AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry, but we have to settle the animals for the night,” Abbe told Bianca, standing up.
“Perfect timing. I prefer to have uncomfortable conversations with people who are buys. That way they always have something to distract them while I say shit neither of us wants to be there for.”
Abbe couldn’t stop a laugh from breaking out of her. “You are direct, aren’t you?” she said appreciatively.
“It’s a talent.”
Bianca stepped back out of the doorway, indicating that Abbe should lead the way. Abbe laughed inwardly at Bianca’s unflappability, and went out to the yard, where Rachel was corralling the small dogs.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed this or not, but my brother isn’t exactly the relationship type,” Bianca said, walking along next to Abbe like they’d known each other for years. “As in, I’ve never seen him with a woman. I mean,” she stopped and guffawed, “women are always throwing themselves at him, and I’m sure he rarely spends an off night alone, but he’s neverwithanyone. Like, the way he hugged you in front of me? He’s never done that before.”
Abbe frowned and whistled for the dogs to come in. Jinx was being a jerk, tossing around a rag blanket violently, and ignoring her, so she went out to get him. “That’s really sad, actually,” she said as she picked Jinx up.
“I know, right?” Bianca said, then she looked down at Jinx and was startled. “Jesus Christ, is that a rat or a frog?”
Abbe held Jinx up a bit higher to look him over. “You know, Rafe said almost exactly the same thing the first time he saw Jinx. Except he used the wordtoad.”
“Oh, toad is way better,” Bianca instantly said. “Can I hold him?”
“Ah, sure,” Abbe said. “He might bite you, though.”
“He’s not going to bite me,” Bianca said, taking the growling, shaking dog away from Abbe and tucking him into the crook of her arm. As soon as she had him fit in there all snug and facing outward, he settled right down. “There, you see? He gets angry when people leave him out. He needs to be held where he can see everybody.”
Abbe considered this. Jinx only calmed down when he was included in human conversation. “You’re good with dogs,” she told Bianca.
“We grew up with them,” she replied, holding the little monstrosity in her arms like a designer purse. “Anyway. Back to my brother. I know he canceled on you, and I can tell you’re upset with him, but it wasn’t his fault. Our Uncle Gabriel is extremely demanding. He makes Rafe look easygoing.”
“Right. He had to work. I totally understand,” Abbe said, walking past Bianca to lead the other small dogs to their kennels. She didn’t want to hear any excuses at the moment, not even if they were valid.
“You’re saying you understand, because your headdoesunderstand, but you’re also still really upset because your feelings are not in your head,” Bianca said, following along behind her. “I just want to let you know—in case you felt like he was blowing you off—that he isnotblowing you off. In fact, he is more wrapped up in you than he’s ever been in anyone, and I…I’m worried you don’t know what that means. What a big deal it is. That’s all.”
Abbe ushered a dog into its kennel before looking up and meeting Bianca’s earnest gaze. “You really love your brother,” she said.
“I mean, I know I’m supposed to because he’s my brother, but I also love him because of who he is. Did he tell you about our dad?” she asked.
“Just that he died about ten years ago,” Abbe replied, paying attention to the dogs so she didn’t have to engage with Bianca.
“I was twelve.” Something in her tone made Abbe look up.
“I’m sorry,” Abbe said, feeling her heart give a tug. “Twelve is a hard year, period. To lose your father then must have been awful.”
Bianca didn’t reply right away. “Rafe has been like my dad since then,” she finally said quietly. “He takes care of me, our mom, and the company with my uncle and my other brother Cassiel. He takes care of everything for everyone, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen him acting like he needed anything for himself. He needs you, Abbe.” She let out a gusty breath and rolled her eyes, like she was relieved to be done with having to be so serious. “Anyway. Here’s your toad.”
She handed Jinx back to Abbe, paused for a second to look at Jinx appraisingly, and then waved in her breezy, devil-may-care way as she headed out.
“Bianca?” Abbe called after her. The lively young woman spun back around. “Do you know someone named Jessica? She’s in her thirties, and has a platinum bob.”
Bianca shook her head. “I don’t know anyone named Jessica but I know, likefivewomen in their thirties with platinum bobs. Why?”
It was a popular hairstyle at the moment. “Doesn’t matter,” she Abbe said, giving up. She already knew that name was a dead end.
“I’ll see you soon,” Bianca said with an impish smile, before sauntering out.
Abbe got a ride home from Rachel, thanked her probably one time too many, and then walked past Mrs. Harris in the window, waving goodnight to her on her way to the guest house.
“Didn’t we usually have the scarecrow out here by now?”
Abbe jumped and let out a little scream, then felt really stupid when she recognized the dark figure that was sitting on the bench under the tree.
