Author's note: Another chapter of vacation fun for Connor and Abby. The rest of the story is falling in place so I may try to post a couple of chapters per week – just depends on outside commitments. Since posting won't follow a steady pattern, a story alert might help you find it. Thanks to those who are leaving comments by hitting the button at the bottom of the page. I would love to hear from more of you!

Chapter 7

Connor filled his lungs with the cool, crisp air of London as he, Abby, Gwen and Liz walked back from the shops. A slight breeze caught the fallen red and orange leaves that lined the path and sent them scuttling along the pavement and around his boots. Liz, Gwen and Abby talked non-stop as they quickly walked through the tree-lined lane, their high-heeled shoes crunching the leaves underfoot. Connor trailed behind them, craning his head to see all the architecture of the cozy homes that surrounded them as they strolled.

When they reached Abby's apartment, Gwen and Liz collapsed on the love seat. Liz toed-off her shoes and complained, "I haven't walked that much in months. I'm done."

Connor gave her a small smile, "I thought you wanted to learn to line dance."

Tired feet forgotten, Liz jumped up. "Oh yes! What can you show me?"

Connor held out his hand to Abby. "This one is called the Cowboy Cha Cha. It can be done alone, but its more fun with a partner." He positioned Abby in front of him, her back to his chest and took both her hands. As the young couple went through the turns of the dance, Gwen and Liz watched intently. The dance was sensual as Connor guided Abby through the swaying turns. Liz and Gwen were forgotten as they focused on each other and moved as one.

"That does look like fun," Gwen said as she fanned herself and sighed. "I wonder where Geoffrey is right now."

Liz gave her a dirty look. "Quiet. I'm concentrating." She clapped and giggled as Connor ended the dance by twirling Abby out and back into his arms. "That was wonderful," she said as she went to retrieve her hat and coat.

Gwen followed her to the front door and then turned to give Abby and Connor a hug. "It was great spending the day with you two, but we have to get home now."

"It was good to see you too," Abby said as she saw her friends out. "Tell Geoffrey hello," she said as Gwen and Liz hurried up the sidewalk.

As Connor stood beside Abby, he noticed a piece of paper taped to the surface of the door. He pulled it free and unfolded the note.

Abby closed the front door. "What is that?"

Annoyance edged his questioning eyes as he held the paper out to her and replied, "A typed love note."

Abby grabbed the paper and read the short message out loud. 'My days are empty without you.' She gave Connor a puzzled frown. "Somebody has the wrong address."

He shook his head in relief, "Poor guy." He gently guided Abby into his arms and waltzed her across the living room. "I feel sorry for him, but he needs to find his own girl. You're taken."

She spun out of his arms and smiled as she changed the subject, "I need to get a rental car for tomorrow. Want to come with me?"

"I think I'll wait here. Maybe I'll give granddad and mom a call."

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The following morning, Abby was up bright and early. She and Connor were going into the countryside for a special trip to Stonehenge. Connor's grandfather had used his connections to arrange for the couple to actually walk among the great stones rather than just view them from beyond the roped off area.

Abby was very excited, but worried about the necessary travel time. They absolutely had to be back for Jack's visit at 7 p.m.

She grabbed the picnic basket she had prepared and carried it out to the rental car. As she walked to the car she was relieved to see the morning looked sunny and clear. She put the basket into the boot of the car and then noticed a small card stuck into the driver-side door. Curious, she pulled the note loose and opened the folded paper. A small dried flower fluttered to the ground while Abby read the short, typed message: 'I love you.' She stared at the paper while a bad feeling roared to life inside her chest. Stubbornly she pushed the feeling aside as she crumpled the small note and muttered, "It's just a misunderstanding. Someone thinks his girlfriend lives here. The poor bloke will probably figure out he's made a mistake soon."

She walked back into her flat as she called out, "Connor you ready yet?"

"Yep," he called from the bedroom. "Just need to get my camera and jacket."

Together they walked to the car.

"I'll drive," Abby volunteered.

"Great. You drive and I'll hang on," he said as he rolled down his window slightly.

"Don't worry, I'm a great driver," she said as she gunned the engine and sped down the lane.

Connor braced his hands on the dashboard as he watched Abby take the car down tiny streets and zip around slower traffic. He didn't breathe freely until they were outside the city. When they reached open country, full of greenery, Connor lifted his camera. He snapped several pictures of the view and then turned toward Abby to take some pictures of her profile as she drove. He continued to snap away until she finally turned her face toward him and stuck her tongue out comically. Connor laughed and grabbed her hand. "Looks like we might get some rain," he said as he watched the clouds on the horizon.

"No. It cannot rain on our outing. I'm putting my foot down," she insisted as she gave the sky a frown.

The sun stayed with them all the way to Stonehenge. Abby parked the car so that she and Connor could walk across the open plain to the huge circle of rocks. Connor walked among the ancient stones, his mouth slightly open as he stared up at the huge slabs of rock.

An involuntary shiver ran through his body as he walked. The place held power. He let his imagination wonder what it must have been like when ancient cultures practiced their rites among the boulders. He could picture Abby as a priestess, working her magic. It wasn't difficult to see her in that role, because she had bewitched him from the first moment he saw her. As far as he was concerned, it was always magic between them.

He looked around until he spotted her near one of the taller rocks. He ran to her and swept her into his arms for an energetic kiss.

She stared up at him in surprise. "What was that for?"

He smiled and released her. "No special reason," he said as he walked away whistling.

He took lots of pictures. His favorite one was of Abby standing between two of the large monoliths while the morning sun cast shadows across one side of her face and bathed the other in golden light.

They roamed through the field for hours. By the time they decided to have their picnic lunch, the weather had turned grey and cold. When the first splash of water hit Abby's face she began to quickly gather up their food. "Oh no," she said in disappointment.

Connor held his hand out and turned his face up to the soft cold drizzle. "Time to go, darlin" he shouted over the increasing rain.

As they ran toward the car Abby called out, "Try to run between the rain drops."

Connor gave her a huge grin and they both laughed at the sheer silliness of her words. They were soaked by the time they got to the car.

"You're getting the seat of the rental car wet," Abby said as she smiled at him.

"So are you," he replied as he leaned toward her to kiss the rain from her face.

As she leaned in to kiss his lips, he whispered against her mouth, "Want to get the back seat wet?"

She smacked his arm lightly and pulled away, "I'm glad to see you're just as frisky in the UK as you are in Texas."

"Hey," he said in mock offense. "I've been on my best behavior but a man can only be around you for so long without needing to get his hands on you." He saw her shiver as the coldness of her wet clothes began to register. "Guess I'll have to wait. Better get this car started and turn up the heat; it's time to get you home."

She smiled at him but did as he suggested. "We just have time to get back to town and shower before Jack arrives."

"The timing is tight. I think we should shower together, just in case," he said hopefully.

"Deal," she said with a happy laugh.