Dressed in her signature overalls and a white jersey top, Abby hurried down the Angel Cascade trail to her and Nash’s secluded place. Intuition offered no encouragement on whether Nash would show. That truth made her heart hurt. The solitude and silence Abby felt on the path carried a kind of cloying air. What would she do if Nash had chosen to leave Charm? The answer was she’d do her best to soldier on and let the research fill her days. The thought of each night’s emptiness without him in the swing threatened to pull her into a dark place. “Stay in the moment,” she admonished herself.
Abby spied the narrow trail that veered off to their spot. As she approached, her heart skipped, proving the significance of the moment. Her eyes scanned the area full of hope, only to get dashed. He wasn’t there. No one was there. Even nature’s sounds were absent. Abby’s eyes stung from the pent-up emotions, and it felt like her chest was in a vice. The last rays of sun illuminated a sitting rock. Abby stumbled over and sat. Nash wasn’t coming. Covering her face with her hands, she wept for their lost chance at love.
“This wasn’t the greeting I’ve been anticipating all afternoon. I envisioned passionate kissing, followed by more passionate kissing.”
Nash’s voice coming from behind sent waves of happiness rushing toward Abby. She clamored to her feet and ran to him. “You’re here. You stayed. You didn’t leave. You chose us.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed every place on his face. Abby paused, her eyes confirming Nash was real. She’d not deny her feelings another minute. The teasing prelude was over. Her lips found his, unleashing a shared pent-up passion.
Moments later, Nash claimed a breath. “Now that’s the greeting I had in mind.”
Abby pulled back, her wits returning. “You scoundrel, you’re late. Do you have any idea how I felt thinking you weren’t—?”
“Too much talk.” Nash tightened his hold and returned his lips to hers.
Abby sighed and succumbed. She’d gotten her heart’s desire. Nash Walker could kiss her until the planets reversed orbit.
Sitting huddled together on a slab of granite, Abby and Nash allowed words to interrupt their thoughts.
Nash spoke first. “Babe, despite our obvious combustible inner heat, the mountain air has turned chilly. I think we should go to your cottage and talk about things.” He nuzzled her neck.
“Yes, my cottage,” she answered absently, still lost in his touch. The man was peeling back her defenses like an onion. At least the mountain air hadn’t visited the truth serum on her.
Nash rose. “Come on, my lady.” He waited. “Do you have any food? I haven’t eaten since this morning, and I forgot to bring us something.”
“My offer still stands. Why don’t I try my hand at those steak tacos I still owe you?” Abby’s inner joy had made her willing to battle the stove.
Nash winced. “Let us not tempt fate so soon. A sandwich is fine.”
“Us not tempt fate? Nash Walker, we live to tempt fate.” Abby’s gaze softened at the man who held her heart. “Fine. You get a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And if you’re especially complimentary, chips too.”
“And if I’m not?” Nash teased, stepping over a root.
“You get a box of raisins instead of your favorite barbecue chips.”
“I hate raisins. They’re gross and all shriveled—”
“So I’ve heard, and you sound like Will.” Abby laughed. “I’m starving too. Race you to our cars.”
~*~
After their kid’s meal, Abby cuddled with Nash on the sofa. They’d lit a fire to take the chill away. She watched the flames dance around in their hypnotizing way as her mind doused her inner glow with doubt. Abby tilted her head to see Nash’s face. “Promise me you’re staying in Charm, and this isn’t some extension you negotiated. Because if it is—”
“I’m staying, babe.” Nash curled her hair around his fingers.
Abby gave a quick nod. “Are you going to tell me what happened today?”
Nash went to stir the logs and returned. “I met with Grand Elder Jon and laid everything out. All of it, including my feelings for his granddaughter. I told him I needed a critical piece of information before I could make my final decision.”
“What info?” Abby repositioned herself to face Nash.
“I’ve been here for years. Why am I being given the charm now? Does it mean I need to go there in person and handle something important, or what?”
“I get it. You wanted to know if you were the key man to deliver success,” Abby finished.
“Yes. As I expected and hoped, Jon had the missing piece. After making all kinds of promises, including I’d never break your heart, he entrusted me with the answer.” Nash tweaked Abby’s nose.
She smacked his wrist. “I must thank my grandfather for looking after my well-being. So, are you going to tell me this big secret mission?”
“And have the wrath of Grand Elder Jon visited upon my person? No way, lady.”
Abby laughed. “Come on, my grandfather isn’t that intimidating.”
“The hell he isn’t. Try talking to him about falling for his granddaughter. I swear he puffed up double his size until I assured him my feelings were genuine and maybe the forever kind.”
