Free Wild Flower by Abbie Williams Page A

live here year-round.”
    I poured myself a second cup of coffee.
    â€œWinters aren’t easy in these parts,” Mom said. “But you’re right, it is beautiful here. Summer makes it all worth it.”
    â€œI’m from St. Louis, originally. I moved up here to go to college and haven’t left yet,” he said.
    â€œWell, feel free to stop out for coffee a time or two while you’re in town,” Aunt Ellen invited. “Ours is the best on the lake.”
    â€œI will, thanks,” he said. “Do you care if I leave my car out here when I put my boat in?”
    â€œThat’s fine,” Mom said. “Just park farther out in the lot when we’re open, if you don’t mind.” And then to Ellen, “Here comes the truck.”
    â€œYou live around here, too?” Zack asked me as Mom and Ellen were distracted by the rumbling arrival of a supply trailer. He braced forward on his elbows, abruptly enough that I found myself leaning just slightly away. His eyes were a pale, almost silvery, blue.
    Emphasizing my words perhaps more than necessary, I replied, “Yes, my husband and I live near here.”
    He nodded at this information, studying me as he sipped coffee.
    Mom said, “Excuse us.”
    Zack set his cup on the table and said, “Thanks for the hospitality. Nice to meet you.”
    â€œYou too,” Mom said distractedly, as she and Aunt Ellen stood to go and let in the truck driver at the back entrance, around behind the kitchen and the stock pantry.
    â€œCome on, Millie Jo-Jo,” Camille called to her daughter, also clearly planning to head out for the day.
    Left virtually alone with Zack Dixon at table three, I opened my mouth to take my own leave when he indicated Rae and Millie, asking, “So are those your kids?”
    â€œOne of them,” I said shortly. I wanted him out of here, it was that simple.
    He replied with, “You seem to be a pretty fertile family,” directing a nod at my belly. I was wearing an old white maternity tank top that Jo had lent me, and was further stunned that he let his eyes linger on the rounded curve of my breasts; pregnancy had given me a considerable boost in the chest department, but still. It was undeniably suggestive and outright rude for him to be so obvious.
    â€œWalk me to my car?” he asked when I didn’t respond, setting his cup on the table and offering me a smile. I was reminded at once of a shark.
    I straightened my spine and managed to keep my voice low as I heard myself snap, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
    His eyebrows lifted at my words, clearly surprised. Then something shifted in his eyes, buried instantly, and I blinked, so discomfited by him that I felt a curl of nausea across my gut. But nothing more. Where there should have been a flash, a sensing, the usual vibrant, unseen cord that connected my awareness to everything around me, there was only emptiness. It was this more than anything that caused the next breath to lodge in my throat.
    â€œTouchy,” he said lightly, casting his eyes down to the table, his tone conveying unmistakable embarrassment, and immediately I reprimanded myself.
    Jesus, Jillian, what is the matter with you?
    â€œWell thanks for the coffee,” he said, meeting my gaze once more. This time he seemed nothing but friendly. He added, “See you around,” before rising and heading outside, and seconds later was unloading gear from the backseat of his car. I stood and found myself observing as he unstrapped his canoe and hefted it over his head, before proceeding towards the lake without a backward glance. I stood watching a moment longer, second-guessing myself, while behind me Camille teased Millie and Rae about something.
    He’s harmless, and you’re being unfair.
    His eyes are fucking creepy though.
    That’s hardly his fault.
    It’s everything with Aubrey , I decided. You’re just more worked up than