Abbie stops talking when she realizes they’ve all fallen quiet. “What?”
“Tell me you didn’t let her hold onto the rail!” Tucker glares at his friend.
“I was right next to her; she was perfectly safe,” Shep insists.
Abbie listens and steps in front of Shepherd and pokes Tucker in the chest. “I’m a grown woman, and I didn’t want to be crammed inside. My ribs can’t take being jarred, and I didn’t exactly give him a choice Tucker. It was remarkable!” She grins and turns to Shepherd and his friends, who are both smiling at the look of frustration on Tucker’s face.
“Now, can someone tell me what happened at the train station?” Abbie demands.
Shepherd smiles with relief when his housekeeper arrives.
“Mrs. Combs, these are my guests. You remember Tucker Manning. Ms. Abbilene Gilbert is his friend. They will be staying with us.”
“Tucker, it’s good to see you again.” She turns and smiles at Abbie, “Welcome, Ms. Gilbert.”
“Mrs. Combs is my housekeeper and cook extraordinaire, she will show you to your room, and we can discuss business over dinner.”
Abbie smiles as the older woman hurries her away from Tucker and up the large spiral staircase to a room on the back of the house with a private bathing room.
“Dinner is a simple lobster bisque with fresh rolls.”
“That sounds heavenly. I’ve never had lobster.” Her bedroom is quiet and cool, with a large four poster cherry bed and soft quilt. Abbie’s bags are waiting for her, and she is sorely tempted to lay on the bed.
“I took the liberty of having your dresses pressed and hung for you in the wardrobe.” Mrs. Combs hurries into the bathing room and starts to fill the claw foot tub with steaming water.
“You’ll find everything you need inside. Including towels and soap. Please, take your time and enjoy.”
The past few days have started to catch up to her, and she covers a yawn. “Forgive me, Mrs. Combs, I wasn’t expecting such an eventful trip.”
“I’m sure. Let me help you with your stays.”
“That would be nice,” Abbie quickly removes the two parts of her dress and sighs with relief when the corset is unlaced. She removes it, and Mrs. Combs takes it to hang.
Her ribs are throbbing and her hip, not to mention her shoulder. Exhaustion is beating at her now, and she yawns again.
“Come on, lamb, into the bath with you, before you fall asleep on your feet.” She guides her into the bathing room and helps her remove her clothes.
A loud gasp has Abbie covering herself. “What?”
“Child, what happened to you? You’re black and blue!” she hisses.
“Oh, it’s a long story, Mrs. Combs.” She climbs into the tub and sinks down with a groan. “Thank you for your help. I’m going to soak some of this pain away.”
Abbie closes her eyes and leans back in the tub as Mrs. Combs hurries from the room and down the stairs with a look of outrage on her face.
“Shepherd! That young woman has been abused!” Mrs. Combs snaps when she finds him in the living room.
“She told me, Mrs. Combs. Do I need to send for the doctor?” he asks.
“How bad is it?” Tucker demands and walks to the door as if to go after her.
“The poor child’s ribs are black and blue. Her collarbone is swollen, and her head is pounding!” Mrs. Combs looks at Tucker with suspicion.
“It wasn’t me, Mrs. Combs!” He throws his hands up and points up the stairs. “Abbie was attacked on the train. The assailant struck her head and kicked her.”
“Kicked her repeatedly!” Mrs. Combs hisses. “It’ll be a miracle if she doesn’t have a cracked rib.”
“I’ll send for the doctor first thing in the morning,” Shepherd offers.
“The doctor on the train is the man who attacked her. I’m not sure he was a doctor. It’s probably for the best if we have her looked at.” Tucker sits heavily in the chair.
“I’ll bring coffee. Dinner will be served in an hour.” Mrs. Combs hurries out and returns with a tray of hot coffee.
“They are still looking for you. Until we know how many we’re up against, I’d say it’s best to wait until we get more information.” Wyatt suggests.
“For tonight you’re safe. You two will stay put while we hunt.” Cooper points at Shepherd, “Don’t let him leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Tucker grins and looks at his friends. “I can’t thank you enough. Abbie is my main concern. I won’t leave her unprotected again.”
“What’s going on, Tucker?” Shep demands.
“Let me tell you a story, gentlemen,” Tucker says while he sips on a hot cup of coffee.
Mrs. Combs hovers near the doorway until Shep sighs, “Grab a cup and sit down, woman, before you wear a hole in the rug.”
“I don’t mind if I do,” she sniffs and sits to listen with rapt attention as Tucker tells them Abbie’s story.
Chapter 24
“I never,” Mrs. Combs sniffs back tears when Tucker finishes the tale. “What kind of man does that to his wife?” she hisses.
His friends are staring at him in surprise. No one speaks, and he can’t help but laugh at them. “That’s what it takes to shock you?”
“Tucker, you’re in it up to your eyeballs, aren’t you?” Wyatt declares.
Shep jumps up and begins to pace in the living room.
While Cooper stares at him with eyes hard as nails. “You have to be smart about this, Tucker.”
“I’m trying, but to be honest, Abbie has more enemies than friends right now, and I’m not sure how much they know.”
“I know you better than this, Tucker. You’ve got a list of suspects
