The House on Blackberry Hill (Jewell Cove 1)

“Maybe if you hung around longer.”

“He’s still in love with Erin.” Abby kept her voice low; after all, she’d learned quite quickly that there were big ears everywhere in a place this size. “You must know that. I couldn’t compete with her even if I wanted to.”

Jess sighed. “I wish they would both move on. Neither one of them is happy.”

She didn’t need to say the name for Abby to know she meant Josh. Abby looked at Jess and asked something she’d been wondering for a long time now. “What was it about her, Jess? For Tom and Josh to fall so hard, to ruin their friendship? I don’t get it.”

Jess fiddled with the tab of her tea bag. “I don’t really know. She was beautiful, and physically strong, but there was a vulnerability about her, too. A ‘little girl lost’ vibe. I think they both responded to that. I think she was the sort of woman that makes a man want to take care of her, you know?”

Abby did know. “I hope I’m not that way,” she mused. “I can take care of myself.”

Jess smiled. “Yes, you can. I think we all realized that the moment Tom put his foot through your veranda and you called Bryce. But you miss the point. Just because a woman is self-sufficient doesn’t mean she won’t make a man want to take care of her. Two very different points of view.”

“You think Tom wants to take care of me?”

Jess sent her a knowing look. “I think Tom wants to take care of everyone. And I think the fact that you don’t necessarily let him is good for him. I wish you’d reconsider. Even if you sell the house, I wish you’d stay. You belong here.”

Abby swallowed thickly. “I can’t.” The truth was, she didn’t know how to really belong anywhere. She’d learned at a very young age to rely on herself and no one else. At least that way she wouldn’t put her hopes—her faith—in any one person and they couldn’t let her down.

She blinked as that simple truth slammed into her. If she kept running she never had to get too close to anyone, never have a home to call her own. Neither would anyone have the power to disappoint her. To leave. What would happen if she put down roots here? If she let her heart get involved? Tom would have the power to break it, wouldn’t he? And he probably would. She’d be a fool to let that happen.

“Are you okay?” Jess’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“Yeah, fine, just thought of something I need to do, that’s all.” She forced a smile. “Besides, you probably need to get to the shop.”

“Tom cares for you, Abby. I can see it all over his face when he looks at you. Maybe he doesn’t realize how much, but I wish you’d give him a chance.”

Her words stung just a little bit. “I have my own reasons, too, Jess. I’m sorry.”

“Me, too. Will you promise me one thing, though?”

Oh, boy.

Jess put her hand on Abby’s arm. “Will you promise not to leave without saying good-bye to me? To Sarah? She’s finally told everyone the news and I’m throwing her a baby shower.” Jess’s dark eyes—the ones that reminded Abby so much of Tom—pleaded with her.

Abby’s throat swelled up with emotion. Intentional or not, she’d made connections here. “That sounds like fun,” she replied. “Now scoot. I need to grab some breakfast.”

Jess was gone with a wave.

Inside Breezes, Abby sat alone, listening to the conversations going on around her. One family of tourists was talking about going on a whale boat excursion. A group of ladies were meeting for coffee and animatedly discussing the latest book they’d read in their book club. Abby listened to that one closely, smiling as they debated which hero had more heroic qualities—Darcy or Captain Wentworth. A couple of old-timers were deliberating the cost of purchasing a new tractor and one very pretty young lady was at the counter ordering the makings of a very nice picnic basket. Abby lifted her hand and waved as a few familiar faces came in. The waitress, Linda, brought her a chocolate-filled croissant even though Abby hadn’t ordered it, because she knew it was her favorite.

A pang resonated through Abby’s heart.

Of all the places she’d lived in her adult years, this was the first place that truly felt like a home.

She drained the last bit of coffee from her cup and left a twenty on the table. She was going to miss Jewell Cove deeply. More than she ever imagined possible.

CHAPTER 18

With the house officially on the market, Abby figured her time to finish going through the final possessions in the attic was limited. She’d already organized the storage room into things for the historical society, things to get rid of, and other items she wanted put into storage. There was just the back corner left—a half-dozen cardboard boxes and one small chest.

The summer heat was cloying in the windowless space, and Abby made short work of the boxes, which contained mostly clothes. Most she would donate, but a half-dozen dresses were particularly pretty and she put them aside, wondering if she dared have them dry-cleaned. Vintage stuff was getting more popular.

But it was the chest that gave her trouble.

It was locked. And she had no idea where to find the key.

She retrieved the ring she and Tom had used to open the servant’s stairway, but none of the keys fit, and she suspected the lock was rather rusted. Deciding to risk injuring the chest, she trotted back downstairs and got a knife and also a claw hammer from a small toolbox she kept on hand. If she couldn’t pick the lock, maybe she could pry it open.