“You look lovely as always, dear Abigail,” Ackerman said, looking deep into her eyes.
The man was a creep, and Marcus was relieved to see Abigail pull her hand away and put it behind her back.
“Thank you, Robert.” She looked around the lobby. “Have Rebecca and Jillian come down yet?”
“Not yet, but they’d better hurry, or we are going to be late.”
“We’re coming,” Jillian called from the staircase as she and Rebecca hurried down.
After a somewhat hurried dinner, they all went out to the tallyho the men had rented to take them to the opera. There was some juggling for position, with Ackerman obviously trying to sit by Abigail. The man succeeded, but as Marcus was on the other side of her, he didn’t worry about it overly much. He had a feeling that Abigail didn’t like the close proximity of the other man any better than he did. At least he certainly hoped not. As far as he was concerned, her friends couldn’t leave Hot Springs soon enough. Especially Ackerman.
Eleven
By the time Marcus took Abigail back to her room that night, she was very relieved to get away from the people she’d once considered her best friends.
“Are you all right?” Marcus asked. “You were awfully quiet tonight.”
She shook her head. “Sometimes I don’t feel I know my friends anymore. I mean. . .”
“You aren’t anything like them, Abigail.”
Oh but she had been, and one of her biggest fears was that Marcus would find out just how much like them she had been. “We just don’t seem to have as much in common as we once did,” she answered honestly. “And Robert—”
“Is he bothering you when I’m not around?”
“He just. . .” She shivered. “I don’t like it when he is close to me.”
“Don’t worry about it. I will take care of him.”
Abigail’s heart flip-flopped against her chest at the look in his eyes. “I—thank you. I don’t know how much longer they will be here, and I just don’t want to have to keep warding off his advances.”
“You won’t have to. The next time I see him, I will make it perfectly clear he is to leave you alone.” Marcus pushed a loose curl from her cheek, and his touch sent her pulse to racing. “Don’t lose any sleep worrying about Robert.”
“I won’t.” Abigail sounded a bit breathless to her own ears.
“Sleep well.” He handed her the key, and a current of electricity shot up her arm. “Lock the door.”
She could only nod and do as she was told.
“Good night,” Marcus said from the other side of the door.
“Good night.”
Her tea arrived only minutes after she’d watched Marcus leave the hotel. She couldn’t help but smile when she wondered what he’d do if she actually threw back the drapes and waved when he looked up. He’d probably grin that smile that made her heart beat double time and wave back.
She quickly got ready for bed and then poured herself a cup of tea. She sat down and took a sip and sighed. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could spend time with the people she’d once considered her best friends without letting them know they no longer were. She had nothing in common with them now. Their constant pursuit of fun seemed childish, their constant gossiping about people they knew was irritating, yet. . .it hadn’t been that long ago that she’d been just like them.
Had she really been as boring and self-absorbed as they were? Abigail’s heart twisted in her chest at the truth that was there. Yes. She’d been all those things, too, and she certainly had no right to judge her old friends. Instead, she should be trying to help them, but how? Jillian was the only one who had seemed interested in the changes in her. Rebecca seemed disturbed by them. And Abigail wasn’t even sure that the men had noticed, not that it mattered. The only man whose opinion mattered to her right now was Marcus Wellington.
Abigail sighed and took a sip of tea. The better she got to know him, the more certain she was that she was falling in love with him. But could he ever feel the same about her? Probably not if he ever found out what an awful person she’d been. Abigail slid to her knees and prayed, “Dear Lord, please don’t let him find out. With Your help, I am no longer that woman, and I never want Marcus to know how selfish and horrid I was. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
❧
Keeping in mind that she wanted to help her old friends see there was more to life than the search for excitement, over breakfast the next morning, Abigail asked Jillian and Rebecca to accompany her and Mrs. Wellington to the Wednesday meeting at church. Rebecca immediately turned down the offer, but Jillian took her up on it.
