Chapter 2:
Abigail had her back to the workbench near the stairs. She was leaning on it. She was so distraught. All the memories came flooding back to her, taking her breath away.
She heard someone enter the kitchen who she suspected was Clara.
"Abigail? Is everything alright?" It was indeed Clara who was worried.
"Yes." she cleared her throat which was a little hoarse. " I'm doing well. Everything is fine. I... I'm going to go to my office... I have things to do." Abigail stammered, rushing to her bag and coat. Not once did she look Clara in the eyes.
Clara watched as Abigail rushed out of the cafe through the kitchen door without a last word. Clara, very worried and surprised by Abigail's reaction, returned to the room where she went to her friends' table. They watched her arrive, eager to know, and with questions in their eyes. Clara stopped in front of the table, not knowing what to say.
"How is Abigail?" Bill finally broke the silence, worried.
What he had just seen completely stunned him. He had never seen Abigail like this. And yet he had seen her in many ways. Angry, moved, sad, happy… But here, he did not know how to describe her reaction. He had been very surprised.
"I do not know. When I arrived in the kitchen, she had her back to me, and she didn't look me in the eyes. She rushed to her office claiming that she had things to do." Clara said. "She looked very confused; I had never seen her like that."
"I cannot believe. Like what we know very little about people we have known for years. Isn't it Molly?" Asked Florence totally incredulous.
"They looked really close." Molly replied to Florence's comment.
"This is all so exciting! The way they hugged and talked! Oh…" Rosemary whispered dreamily. "Did you see the way that Mr. Richardson looked at Abigail? It's obvious that there's an old story out there just waiting to come out. »
"No, please Rosy, don't get involved in Abigail's stories." Lee scolded his wife.
"But…"
Lee cut her off.
"There is no "but" Rosemary. Abigail is our friend and that's the only way you should all act. As friends. There are already enough people in this cafe who are going to spread rumors as soon as they get out of here. »
"You're right… We are her friends." Florence finally declared once her moment of impulsiveness has passed.
Abigail was one of her oldest friends. She had always been there for her, and she loved her very much. Florence had always been an impulsive woman who peddled gossip to anyone who would listen. She could not help it, but she always regretted it in the end.
With Abigail and Molly, they had been through it all. From the comfort and love of their families to mining disaster, bereavement, loneliness, and grief.
He did not think seeing Abigail again would affect him so much. He had been looking for her for years now, he thought he would never find her. Seeing her filled him with emotion. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. He had to almost run away not thinking he was able to control his emotions. He hoped she would come to visit him. But he was not sure. She said she had a son. She must have been married. What did he expect? Of course, she was married. She had always been a blessing.
She owned a cafe and was the mayor of this town. What a success. Theo was totally in awe. Abigail was his childhood sweetheart, but she was above all the woman of his life. He had never been able to love another woman than her. He had been with women, but he had never been able to forget her. He wanted to marry her when he was young. He had promised her so many things. But life had caused them to lose sight of each other. But all these years he had only been looking for her. He had promised her things and he always kept his promises. And today he was here.
Deep in thought, he barely heard the knock on his bedroom door. He rushed to it, hoping that it was Abigail behind the door.
She was standing there. With a look of total confusion. She had tears in her eyes. She was so pretty. With her light hair tied back and her blonde locks flying all over her face.
Theo, totally hypnotized, took her by the arm to lead her into his room. Once the door closed, he pinned her back to it and cupped her face to kiss her full on the mouth. A kiss she returned with undeniable passion. She ran her hands through his hair to keep him as close to her as possible. The only thing that separated them was the lack of air.
They looked into each other's eyes, glued foreheads. They caught their breaths. Theo gently tucked the locks of hair that had slipped behind her ears.
"Abigail."
"Waits." She cut him off. "I want to know. Where were you? Why did you leave without a word?"
Theo moved away from her a little bit and picked up his coat.
"I'm taking you for a ride?"
Abigail hesitated for a few seconds. She needed to know what had happened to him. Why had he left overnight without leaving any news and why had he returned today? She needed an explanation.
"I will explain everything to you."
Abigail hesitated a moment longer before speaking.
"Good."