The Old Fashioned Way (A Homespun Romance) (14 page)

Gran and Agnes had implied life was a train and if one didn't get on at the right time, chances were one would be left stranded. 

Abby squared her shoulders.  She would work hard and make a success of her business.  Her work would fill the gaps in her life.

She ran a hand through her hair.  It didn't seem enough.  There was a part of her that wanted more, that had been wanting more ever since Daniel Hawthorn had come into her life.

Abby's eyes widened as she stared blankly at the book of fabric samples.  Her heart insisted there was more to life than simply her work.  Courage wasn't easy to come by though.  Maybe one day when her interior decorating business was established, she would concentrate on her personal life. 

To Abby, life seemed more like an obstacle race than a train.  It had taken real effort to enter the race again by starting her own business.  She wasn't sure she would be able to jump any other hurdles just yet.

"We'll be closing in fifteen minutes." 

The announcement forced Abby to pay attention to the samples she had picked out.  Surely she couldn't have spent an hour dreaming in the store?

Asking for swatches to be cut, she collected them, and hurried out to the van.  Her eyes narrowed as she got near it and saw the front left tire.  It was flat.  She really shouldn't be surprised.  It had been that kind of day.

A glance at her watch showed it was eight o'clock.  The plaza was closing and the parking lot was almost deserted.  She'd have to call Gran and tell her she needed a ride home.  Tomorrow she'd get help changing the tire in the daylight.

"Don't worry about a thing," Gran assured her on the telephone.  "Just wait by the main entrance to the plaza and someone will be there."

The car that pulled up ten minutes later was Daniel's.

"Hi!"  Abby said breathlessly, as she opened the passenger door and slid into the seat.  Looking at Daniel she said quickly.  "I'm sorry you had to come get me.  The van has a flat."

Her pounding heart made speech difficult as usual.

"I know.  Not to worry."  Daniel's voice was calm and reassuring.  "I'll change the tire in the morning.  Have you locked the van?"

"Yes, though I don't know why anyone would want to steal it."

Abby wasn't aware she was staring at him till he smiled at her.  "Is it so hard to imagine me changing a tire, Abby?"

"Of course, not."  She had been wondering if Daniel knew he had stolen her heart.

"I wasn't always an entrepreneur you know.  My first year in college, I worked part time as a mechanic in a gas station."

It was hard to imagine Daniel with grease under his fingernails.

"Sarah tells me you've got the job with Mrs. G."

"Thanks to you," Abby said.

"No," Daniel corrected.  "Thanks to you.  You did this on your own Abby.  You had the flyers made and distributed, you wrote that bid."

"I wouldn't have been able to do it if you hadn't helped me look at life in a different way."

"Maybe I was a signpost of sorts," Daniel conceded, "but you chose to travel down the road.  The credit for landing the job is all yours."

"I've told Mrs. G. I'll do one room first.  If she likes it, I'll do the rest of her house." 

Rome hadn't been built in one day.  Abby felt it would take a lifetime of practice to get really confident.

"That sounds like a good idea."

To avoid any awkward pauses Abby told Daniel about some of her plans for the house.  She put every bit of enthusiasm she could muster into her voice.  He shouldn't guess how lost she was feeling.  A little later, realizing he was very quiet, she lapsed into silence.  Was Daniel bored by her chatter?

He had encouraged her to spread her wings, try to fly again.  He should be happy she was so absorbed in her work.  Daniel wondered why the emptiness had returned in full force. 

She didn't see him as anything more than a friend.  True, the steps from acquaintance to friend was progress.  Without being quite sure what exactly he wanted, Daniel knew he wanted more than friendship with Abby.  By encouraging Abby to this point he was running the risk of losing her.

How can you lose what you don't have in the first place, Hawthorn?

Abby's self-confidence needed the bolstering that doing Mrs. G's house would give her.  He was sure there would be more orders.  He hadn't seen her so positive before.  So happy.  This was just what she needed.

He had to give her room to spread her wings.