“I’d like to meet some of the people you think so highly of, and I noticed the free baths when we’ve been out and about. I think it’s wonderful that some women are trying to help those who are coming for health reasons but can’t afford to stay in the hotels.”
“I’m not doing that much. But I love being around Mrs. Wellington and the other ladies who try to help others. You know, our mothers do the same thing in Eureka Springs. Wonder why we never got involved?”
“That is a good question, Abigail,” Jillian said.
“Well, they are involved. They don’t need us,” Rebecca stated. Then she waved a hand as if that should be the end of the subject.
“There will always be a need to help others. Our parents won’t always be here, Rebecca,” Abigail said.
“Humph! What’s wrong with you two? I wanted to go on a picnic today. The men have gone to look at some horses for sale, and I won’t have anything to do.”
“Come with us then.”
But Rebecca dug in her heels. “No. I’ll just visit one of the bathhouses and get a massage and then take a nap. See you both later.”
“Don’t mind her,” Jillian said as they watched Rebecca flounce off. “I really want to come with you. I want to meet these people who’ve become your friends here. I miss you, Abigail, but you seem so happy here that I think maybe you should stay.”
“I’ve been thinking of looking for a house. I do love it here.”
“You aren’t looking to become Mrs. Marcus Wellington?”
Abigail was suddenly at a loss for words. How could she answer that? It seemed Jillian had looked inside her heart and found her deepest wish. . .one she hadn’t really let herself think about. “I—”
Mr. and Mrs. Wellington arrived just then to take them to church, and Abigail was saved from answering. Thank You, Lord. I know the answer, but I don’t want to put it into words right now.
As always, Mrs. Wellington was gracious and very happy that Jillian was joining them. Jillian seemed to really like meeting everyone, and instead of going back to the Wellingtons for the rest of the day as Abigail usually did, the three women had lunch at a small café near Marcus’s office.
“It is so nice to meet a friend of Abigail’s,” Mrs. Wellington said to Jillian. “We love having her here. You aren’t going to try to talk her into going back to Eureka Springs, are you?”
“No, ma’am. I can’t speak for the others, but I’m not. Abigail seems happier than I’ve ever seen her, and I think she should stay right here. Besides, if she’s here, I’ll be able to come and visit her when I need to get away.”
Abigail had been holding her breath as Jillian spoke, hoping she wouldn’t go into detail about how she’d changed. Now she realized that Jillian truly did care about her and what was best for her. She patted her friend’s hand. “You’ll be welcome anytime.” It was nice to know that she meant it.
❧
Marcus was glad to know that Abigail didn’t like Robert Ackerman’s advances any more than he did. It would be his pleasure to put a stop to them. All he’d needed was to know that Abigail wanted them stopped as much as he did.
During the next week, he made sure that he interrupted each and every conversation Abigail and Robert had. It didn’t matter if it was in the lobby of the Arlington or in the hotel dining room; Marcus was by her side at any sign of irritation on her part. Bef
ore long, he could tell from just a certain look or smile that she needed him. But the man was persistent; Marcus had to give him that. If Ackerman wasn’t trying to get Abigail to sit by him, he was trying to get her to go for a walk to see the town at night. And no matter how many times Marcus heard Abigail tell him no, the man refused to be fazed.
Did these people have no life to go to back in Eureka Springs? They’d been in Hot Springs for nearly three weeks now. That they were wealthy was obvious from the way they spent money, but surely the men had businesses to return to. Marcus couldn’t wait until the day he would hear them say good-bye. Why Abigail agreed to so many outings with them was beyond him, but at least she saved her Sundays for him and his family.
“I almost talked Jillian into coming today,” Abigail said on their way to church that Sunday.
“Really?” Jillian bothered Marcus the least of any of Abigail’s friends. She had manners and truly seemed to like being around Abigail.
“Yes. But she didn’t make it down in time. I suppose she slept in again. Or Rebecca teased her so much that she decided not to come.”
