Finding Abby: A Romantic Suspense set in the Colorado Mountains (Whispering Pines Mysteries) by Rhonda Blackhurst

Author:Rhonda Blackhurst [Blackhurst, Rhonda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

It was seven o’clock when Johnny’s grandma pulled in the driveway. Abby stood on the front porch and waved at her as Cooper got out of the car, grabbing a video game controller he’d obviously brought with him. He hollered over his shoulder, “Thank you, Mrs. Parker! See you tomorrow, Johnny!”

“Thank you for remembering your manners, young man.” She ruffled his hair as he jerked away and shot a quick glance at the car that was now driving out of the driveway.

“Mom,” he complained, the short word drawn out into two syllables.

“Sorry to embarrass you.” She smiled through the sting. “I hate to break it to you, but other kids have a mom, too. Even Johnny.”

“He doesn’t ever see his mom.”

Abby’s attention piqued. “As in not very often or never?”

“Never.”

“Why not?”

“Mom,” he said, his voice ripe with irritation. “I didn’t ask him. If he wanted me to know he woulda told me.”

Uneasiness invaded Abby’s space. What kind of a mother leaves her child? “Does his grandmother live with them?”

“Think so.”

“Hm.” Abby dropped the conversation, but she couldn’t get rid of the nagging unease that settled upon her.

Cooper brought his things up to his room. Victoria and Sam had long ago gone home for the day, and her father was reading a book behind the counter in the store.

She wandered over to the large picture window and saw Gabriel standing at the water’s edge, hands tucked loosely in the front pocket of his jeans, one leg bent slightly at the knee. He appeared completely at ease and in his element. He wasn’t what Abby would call extravagant or sophisticated, and that’s exactly what she liked about him. His boy-next-door crossed with rugged-country-boy demeanor made her completely at ease around him. He was funny, casual, a great conversationalist, and absent of any egotism. He was a hard working, denim, leather, and stubble kind of guy that reminded her of someone from one of those old cigarette commercials—like the cowboy that used to advertise for Marlboro. But he didn’t smoke, thank goodness. That would have been a deal-breaker. Hunter had been a smoker from the beginning and kissing him after he’d been out was like kissing an ashtray.

She shivered at the thought. But it only lasted for a brief moment before she was thinking about Gabriel and their close encounter. A smile spread across her face and she bit her lower lip in anticipation of being alone with him again. Little did she know before this afternoon how fun games could be.

Cooper came up behind her and gave her a half hug.

“What was that for?” She turned to smile at him, her heart melting as she saw the boy who was quickly becoming a young man. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.”

“Just ’cause. Sorry about earlier.”

“Was anything wrong?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Did you have a good time at Johnny’s?” she asked.

“Yeah, it was okay.”

“Just okay?” She put her teacup down and leaned against the counter, crossing one bare foot over the other at the ankle. “Want to talk about it?” she asked gently.

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