“While we drive to the park, tell me about Orchid.” Nash backed out of Abby’s driveway.
“If we can’t discuss the weaver, I guess Orchid moves to the top,” Abby teased.
Nash rewarded her with a look.
“So, Orchid appeared this morning in my backyard. The kids noticed her when we were going flower hunting. Her collar had a bell with a paper inside saying she was called Orchid and meant for me.”
“She came named with the flower you have an affinity for. That’s interesting.” Nash nodded.
“Super interesting. The only connection to me and lilac Himalayans happened when Gita and I went to lunch. We stopped by the pet store window and admired a litter of darling lilac points. A female resembling Orchid visited us from the window. You must admit a kitten with these qualities showing up this morning sounds pretty crazy.”
Nash’s eyes showed amusement. “Maybe not crazy. I’d say Gita’s hand is in this gift. I bet she brought the kitten and charmed it to await your discovery. Trust me. Gita was watching nearby until you claimed Orchid.”
“Really? That’s almost a logical explanation and one I’d considered. I do so like it when you offer those. I’ll confirm it tonight when I see Gita for dinner.” Abby relaxed in the seat, thinking Charm friends were proving like no other.
Nash flicked on the turn signal and entered the parking area. He pulled next to Sander’s sports car. “Check out that sullen face. What say we wake up his competitive spirit?”
Abby glanced over at the guy. “That’s one sour puss. I’m your ally.” She pulled the door handle.
Dressed in the same baseball uniform, Sander came over, offering a gruff hello.
Abby hid her smile, noticing Sander’s pants were six inches too short. No doubt humbleness was a bitter pill for him. “Hi, Sander. It’s great to see you playing for the winning team. Nash invited me to cheer you guys past home base.”
“I don’t know why I agreed to do this. I don’t even like baseball.” Sander gazed off, wearing a bored expression.
“Buddy, it’s because you want to go home. I keep telling you to play the game, and that advice includes baseball.” Nash slapped Sander’s back. “Let’s go hit some homers.”
Abby admired how Nash refused to give up on surly Sander. In her other life, she’d feel over the moon to have a guy like Nash dating her. Abby groaned, recalling the time wasted on smug Edward. Enough reflecting, she needed to re-enter the conversation. “Who are the Black Bears playing this afternoon? I assume everyone lives in Charm, and there’s not an out-of-town team?”
Nash’s fingers closed around Abby’s. “Yes, the teams are made up of Charm guys. We’re up against the second-best team, the Pinecones.”
Sander gave a grunt. “What men call themselves Pinecones? This place is full of nut cases if you ask me.”
Nash broke out laughing and offered no reply.
“You know, Sander, I agree. The Pinecones is an odd name for a baseball team.” Abby felt like he needed a personal win.
Sander’s expression showed surprise to Abby. “Thanks for agreeing.”
Nash rewarded Abby with a touch to her back. She’d have preferred a kiss from him far more and told her body to stop tormenting her with such ideas. Abby suspected her time in Charm was temporary. How she hated this whiplash thinking she’d been experiencing. One minute she was goal-oriented to leave, and the next pondering what it would feel like to make a life there.
Nash pointed to the right. “Sander, head over to the dugout while I get Abby situated on a bleacher seat.”
“Okay, I see it.” Sander ambled that way.
Nash touched Abby’s elbow to guide her. “Come on, pretty lady. I see Bella and the kids. Want to sit with them, or I can introduce you to some new people?”
Abby’s smile lit her face. “That’s easy, Mayor. I pick Bella and the kids. In fact, I see them. Go play and give me a reason to shout your name.”
“I’ll do it. See you after the game.” Nash tipped his cap to three arriving Black Bears.
Climbing the bleacher steps, Abby reached Bella. “Can I sit with you all?”
“Of course. Scoot down, kids. I crave adult conversation.” Bella looked toward the dugout.
“Where’s Orchid?” Will asked.
Abby tapped her chin, pretending to think. “She’s probably taking a nap. Kittens sleep a lot, and she did have a big outing with us.”
“Did we pet her too much? She might feel sore,” fretted Aubrey.
Abby shook her head. “She loved your attention. Remember how much Orchid purred? That’s her way of telling us she’s happy.”
Aubrey and Will nodded and turned their attention to fruit lollipops.
“So cute,” whispered Abby to Bella.
“Look, there’s Nash up to bat.” Bella stood. “Hit a homer!”
Abby stood up, shouting, “Watch the ball!” What a lame thing to say, she thought as embarrassment found her. Obviously, Nash didn’t need her cheering. He managed a double.
“Who’s that guy stepping up to bat?” Bella’s eyes narrowed.
“That’s Sander. He arrived right after me.” Abby stood up again. “Come on, Sander! Hit Nash home!” To her utter surprise, Sander turned and waved.
Bella joined in. “You can do it, Sander! Don’t let them walk you.”
Sander managed a triple and delivered Nash home with the first scoring point.
“Wow, he’s pretty good,” declared Bella, squinting toward third base.
“Appears so.” An idea came to Abby.