They’d arrived at church, and Marcus was helping her down from the buggy. “I know it would have been good for you to have her with you, but I have to admit I look forward to Sundays even more than usual.”
“Why is that?”
He looked into her eyes and told her the truth. “Because it is the only day of the week I get to see you without them.”
“Oh.”
He wasn’t sure if she was pleased at his answer or not, but he loved watching a warm flush of color deepen in her cheeks. As the day passed, he didn’t think she was upset with his words, for she seemed to relax and enjoy herself as always with his family and the other church members his mother had invited for Sunday dinner.
The afternoon passed pleasantly as they played croquet and checkers and enjoyed lemonade and cookies. He hated to see it come to an end and hoped that he and Abigail wouldn’t run into any of her friends when he took her back to the Arlington. At first, he thought he was going to get his wish, but before they were ten feet into the lobby, he heard Ackerman’s voice as he came from across the room.
“Abigail! We’ve been waiting for you to get back. Come sit with us.”
Marcus heard Abigail’s soft moan as she turned to greet Ackerman. “You knew this is Sunday and I’d be gone all day.”
Ackerman didn’t even rise as Marcus and Abigail walked over to the group. “That doesn’t mean we have to like it, my dear. After all, we did come all this way to see you.”
“Oh? I thought you didn’t know I was here.”
“Yes, well, you are here, and so are we, and we missed you today.”
“You all could have come with me.” Abigail spread her hands to include the whole group.
Marcus couldn’t remember when he’d heard so much twittering as they made excuses.
“I overslept,” Jillian said. “I meant to come.”
“Well, we were out late, and I hadn’t even cracked an eye open by ten o’clock this morning,” Edward said.
Marcus was certainly glad they hadn’t come along, but he knew he shouldn’t feel that way. It was Sunday, after all, and it was hard to come away from one of the minister’s sermons and not have much to think about. It always did him some good, so he couldn’t see how it would do Abigail’s friends any harm.
“You know I don’t attend church often, Abigail.” Robert’s smile turned Marcus’s stomach. He didn’t know how much more of this man he could take.
“Now how would I know that, Robert?”
When Abigail’s eyebrow went up, challenging the man to answer her, Marcus bit his lip to keep from laughing.
“We’ve known each other for a while now, Abigail,” Robert said, sounding condescending to Marcus.
“We don’t know each other that well. Anyway, it was a good lesson today.”
“Yes, well, perhaps next Sunday, we’ll go with you.” That same tone. Marcus had to clench his fist to keep from using it on the man. Lord, help me here. Please.
“Yes, we should do that,” Jillian added. “If we aren’t gone by then.”
“Are you talking about leaving?” Abigail asked.
“Well, we’ve been thinking it is time to get back home,” Rebecca said.
“Yes, there are several events we don’t want to miss,” Reginald said. “You should come back with us.”
“Oh yes, Abigail. Please, won’t you do that?” Rebecca asked.
“No.” Abigail smiled and shook her head. “I’m not ready to go back yet. I like it here.”
Marcus breathed in a silent sigh of relief. Deep down, he’d been worried that Abigail might decide to go back with them.
“But your home is there, your family is there, and we are there,” Robert said. “Surely you miss all of that.”
“I do miss my family. But I’ve just been able to see you all. I don’t want to go back right now.”
Robert folded both arms together and sat back in his seat. Marcus had never seen a grown man pout before, but there was no other way to describe the look on Ackerman’s face.
“Well, I will be glad if you decide to come back, but you seem very happy here, and I’m glad for you,” Jillian said.
“I don’t understand you at all,” Rebecca said. “It’s a nice town and all, but it’s not home!”
Abigail chuckled. “I believe you are all getting homesick.”
“Not quite yet,” Reginald said. “But we must return at some point soon.”
“Yes, soon,” Rebecca said. “I don’t have that many cool weather clothes with me, and the nights are getting chilly.”
