2. Prescription For Love

She folded up the paper, tossed it onto one of the two rocking chairs she and Blake had found in a hardware store down the street, and hurried through the house. Flann and Blake hovered over a bicycle in the front yard. She walked to the edge of the porch and observed their animated expressions. Blake was transformed—his face alight with pleasure. Flann looked Abby’s way, and her smile was as potent as a harpoon striking her in the center of the chest, slowly drawing her toward Flann.

“Good morning,” Abby said, hoping her voice sounded nonchalant despite the piercing pleasure filling up her chest.

“Thought I’d take a chance on finding someone home,” Flann said.

“Mom,” Blake said excitedly, “look at the great bike Flann brought me.”

“It’s super,” Abby said. The bike did indeed fit the description—a newish road bike built for speed. “Flann, that’s an awfully nice bike—I appreciate you lending it—”

“No problem. I’m not using it. Besides”—Flann grinned at Blake—“you gotta have wheels. These will do until you get your license.”

Abby resisted the urge to grind her teeth. She really didn’t need anyone else encouraging Blake in the pleasures of automotion. “Fortunately everything around here is in walking distance.”

“Mostly,” Flann said agreeably. She grinned at Abby. “But then again, a car isn’t just for transportation.”

She folded her arms and gave Flann a pointed frown. “It better be in this family.”

Flann laughed and Blake blushed, although he tried to pretend he hadn’t heard the exchange. “Keep it as long as you need it,” Flann said. “Really, I don’t use it.” “Maybe I could buy it,” Blake said.

“Why don’t we discuss a work trade? There’s going to be plenty to do out at Harper’s place.”

“Yeah, I could do that.” Blake looked back at Abby. “Can I go, Mom?”

“Sure. Be back by dinner or call me or—” But he was already on the bike and headed out to the road, waving one arm without looking back. Abby sighed. “I wish it was another year before he gets his license.”

Flann climbed the porch steps. “I know what you mean. I just had the same conversation with my mother about Margie.”

“At least your mother’s had some practice with it. I bet you and Harper were devils behind the wheel.”

Flann brushed a hank of hair out of her eyes, and Abby followed the motion of her hand before skimming her gaze down Flann’s body. Abby’s attention heated her skin, and the memory of Abby’s fingers on her neck when they’d kissed chased away the last of her fatigue. She was instantly very much awake. “Not Harper, she was never wild. She always followed the rules.”

“Not you though, I’ll bet,” Abby said softly. Flann looked tired, shadows under her eyes, her face paler than she’d ever seen her. She even looked thinner, if that was possible after two days.

“No, not me. I’ve never cared for rules.”

“You look like you haven’t caught up on your sleep yet,” Abby said. “You should go home, get some rest.” Abby wanted her to stay, but that was absurd. The woman was probably almost out on her feet, even if she was too macho to admit it.

“I was thinking,” Flann said, although she hadn’t been until just a minute ago. She had a day free and Abby was standing right in front of her and she didn’t want to say good-bye. What she wanted was another kiss, and she wasn’t going to think too hard about why. “There’s a farmers’ market in Saratoga. Maybe you’d like to go, walk around, see what it’s like.”

“If you’ve been up all night—”

Flann took her hand. “I’m fine. Besides, the fresh air will do me a lot more good than rolling around in a hot apartment trying to sleep during the day.”

“No air-conditioning?” Abby said lightly, though all of her attention was focused on Flann’s fingers wrapped around her hand. Flann was probably used to casual contact with women, but she wasn’t. Why couldn’t she seem to do casual around Flann?

“Don’t have any,” Flann said, her eyes drifting from Abby’s face down her body. “I figure I’m never really home much, so why bother. Usually I can sack out in the hospital if I want to.”

“But today you decided to bring Blake a bicycle. That was really kind of you.”

“Nothing kind about it. I like him, and besides, I need him to be able to get around for work.”

Abby laughed and she couldn’t think of a reason to say no. She didn’t even want to think, she just wanted to enjoy a day in the sun with a woman who looked at her like she was delectable. Oh God, her clothes. “I’d love to go to the farmers’ market with you. Give me a minute to change.”

“Why? You look terrific.”

“Sure, if we’re going to a pajama party.” Abby extracted her hand and backed toward the door.

Flann followed. “There’s lemonade in the refrigerator. The kitchen’s in the back.”

Flann was very close and her eyes had turned dark and hungry, the way they had right before she’d kissed her. The house was empty and Blake wouldn’t be back for hours. Abby took a breath. “I’ll be right down.”