Daniel didn't see Abby again till the next night at Hamish's class.  She came in late.  Right away he noticed her arms were full of books and that she looked tired, but happy.

"How's it going?"  He tried for casual.

"Great."  There was a sparkle in her eyes as she took off her jacket and sat down.  "How's the whittling going?"

Daniel glanced at the piece of wood in his hands.  The more he worked on it, the less he liked it.  Looking up he noticed the smile Abby tried to hide.  "What do you think?"

"Well, it's kind of...different."

Trust Abby to find a way to make him feel good about the misshapen piece he was working on. 

"I couldn't give it away if I tried."  Daniel said gloomily. 

"Oh, it's not so bad," said Abby quickly.  "Gran always says, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder you know."

Daniel looked at Abby.  Her hair gleamed and the silk scarf around her neck drew attention to the color in her face. 

Abby looked up to find Daniel's gaze fixed on her.  She looked away quickly.  Why hadn't he mentioned leaving yet? 

A little later Abby stole a look at Daniel.  She looked at the strong hands, the curve of his well-shaped mouth with its sensuous lower lip.  There was a frown between his brows as he concentrated on his whittling. 

A shiver went through Abby.  She didn't seem to be able to stop thinking of him, no matter what she did.  Maybe staying away from him wasn't the right way to do things.  Maybe proximity would strip her mind of these ridiculous longings.  Proximity had destroyed what she had felt for Rod. 

Determination surged like an enormous wave.  Riding on the crest, Abby went up to Daniel after the class.  "Going for a walk tonight?"

"Yes," he said.

"If you wouldn't mind the company, I'll change and join you out front in five minutes with my bike."

What was Abby up to now?  Her face wore the same look it had the day she had challenged him.  The look people wore when they went into battle.  Determination, daring, apprehension.  "Okay," he said quietly.

When she came out, Daniel noticed Abby was wearing walking shorts.  It was a dark night and he couldn't see much of her, only her outline. 

"Let's go."  The breathless note in her voice told him a great deal.  She was flustered again. 

"You should wear shorts more often," he said casually.  "You have great legs."

Abby's bike wobbled.  Daniel knew she'd chosen the shorts only because it was too dark for him or anyone else to see her properly.

"I don't look good in shorts."

The words confirmed his suspicion that Abby's lack of confidence extended to the way she looked.  Right from the first time he'd seen her, Daniel had thought she was beautiful.  But he knew low self-esteem was like a virus.  It spread everywhere in one's system.  It needed more than Agnes' brews to eradicate it.

"Have I ever told you I was called totem pole in high school?" Daniel said as Abby cycled slowly beside him.  "I was all hands and legs and my nose seemed bigger then, than it does now."

"I was always big boned," confessed Abby, "and I hated it.  Gran says I have my father's build." 

His guess had been right.  Abby self-consciousness was the reason she hid herself in loose clothes.

"I think you're just the right size," said Daniel.  "I've never been attracted to skinny women."

Abby almost fell off her bike.  A double whammy.  You're just the right size.  I've never been attracted to skinny women. 

Did Daniel mean he was attracted to her?  She couldn't have heard right.

"Abby?"

"Yes?"

Daniel stopped and Abby put one foot on the ground for balance and turned to look at him.  "I meant what I said.  You're beautiful."

The words convinced Abby Daniel was working on his kindness again.  "Th...thank you."

He surprised her by throwing one leg across the front wheel of her bicycle and gripping the handlebars.  "Don't say thank you in that it's-nice-of-you-to say-so-but-you-don't-have-to voice," he grated.

"What do you want me to do?"  Abby said, suddenly angry herself.  "The fact that you've decided I'm beautiful doesn't change how I feel about myself."

The minute she's said the words Abby wished them unspoken.  Rod's displays of temper when she had answered him back, had been awful.

"Will this?"  asked Daniel leaning towards her.  One hand came up and held her shoulder while his mouth claimed hers.  After a stunned moment, Abby put both arms around Daniel's neck.

The honking of a car horn forced them apart.  Abby lowered her shaking hands to the handlebar of her cycle. 

