Jared chuckled.His smile faded at the look on Sky’s face.After Abby left, he grasped her hand that lay on the table.
“Hey, what are you thinking?”
“You’re really not mad that she talked to you like that?”
“No, Baby, I’m not.The woman terrifies me, and she knows it.”
Sky chuckled at his dramatic shudder.
He felt her relax and watched the fear seep out of her eyes.
“Why would you think I would be mad?”
Sky shrugged and tried to pull her hand from his.
“I’ve always been taught to respect the men in my life, and since she’s an employee, that makes it even worse.”
Jared tightened his grip and leaned toward her.
“For one thing, she’s not just an employee, she’s part of this family.Abby and her husband, Terry, have been here forever.She takes care of the house, and he takes care of the grounds and flower beds.They were never able to have children, so they kind of took me in as their surrogate child, and my parents loved all the help they could get.I was kind of a hellion.”
“That must have been wonderful to have so many people care about you.”
“Yes, it was, most of the time.The trouble, though, was that too many people caught me when I was bad.I didn’t get away with anything.”
Sky snickered and rolled her eyes.“Oh, you poor thing.”
“It sucked.How about you?Did you get into any trouble as a child?”He regretted asking when the light seemed to flow from her face.
“No, I never got into trouble.”
Jared watched the happiness seep from her expression and didn’t push for an explanation.He stood and pulled her up.
“Thank you, Abby,” he yelled.
Abby walked through the kitchen door as she wiped her hands with a dish towel.
“You’re welcome.”She turned her gaze toward Sky.“I hope you get a good night’s rest, Sweetie, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Jared had Sky tucked against his side with his arm wrapped around her back.
“Is Terry coming to get you?You know I don’t like you walking home in the dark.”
Abby laughed.“Of course, he is.I’m just about done in the kitchen.Do you want me to lock the back door?”
“That would be great.We’ll see you in the morning.”
****
Abby watched as Jaredled Sky from the dining room with an arm curled around her waist.Despite the size difference, they looked good together.His darkness to her fairness.His tough masculinity to her calm female presence.Abby predicted that little Sky was going to calm the beast and bring joy to his dull life, and he would bring safety and love to hers.
“You about ready, Hun?”
Abby smiled over her shoulder at her husband.“Yes.Let me set the coffeemaker for the morning and wipe down the dining room table.”
Terry narrowed his eyes as he stared at her.“What are you smiling about?That smile always makes me nervous.”
Abby snapped her towel at Terry.“Oh, poo.I was just watching the two of them.I know he’s so much bigger than her, but they fit.You should have seen the looks they were giving each other.Sky’s eyes followed him, but she tried to hide it, and Jared didn’t even try to hide his interest in her.”
