They had agreed, last night, to meet for breakfast. And after that? The Beast House tour? Nora seemed determined to try it, and if Abe and Jack would go along…at least they’d be together that much longer.
Abe, I want you to meet my old friend, Dan Jenson. Dan, Abe Clanton.
Tyler? I can’t believe it’s really you. My God, let me look at you. You’re beautiful! Lost a few pounds have you?
Jealous sparks from Abe’s eyes as Dan sweeps her into his arms. Abe starts walking away. No, wait!
Too upset now to enjoy the luxury of the bed, Tyler got up. She parted the curtains slightly and looked outside. Her heart jumped. Seated on the stoop directly across the courtyard, elbows resting on his knees, eyes down, was Abe. The morning breeze stirred his hair. He was frowning as if deep in thought. Thinking about me? she wondered.
Sure thing. You flatter yourself.
But he might be.
God, he looks so lonely and troubled.
Astonished by her boldness, Tyler stepped away from the window. She put on a robe over her nightgown and went to the door. As she opened it, Abe looked up. His frown melted into a smile. “Morning,” Tyler called.
“Good morning.”
“Been up long?”
“Not long.”
“How about a cup of coffee?”
“How can I refuse?” He stood and brushed off the seat of his blue jeans. The jeans were old, worn pale at the knees, frayed a little at the cuffs. He wore newlooking boots. His white T-shirt hugged his torso, taking on the curves of his muscles.
Tyler was suddenly very aware that she was naked under her robe and nightgown.
That’s hardly naked, she thought.
But she could feel the cool breeze curling up her legs, sliding between them. Her nipples pushed into the slick fabric of her nightgown. She was slightly breathless as she stepped back from the doorway to let Abe enter.
“So,” she said, trying to sound calm, “did you sleep well? No nightmares about Bobo, I hope.”
He studied her face. “I slept fine. How about you?”
“Like a log.” She broke from his gaze and turned away. Her knees were shaky as she crossed the room. She took the coffee pot down from the mounted hotplate, and carried it into the bathroom. She filled it and brought it back. As she plugged in the dangling cord, Abe walked up behind her. She turned to face him. “It’ll probably take a few…” Her voice fell away. She stared into his eyes.
His open hand caressed the side of her face. “I missed you,” he whispered.
Tyler tried to speak but her throat was tight. She stepped into his arms, and kissed him.
Abe held her tightly, more tightly than last night, as if they’d been away from each other a very long time and he needed the feel of her body to know she was with him again. After a moment, his embrace loosened. His hands slid up and down her back.
Tyler wished he would hike up her robe and nightgown so she could feel his hands on her bare skin. But he patted her rump, and eased away.
Tyler untied her cloth belt. She parted her robe. She took him by the wrists and lifted his hands to her breasts. His hands were warm through the filmy nightgown. Her breath trembled as he caressed and gently squeezed. Then he shut the robe. Gripping its lapels, he pulled her forward and kissed her lightly on the mouth. He smiled. “You trying to seduce me?” he asked.
“It crossed my mind.”
“Shameless hussy,” he said.
“That’s me.”
“What about your friend, Dan?”
Her stomach tightened. “What about him?”
“You came all this way to find him.”
“I know, but…”
“If I’m going to lose you to this guy, I’d rather not…get in any deeper. I want you too much already. Don’t make it any tougher on me.”
“Oh, Abe,” she whispered. His face blurred as tears filled her eyes. She stepped against him and held him tightly.
“There you go again,” he said, stroking her hair. “Now why don’t you get dressed, and I’ll fix the coffee. You invited me in for coffee, remember?”
Tyler nodded. She wiped her eyes.
“Don’t try undressing in front of me, either.”
She managed a smile. “Darn, that was my plan.”
“I must be psychic.”
“Don’t you want to see what you’re missing?”
“That’s it, rub my face in it.”
“You
Abe laughed softly and shook his head.
Tyler stepped past him. He watched as she bent over the spare bed to search her suitcase. “I thought you were going to fix the coffee.”
“Do you take anything in it?”
“Just black.”
But he didn’t turn away. Tyler took out her corduroys, her yellow blouse, the filmy bra she’d worn last night, and a fresh pair of panties. She held up the garments for Abe to see. “Do these meet with your approval?”
“Very nice.”
She gave him a coy smile. “Dan never cared much for these,” she said, and let the bra flutter to the bed.
“You have a definite cruel streak,” Abe said.
“Do I?” She took the rest of the clothes into the bathroom. “Ta ta,” she said, and shut the door. She leaned against it. Shutting her eyes, she could still feel his arms around her, the firm pressure of his body, his eager lips, the way he’d touched her breasts. I want you too much already. My God, had he really said that? He had, he had! She found herself smiling and weeping. If I’m going to lose you to this guy…
No need to worry about that, Mr. Abraham Clanton.
Tyler Clanton.
She whispered the words.
Good Christ, don’t get crazy.
But she felt crazy: joyous and guilty and confused. He wants me, but how much? What’s next?
Breakfast is next. Take it one step at a time. Breakfast, then the tour of Beast House and confronting Dan (Jesus, what’ll I say to him?), then what? Lunch, maybe. What happens when it’s time to leave? Don’t think about that. Not yet. Cross the bridges as you come to them. Maybe we can all stay one more night. Or two. Or…
“The coffee’s ready,” Abe called through the door.
“I’ll be right out,” she said. Quickly, she shed her robe and nightgown. She used the toilet, washed, brushed her teeth, rolled deodorant under her arms, and dressed. It made her feel daring and sexy to wear the gauzy blouse without a bra. Luckily, there was a pocket over each breast. She tucked it in, leaned close to the mirror, and studied herself. “Lookin’ good,” she whispered. She unfastened another button to allow a glimpse of cleavage.
Nora would open still another.
She considered it for a moment, then shook her head.
Abe smiled when she stepped out. “Lovely,” he said.
She glanced down at her blouse. “Dan always liked me in yellow.”
Abe gave her a strange look. He must suspect. Wasn’t her teasing a dead giveaway? Well, she would just let him wonder. At least for a while.
He gave her a plastic cup. Steam was still rolling off the coffee. “Nora knocked while you were changing. They’re just about ready to go.”
