Ch 9: No, you’ve been so kind

Something she'd never seen before. It was a good thing too because the boy she'd gone with had cornered her in one of the upstairs bedrooms and ripped her blouse.

By the time Owen had found her, she had been crying and fending him off. He was an older boy and Owen took his time beating the stuffing out of him.

Then he turned and dragged her out of there practically by the scruff of her neck. She was so humiliated by her behavior that Joseph couldn't even bring himself to chastise her when he saw her face the next day.

There was no mention of the incident again and the whole thing had stuck with her through college. She just didn't trust the opposite sex. That boy had seemed so sincere and friendly, but Owen knew.

She never found out how he knew, because she was too embarrassed to ask. "Abigail?" She took a deep breath, "Could we talk about this another day? I can't deal with this right now."

He studied her expression for a moment. Then she saw something in his eyes resembling guilt. "Of course." He leaned back in his seat, "I apologize for bringing it up so soon.

Did you want me to take you home?" Oh no, she didn't think about that. Could she possibly go back to that house after putting her cousin in the ground?

There were childhood memories and…she started to cry again. Instantly, Owen was beside her gathering her tightly into his embrace. It was the only time he held her except when she fell out of the tree. "I'll take you home with me so I— Alice and I—can look after you—no argument." Then he added when he felt her stiffen.

"You can take the next few days to decide what you need to do. Sorry cheetah, I seem to be saying all the wrong things. However, I think we both need each other right now, and I don't think you should be alone." He was being supportive as best he knew how, even lying, because Owen never needed anyone.

Despite that, she appreciated his comfort. She shook her head, "No, you've been so kind…" that was all she could get out before she started to sob again. They went back to her house so she could pack.

He didn't mention his offer of marriage again probably because his phone rang and even though the four-hour ride into the city he'd barely gotten five minutes between calls, although she did get frequent sympathetic glances, which she shook off with an understanding expression.

Regardless, she wasn't the least bit upset at his lack of attention; she was still reeling from what he'd asked her so it gave her time to reflect and she also knew that he had a corporation to run.

She couldn't possibly expect him to put his life on hold for her more than he already did. He'd already given her several days of undivided attention.

When they got back in the car, he sat beside her with his arm across the back of the seat behind her. It gave her a certain degree of solace to know that he was close.

In any case, she still kept her head in the crook of his shoulder not able to pull herself away from him. Her eyes were closed and she absently dabbed her tears with his handkerchief hoping he didn't notice.

They still leaked out despite her efforts to contain them. Although she had every excuse to cry, she still felt vulnerable and didn't like the feeling at all. If it was any other day and she clutched to him like she was now, she would have found it very uncomfortable because of how she felt about him. Reluctantly she admitted that

she needed the closeness of another human body right now even if it was Owen.