“Maybe the forever kind? Maybe?” Abby trounced off to the kitchen and poured a cup of hot tea.
Nash followed her, laughing. “Hey, I’m only joking. I told him I was pretty sure my feelings—” He saw the dishtowel coming for him and dashed out of the room, laughing.
“Pretty sure?” Abby chased after him.
Nash jumped behind a chair. “May I remind you the last time you sicced the dishtowel on me, you lost? No, on second thought, I lost and had to save you from the disaster perpetrated on that poor stove in there.”
Abby threw the balled-up towel and landed a hit on his retreating backside. “So, I had an off night. ‘Disaster’ is stretching it.”
“Not at all.” Nash scooped Abby into his arms and dropped her on the sofa. “Let me finish the story, and maybe we can figure out more ways to celebrate.”
“I like your butt’s shape. It turns me on.” Abby gasped and scurried to the chair to put distance between them. “Oh no, not this again. Why is this happening to me now? Talk fast because you’re going home before I turn into a belly dancer or who knows what else.”
Nash’s laughter awakened Orchid. She hopped into the chair with Abby to offer comfort.
“Maybe I’ll delay my story a few minutes. I’d love to see your performance.” Nash began humming what sounded like an Egyptian melody.
“Would you please stop? I’m not dancing for you. I’d like to see your butt express itself. You dance for me.” Abby’s hand covered her mouth. The other hand swiftly motioned Nash to talk.
Nash’s struggled to contain his amusement. “Okay, okay. Even though I’m enjoying hearing what you think about me, I’m going to spare you further loss of perceived dignity.” His expression grew serious. “This particular mission was to deliver a lifesaving remedy for a parasitic outbreak resistant to current medicines. Through our work with light prism energy, we’re actively discovering many treatments that don’t require pharmaceuticals and their accompanying side effects.”
“Wow, Nash, to have better and safer options other than drugs is a huge breakthrough. I’m awed.” Abby hoped she could add to Charm’s advancements.
“It’s pretty exciting work, as you’re finding out. One of the scientists I work alongside was chosen as a backup if I elected to stay in Charm. His family needed him at home.” Nash glanced at his watch. “In fact, I bet he’s already back there.”
Abby’s mind took a moment to absorb the story. “So, my grandfather was involved in this—whatever you call this whole portal opening operation?”
Nash nodded. “Yes, Abby, the elders are the direct link to Source, to God. Let’s not get into that tonight. Suffice it to say, Jon gave me what I was missing to make an informed decision. That decision opened the portal for my department’s co-head to go where he was needed.”
“And you’re fine with your choice because of all the good it brings to others?” Abby studied his face. She wanted assurance Nash had no regrets.
“Come back over here, and I’ll prove to you my decision was right for me.” Nash lifted his arm, smiling at Abby.
“Not yet. I’m not ready for my mouth to make more proclamations to you. No.”
“What?” Nash glanced around the room.
Abby’s eyes opened wide. “Was the scientist that left the one Daisy had a blind date with tonight?”
Nash’s eyes twinkled. “Yes, even that story has a happy ending.”
“Really? Do tell.” Abby couldn’t resist him motioning again for her to cuddle. She moved back to the sofa and Nash’s arms.
“You’re going to get a charge out of this part. Ironically, it was Sander who rescued date night. He invited a guy staying at the same B&B as him to join them for pizza.”
Abby’s jaw dropped. “Our surly Sander? No way. He found Daisy another date?”
“He did.” Nash’s eyes showed amusement. “Furthermore, I predict Daisy’s going to like him a lot before the week’s over. They’re well matched. So, you have the whole story. You’re stuck with me in Charm, and I owe your grandfather bigly.”
“I owe him bigly too. What an amazing day this has been.” Abby nestled closer to Nash before giving a contented sigh.
He kissed the top of her head. “Don’t you think it’s time we get back to celebrating and kiss—”
“I should dance for you. No, I didn’t mean that.” Abby hopped up from the sofa. She tugged on Nash’s arm. “Go home. Come back tomorrow night. I’ll make us steak tacos. I want to give you a nibble kiss. Do you like them?”
A laughing Nash let her pull him to a standing position. “What’s a nibble kiss? I think I want one.”
“No, you don’t.” Abby opened the front door and pushed him outside.
“Yes, I do. Give me one, and I’ll leave,” teased Nash.
“I want to give you lots of nibble kisses.” Abby screeched, covered her mouth, and slammed the door. There had to be a cure for this nonsense. Gita would know. She’d ask her first thing tomorrow. Or maybe not. Abby’s expression turned impish.