Читать книгу Alaska Skies: Brides for Brothers / The Marriage Risk - Debbie Macomber - Страница 15

Five

“What?” Abbey’s eyes flashed with annoyance—and confusion. “I’m not moving into your brother’s home.”

The last thing Sawyer had expected was an argument. Okay, so maybe he hadn’t made the offer as graciously as he should have, but he had an excuse.

The woman was driving him crazy.

Worrying about her and those two kids stuck out on the edge of town had left him nearly sleepless for two nights. It wouldn’t have bothered him as much if there’d been neighbors close at hand. But so far, the other cabins remained empty.

“You won’t be there long,” he said. And he’d thought he was doing her a favor! He should’ve known that nothing with Abbey would be easy.

She picked up another of his mother’s books, handling it with respect, then added the author and title to a list. “The kids and I are doing well where we are. Really.”

“There are dangers you don’t know about.”

“We’re fine, Sawyer.”

He inhaled sharply. “Why won’t you move?”

Abbey’s shoulders lifted in a small, impatient sigh. “It isn’t entirely your brother’s fault that he didn’t know about Scott and Susan.”

“True, but you aren’t entirely to blame either.”

“It’s very thoughtful of you to offer me the house, but no thanks.” She glanced up and gave him a quick smile. For a second Sawyer swore his heart was out of control, and all because of one little smile.

“All right,” he said, slowly releasing his breath, “you can move into my house, then, and I’ll stay at Christian’s.”

“Sawyer, you’re missing the point. I don’t want to put anyone out of his home.”

“Christian isn’t there to put out.”

“I know that, but when he does return I’ll have to go back to the cabin. There’s nowhere else for me and the children to move. I can’t see that shuffling us from one temporary place to another is going to help.”

“But—”

“We’re better off making do with what we have,” she said, cutting off his argument.

“Are you always this stubborn?”

Abbey’s eyes widened as if his question surprised her. “I didn’t realize I was being stubborn. It doesn’t make sense to play musical houses when we have a perfectly good—When we have a home now.”

“The cabins were never intended to be full-time residences,” he said, clenching his fists at his sides. He shouldn’t admit it, especially since his brother had begun interviewing job applicants again, promising them free housing and land. Sawyer hadn’t wanted him to do it, but Christian had gotten carried away. You’d think that with the Seattle press picking up on the story, Christian would reconsider his approach. At least—thank God—the reporters had stopped calling him. And nothing Sawyer could say seemed to dampen his brother’s enthusiasm for the project. Christian was having the time of his life.

Well, when the next women started to show up, Sawyer decided, he’d let Christian escort them to those shacks and gleefully announce that here were their new homes. No way was he going to do it.

“I don’t want you to think I’m being unappreciative,” Abbey said.

“You’re being unappreciative,” he muttered. “Christian’s place has all the conveniences. Surely the kids miss television.”

“They don’t.” She hesitated and bit her lip. “Though I’ll confess I’d like a...hot shower.”

Sawyer could tell that she was tempted by the offer.

“I’m not comfortable knowing you’re out on the edge of town alone,” he told her. “Because of the kids... People in town would be mighty upset if something happened. Pearl’s been at me to find you some other place to live.” He didn’t want her to think there was anything personal in his concern. “Anyway, Christian’ll be gone a month or more.”

“A month,” Abbey repeated.

“Perhaps we could compromise,” he said, walking forward and supporting his hands on her desk. “You could move into Christian’s house or mine, whichever you decide, until one of the other women arrives. Then perhaps you could share the place until a more viable solution presents itself.” Her hair smelled of wildflowers, and he found himself struggling to keep his mind on business.

“When’s the next woman flying in?”

“I’m not sure. Soon.”

She took a moment to consider, then thrust out her hand. “Thank you. I accept your offer.”

Relieved, Sawyer shook her hand as briefly as possible without being rude. The softness of her skin, her scent, her combination of vulnerability and fierce determination—it was all too attractive. Too disruptive. His world, so orderly and serene before her arrival, felt as if it had been turned inside out.

One thing was sure—he didn’t like it.

“I’ll stop by later and pick up your luggage,” he said.

Her eyes moved to meet his, and she gave him another of those heart-tripping smiles. There was something so genuine and unself-conscious about it. Their eyes held a moment longer, and every muscle in his body was telling him to lean forward and kiss her. As soon as the impulse entered his mind, he sent it flying. The last thing he wanted was to become involved with Abbey Sutherland.

