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"So I'm a little tightly wound." Abigail lifted a shoulder. Wasn't like she could help it. She was who she was. "And where did you learn the saying 'your butt's working button holes'?"
"I'm very interested in Southernisms. I've been keeping a little list of the ones I like in my purse." Shelby smiled triumphantly, as if she thought she had a leg up on the imaginary Southern citizenship test.
Abigail stared at her for a full six seconds before she said, "I think I was born this way."
"Well, you are who you are, but sometimes it's nice to have our edges smoothed. Leif seems like a guy who could do a bang-up job for you. No pun intended, of course."
Abigail thought about that. "Yeah, he probably could."
"What's stopping you? Uh, is it the church thing? Or is it because Leif's, well, different? I'm from Washington State and we're used to his vibe, but people here aren't so... accepting."
"No. Not that." Abigail felt strange about talking this over with Shelby. "I guess I don't want to be that woman again."
"What woman?"
"The one a man never stays for."
Shelby looked as if she wanted to say Abigail was crazy, but she remained silent, waiting.
Abigail swallowed. "I know it sounds weak. I try to be strong, but underneath all my-" She sucked in air and blinked away the emotion.
Shelby grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Oh, I know. Love is scary when you've been burned."
"It's stupid to be so scared, though."
"No, it's not. Everyone is scared of being hurt."
Abigail looked at their joined hands. "I wish I was stronger."
"You don't have to be strong. You have to be willing to take a chance."
Abigail sniffed. "I know. But it's easier said than done.Thing is, Leif’s the wrong guy. He's not going to stay in Magnolia Bend, and even if he were, he's commitment phobic."
''And you know this how?"
"I saw his ex-fiancee cream him in the face with their wedding cake. Someone at the school told me he said he's been engaged three times. Three! Who does that? Clearly, he gets cold feet and runs every time things get serious.”
"So why do they have to be serious?"
Abigail stared at Shelby. How could she not understand something so obvious? "Because I can't carry on a love affair in public."
"Why not?"
"Because my daddy is a preacher. I'm the PTA president. My family-"
"So this is about what other people think about you?"
"Yeah. I mean, no." Abigail shut her mouth. All the reasons and rationales, the rules and regulations that guided her every move sounded in her head. "I can't just sleep around with Leif like it's no big deal.”
"Abigail, people date all the time. We're not living in the 1920s, and I'm fairly sure you won't be painted a fallen woman if you date someone. What you actually do on your dates is your business.”
Abigail blinked several times, not because she hadn't thought about that, but because Shelby made it sound so damn reasonable. "But-"
"You're so much like your brother. Parameters. I'm surprised you don't have rules painted on every wall," Shelby said before making a face when she saw the Grandmother's Rules placard attached to the wall behind Abigail. "Don't you know, Abigail, that there are no rules, no absolutes, and no guaran-tees when it comes to falling in love? But do it any way."
Abigail turned to the sink, pulling the plug on the dirty dishwater. "I'll think about it. It was good to have someone to talk to."
At this Shelby grew still. Her blue eyes became suspiciously damp. "It really is, isn't it?"