"I meant what I said."  Huskiness had replaced Daniel's anger.  "You are beautiful."

Reeling from the impact of the kiss, Abby merely nodded.  For now, she wanted to believe it. 

Sarah looked at the others over the rim of her sewing glasses.  "It wasn't easy telling Abby we didn't need her in the store any more.  Did you see the look on her face?"

"The shock will wear off," Agnes consoled.  "We had to do what we did.  Abby has to realize there's more to life than helping people."

"Daniel's a good man," Hamish said.  "He told me today he's going to stay on and help us get the online catalog ready."

"Maybe we should just leave them to it," Sarah reflected.  "Maybe we are interfering too much.  I mean Abby's twenty eight and Daniel's thirty four.  Surely they can get along without our help."

"It's what I've been saying from the start."  Hamish opened his paper. 

The two women looked at each other.  Decision erased the doubt in their eyes.

"We have to do what we have to do," said Sarah.

Agnes nodded.  "A nudge in time helps many a relationship."

CHAPTER EIGHT

Abby watched Daniel come out of the guest house and look around him.  "Princess, come here."

The German Shepherd took one look at him, gave a small `woof' and chased Muffy into the woods behind the house.

Abby hoped Daniel realized Princess would never be the same again.  She closed her eyes.  She would never be the same again.  Lying awake last night, reliving Daniel's kiss, she'd realized proximity hadn't improved anything. 

Deciding to remain in the house and work out the details for the drapes, Abby concentrated on her task.  Yesterday Mrs. G. had selected the samples she liked best from the swatches Abby had taken to her.  The next step was to order the drapes from Veneers.

Hopefully work would block out thoughts of Daniel.  A little while later Abby looked around for the books she'd picked up from the library the day before.  There was a design in one of them that she wanted made up for Mrs. G's living room.

The last time she'd seen the books had been in the community room.  Abby set her pencil down.  She'd have to go get them before she could proceed with her work.

The living room window of the guest house faced the front door of Sarah's house.  Daniel watched for Abby all morning.  Seated at the desk by the window, his vigil hadn't allowed him to concentrate on mapping out his new book, but it had paid off.  As soon as he saw Abby, he got to his feet, and headed for the community room. 

Abby picked up her books and turned to leave when she heard Daniel say behind her, "There you are, Abby.  Would you like to go for a drive with me?"

Immediately a silence fell in the community room, and Abby felt everyone look at her.  She stared at Daniel. What was wrong with him?  Why had he blurted out his invitation in front of twenty people?

"It won't take long," he coaxed.  "You need a break from work."

"All right."  She had to get away from the curious looks.

"This won't take long," Daniel reassured her as they headed for his car.

Abby recalled the first time Daniel had told her he wanted to show her something.  It had been the night of the play.  She had been terrified.  Now she glanced at his profile.  Trust had replaced that earlier uneasiness around him.  Fear was not a word she could ever associate with Daniel. 

Daniel followed Carbon Canyon Road and pulled up in front of a house tucked halfway up the hillside.  A FOR SALE sign hung in the front yard.  Getting out of the car Abby noticed the house was set on a couple of acres of land.  The redwood and glass exterior made it blend in beautifully with the massive pine trees that surrounded it.

"It's beautiful," Abby said.

"Want to look inside?"  Daniel asked, pleased with her reaction.

"Do you have a key?"

He held up a set.  "Picked it up from the realtors this morning."

For Daniel to have the key to the place, he must be a serious potential buyer.  Abby stared at the house blankly as she walked up the path to the massive double doors. 

If Daniel bought a house in Carbon Canyon that would complicate everything.  She could hold out against him for a little while, but running into him on a daily or weekly basis was going to complicate her life.

Besides, what did Daniel want with the house?  A house went hand in hand with marriage and children.  Settling down.  Abby didn't want to see Daniel with a wife and child. 

Daniel unlocked the door and stood aside to let Abby enter.  Her first impression was of light and space.  As they walked through the rooms Daniel said, "An architect designed this for an actor who planned on living here.  It was barely finished before the man changed his mind and decided to sell it.  That's why the carpeting isn't in yet and the walls haven't been painted."

