AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shifting her eyes from the lawn, she turned in her seat to see Oliver heading towards her, carrying two white mugs, his expression serious. Abigail swallowed when something occurred to her. Had they found out about the cottage? Either that or he was about to give her an ultimatum; if she didn’t decide whether she was staying on, then they’d have to let her go. She pursed her lips as he sat, putting the mugs on the table, and pulled up a chair.
Oliver shifted nervously in his seat.
Abigail stared at him. She’d decided she knew what this was about. ‘You want to let me go, don’t you?’
‘No, no, not at all.’ He fingered his coffee mug. ‘Quite the opposite, in fact. I … I well, I thought you’d tell me your plans when you’re ready.’
Abigail nodded, thinking that sounded reasonable.
‘But I wanted to know if you’d said anything to indicate what you might be planning to do, so I asked Carys.’
Abigail said nothing. It was her turn to shift nervously in her seat. She picked up her coffee mug, thinking,please don’t ask me to decide now. She still wasn’t ready. Perhaps she should just say no and be done with it.
‘Carys said she didn’t have a clue, although she said she’d ask you. Then I bumped into your sister.’
Abigail leaned forward in her chair, thinking,Oh no, what did she tell him?
‘I kind of asked her if you had spoken to her about your plans.’
Abigail frowned. ‘What did she say?’
Oliver bit his lower lip. ‘I am so sorry.’
‘What about?’
‘I had no idea you’re a widow. I am so sorry for your loss.’
Abigail stared at him before lowering her gaze. ‘What else did she tell you?’
‘She said that you haven’t told her what your plans are, but she suspects you’ll return to London.’
Abigail picked up her coffee mug, surprised that Emily had said that.
‘Is it true?’
Abigail looked up sharply. ‘Is what true? What else did she tell you?’
‘Nothing, nothing. I was just wondering if it’s true that you’re going to leave us.’ He looked down at his coffee mug, adding in barely a whisper, ‘leave me.’
Their eyes locked across the table.
They heard the sound of the door opening, and Carys’s voice exclaiming, ‘Oh, there you are. You’ll never guess what I saw—’ She stopped. ‘What are you doing out here?’
‘Carys, what do you want?’ Oliver barked crossly.
She looked from Oliver to Abigail and grinned.
‘Ah, I’ll leave you two alone.’
Carys winked at Oliver as she backed out of the door, still smiling from ear-to-ear. Abigail sighed. She had seen that look before – on Lili’s face when she’d thought she was playing matchmaker between her and Joss.
With Carys gone, the moment was lost. But not quite. ‘You know I want you to stay, Abigail. Not for the job offer. I understand if you’re … not ready or if you’re not into me.’
‘Oh, I do like you,’ Abigail blurted.
That smile appeared again, making her stomach do somersaults. ‘I just need time.’ Abigail surprised herself by admitting that.
He was still smiling. ‘I understand. Of course I do. Take all the time you need, Abigail, I’m not going anywhere.’
