N. Walters - Erin's Fancy

All while she soaked in the hot tub of water, and even now when she was fully dressed and back in the kitchen, Erin’s mind remained on Abel. She knew that finding his brother meant that he would be leaving once again. The thought almost brought her to her knees with despair, but her love for him was bigger than that.

Right now, he would need to find this unknown brother and reconcile his parents’ behavior in his own mind. She loved him enough not only to support him while he did this, but also to let him go in order to do it. That’s what real love was all about. Erin could only hope that when he was through with his quest that he might find his way back home to her.

Erin started a pot of coffee and then rummaged through the cupboards for something to eat. She was starving and knew that Abel would be too when he finally woke up. A foray into the fridge uncovered a variety of cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Humming while she worked, she made a large stack of sandwiches, putting some on a plate for herself and wrapping up the rest for Abel for later. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she pulled out a chair at the table and devoured one sandwich.

The documents on the table taunted her as she ate, so when she started to nibble on her second sandwich, she pulled them over in front of her. Wiping her hands in her shorts, she took her time and studied each one carefully. It was all laid out in black and white. The stark reality of his so called adoption and the fact that he was one of a twin. Even though she was reading it, Erin could still hardly believe it was the truth.

The clock measured the passage of time as the morning disappeared. Erin was engrossed in the diary that Abel’s mother had left. There was no doubting the love she had for her son, but there was also the underlying fear that Abel would find out someday and hate her for what they had done. Sighing, she closed the book and set it aside. There really was no new information to be gained from reading anymore. The hospital in Illinois was the key to finding the Benjamin family. They would have records of the birth of the twin boys.

“Did you find anything useful?” Erin turned in her chair, glancing guiltily at the journal she’d just finished. She knew she didn’t really have the right to read it, except that she loved Abel.

Tilting her chin defiantly, she met his gaze. “No. The key is obviously the hospital records, but you already knew that.”

“Yeah.” He sauntered across the kitchen, his bare feet making no sound on the hardwood floor. “I missed you.” Bending down, he kissed the top of her head.

Erin closed her eyes and sighed in relief. He didn’t seem mad at her that she’d read his private documents. She felt slightly bereft when he moved away and headed to the counter.

“I could use a cup of coffee.” Pulling down a mug, he poured himself some of the bitter brew. Leaning against the counter, he sipped it slowly.

He hadn’t bothered to get fully dressed and had just pulled on his jeans. They were zipped but they weren’t buttoned and Erin could see the dark line of hair disappearing down into his jeans. She didn’t think he was wearing any underwear, but she couldn’t tell for sure. Just the thought was enough to make her skin flush.

Jumping out of her seat, she hurried to the refrigerator. “I made sandwiches.” Grabbing out the plate, she laid it on the table and unwrapped it.

“Thanks. I’m starved.” Carrying his coffee to the table, he pulled out the chair next to her, and sat down. Hauling the plate over in front of him, he wolfed down two sandwiches before he stopped to take another mouthful of coffee.

“I already sent out a request to the administrator of the hospital.” Abel turned the coffee mug in his hands, absently watching the remaining coffee swirl about.

Erin swallowed hard. “Already?” She knew that Abel would investigate quickly, but she’d thought she’d have a little more time.

“Yeah. I didn’t want to talk myself out of it or waste any more time. I implied that I might implicate them in an illegal adoption case if they didn’t give me the information.”

“No hospital wants that kind of publicity.” Erin knew that Abel would have answers sooner than later. She just hoped he was ready for the answers he got.

Abel was a massive man with great strength, but his physical prowess was no help to him now. His mind was his greatest asset, and he used it like the well-honed machine that it was. Erin had no doubts that he would have found his brother within a matter of days. He had always been a self-contained loner, dealing with the world on his own. But sitting there at the table with his hands clenched around his coffee mug and the furrow of worry between his brow, he needed her strength right now. She could offer him her moral support and also her body for him to lose his worries in. Both were given freely.

Scooting back her chair, she came around the table and stood next to him. He pulled her into his lap, as she’d known he would. Taking advantage of the situation, she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and gave him a hug. “How about you check your e-mail and then come on over to the house for the rest of the day?” When he looked uncertain, she brought out the big guns. “I’ll make you an apple pie and cook you supper. It will give you an opportunity to tell Jackson and Nathan if you want to. Nathan might be able to give you some help if you need it.”

Abel hesitated for a second before nodding slowly. “Okay. Supper is good, but I’ve got to think about what I want to tell your brothers.”

“Fair enough.” She slipped from his lap and held out her hand. “Let’s check your mail and then you can come help me out in the fields for an hour or so before we head over to my place for supper.”

“I have to work for my supper, is that it?” His smile was halfhearted, but Erin was more than glad to see it.

“That’s right, buster.” Placing her hands on her hips she gave him a mock scowl.

Slinging his arm around her shoulder, he guided her towards the office. “You drive a hard bargain, but I’m up to the challenge.”

Erin leaned into him and stayed by his side as he turned on his computer. Holding her breath, she watched as his mail came in.

Looking up from the counter where she was placing the finishing touches on a large pan of lasagna, Erin watched Abel. He seemed engrossed in his conversation with Jackson and Nathan as he told them about his being adopted. She noticed that he gave them the basic facts only and kept most of the details quiet.

Both her brothers had been surprised to see Abel at the house when they got home from work, but both were quick with support when they discovered what had happened. Both had listened intently and Nathan had promised to do whatever he could to help. Jackson had been his usual solid self, offering Abel his support in whatever way he could. That had come as no surprise to Erin, but she was still pleased by her brothers’ offers of help.

Nathan had been quieter than usual and had causally mentioned that Carly was coming over for dessert. Usually Erin wouldn’t have given it a second thought, but she hadn’t talked to her friend in almost two days now. Something was definitely up, but she figured she’d find out what it was soon enough.

For now, all her attention was focused entirely on Abel. She longed to be able to walk up behind him and slip her arms around his neck and kiss him. Keeping their relationship a secret was beginning to wear on her nerves more than she’d thought it would. She had to satisfy herself with short glances every time her brothers were looking in another direction.

By the time they finished eating supper, Erin’s patience was near the breaking point. She could tell that talking about his adoption had been hard on him, and all she wanted to do was sit on his lap and wipe the look of frustration and anger from his face. Sex was exactly what he needed. Mind-blowing, hot, sweaty sex. That would certainly take his mind off his troubles and put him in a better frame of mind.