She broke into a grin. Once Elliot and Blair did marry, they set to work repopulating the Drummond clan with five boys. Two sets of twins and an only. It wasnt hard to see that Blair needed a break from being a stay-at-home mom.
But who was Abby kidding? This uncomfortable feeling wasnt only a matter of not being available to baby-sit her brothers kids. Quite simply, Elliot would disapprove of her going with a man. And Elliot liked Ben well enough. Her brother would never condone sex outside of marriage; the who wouldnt matter. In Elliots mind, Abby would forever be his baby sister. His responsibility.
She supported her chin on one hand and stared at the chalkboard. It hadnt been a week since hed mentioned how many of her contemporaries weddings hed officiated at over the past year.
Marriage was a difficult issue for her. The forever-after vow bothered Abby. Nothing lasted forever. While she hated to disappoint Elliot, marriage was a subject on which they held fundamentally different views. He just didnt understand. Elliot would never bend a single one of the ten commandments. Ever. Not for any reason.
While she wasnt one to avoid confrontation, Abby decided she ought to rehearse what shed say to Elliot and Blair. There was no one sweeter than Blair. And no one who deserved a break more.
Abby stacked her tests to take home. Shed think about it overnight and maybe something would come to her.
Nothing did. She stalled for two more days and nights.
Friday, her back was to the wall. She had no choice but to go by their house before work and fess up. But when she phoned to inform them of her plan, Elliot didnt have time to talk. He said he had a meeting in town. Blair was accompanying him so she could use the van later. Sam needs shoes, Elliot said, sounding rushed. And we have to drop the twins off at school.
Abby turned her calendar and panic set in. It was her morning to do the breakfast shift in the cafeteria. I forgot I have morning duty. But what I have to tell you is important. I cant sit for you guys next week. Im going skiing with Ben. Were going to Canada.
What? Nonsense!
Sorry, Elliot. I have to dash or risk being late. Is your meeting an all-day affair, or can I call you on your cell phone during my lunch break?
Ill phone you at school as soon as I finish my meeting, Elliot told her sternly.
Abby wrinkled her nose at the buzzing phone as she hung up.
CHAPTER TWO
WHILE HER CAR IDLED off the morning chill, Abby was pleased to see sun chasing off the clouds. She hoped this would turn out to be a nice day. For February, Seattle enjoyed relatively mild temperatures.
Her breakfast duty started at seven. Their school had so many single moms and working parents, theyd long since instituted a hot breakfast plan five days a week. If shed thought sooner, Abby would have offered Blair the use of her car. She wouldnt need it for a week, and Ben could as easily pick her up at school. Besides, it would be easier to talk to Blair about her plans. She was lessuncompromising than Elliot.
As she approached the school, Abby scanned the line of cars pulling through the bus lane to drop students at the cafeteria. If she saw her brother and his wife, shed still make the offer. Unfortunately, the Drummonds aging van wasnt among those parked in the circular drive, so Abby drove by and parked in the faculty lot.
Shed missed them, she discovered as soon as she entered the building. Her nephews were lying in wait to pounce on her. Nine-year-old Noah and Michael both had missing front teeth, which made what they said hard to understand. Ultimately Abby deduced that they were regaling her with the latest antics of their beloved boxer, Ruffian. You know what, Aunt Abby? Ruffian chewed holes in Daddys best tie this morning.
Yeth, agreed one of the younger twins. At seven, Brad still lisped. He tugged Abbys jacket, wanting to be heard over Reed, his more gregarious twin. Mama covered our ears, cause Daddy said bad words.
No kidding? Abby knew she should let remarks of that sort slide rather than draw attention to them. But it seemed sonot like Elliot. She paused to consider whether or not he might be exceptionally upset by her news. Or were things rocky at his church? She knew from past history that working with congregations wasnt always sweetness and light. Ministers were often unduly pressured by either their flocks or their governing boards. Maybe Elliot and Blair needed a break more than shed assumed. What if they were really counting on her for next week?
Blair had been vague about their plans, but still
Friends of the boys called to them. True to their fickle natures, her nephews abandoned Abby and hurried off to line up for chow with their pals.
Other kids circled around her. Abby rarely lacked the company of kids during her cafeteria or playground duties. Her attention wandered to a group entering the room. Bens nieces were among them. Abby hadnt seen Erin and Mollie with the breakfast bunch before.
She worked her way in their direction, deciding to ask if thered been a change in their moms schedule.
Girls, hi. Abby spoke to the girls even as her eyes strayed to a rowdy collection of fourth-and fifth-grade boys who seemed to be getting out of control at one of the tables.
Ms. Drummond, how come youre on morning duty? Erin exclaimed.
All teachers rotate morning and after school, hon. I was just thinking I hadnt seen you and Mollie here before.
Mollie danced from foot to foot until Erin stilled her. Mommys insurance office went to flex time. The eight-year-olds elfin face grew serious behind her wire-rimmed glasses. Mollie and I have to get up earlier now.
I dont like it, Mollie interjected.
Erin, the more sedate of the two, placed a firm hand on her younger sisters shoulder. We dont really mind. It means Mommys home at two-thirty when school lets out.
Well, thats good. So youre no longer going to Mrs. Scotts?
She moved to California to live with her son.
Mollie piped up again. Mrs. Scott said her old bones dont like Seattle rain.
Ah. Last year, I do remember her having problems with arthritis. Well, it seems your moms new schedule came at a good time. Excuse me, girls. I need to go chat with those boys. In case I dont get back to you, have a great day.
Abby had taken maybe five steps toward the disruptive boys when, without warning, the cafeteria floor shifted under her feet and sent her reeling. Simultaneously her stomach tightened, then dropped. She lurched sideways, right, then left, as if shed stepped on a carnival ride. A Tilt-A-Whirl. Abby grabbed for a chair only to have it bob crazily away. As she tried righting herself, another jolt threw her to her knees. All around her, kids began to scream and cry.
For a moment, an unnamed panic seized Abby. Her heart raced as she crawled across the bucking floor. She forced herself to climb to her feet.
Food trays flew off nearby tables. Chairs toppled. Kids scrambled over one another. Automatically, Abby clutched a whistle swinging from a cord around her neck. She blew two sharp blasts. Stretching out her arms, she caught a bunch of kids who hurtled past her. Its an earthquake, she shouted, realizing what was happening. Remember our drills! Jason Bingham, stop in your tracks. All of you! Listen to me.