No running, playing, games. Failure to keep themselves clean and breaking the rules resulted in solitary confinement, and no meals for up to thirty-six hours! Staying dirty and playing was part of the childhood experience that she remembers with a smile. Plans for Mason flit through her mind and soon Abbie finds herself sleepy and decides to lay down with Mason. Exhaustion is beating at her and the next few days will be hard on all of them.
Tucker returns an hour later and finds everyone sound asleep. Abbie is curled protectively around Mason and as he stares at them, the possessive feelings he’s having stun him.
“They aren’t yours, Tucker,” he whispers and smiles, “not yet.” His heart and head finally agree. Abbilene has taught him that the human heart is infinite in its ability to grow.
His fingers itch to touch, to wrap them in his protective embrace, but he knows he doesn’t yet have that right.
She needs a friend and protector right now and he will be there for them until she’s ready for more. It might be time to think about a career change. His cattle farm is very productive. With his father still working as the Ranch Manager it is thriving. He always knew he would go back to farm life and now it may be sooner than he thought.
He smiles and grabs the file given to her by Mr. Bentley and sits to read.
Allegra Workhouse Policies. Tucker frowns as he reads. They are as strict as any jail, and worse, considering many of the inmates are children.
“What the h…” he mumbles and Abbie whispers from the bed.
“Careful Sheriff, little ears are listening.” Tucker grins and watches her sit up with a sleepy smile.
Their eyes meet and hold across the room and her smiles fades when she sees what he’s reading. She rolls over and rises silently, hoping that Mason will keep sleeping. He no doubt needs it.
Abbie sits next to him, and points. “We would’ve been in so much trouble.”
“That’s the truth. We stayed dirty, and running was my favorite past time, besides teasing you.” He grins.
Abbie laughs softly and touches his face. “Thank you, Tucker for being here,” He grabs her hand and presses a kiss to the palm.
“My pleasure,” he whispers.
A knock at the door causes her to jump back from him. “I ordered lunch.”
As the food is brought in Tucker watches Abbie walk over to Mason and check on him. “I don’t want to wake him.” She turns back and asks the waiter for directions to a general store.
“I need supplies. Mason has nothing. According to the rule book they are stripped of everything to make them easily identified as orphans.” Abbie sits down to eat lunch with Tucker, and they discuss plans.
“As soon as they wake, we will go get what he needs. The only way to get to the train station is to take a stage coach to the next largest town. From there it should be a straight shot home.”
“Okay,” Abbie glances over at the children and frowns. “I must admit I’m scared. As soon as we get home, I feel like I’ll be putting them both in danger. Until they verify that I’ve adopted Mason, it isn’t safe for him. I may have to hire some security. What do you think?” she asks, sipping her broth.
“I think the most obvious thing to do is for all of you to come stay with me,” Tucker speaks before he thinks.
“What?” she chokes on her soup.
The more he thinks about it the more he likes it. “No one needs to know your home. My farm house is outside of town on my family land. Your parents can come too. It will give you time to get to know each other where you are safe and protected.”
“Tucker, I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve already done so much for us.” Abbie frowns and looks over at the baby who has started moving around.
“I’m being paid to keep you safe, Abbilene. It’s the perfect solution. I can check in at the Sheriff’s office, talk to the lawyers and bring your parents to the house.”
“Tucker, I don’t know…” she refuses to look at him. Abbie is dreading separating from him already. What happens if the children grow attached, too?
“Abbs right now we need to be careful. My house is the perfect spot for you to rest, heal and get to know each other. I can work on hiring security for you, if you trust me,” he picks up an apple from the lunch tray and bites it.
“You know that I do, Tucker,” she replies instantly.
“Then what’s the problem, Abbs?” he asks tossing the half-eaten apple on his plate and wiping his hands.
Abbie blushes and rises to give herself some time to answer him. She plucks Coralie up and places her on the floor, on her yellow blanket. “Tummy-time,” she sings and Coralie smiles.
Tucker watches her closely and follows her. When she straightens up, he grabs her by her upper arms and turns her to face him.
“No more hiding, Abbs, what’s going on?” he demands.
“I can’t explain right now,” she glances at Mason and smiles. “Don’t you see how complicated my life is right now? Being in such close quarters with you is going to create problems. I don’t need more problems.”
“I understand that. I only want to keep you safe. Let me help you while I can, Abbs,” he pleads.
Her eyes drop to his mouth and he jerks in shock. “We are grown-ups, Abbilene. I promise to keep my hands and mouth to myself. I won’t compromise you or your family.”
“Can
