...continued from previous page

"I'll go to her," volunteered Abby, leaving the three men to talk.

"What's going on?" Izumi asked her daughter. When Abby told her what had happened at the supermarket, Izumi sighed heavily. "What's Jake going to do?"

"I don't know," replied Abby, shaking her head sadly.

"It'll be all right, Abby," comforted Jake, as he walked into the master bedroom. "What did you pick up at the store?" he asked, with a smile that told her he was trying to be brave.

"Just some things for the camp out," shrugged Abby, not much in the mood for small talk.

"Mom," explained Jake, "Uncle Eric won't hurt Abby. He's here because of me-- not her."

"Is he dangerous?" asked Izumi, frankly.

"No, he's never physically hurt me," replied Jake, shaking his head. "Uncle Eric may be a lot of things, but I don't believe he's dangerous. It's probably the only positive thing that I can say about him."

"Then, why is he here?" asked John, entering the room with Terry.

Jake looked at Abby.

"Because, he wants to punish me," he answered, knowingly.

"For what?" cried Abby.

"For killing his brother," replied Jake.

"He didn't look angry at you back at the courthouse," recalled Abby.

"That's not Uncle Eric's way," explained Jake, with a pained face. "When I killed my father, Uncle Eric told me that I was still his favorite nephew. But, in the next breath, he promised me that I would never find peace or happiness because of what I had done to his brother. I expect that when he saw Abby, Uncle Eric was afraid that his prediction wasn't going to come true." Jake looked wistfully at Abby and smiled faintly. "He was right to be concerned. I've never been happier in my entire life, than I am right now."

In spite of herself, Abby returned Jake's smile. She resented Uncle Eric's attempt to rob Jake of the refuge he had found in her family.

"I'm going to change for our camp out," she resolutely announced, before turning to leave.

"Do you think that's still a good idea?" Izumi wondered timidly. "Perhaps, you both should stay indoors until he leaves."

"Little Dove," smiled John, "that's hardly practical. These kids have to live their lives-- whether Uncle Eric is in town, or not."

"The beach is on private property," added Terry, folding his arms defiantly.

"She'll be with Jake," comforted John, sitting down on the bed beside his concerned wife.

But Abby didn't hear these consolations, for she was already halfway to the little yellow house by the time Jake caught up with her.

"Thank you," he smiled gratefully.

continued on next page...

<< Love Stories Last PageLove Stories Next Page >>