N. Walters - Erin’s Fancy

Over the years, he had been the one constant in her life. It was Jackson who’d attended all her school plays and made sure she had a costume at Halloween. He had made sure that birthdays were celebrated and that she and Nathan had presents at Christmas. But now, she was moving onto adult things like sex and relationships and these were things she had to do on her own. Jackson could not protect her woman’s heart from harm.

The knot in her stomach dissolved as she realized that he wasn’t judging her, but was afraid for her. Afraid that she might be hurt. Afraid that they might not be as close anymore. Erin reached out and gave Abel’s arm a squeeze before she slowly walked across the kitchen towards her brother.

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.”

There was a generally shuffling behind her as they pulled up their chairs to the table and settled themselves comfortably. When she turned back to the counter, she allowed herself a smile, knowing they couldn’t see her face. God, she loved them all so much and she was an incredibly lucky woman to have such wonderful men love her back. Happily, she set to work putting on a pot of fresh coffee before she started cooking pancakes.

Behind her, Abel filled them in on all the details of her search and their planned trip to Chicago. It was fascinating to listen to them interact together. Jackson was the listener. He didn’t have much to say, but when he did speak, what he had to say was worth listening to. Nathan, on the other hand, was full of questions and keenly interested in the simple techniques that Abel had employed to find his brother.

Erin mostly listened, only now and again adding details and the occasional bit of commentary. By the time all of them had eaten their fill of homemade blueberry pancakes, Jackson was already on to practical matters.

“What do you want to do about the berry fields? They’ll be ready for harvest any day now.” Jackson leaned back and took a large swallow from his mug of coffee.

“I know, but hopefully I won’t be gone to long.” Her mind was already busy making to-do lists and organizing tasks. “I’ve already hired my pickers, and some of them have been with me for years. If something happened and I don’t make it back in time, they know what to do.” She hated not being here for the harvest, but being with Abel when he confronted his brother was more important. Besides, she trusted her young employees.

But Jackson was already shaking his head, making tentative plans to take over her berry harvest if she had to be gone longer than anticipated. “They’re good kids, but I’ll supervise the picking if it comes to that. Nathan can help me with the orchards and I’ll take on extra help for a week or so if I have to.”

It was at that moment that she realized that he was okay with her marrying Abel. In his own way, he’d just given them his stamp of approval. Catching his eye from across the table, she smiled at him. He nodded and winked at her before turning his attention back to the conversation between Abel and Nathan.

In a very short time, she’d come a long way from the woman who’d sat at the end of the table reading her magazine. Oh my God, the magazine! She made a mental note to pack it for the trip, as she’d never actually showed it to Abel yet. They always got sidetracked before she could bring it up. She flushed at the images that thought conjured, but decided that it was probably too late anyway As far as she could remember, they’d already covered every single position in the article. But it was probably better to pack it, just in case.

Erin held Abel’s hand tight as they stood at the back entrance of the older stone building. From what Abel’s contact at the police department had informed him, Cain Benjamin lived in the penthouse apartment here. They had no idea if he was home or if he would even see them. Chances weren’t good, since the man preferred to isolate himself from the rest of the world. Abel raised his hand to knock, but the door flew open before he had the chance.

A slender, athletic-looking woman suddenly appeared in the doorway, her short brown hair spiked around her head in tousled disarray. She almost barreled headfirst into them before coming to a dead stop. “I’m sorry…” she glanced up, an apology left half-spoken on her lips. Her blue eyes widened as she got a good look at them, and she took a hasty step backwards.

“Wait.” Abel stepped forward before she could close the door in his face. “Can you tell me if Cain Benjamin lives here?” Abel’s voice was calm and deep, but Erin could hear the underlying urgency.

The woman continued to stare at him. “Yes.” She seemed at a loss for words and said nothing else. She glanced at Erin for a moment, but then her gaze returned to Abel and seemed to focus entirely on him.