“Mom—” Scott burst into the room like a warlord roaring into battle “—can I have lunch at Ronny’s? His mom said it’s okay.”

Sawyer leapt back so fast he practically fell over Eagle Catcher, who’d ambled into the room with Scott.

“Hi, Mr. O’Halloran,” the boy said in a near squeak, then stared down at the husky. His face flushed with guilt.

Sawyer looked from the dog to the boy. “How’d Eagle Catcher get out of his pen?”

Scott lowered his head.

“Scott, did you let him out of his pen?” Abbey asked.

His nod was barely perceptible. “I went to visit him and he whined and whined, and I was going to put him back, honest I was.”

Sawyer crouched down so he could speak to Scott at eye level. “I know you and Eagle Catcher are good friends, and I think that’s great.”

“You do?” Scott’s eyes rounded with surprise.

“But it’s important that you ask my permission before you let him out of his yard. Otherwise, I could come home and not know where he is.”

“I went to visit him, but he didn’t want me to leave,” Scott explained. “Every time I started to go, he’d cry. I only opened the gate so I could pet him and talk to him. I must not have latched it very good, because he followed me.”

“Next time make sure the latch is secure,” Abbey told him sternly.

Scott’s gaze avoided Sawyer’s. “I might not have closed the gate all the way on purpose.”

Sawyer tried to hide his amusement. “Thank you for being honest about it. Next time you want to play with my dog, all you have to do is come and ask me first. That won’t be difficult, will it?”

“No, sir, I can do that.”

“Good.”

“Eagle Catcher only likes me, you know,” Scott announced proudly. “He wouldn’t leave the pen for Susan or Ronny.” He closed his mouth when he realized what he’d admitted.

So the three friends had been in his yard and attempted to lure Eagle Catcher out of the fenced-off area.

“So, can I have lunch at Ronny’s?” Scott asked again, obviously eager to change the subject.

“All right, but I want you to take Eagle Catcher back to his pen. Later on you and I are going to have a long talk about Mr. O’Halloran’s dog.”

“Okay,” he said sheepishly, and before she could say another word, he dashed out the door, the husky at his heels.

Sawyer chuckled. “I can’t believe the way those two hit it off. It’s not like Eagle Catcher to become this attached to someone.”

“I hope this doesn’t develop into a problem,” Abbey said. “He’s got to understand that it’s your dog, and he has to obey your rules. But Scott’s always loved dogs, especially huskies, and we’ve never been able to have one. He was crazy about Eagle Catcher from the first time he saw him.”

“The feeling appears to be mutual. Eagle Catcher’s never had anyone lavish attention on him the way Scott does. They seem destined for each other, don’t they?”

Abruptly Abbey looked away.

Sawyer wondered what he’d said that had caused such a startled reaction. Did she think he was talking about the two of them? If so, Abbey Sutherland was in for a surprise.

Sawyer wasn’t interested in marriage. Ever. Not even to the beautiful Abbey Sutherland. He’d learned all the lessons he needed from his own experience several years before. And from his parents, who’d tried to make their marriage work, but only made each other miserable. Sawyer wanted none of that.

* * *

Rarely had Abbey enjoyed a shower more. She stood under the warm spray as it pelted against her skin and savored each refreshing drop.

Exhausted from a day of playing, Scott and Susan fell asleep the minute they climbed into the two single beds in Christian O’Halloran’s guest bedroom.

Abbey was sleeping in the double bed in a second spare bedroom. Although Sawyer had repeatedly told her she was welcome in his brother’s home, Abbey couldn’t shake the feeling that she was invading Christian’s privacy.

It was fine for Sawyer to offer his brother’s house. But Abbey couldn’t help wondering if he’d bothered to mention it to Christian.

After she toweled off, she dressed in jeans and a thin sweater and walked barefoot to the kitchen, where she made herself a cup of tea. It was difficult not to compare her stark living quarters at the cabin and the simple luxuries of Christian’s home.

The kitchen was large and cheery, the white walls stenciled with a blue tulip pattern. The room’s warmth and straightforward charm reminded her that Ellen O’Halloran had once lived here. Her touch was evident throughout the house.

Taking her tea with her, Abbey wandered onto the front porch and sat in the old-fashioned swing. Mosquitoes buzzed about until she remembered to light the citronella candle. The evening was beautiful beyond anything she’d imagined. Birds chirped vigorously in the background. The tundra seemed vibrant with life.