Abby didn't blame the actor.  Rod had hated coming here even for the weekends, calling it a hick town for old fogeys.  "Living in Carbon Canyon is different from visiting it.  Don't rush into a decision to buy the house."

"Are you saying I might get tired of Carbon Canyon?"  asked Daniel.  "I don't think I will.  Being here these last few weeks has made me realize it’s where I want to put down roots.  I'm tired of being a rolling stone." 

Their gazes meshed and Abby had a hard time looking away.  "What about your work?"

"I intend to cut down on my seminars, and I can write my books here just as well as I can anywhere else."

Abby's gaze skittered away from Daniel's.  "And your business?"

"After my accident, I appointed an executive director to run the company."

It was like a game of volleyball.  She had no right to toss questions at him.  The fact Daniel was tossing answers back at her without any hesitation told her how serious he was about his plans.

"This is a beautiful house," she said awkwardly.

It had five bedrooms and a huge bonus room on the second floor.  Outside there was an enormous deck and a huge backyard.

"Princess will love the extra space." 

Abby wondered if Daniel was planning a large family.

"I think I'll have to get another dog when I move here.  Princess is going to miss Muffy badly."

Daniel sounded deadly serious about buying the house and moving to Carbon Canyon.  She would have to find a way of dealing with it.

His next words took her breath away.  "Will you help me choose the carpeting and furnish the house Abby, when you're done with Mrs. G's?"

"Of course," Abby ran a hand through her hair.  She owed Daniel that much at least for all his help.

"There's something about this house."  Daniel's voice sounded reflective.  "As soon as I stepped into it, I got the feeling it was the one for me."

Daniel was right.  Abby could picture the house filled with flowers and children and pets.  It was a house for living and loving.

He could tell she liked the house.  Maybe this was a good time for the question he'd been meaning to ask.

"Abby, have you ever wanted a place of your own?"  Something about the way her expression changed made Daniel add quickly, "I'm not implying you shouldn't be living with Sarah or anything like that, I just wondered...."  He stopped himself before he said anything to complicate matters.

"I know what you mean," Abby said.  "I've thought of living on my own, but I can't afford it right now."

"Would Sarah be very hurt if you moved out?"  Sarah didn't seem possessive about Abby, but one never knew.

Abby looked surprised.  "Gran's the most independent person I know.  She's always said she wouldn't mind where I was as long as she knew I was happy."

"I see."

"Have you made an offer on the house?"  Abby asked wanting to change the subject. 

"Not yet," Daniel locked the front door and checked it.  "I wasn't one hundred percent sure I wanted it till...till...now."

Abby, busy admiring the landscaping, didn't notice Daniel's hesitation on the last two words.

"Houses give out vibes just as people do," she said without thinking.

"They do?"  Daniel stopped on the path and stared at her in surprise.  "What kind of vibrations is this house giving out?"

"I sense a great yearning.  It's waiting to be filled with happiness and a family."

The little silence that followed her statement made Abby say nervously, "I know it sounds silly, but it really is true.  Mrs. G's house will always be elegant and a show piece, but somehow I can't see a family there."

Daniel remained silent.  A part of him hoped what Abby said was true.  That this house and the person who shared it with him would dispel the last vestiges of his own emptiness.  More and more he wanted Abby to be that person.

Two days later, Abby stepped off the bus from L.A. at eight o'clock at night.  She'd had a very busy day.  It was a good thing the stores she'd shopped at were all in one central area.  The last of her purchases for Mrs. G's house had been completed.

Busy with her thoughts, Abby didn't see Daniel till he came right up to her.  "Hi!"

She looked at him, surprised by the rush of gladness that filled her.  "What are you doing here?"

"Sarah mentioned you'd be on this bus.  I thought I'd give you a ride home.  Let me take that."

Daniel reached for the large package she'd been carrying.  Reluctantly Abby handed it over. 

