party in her best friend’s honor was long overdue. And what better way to celebrate Charlotte, than by buying gifts for her new baby? Abby was determined to make the party this coming Saturday afternoon a merry event.
Abby quickened her pace when she saw Señor Cortez’s cart parked in front of Nana’s house. Why was he there? Had he any news from Safi and Gabriel? How did his grandson fare after the shark attack? She raced up the stairs, panting by the time she reached the last step.
Señor Cortez was standing on the threshold as Nana took his hat.
Abby was pleased to have arrived in time to hear his tidings. “Señor Cortez, how nice to see you.” She looped her arm through the elderly man’s and helped him to a seat in the parlor. “How is Pedro?”
He gaped at her, momentarily stunned, no doubt, at her sudden kindness.
Abby was humbled. He must have thought her a spoiled nitwit all these years.
“He is well,” Señor Cortez said as he lowered himself onto a chair. “Thank you for asking.”
“Josef.” Nana handed him a cup of steaming tea. “I am worried about Fiona. Here it is Tuesday, and she has been sleeping since yesterday morning.”
“Señora Jenkens, please trust me.” He set his tea awkwardly on one bony knee, the lines on his brow creasing even deeper. “She needs much rest after healing Pedro. Please do not disturb her.”
The look Señor Cortez shot Nana made Abby uneasy. Though she’d never had a reason to mistrust the man, she did not like the feeling that he was harboring a secret.
Abby sat across from him, leaning forward. “We haven’t disturbed her, though Dr. Straw tried to yesterday.”
His eyes narrowed. “What happened?”
“He forced his way into the house and demanded to see Miss Fiona.” Abby waved at the door. “Luckily, Moses came to our aid. Señor Cortez, I believe that doctor means her harm.”
He set his cup down with a clank, gripping his knees with whitened knuckles. “I think he does, too.”
Abby nodded toward the stairs. “How long is she going to sleep?”
“I’m not sure.” Señor Cortez grimaced. “But she will wake on her own when she’s ready.”
Abby wasn’t sure why, but she got the feeling Señor Cortez didn’t want Miss Fiona to wake.
“Surely she’ll need to eat soon,” Nana grumbled.
“Sí.” He sighed. “She will eventually need to eat.”
Why didn’t Señor Cortez seem concerned about Miss Fiona? Abby wondered if it had anything to do with Gabriel and Safi running away together. Abby remembered early yesterday morning, when Señor Cortez had brought the sleeping mother home. He’d asked Nana to help his grandsons put her to bed. The oldest boy had carried her up the stairs, tripping on the rug onc
e he’d reached the landing, nearly tumbling to the floor, and Fiona had not even stirred in his arms. It wasn’t as if she was asleep but unconscious. Abby suspected Miss Fiona had become distraught once she’d learned her daughter had run off, and so Señor Cortez had given her a sleeping draught to ease her suffering. Señor Cortez had always been a kind man. Abby refused to believe he’d poisoned her.
Abby feared that when Miss Fiona finally did wake, she’d ask about her daughter. What was Abby to tell her? She still did not know where they’d gone.
“Señor Cortez,” Abby asked. “Have you heard anything from Safi and Gabriel?”
Dark shadows fell across his weary eyes. “I have heard nothing.”
Abby’s heart sank, for she truly did like Safi, and she did not wish to witness Miss Fiona’s heartbreak. “Do you think they are ever coming back?”
His mouth set in a grim line. “Heaven help them if they do.”
* * *
Gabriel thanked his lucky stars when he found the rowboat inside the barn. He’d gone in search of tools to plow up the wild roots and herbs in the overgrown garden and had emerged with an even bigger prize. Safi was not so excited about the prospect of going into the water. She made it clear she’d prefer to stay at home, cutting up roots for a stew, so he set off for the beach, pulling the boat behind him. The task was arduous, and though he’d tried to summon wind to help, the more he tried to force the elements to comply, the more they rebelled. The gusts only rattled the boat, making it even harder to pull. He thought about returning to the house and asking his dragon mate for help, but now that he had his legs back, he was too eager to prove his strength.
His back was aching by the time he reached the shore. The tide was much higher than the night before, lapping at the remnants of their fire. As he pushed the boat into the current, he was pleased to see it did not take on water. He threw the net inside and climbed aboard, rowing out to sea, which was difficult work against the waves that fought his momentum. He scanned the ocean for signs, and when he saw the water boiling in the distance, he pushed the boat onward with all his might. Closing his eyes, he called upon the elements for assistance and was rewarded with a small wave. He smiled as the boat catapulted forward, pleased that his power over water was working. Perhaps he would learn how to consistently wield his magical energy.
