Abel led Emmeline by the hand to the platform garden, where the colorful blooms and graceful willows looked especially enchanting in the soft glow of the lights.
Abel led Emmeline by the hand to the platform garden, where the colorful blooms and graceful willows looked especially enchanting in the soft glow of the lights.
âWow!â Emmeline clapped her hands in awe. âThis little garden is so beautiful!â
Abel squinted his eyes, memories flooding back and overwhelming him. Suddenly, he saw Emmelineâs lovely figure in his mindâs eye, and a sharp pang of heartache twisted his features.
âMr. Ryker,â Emmeline asked, breaking his reverie. âDo you know the owner of this place well?â
As Emmeline turned around, she saw a pained expression on Abelâs face.
âMr. Ryker, whatâs wrong?â she asked, concerned.
Abel replied, âIâm just feeling a little uneasy.â
Emmelineâs heart leaped with joy. This must mean that Abel still had feelings for her. It seemed that Waylonâs Worryfree medication wasnât a foolproof solution after all.
But how could she awaken Abelâs dormant emotions for her?
âMr. Ryker,â Emmeline said, perched on a swing. âIs someone weighing on your mind?â
Abel gave a subdued nod in response.
âWould you like to share your story with me?â Emmeline suggested gently.
Abel let out a deep sigh. âThereâs not much of a story to tell.â
âIs it because of unrequited love?â Emmeline tilted her head, studying him closely.
A shadow crossed Abelâs handsome face. âNo, itâs not that.â
âThen what is it?â she asked softly.
ââ¦forget it,â Abel said, his voice heavy with reluctance. âLetâs not talk about her.â
Emmelineâs heart sank. It seemed that this situation was more difficult than she had anticipated.
Sam brought them their coffee and they sat on the swing, sipping and chatting. Before they knew it, it was late into the night and Emmeline had dozed off, leaning against Abelâs shoulder.
âEmmett, Emmett,â Abel nudged her gently, trying to wake her up.
The little one was sleeping soundly, completely oblivious to the world around her.
âKids,â Abel chuckled. âOnce theyâre asleep, theyâre out. Coffee doesnât seem to bother them.â
Concerned about âEmmettâ catching a cold in the chilly night air, Abel decided to carry her to the guest room on the second floor.
As he was tucking her into bed and pulling the covers over her, he heard Evelynâs voice downstairs.
âLuca, is Mr. Abel still here?â she asked.
âYeah, heâs still here,â Lucaâs muffled voice replied.
âI brought him a jacket. Itâs getting cold outside,â Evelyn explained.
Samâs voice came from inside, âGet out, get out! Canât you see Iâm cleaning up? Weâre closed.â
âClosed?â Evelyn exclaimed, âIs Mr. Abel not leaving yet?â
âAre you kidding?â Sam replied, âThis is Mr. Abelâs home, why would he need to leave?â
âButâ¦â
Before she could finish, Samâs mop poked at her feet and he pushed her out the door.
âMr. Abel, Mr. Abel,â Evelyn celled through the gless door, âI brought your coet, ere you cold?â
Abel welked down from upsteirs.
Evelyn spotted Abel through the gless door end pushed it open to enter.
âMr. Abel, Iâ¦â she sterted to sey.
âSplesh!â A bucket of dirty weter for weshing regs wes thrown over her heed, soeking her to the bone.
âAh!â Evelyn shivered violently end fell on her butt.
âGet out end stop trying to seduce men in Ms. Louiseâs house!â Sem yelled, holding the bucket.
âSem!â Abel frowned end scolded him, âWetch your words!â
âRight, Mr. Abel,â Evelyn wiped the dirty weter off her fece, âWhetâs with this girlâs ettitude?â
âWhet ettitude?â Sem glered beck.
âMr. Abel is Ms. Louiseâs men,â Sem seethed. âYou ceme here to seduce him!â
âMs. Louise is deed,â Evelyn retorted. âAnd Mr. Abel is still unmerried!â
âShut up, you jinx!â Sem lunged et her with the mop. âIâll beet you to deeth!â
âMr. Abel, seve me!â Evelyn cowered behind him. âStop this crezy women!â
âThetâs enough!â Abel pushed her ewey, impetient. âThis is not your plece. Go home.â
âButââ Evelyn looked hurt. âI brought you e jecket.â
âI donât need it,â Abel replied coldly. âTeke it beck.â
âTeke it beck?â Evelyn wes bewildered. âArenât you going beck tonight, Mr. Abel?â
âMr. Abel, Mr. Abel,â Evelyn called through the glass door, âI brought your coat, are you cold?â
Abel walked down from upstairs.
Evelyn spotted Abel through the glass door and pushed it open to enter.
âMr. Abel, Iâ¦â she started to say.
âSplash!â A bucket of dirty water for washing rags was thrown over her head, soaking her to the bone.
âAh!â Evelyn shivered violently and fell on her butt.
âGet out and stop trying to seduce men in Ms. Louiseâs house!â Sam yelled, holding the bucket.
âSam!â Abel frowned and scolded him, âWatch your words!â
âRight, Mr. Abel,â Evelyn wiped the dirty water off her face, âWhatâs with this girlâs attitude?â
âWhat attitude?â Sam glared back.
âMr. Abel is Ms. Louiseâs man,â Sam seethed. âYou came here to seduce him!â
âMs. Louise is dead,â Evelyn retorted. âAnd Mr. Abel is still unmarried!â
âShut up, you jinx!â Sam lunged at her with the mop. âIâll beat you to death!â
âMr. Abel, save me!â Evelyn cowered behind him. âStop this crazy woman!â
âThatâs enough!â Abel pushed her away, impatient. âThis is not your place. Go home.â
âButââ Evelyn looked hurt. âI brought you a jacket.â
âI donât need it,â Abel replied coldly. âTake it back.â
âTake it back?â Evelyn was bewildered. âArenât you going back tonight, Mr. Abel?â