"It's glass," she cautioned.

"I'll make sure it's safe," Daniel assured her, placing it on the back seat. 

Daniel was doing an extremely good job of carrying on as if nothing had happened. 

They were on their way home when Abby said, "I could have walked home.  It isn't so far."

"I could have taken you into L.A. if you'd told me you were going," countered Daniel.

"I always go to L.A. by bus.  The van's too old for these trips." 

Maybe next year this time, if things continued to do well, she'd be able to buy a less decrepit set of wheels.

The thought of Abby carrying that heavy package and waiting for the bus bothered him.  "Why is it so difficult for you to accept help, Abby?"

"I don't know what you mean."  She did.  One man had robbed her of her independence and ever since she had guarded it carefully.

"Would it have been so hard to ask me for a ride into L.A.?"  The more he thought about it, the angrier Daniel got. 

"You've done enough for us."

"Not as much as being here has done for me."

There was nothing Abby could say to that. 

"Sometimes, by asking for help, you give another person a chance to feel good about giving as well," Daniel said quietly as he pulled up next to the guest house.

"Thank you for the ride, Daniel."  Abby stepped out of the car quickly.  She wasn't sure she wanted to tangle with him while he was in this mood.

Later in her room, Abby unwrapped the package and stared at the ceiling lamp she had bought.  Bronze, the glass had a design of blue and pink flowers etched in it.  The minute she'd seen it she'd known she had to buy it.  It would be perfect for the breakfast nook in Daniel's new house. 

Abby ran a hand through her hair.  The only problem was how was she going to explain why she had bought the lamp to Daniel?  It sounded foolish to buy a gift for a house he hadn't even put down an offer for.  She didn't even know if Daniel still wanted her to help with decorating his house.

Abby looked at the lamp.  It was really beautiful.  The store she'd seen it in carried one-of-a-kind stuff.  If she'd waited, she might not have found this lamp again. 

Abby thought about Daniel's remarks.  Helping others had done wonders for her
self-esteem.  She didn't want Daniel to think that she was so wrapped up with giving, she didn't know how to receive. 

Tired but restless Abby decided to go outside for a while.  She hadn't seen the dogs all day.  Maybe spending a little time with them would help her relax and fall asleep quickly. 

The next morning Abby came downstairs to find a note from Daniel on the refrigerator door.  `Going to the swap meet at ten.  Let me know if you'd like to come along, Abby.'

Her first impulse was to refuse. 

Sometimes by asking for help, you give another person a chance to feel good as well.

The memory of Daniel's words changed Abby's mind.  For once she was going to prove him wrong. 

Abby found him in the community room, talking to Hamish.

"The neurologist can't believe the difference in my hands," Daniel told Hamish.  "The flexibility has improved tremendously.  If this keeps up, he says I should recover full use of them in a year.  He wants a sample of the oil to analyze.  He pointed out the fact that I'm under no stress at all now and he says that has a great deal to do with it."

Seeing Abby by the door, Daniel said, "Ready to go?"

Abby nodded, "Yes." 

Daniel seemed to have forgotten their little argument.

"Were you stressed when you came to Carbon Canyon?"  Abby asked as Daniel started his car.  "My first impression of you was of someone perfectly in control of his life."

"Stress isn't always the visible kind.  Sometimes though a person appears perfectly normal, stress can manifest itself as an illness, or, as in my case, delay recovery.  Besides at those seminars...."

"Yes?" prompted Abby, as Daniel's voice trailed away.

"I was more or less playing a part.  The part of the perfect speaker.  I had even begun to think there was nothing more to life than work and success.  It took these weeks here to show me how wrong I was."

"What caused the accident?"  The words were out of Abby's mouth before she stopped to think.  She watched Daniel's mouth tighten and wished the words unsaid.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Abby said quickly.

Daniel looked up and saw the confusion in Abby's face.  "I don't mind talking about it now."  Clearing his throat, he continued, "My fiancée and I were going home from a party.  We were having an argument.  The car crashed into the hillside.  Eve died on the spot."