The Black Bears lost by three runs and left the dugout wearing disappointed faces. Nash and Sander joined the two women and the kids in the parking lot.
Abby tipped Nash’s cap. “Cheer up, boys. You were the only two who scored points.”
Sander groaned. “We were beaten by a team called the Pinecones. That’s humiliating.”
Winking at Nash, Abby saw Sander’s reaction as a positive sign he was coming around. “Forget their name. To celebrate you, mighty hitters, I’m treating everyone to ice cream at Elbert’s.” Abby’s good mood was infectious.
“No, I’ve got the ice cream covered,” Sander countered.
“I think you both forgot we don’t pay in Charm.” Bella’s laugh merged with Nash’s.
Abby jumped back in. “It’s the thought that counts. Right, Sander?”
“Uh-huh.” Sander’s eyes were on Bella. “Hello. What’s your name?”
“Sorry, Sander. This is Bella, my sister. Bella, this is Sander, our latest arrival to Charm.”
“Hi, Sander.” Bella didn’t break eye contact. “Listen, we’d better hustle to Elbert’s and beat the crowd.”
“You mean my idea isn’t original? Bummer.” Abby made a face at Nash.
“You’re plenty original in other areas—Bella’s right. Let’s go. Kids, want to ride with us?”
“Can I open the sunroof?” Will galloped off, waving his arms.
“One time, buster.” Nash looked heavenward.
Aubrey came over to Abby. “Will you sit with me in the back seat? Girls only.”
Nash started to object, but Abby nodded him off. “Yes, girls in the back. Boys in front.”
Nash and Abby hurried the kids to the vehicle. When she looked back, Bella and Sander were in the same place chatting. “Get a load of that.” Abby tilted her head in their direction.
“Well, ain’t that somethin’ to behold?” added Nash, with a Southern drawl.
~*~
“It’s four-thirty. This day has flown,” Abby told Nash, sitting in her driveway.
“You’ve got dinner with Gita, so guess we won’t see each other later.” Nash’s fingers touched Abby’s hair.
Her breath caught. “Why are you doing that?”
“Feeling the silkiness of your hair?” His voice sounded husky.
Abby nodded and swallowed.
Nash removed his hand. “I keep telling you. I like you a whole lot. And I still fear more than is good for me. You know what I think?”
“What?” Abby managed to get a single word out.
“I think we’re two peas in a pod and afraid of the same thing.” Nash frowned and stared out the windshield. “We fear falling for each other and having to say goodbye when or if the time comes. Is that what you’re feeling, Abby?” Regret washed across his face.
“Probably. This pea has been wrestling with how to keep my feelings in check and avoid hurt. It’s the smart thing for us to do, Nash.” Abby twisted her ring, hating what she’d said. Just the thought of not seeing Nash caused her heart to ache. How had this happened in a few days? “We probably should stop hanging out while we have the willpower to do so.”
“Pretty woman, my willpower left me the day we forest bathed. I’ve been a goner ever since. I hate to say this, but it’s up to you to turn me away. If you don’t, I’ll show up each and every day until—” Nash’s jaw clenched.
“Until I go back to Crestview.” Abby noticed she didn’t say “go home.”
“Something like that.” Nash looked off.
“Maybe I won’t go back.” She needed to interrupt the serious tone of their discussion. If they could keep things light, both their hearts could stay intact. Abby knew avoiding Nash was the last thing she wanted to do. “Hey, I’ve got a plan for us. This might work too.” She grinned at his doubtful expression.
“Let me hear it.” Nash released his seatbelt and twisted to face her.
“We can keep seeing each other if we declare a moratorium on kissing.” Abby saw Nash’s eyebrow raise. “Yes, that could work. We keep our physical distance, thus avoid emotional entanglements.” Abby’s face brightened. Her idea had merit. “What do you think?”
Nash’s laugh filled the car. “I’m betting your moratorium lasts twenty-four hours tops.”
Feeling affronted, Abby folded her arms. “Humph. Why twenty-four hours?”
Laughter overtook Nash again. “Easy. I’m a moth to a flame. No doubt I’m back here tomorrow evening. Barbecued ribs sound good?”
Abby was trying to follow Nash’s words. Judging by her heart flutters, she must like the direction he was taking them. She was delusional if she believed they’d hold to this plan, but by golly, she’d try. “Ribs are good, but we have to agree, no more hanky-panky.”
“Who says hanky-panky nowadays? What exactly does it even mean?” Nash’s eyes danced with Abby’s.
“Well, I say it, mister. If I had a working cell phone, I could give you the definition. For us, it means you keep your paws to yourself. Wait. What are you doing?”
Nash leaned across the console and gently pulled Abby’s face toward his. “You said paws off, but nothing about lips. Nor did you say when the moratorium begins. So, I’m going to kiss you, pretty lady, like there’s no tomorrow. Would that be okay?”
Abby saw desire flame in Nash’s green eyes. All her newly erected defenses melted. “We didn’t even make it five minutes.” She sighed and let Nash take her senses to no tomorrow.