N. Walters - Erin's Fancy

Though he was standing as stiff as a board, she eased her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I love you, Jackson. That will never change.”

Jackson swallowed hard as his hand came up to pat her awkwardly on the back. “I know.” Suddenly, she was enveloped in a huge bear hug as he hauled her into his arms and held her as if he would never let her go. Erin didn’t know how long they stood clasped in each others arms or how much longer they would have stayed if they hadn’t been interrupted.

“Come back to the table so we can talk.” Abel picked up the chair that had fallen to the floor and placed it back beside the table. Using his boot, he shoved the larger pieces of the shattered clock close to the wall and out of the way.

Erin stared at the remains of the clock before giving Jackson a little grin. “I always knew you didn’t like that clock.”

When he gave her another quick squeeze before releasing her, she heaved a sigh of relief. It would take time, but she was now confident that they would work things out. The worst of the storm was past. Taking his hand in hers, Erin led her brother back towards the table and waited until he was seated before sliding into a chair between him and Abel.

“Does Nathan know?” She’d hoped that Jackson wouldn’t ask her that, but deep down she’d known that the question was inevitable.

“Yes.” Abel answered the question for her. “He paid me a visit as soon as he found out.”

“Well, that’s just great,” Jackson retorted. “Does everyone in Meadows know except me?”

“No.” Nathan stepped out from the hallway from where he’d been watching the scene unfold and into the kitchen. He ran his gaze over all of them, and when he was satisfied that no one had been hurt, he pulled up a chair. “It got too quiet. I figured I should come down and investigate.” Once he was seated, he turned to Jackson. “I know because I went looking for Erin the night that she supposedly went to Carly’s house.”

“If you knew, why the hell didn’t you go drag her out of there?” Jackson glared at his younger brother.

“Because, our sister is an adult. And besides—” a pleased masculine smile covered his face, “— I was otherwise occupied.”

Abel obviously decided that he’d sat back long enough. Sitting forward, he laid both his hands on the kitchen table and addressed both brothers at once. “I know you love your sister, but I love her too.” He reached towards Erin and caught up her hand in his. “I asked her to marry me.” Raising it to his lips, he placed a tender kiss on her knuckles. “She said yes.”

Jackson nodded his head in silent resignation while Nathan slapped Abel on the back and offered his hand in congratulations. “That’s great news. I can’t wait to tell Carly the news. She won’t believe it.”

Jumping up, he came around the table and reached down to hug Erin. “Congratulations, Sis,” he whispered in her ear as he tenderly kissed her cheek.

“Thanks.” She returned his hug eagerly, clutching him tight for a moment before releasing him. She’d known that Nathan would be happy for her and accept her relationship with Abel, but she really didn’t know what to expect from Jackson.

Abel had accepted Nathan’s well wishes and handshake, but his focus was obviously still on Jackson, waiting to see his reaction to their news.

“Congratulations.” The word was little more than a croak and Jackson cleared his voice before continuing. “So when are you leaving?”

“Later today, but we’ll be back in a couple of days.” Abel reached out and pulled Erin into his lap before continuing. She leaned against his chest, grateful for the support, as she was still feeling a little shaken. It was the most natural thing in the world, for her to wrap her arms around his neck and settle her head in the crook of his shoulder.

“Look,” Abel continued. “I’m set financially and I own the farm, lock, stock, and barrel. I can live anywhere, but I know that Erin is happy here.” Leaning down he kissed her softly. “I want her to be happy, so we’ll be settling here.”

“But what about your work?” Erin was surprised, but touched by his declaration.

“Well,” he began slowly. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.”

“So talk,” she urged him.

“I’ve had enough.” He gave a short laugh. “That’s an understatement. I’m burnt out and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life writing about the horrific side of mankind.”

“So what will you do?” Jackson asked him.

“I’m a writer,” he shrugged. “I thought I’d try my hand at some fiction. Probably a mystery. Heck, I know just about everything there is to know about police work and forensic science. I might as well put it to good use. But this way, the story can end the way I want it to.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Despite being cautious, she was almost bursting with relief.

“Yes,” he nodded emphatically. “I’m very sure.”

Jackson heaved a huge sigh and slowly came to his feet looking directly at Erin. “Does he make you happy?”

“Extremely.” She didn’t feel the need to add anything else. That one word had said it all.

Slowly Jackson turned to glare at Abel, his face hard. “I’ll be watching you.” His hands were clenched at his sides, and it took an obvious effort for him to open his fists and relax his hands.

“You wouldn’t be the man I thought you were if you didn’t.” Abel met his stare unflinchingly. Erin glanced from Abel’s hard features to her brother’s harsh face, pleading silently with him to accept Abel into their lives.

Jackson stomped around the table and plucked her out of Abel’s arms, giving her a huge hug that pulled her right off her feet. Abel had tensed when Jackson had first grabbed her, but he’d relaxed when they began to hug. Erin offered Abel a watery smile as Jackson kissed her on the forehead before he moved her to one side.

He stood there, silently with his hands on his hips for a moment and searched Abel’s face intently. Whatever it was he was looking for, he obviously found it, and a moment later, he finally raised his hand and offered it to Abel. “Welcome to the family.”

Abel reached out and took Jackson’s hand, accepting the offer of acceptance. No one said a word as the men shook hands. Suddenly, Jackson let go a string of curses that shocked them all, and pulled Abel to his feet, giving him a quick manly hug before slapping him hard on the back.

Erin grinned as she watched them. They were both as stiff as trees as they embraced and mostly just pounded each other on the back before stepping apart.

“I just love a happy ending. Don’t you?” Nathan made mock sniffing noises as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t be an ass, Nathan,” Jackson admonished before reluctantly smiling at his brother. “I know you can’t really help it, but try.”

“I’m so misunderstood,” Nathan bemoaned. “That’s the plight of the middle child, you know.” He gave Erin a hangdog look.

“Save it for Carly.” It was hard, but she just managed to contain her smile.

“You’re absolutely right,” he nodded as he tugged on her braid. “Now,” he turned to Abel, all business once again. “What’s this about you two leaving today? Where are you going, and when will you be back?”

Erin elbowed her brother in the ribs, and he flinched, shooting her a wounded look. “What? I’m just asking the obvious questions?”

“Why don’t I make you some breakfast while we talk?” Erin didn’t give anyone time to disagree, but went to the cupboard and started pulling out the ingredients for pancakes. The three men were still standing there looking at her. “You can’t tell me you’re not all hungry, because I’m starving.” They all nodded their heads at the same time. Erin bit the inside of her lip to keep from laughing at them. “Sit. Abel will fill you in on the details.”