Abby’s excitement turned to annoyance. Though she didn’t move a muscle, she dug in her heels. “You won’t allow it.”
He could be stubborn, too. “You heard me.”
Holden, sensing the shift, rose. “I believe I best go check on the boys. You never know what those two might get into.” He rose quickly and went outside before either of them could respond.
Matthias shoved out a hard breath. “I don’t want you taking on the extra work.”
“Frankly, I’d love the company and the extra money would be welcome. There’d be enough money to pay off your credit at the store and then some, I’ll wager.”
The fact that he carried debt at the store still galled him. Until this spring, he’d always paid as he’d gone. “I’ll make it without any help.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You mean from me?”
He ground his teeth. “From anyone.”
Her face paled with anger. “So we’re back to that again?”
“What?”
“Me leaving.”
He shrugged. “It’s not a matter of if you leave, it’s a matter of when.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “I wish she was here.”
“Who?”
“Elise. Then you could take a good long look at both of us, and you could see with your own two eyes that I am not her.”
Rage roiled inside of him. “I know who you are.”
“Do you? Every evening when you come home you look surprised to see me, as if you expect me to be gone.”
Her words struck a nerve. She was right. He did expect her to vanish. And what was worse, that damn worry had taken root and grew every day.
“What’s it going to take to prove to you that I’m not going anywhere? Do I have to paint a sign on my naked body and dance around the valley for you?” Shaking her head, she strode out of the cabin.
Her words had caught him completely off guard. Elise would have sulked, made him feel guilty. Abby had a temper that matched his, and worse, she had him imagining her dancing naked.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. He wondered what the sign said.
Two hours later, Holden was sitting atop his rig, ready to finish his journey to Crickhollow. He touched the rim of his floppy hat. “Abby, I appreciate the meal. Best I’ve had in a long time.”
Abby smiled, pleased that her first guest had had a good time. “You’re welcome any time.”
The boys jumped up and down waving their goodbyes. Abby leaned down and whispered in each boy’s ear a reminder and together they shouted “thank you.”
Holden grinned. “Abby, I do believe you have found your place in the world.”
Mr. Barrington stood behind her, his rigid stance as palpable as a touch. Her earlier annoyance hadn’t completely faded and she was grateful that he had chores to do outside of the house for the next few hours.
“Be careful out there.” Mr. Barrington’s deep, rich voice made her skin tingle.
Holden’s smile flattened to a grim line. “You be careful, too. And keep a close eye on Miss Abby. When word spreads that there’s a single woman here, the men will come sniffing around. Just a matter of time before some man snaps her up for his own.”
“Not on my watch.” The cold steel in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. She had a glimpse of the man who’d been a bounty hunter.
Abby, Mr. Barrington and the boys all stood watching as Holden drove the coach down the rutted trail toward town. When his coach had vanished from sight, Abby was already thinking about what was to be done next. Holden’s visit was a welcome change, but she had mending to do before laundry day tomorrow. “Quinn, Tommy, let’s get you inside. You can practice your letters while I mend.”
The boys scrambled toward the house and she was directly behind them when Matthias’s strong hand settled on her shoulder.
She turned, shocked by his touch. They’d not touched once since their kiss last week. Foolish, she knew, but she had missed it. “Is something wrong?”
His stormy eyes met hers and she felt her stomach roll. “Do you know how to handle a gun?”
“A gun? No. My uncle kept a pistol in his desk.” She’d seen it there once or twice. “There wasn’t much call for guns in my section of San Francisco.”
The craggy lines in his face deepened. “Then it’s time you learned how to handle one.”
“For heaven’s sakes, why?”
“The railroad is going to bring a lot of good to the valley and it’ll bring trouble as well. I want you to know how to handle a gun.”
Her gaze dropped to the six-shooter in the well-worn holster hanging from his narrow hips. “But you always carry a gun.”