Penmort Castle (Ghosts and Reincarnation #1)(100)

Reality crashed in and Abby’s arms loosened their hold but Cash’s didn’t.

He held her close as Abby said to Glyn, “I’m so sorry. I thought it was Cash.” She took in a shaky breath and repeated, “I’m so sorry.”

“That’s okay,” Glyn said and his eyes moved to Cash. “I’d better get back to Moira. Thank you for staying.”

“Not a problem,” Cash returned and Glyn nodded, his gaze swung around the assemblage and then he turned back to the A&E and walked in.

“Cash Fraser,” Mrs. Truman’s curt voice came at them and Cash let one arm drop as he turned both Abby and himself to face the older woman when she went on, “would you care to explain how this could happen?”

Abby took one look at Mrs. Truman and knew that in all her bad moods, this one was the worst. She looked outraged.

“Mrs. Truman –” Abby started, knowing exactly how it happened.

She’d panicked and overreacted, she hadn’t let Emma tell her the whole story before she freaked out and took off.

She was so stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Cash’s voice talked over hers. “I don’t know but I’m sure as f**k going to find out.”

He was reaching in his inside pocket of his suit jacket and Abby’s fingers curled around his wrist.

“It was me,” she whispered when his hand stilled and his head tilted down to look at her. “It was me. I think Emma was going to explain, but I heard ‘car accident’ and you at the hospital and I –”

“That still doesn’t explain why Fraser didn’t call himself,” Mrs. Truman snapped.

“I did. Four times. Her mobile was going directly to voicemail,” Cash returned and Abby knew why this happened, she’d been on and off the phone with Jenny and Fenella several times, giving them the complicated directions through Bath to Cash’s house. Cash went on. “I had to follow the ambulance to the hospital so I called my office and told them to phone Abby and explain that I’d be late.” His eyes came back to Abby’s and a muscle was working in his jaw. “Obviously, they didn’t perform that simple task very well.”

“Please don’t be angry at anyone, it was me. I –” Abby started.

“Abby, there’s a big f**king difference between ‘Mr. Fraser will be late due to his PA having a car accident’ and ‘There’s been an accident and Mr. Fraser is in hospital’,” Cash replied, his voice holding a sharp edge of anger.

“Cash, really –” Abby started to protest but Cash cut her off.

“Abby, a minute ago you were staring at me with tears in your eyes and I could feel your heart beating through my f**king clothes,” he clipped, the sharp edge of anger became blunt and heavy. “I don’t employ staff to terrify my girlfriend. I employ them to be professional and know how to f**king communicate.”

“Cash!” Abby cried, worried she’d gotten the Unknown Emma into serious hot water but he ignored her and looked at Jenny.

“I’ll take Abby home,” he informed Jenny and Abby’s eyes moved from being narrowed in annoyance at Cash to Jenny.

Abby saw her friend was staring at her. Jenny’s face was pale, her eyes were knowing and her lips were pulled in between her teeth. This last was probably to stop herself from speaking, as in asking Abby what in the heck was going on in her screwy, messed up head.

“Oh thank God, you’re safe!” Nicola called, rushing forward with Fenella on her heels, Honor and Cassandra striding up quickly behind them.

“Jesus,” Cash muttered.

Mrs. Truman turned toward them and waved both hands in the air.

“It was a mistake. Someone named Moira was in a car accident. Cash was being a good employer. All’s well,” she announced then turned back to Cash, silently conveying it was his fault if her next words were true, “except, maybe, the chicken.”

“I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault, I –” Abby started but stopped when Cash’s arm gave her a non-too-gentle squeeze that stole her breath and her ability to speak.

“Oh, my dear, not at all. We’re just glad Cash is all right,” Nicola said, smiling kindly back and forth between Abby and Cash, both her face and body showing visible signs of relief.

“Now I really need a G&T,” Cassandra muttered to Honor and Honor grinned, straight-out, no guard up, not only at Cassandra but also at Cash and Abby.

“I hope dinner isn’t ruined!” Fenella fretted somewhat loudly.

“We’ll throw together an omelette or something if it is,” Nicola suggested, turning everyone around by ordering in the kind of voice only a mother could pull off, “Everyone, back to the car.”

They all moved away but not until after Abby showed Jenny the key to Cash’s house on her key ring (all the while avoiding her searching eyes) and Mrs. Truman gave Cash one last glare.

As Abby’s BMW disappeared from sight, Abby turned to Cash and looked up at him.

“I feel like an idiot,” she told him, because she did.

“Don’t,” he commanded, voice steely.

His hands coming to her neck and he brought her forward several inches, his head bending so his forehead rested on hers. She could see his black eyes, intense with some feeling she couldn’t read but whatever-it-was made her heart skip several beats.