Page 12 of Unsaid Things

“Ooh! Let me see!”

Abby pulled her new purse out of the bag, still not quite believing that Elizabeth had gotten it for her. “We’ll call it an early Christmas present,” she’d said, leaning in close at the store. Abby realized that Elizabeth must’ve noticed the worn edges and malfunctioning zipper on her current one and steered them toward that section of Dillard’s, one of the big department stores in the area. No matter how much she protested that Elizabeth didn’t need to buy her a bag, Elizabeth had been adamant. Abby could see where Lance’s tendency to insist on his own way came from. The woman seemed to always get what she wanted, one way or another. It was hard to tell hernoonce she’d decided something. And she’d decided Abby needed the crossbody bag she’d immediately been drawn to, made of buttery-soft brown leather. It had been love at first sight, but the price tag was way higher than Abby could afford. Not that that mattered to anyone in the Kane family. Even after their conversation at lunch, Elizabeth would not be dissuaded. It was theChristmas presentline that clinched it. How could she say no?

Gabby peeked inside the other bags, oohing and aahing over Abby’s other purchases, then pulled her mom’s bags open with a finger and peered inside. “Did you get me anything?”

Elizabeth shook her head, turning on the sink and scrubbing potatoes before slicing them into a pot. “Gabby, I spoil you plenty. No, I did not get you anything. And if I had, do you think I’d just leave it out for you to get your grubby hands on? Christmas is the day after tomorrow. You’ll have plenty of new stuff soon.”

“But you got Abby new stuff today.”

Abby couldn’t hide her smile at Gabby’s whiny tone, and she was pretty sure Elizabeth suppressed a laugh, but it was hard to tell over the sound of the running water. The water turned off, and Elizabeth rested her hands on the edge of the sink, a knife in one hand and a potato in the other, and glared at her daughter. “Gabrielle. You’re being ridiculous. I wanted to get Abby a new purse for Christmas, but I didn’t know what she would like. Of course I took her shopping for one. Do you expect me to take it away now and wrap it up and give it to her in two days?” She went back to slicing the potato in her hand. “I think your sister’s going to be ready for you two soon. Why don’t you both go get ready?”

Gabby crossed her arms and went up the stairs in a huff. Abby put her new things back in their bags to take them upstairs. Elizabeth’s voice stopped her with one foot on the bottom step. “Thank you for spending time with me this afternoon, Abby.”

“Oh, it was my pleasure.”

Elizabeth met her eyes, a genuine smile on her face. “I’m glad. And thank you for letting me buy you some things. It’s nice being able to spoil someone who doesn’t demand it, unlike my youngest daughter.”

Abby grinned. “It’s kind of nice to get spoiled.”

“You know, my son would love to do that.” Abby opened her mouth to respond, but Elizabeth’s raised hands stopped her. “Sorry. Never mind. I shouldn’t have said that. Have fun tonight at your girls’ night.”

“I will. Thanks for today.”

“You’re welcome.”

Abby met Lance in the hallway. His hair was slicked back from his face, wet from a shower, and he’d changed into a different T-shirt and jeans. A big smile took over his face. “Hey. I was wondering when you’d get home.”

She went up on tiptoe and kissed him. He picked up her bags and led the way to their room. Once inside, he set them down, closed the door, wrapped his arms around her, and fell back on the bed with her on top of him. She wriggled against him, but his arms tightened, one hand going up to her head and bringing her face to his for a slow, deep kiss. When he finally broke the kiss, he rolled them to the side, and brushed her hair out of her face, a smile just turning up the corners of his mouth. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too. How’d things go at the shop?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Fine. I changed the oil in a bunch of cars while Peter and my dad did most of the hard stuff. Dad said he didn’t trust me with anything more difficult since it’s been so long since I worked for him last. That was after he sent Peter and Marissa off to lunch together. He covered the phones and put me to work. I got the shortest lunch break in history after they got back almost two hours later. But it was fine.”

Abby’s brows scrunched together. “Did you guys talk?”

He shook his head. “Not about anything other than what car I should work on next.”

“I don’t get it.”

Lance let out a sigh and turned to his back, staring up at the ceiling. “There’s not much to get. He’s still pissed at me for not moving back home when I said I would. This is his way of punishing me.”

Abby opened her mouth, but couldn’t think of what to say. Shaking her head, she leaned closer to him. “I’m sorry.” And she kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her again, deepening the kiss, rolling them so he was over her now, one hand roaming down her front to slip under her shirt. She groaned into his mouth when his hand smoothed over her breast, his fingers flicking over her nipple, causing her to arch up into him. He smiled against her, breaking the kiss to nip at her earlobe and kiss down her collarbone.

Just as he started to lift up her shirt, a knock sounded at the door. “Abby, you ready? Marissa just texted that she’s ready when we are.”

Lance groaned and pulled Abby’s shirt back down, placing a light kiss on her lips. “Cockblocked by my little sister.” He shook his head in mock annoyance. Or maybe it was real annoyance. “We’ll finish this when you get home tonight.”

“Deal. But you’ll have to keep quiet.”

He laughed as he stood up and helped her to her feet. “I think you mean I’ll need to keep you quiet, sweetheart.” With a light swat on the ass, he turned her to the door. “Now go have fun with my sisters. And try not to think too much about all the ways I’ll make you want to scream tonight. I’ll have to think up some kind of gag for you so we don’t keep everyone awake.”

Abby gasped, but he didn’t let her say anything. Pulling the door open with a flourish, he gestured for her to go through. Gabby stood on the other side, looking up from her phone. “Ready?”

Abby shot a glare at Lance before turning to Gabby. “Yeah. I’m ready.” She grabbed her purse from where she’d dropped it by the bed.

“Wait. What about your new bag? Don’t you want to use that?”

“Oh. Yeah. You don’t mind waiting for me to switch?”

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