Abby glanced up and blushed prettily.
Dear Lord, she wasn’t falling for that bounder’s line. “So are you gentlemen headed out after lunch?” he said to Holden.
Holden glanced up from his stew. “I thought we’d stay a spell. Rest our bones.”
Mr. Webber, his belly full, was leering. Horny bastard.
“The weather looks like it could close in,” Matthias warned. His words were casual, while his meaning was predatory. Get off my land! “You best head out right after lunch so you don’t get caught in a storm.”
Holden frowned. “The sky is clear as a bell.”
Abby paused, her cup near her lips. “Holden’s right, there’s not a cloud in the sky.”
“It’s going to rain,” Matthias growled.
Holden glanced up. When he saw Matthias’s murderous expression, he glanced toward the men who gawked at Abby. He understood in an instant. “I suppose it would be best if we made Crickhollow by dark.”
“The sooner the better.”
Abby frowned. “Are you sure? We don’t get guests very often.”
Holden ate faster, as if sensing Matthias’s patience was now paper-thin. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”
Thirty minutes later, Matthias, Abby and the children waved goodbye as Holden pulled out with his passengers.
Once the stage had left, Abby started back toward the cabin, with the boys in tow.
“Abby, I’d like to speak to you.” Matthias watched her turn, noted the worry and concern on her face. “Boys, run on inside while I talk to Miss Abby.”
The boys scurried into the cabin, leaving Abby alone to face him. “I have to clean up the lunch plates.”
“They’ll keep.” He had hoped two days on the trail would cool his desire for her and give his mind time to clear. It hadn’t worked.
Each night, his mind filled with thoughts of how well their bodies fit together. Even now he remembered the soft warmth of her skin.
When he’d been with Elise, he’d always kept a tight rein on his needs, fearing if she saw the animal need in him, she would be afraid. With Abby, he’d lost control. His animal desires had roared to life. But there’d been no fear in Abby’s eyes. Instead there’d been a fire in her that had matched his own. Under all that calico beat the heart of a passionate woman.
Pent-up desires pulled at the bit.
The intent in his eyes had her backing away a step. “What can I do for you, Mr. Barrington?”
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Matthias straightened his shoulders. He wasn’t sure how he was going to mend things with Abby, but he had to fix the mess he’d created. “Those men here today. You understand what they’re after.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “I have a fair idea.”
“Don’t be fooled by their words.”
“I won’t be fooled again.”
He caught her meaning. Seeing those other men ogling her drove home the fact that he could easily lose her. He was painfully aware now what he was losing. What he’d had with Abby.
“There’ll be others like them.”
“Only if I’m lucky.” She grinned wickedly, turned on her heel and flounced into the house.
“You won’t be entertaining men on my land, under my roof.”
She shrugged. “I came out here for a fresh start. That’s what I plan to have. If a man comes calling, I won’t chase him off.”
Possessive hot need pounded in his veins. If he had his way, he’d toss her over his shoulder, take her in the barn and make love to her right now. “Then I will,” he growled.
Challenge snapped in Abby’s eyes. “So let me understand this. You can’t move on with your life and you won’t let me move on with mine.”
No. Yes. “Damn it. You’re making it sound more complicated than it is.”
“I think it’s best for all of us if I leave on the next stage. Mrs. Clements will watch the boys if I ask her and then you can be free to do your work and mourn your dead wife.” Her cheeks flushed. “Consider this my notice, Mr. Barrington.”
Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and marched back into the cabin.
Matthias stood with his hands clenched at his sides.
Abby wasn’t going anywhere.
She was his.
Chapter Thirteen
Later that afternoon, Abby sat on a log under the shade of a poplar tree churning butter. Her anger had cooled and she now regretted losing her temper. What was wrong with her? Her emotions were all over the place.
Emotions had turned her life into a disastrous mess eight years ago and now they were doing it again. She’d come to Montana to gain control, not lose it.