A blonde-haired man with the world’s dirtiest smile came out with just a loin cloth on.
“Jake.” Abby raised her brows. “Jake is Seed.”
“We though the name was appropriate, seeing that he’s a farmer. He seeds the ground…” Marian looked triumphant.
“Yes. Jake does seed the ground. And other things.” She gave him a glare. “Did he offer to pose for your calendar?”
“Oh absolutely,” Marian said. “He does every year. We have a little more trouble persuading his cousins, but they give in eventually.” Her eyes developed a devious glare. “Maybe you could take Alex’s picture this year? You know, a more natural picture, like when he’s not looking. When he’s getting out of the shower maybe, or in the bath?”
Abby smiled. She could be persuaded to take it, but definitely wouldn’t be handing it over. “I think that might breach privacy rights or something. I need a stamp, by the way.”
“One stamp coming up.” Gran gave her a sympathetic smile as Marian escorted Jake into the back, giving Abby a clear view of Jake’s bare arse.
“I didn’t need to see that.”
Gran shook her head. “Two years ago, if you hadn’t met Alex, you would’ve needed to see it. Jake’s backside is a thing of beauty and he knows it. However, because you now view Jake as family, it feels wrong to stare at it.”
Abby blinked, taking the stamp and putting it on the envelope without thinking. “Even if what you’ve just said sounds plausible, I’d still rather not see Jake’s backside.”
Gran laughed. “You sound like my granddaughter. She’s married to a gorgeous man, Jackson, and he has the most divine looking brothers. She caught sight of Seph – the youngest brother – naked when he was staying at hers and you should’ve heard the song and dance she made about it. I did tell her she was allowed to admire more than the man she was married to, as long as she didn’t put her hands on it or lick it. Jackson wasn’t too happy with that. He brooded for a whole day.”
Abby nodded, taking a deep breath because she knew the inevitable series of questions was about to start.
“How is Alex? Busy working?”
“Early shift this morning.” That was the easy question.
“He really likes you, Abby.”
Abby froze. She’d expected an inquiry into the girth of Alex’s penis or something along those lines.
“I really like him.” She now felt about twelve.
Gran’s smile was gentle. “Don’t let your past get in the way of what could be a happy future for you. Now, you give those mutts these treats later and they’ll do your bidding whenever you want.” She pulled two bags of random dog treats from under the counter.
Abby wasn’t sure what Alex would make of Gran referring to Hansel and Gretel as mutts. She wasn’t sure what she thought of Gran’s other words either, only that she very much hoped they were true.
The walk was a challenging one,chosen to increase her fitness levels and stamina. One of the reasons Abby loved climbing was that it used everything; skill, balance, strength, agility and fitness and her fitness was questionable. Hence the walk.
Hot weather meant the spring green of the landscape was turning to rust and she felt the first rush of autumn in the air. After midsummer, the longest day, there would be a turn in nature that she both adored and dreaded. The evenings slowly, slowly started to draw in and the blues and purples of spring became fiery reds and ambers. There were promises of roaring fires and heathered moorlands, the sweet smells of nature as it prepared for its slumber.
Making a living doing what she loved most was an ambition realised and today was the first time since she’d had the call to say that Tilly hadn’t been seen for so many days that she wondered if she could have that life back.
The descent down the peak she’d chosen to climb was steep and rocky, leading into a little village that was barely big enough for a name. There was a route from it, between two other peaks that would lead her back to Severton, meaning she’d have walked around fourteen miles, some of it as a jog. Her skin was salty and her hamstrings already tight. She’d taken photos and even filmed a quick video for her blog, discussing the importance of fitness in climbing and how to get it.
Two cars were parked outside the village’s sole pub, both expensive saloons. They looked out of place and Hansel gave a very low, barely audible growl as they walked past. Abby tried to look into them, but the windows were tinted and there was nothing she could see through either windscreen that was unusual.
A few steps beyond the pub and she heard a voice, familiar tones making her pause. Turning she saw a figure wearing a suit, one that looked expensive, designer maybe. Then she saw the face.
A face she recognised. Not from a chance meeting when she was looking for Tilly, but from a photograph.
A face that her sister had clearly loved.
Thirteen
Abby sounded excited on the phone. Who she was talking to was unknown, but there were a lot of affirmations going on and severalthat’s amazings. He chipped away at the piece of wood, feeling grumpy. Unsettled. Like he needed to spend time punching a bag or scaling up a rock face with very little equipment and no gloves. Something. Anything.
Because he didn’t want her to leave Severton.