“You could always buy a new jacket,” Jillian said.
“I could, but I don’t want to. I’m having Meagan Brooks make one for me.”
“Oh.”
Silence descended on the group at the mention of the Brooks name, and Marcus found himself holding his breath, waiting to see what Abigail would say.
“I don’t blame you. She’s quite talented.”
He could have laughed out loud at the look on Abigail’s friends’ faces at her compliment for the woman who’d married her ex-fiancé. They just couldn’t seem to believe she was being so gracious.
No one seemed to know what to say, and Abigail turned to him. “I think I’m ready to go up now. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Robert was immediately on his feet. “I can see Abigail to her room, Wellington. I’m on the floor above her, and I’m not going back out tonight. No need for you to bother yourself.”
“Thank you but no, Ackerman. I will see Abigail to her room, and it is certainly not a bother. Good night, everyone.” Marcus clasped Abigail’s elbow and steered her toward the staircase.
“Thank you,” Abigail whispered as he led her away from the group.
But they weren’t left alone. Ackerman hurried up behind them and grabbed Abigail’s free arm.
“Look, Wellington. Abigail and I have been friends a long time. I’d like to see her up.”
Marcus threw his hand off Abigail’s arm, gently pulled her hand through his arm, and looked Robert in the eye. His voice was soft but firm. “I will see that the lady gets to her room safely, Ackerman. I always do.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
“Should I take that to mean you are courting our Abigail?”
Marcus had about had it with Robert Ackerman, and it was time to set some limits. “I don’t think that is any of your business, Ackerman, but you can take it to mean anything you want. Just be clear on this. Your advances to Abigail are unwelcome, and I will be the one you answer to should you make any more.”
Robert backed off, his hands raised. “I understand. Completely.”
“I’m not sure you do, but as long as you keep your hands to yourself and quit bothering Abigail, everything will be just fine.”
Marcus hoped Abigail wasn’t upset with his implication that they were courting. But if it kept
Robert away from her, that was what mattered. He wasn’t sure how she felt about it, as she was silent as they ascended the stairs and walked down the hall to her room.
❧
Abigail’s heart was pounding so loud she was afraid Marcus might hear it. For a moment, she’d thought he and Robert might come to blows. But it looked as if she wouldn’t have to worry about Robert bothering her anymore.
Marcus checked her room out as usual. When he came back to the hall and handed the key back to her, he surprised her by asking, “Are you upset with me?”
“Not at all. Why would I be upset with you? I think Robert finally got the message not to bother me anymore, and I can’t thank you enough, Marcus. It was getting to the point that I dreaded seeing him at all. Truthfully, something about him frightens me a little. I don’t know what it is, but—”
“Don’t worry about him. I won’t let him get near you again.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, and her pulse began to race at the look in his eyes as he bent his head.
“You are welcome.” His head dipped toward her, and he lifted her chin to look into her eyes. Her eyes closed the moment his lips touched hers, and Abigail realized her heart had wanted him to do just that for weeks. She couldn’t keep from responding, and he pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss. She wasn’t sure who ended it, but she had a feeling it would be a long time before she quit feeling the sweet touch of his lips on hers.
“I. . .” For the first time since she’d known him, Marcus seemed to be at a loss for words. He took a step back and then reached out and gently touched her lips. “I. . .I’d better go. Sleep well, and lock your door.”
Abigail backed into the room, her eyes never leaving his. He pulled the door shut, and she inserted the key and turned it with trembling fingers.
“Good night, Abigail.” His voice was deep and husky from the other side of the door. “Sleep well.”
“Good night, Marcus.” She didn’t know how she was going to sleep at all after that kiss. Abigail sighed and leaned against the door, her hand over her heart. She was in love with Marcus Wellington. And whatever she felt for Nate Brooks was nothing compared to what she felt for the man who’d just claimed her heart with one kiss.
A Love All Her Own Page 11
