Frank peeked into the house and saw Abigail and Lena talking and smiling.
“I think we’re the lucky ones. I think she’s special,” Frank stated then headed inside.
Quinn watched as Lena shyly looked away from his dad Frank then glanced in Quinn’s direction. He tried to smile, but looking at her and knowing that she had been living on the streets made his heart ache. Quinn decided then and there that he would do whatever he had to ensure her safety and well-being.
Chapter 4
The next few days after work, Abigail had come over to help Lena fix up the house. They had started with a thorough cleaning and then began to wash all the dishes and pots and pans that had remained in the closets for years.
“This crap needs to be replaced. It’s just old and doesn’t match the paint color you picked out. We should go shopping for all new stuff.” Abigail looked over the brown handles on the steel pots.
“It’s okay, Abigail. They’re just fine and they’re stainless steel. Those handles might look real old, but look at the pans. They’ve held up forever.”
Abigail smiled.
“I guess you’re right. My husbands would like that you talked me out of going on a shopping spree.”
“That’s definitely appreciated.”
They both turned to see Will standing by the front screen porch.
“Come on in, Will,” Lena exclaimed with a smile, and he began to open the door.
“I brought company with me and something I thought we could try out for dinner tonight.”
“Oooh, I wonder what it could be?” Abigail asked and Lena smiled. They were amazing people.
As Lena walked outside following Abigail, she caught sight of yet another very handsome cowboy. Dressed in blue jeans, a black button-down shirt, and a matching Stetson, he held her with his blue eyes and she stopped walking.
“Howdy, ma’am, the name’s Blake.”
Oh shit! It’s son number three.
It had taken her a few days to get over Quinn and even Kenny. He stopped by twice today in uniform and seemed suspicious. He was getting on her nerves.
“Nice to meet you, Blake. Abigail has told me so much about you.”
“Well, I’ve heard a lot about you as well,” he stated then winked. For heaven’s sake, no wonder why women grabbed two and three brothers at a time around here. They were simply irresistible. Oh God, what the hell am I thinking?
“Well, we just replaced our grill a few weeks ago, and Blake stored it in the shed out back. I think it would be perfect out on the back patio,” Will stated as he pointed toward the back of a huge double-wide black truck with tinted windows. It had to be Blake’s truck. Will drove a regular pickup truck.
“Oh God! No, Will, I couldn’t,” she began to say as Abigail took her hand and pulled her down the steps. She passed Blake slightly, bumping into him on the way down and she felt instant heat and awareness of him. Jesus I’m losing my mind.
“We’re not using it, and I’m not sure about how safe that oven and stove are in there. That’s why Blake and Will are here. They know about things like that and can at least see if the stove and oven are usable,” Abigail stated.
“I won’t be able to pay you back if you keep giving me so much, Abigail.” Lena felt the tightness in her chest and tears nearly sting her eyes. She hadn’t gotten emotional over anyone in years. As a matter of fact she thought her heart had hardened. The realization caught her off guard as they all stared at her as if they noticed.
“Excuse me,” she stated and hurried back inside.
* * * *
Abigail smiled at Will.
“You are something else, Abby.” Will shook his head.
“What’s going on? Why did she look so sad?” Blake asked, and Will explained what they knew so far about Lena.
He had a scowl on his face the entire time they set up the grill then walked inside to look over the stove. He could see Lena from where he worked on the stove with his dad. She was quite stunning, but her eyes, bold, aqua-blue, and sparkling, were filled with emotion. She seemed tense having them all around. He was certain, hearing about her being homeless, that she was used to being alone. With his mother around that wouldn’t be possible.