Page 85 (2/2)

“Everyone will be gone soon No one’s co for the tents until tomorrow I can send them all home now if you like”

“How very Lady of the Manor of you” The FOR SALE sign at the end of the road was clear Abby Foster wasn’t staying Why would she want to settle in a little nowhere town like this with a siarden parties and chane?

“And how snobbish of you to point that out” She aze evenly “I’m not Erin, Tom I don’t care about wealth and status”

Her honest words struck hiht but because she knew she was right and she’d used it against him

“Ouch,” he said roughly, turning to go

“Would you rather I not be honest with you, Tom? We could pretend it doesn’t matter but it does We can pretend that Erin isn’t in the picture but it would be pointless because it doesto walk away froh to tell me why”

He turned back She had her chin lifted and she stood defiantly in the corridor, but he saw the vulnerability, too In the softness of her lips, the quick rise and fall of her chest

He took a step forward “Me? Walk away from you?” He pointed toward the door “You’re the one with the FOR SALE sign in your front yard”

“And you’re the one offering to buy it”

“So?”

They were standing off against each other when one of the kitchen maids entered from the side door “Excuse me, but we’re done in the kitchen, Abby Do you want us to look after the linens and vases, too?”

Abby finally looked away from Tom and smiled “No, I’ll do that later, thanks, Cindy Tell everyone thank you for me, will you?”

Cindy looked froet out of your hair, then,” she said quietly Tom watched her make a retreat with a soft swish of her black skirts Voices quieted as the last of the ladies exited the house, leaving them alone

To away And yet he couldn’t make himself do it

“Don’t leave,” Abby said quietly “There are things I need to say Please Will you hile I change out of these things?”