Free A Risk Worth Taking by Melissa Klein Page B

eyebrow.
    “Grant had to cancel,” Abby explained. Not that she owed her sister an explanation, it just made sense to downplay things with Sarah.
    Her lips formed a thin line. “I think that’s probably for the best.”
    Perhaps it was. “He’ll email me the files later.”
    “I should be going. I don’t want to be late for choir practice.” Sarah said, tucking the photo album into her purse.
    With her sister on her way, Abby fell against the closed door. She pressed her head between open palms in a vain attempt to stop the words that played inside her head on a continuous loop. When Abby discovered the last guy she was dating was still married, she swore the next man who claimed to be divorced had to present his legal papers before she’d go out with him. Maybe that wasn’t enough to ensure she didn’t repeat the same mistake. Yeah, email, DIY projects, and distance sounded like a better insurance policy.
    ****
    Heather scanned the other board members seated around the dining room table. “Before we adjourn, I’d like to take this chance to thank Abby Roberts for taking over from Miss Owen. She’s really jumped in with both feet with her suggestions for our Family Day picnic.”
    As Grant knew she would, the recipient of the praise ducked her head, smiling modestly. “I’m very glad to help.”
    Heather continued, “If no one else has anything further, I move we adjourn the meeting.”
    A chorus of “seconds” and “ayes” erupted from the people gathered around the dining room table in the house he’d bought for Grace.
    Predicting Abby would make a speedy get away, he had a plan already in place. Before she could gather her purse and coat, he circled the table. “I need to ask you a couple quick questions before you leave,” he stated, putting himself between her and the foyer.
    Her eyes darkened for a split second before she hid her emotions behind a plastic smile. She glanced over her shoulder at the other board members who were following Heather into the foyer. “I might have someone blocked in the driveway.”
    “Why didn’t you return my calls,” he began without preamble. He probably had about thirty seconds, and he didn’t want to waste any of it on pleasantries.
    “I emailed you the list of corporate sponsors and the information about the stables offering hippotherapy.”
    “I got them, thank you.” The sight of her golden hair, the curling ends touching the tops of her breasts had taunted him from across the table. He took one of the spirals between two fingers. “I wanted to explain about the other day.”
    Since making that phone call, he’d had a knot in his gut that had nothing to do with the sickness that had invaded his house. As the week progressed and Abby hadn’t returned his calls, he realized she wasn’t going to willingly listen to an explanation. Even if she deserved one. Other than camping out in the school’s parking lot—which sounded a lot like stalking—he’d run out of options. The monthly board meeting of Help and Hope was the only chance he’d get to see Abby till his mother’s next party.
    “That’s not necessary,” she answered coolly.
    “Heather came down with the flu and that’s why I had to cancel.” As much as he hated to cancel on Abby, some things were unavoidable.
    Again with the placid smile. He’d have much rather endured some “hell hath no fury” than her “I am an island” imitation.
    “Naturally, and you had to take care of her.”
    “I’m the last person she wants for that, but I did need to take care of Grace.”
    “Of course. Well, thank you for letting me know. I hope your family stays well.”
    Grant held up his hands, pleading. “It’s not like that.” He could easily see how someone would jump to the wrong conclusion. “After the divorce we tried having Grace spend half the week with each of us, but that was really rough on her. With her autism, she needs the consistency of living in one place. Since neither of