Wildflower Read Online Free Page B

she
grinned. “Every cabbie there has a brother or uncle who has exactly
what you need.”
    “I wasn’t ragging you Miss,” he said
sheepishly. “Nan’s is a nice place; it’s just not in a good tourist
location. It is close to the university, the mall, and a couple of
banks as well as a few car lots. It’s an easy walk to everything
for you and she’s quite reasonable.”
    “All right I’ll check it out,” laughed Abby,
“but if you’re lying to me I’ll put the hex on you.”
    “No ma’am, not a word of a lie, I swear it.
I’ll just call her to let her know we’re coming.” He whipped out
his cell phone and dialed quickly. “Hi Nan, it’s Billy. I’ve got a
customer for you. We’re on our way over right now.” He popped the
car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot, chatting easily
about the weather as he headed across town to his grandmother’s
B&B.
    Abby absentmindedly listened to his chatter
and gazed out the window as the city passed by her view. True to
his word, Abby could see the mall, with bank and car lot right
nearby. The cab pulled up to a well kept older home with a grey
haired woman waiting at the door. “This is my Nan Parsons,” said
the cabbie by way of introduction as he held the car door open for
Abby.
    “Hello Mrs. Parsons,” Abby smiled warmly as
she extended her hand, “I’m Abigail MacKai. Please leave my bags
there a moment, Billy, I want to see the room first.”
    “Right this way, Miss MacKai,” said the older
woman as she led the way back into the house. She seemed to be a
bit awed by Abby as well, and that was just the way Abby wanted it.
From now on she would command respect and she would get it. Abby
would use all her charm, looks, and whatever else she could, but
she would demand respect. Abby had been used disrespectfully for
the last time; she was never going to go through another experience
like that again.
    The room was clean and nicely appointed even
if the furnishing were quite old. The woman made a point of the
fact that she used the same mattresses as that famous hotel chain.
The rest of the house was spotless and the woman was nicely
dressed. “This would be wonderful,” smiled Abby. “I should like to
stay for a few days until I can arrange for an apartment.”
    “I could give you a weekly rate Miss MacKai,
if that would make things a bit easier for you.”
    “That would be perfect Mrs. Parsons. I’ve
been a bit unwell recently and am under doctor’s orders not to do
anything strenuous. Do you think Billy will carry my bags upstairs
for me?”
    “Oh my dear, by the look on his face, I’d say
that boy would do anything you ask him to do.”
    “Well then, let’s test that theory shall we?”
laughed Abby. She gave Billy a generous tip after he had her bags
installed in the room.
    Abby settled herself in a bit then headed out
to explore the area. “Supper’s at six,” said Mrs. Parsons as Abby
came down the stairs and headed for the door.
    “Excuse me? I thought you only served
breakfast.”
    “Ah well, you’re on the weekly rate and I
hate to eat alone. Supper at six?”
    “Thank you Mrs. Parsons,” smiled Abby. “I’ll
be sure to be back at six.”
    “Edna, call me Edna.”
    “Thank you Edna. My friends call me Abby.
I’ll be certain to return in plenty of time.”
    “Here, take this with you,” said Edna as she
passed a card with Billy’s cell phone number on it to Abby, “just
in case you get lost.”
    “Thanks Edna,” laughed Abby, “that’s a good
idea, I’ll keep it handy.” She smiled as she walked toward the
mall. Abigail MacKai had never gotten lost in a city in her life
and she would not start now. Carefully noting every landmark that
she passed, Abby made her way swiftly to the mall.
    “How convenient,” thought Abby as she walked
into the bank inside the mall. She nearly went into shock as she
exchanged her American money for Canadian. All along Abby had been
looking at things and prices still