The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Thirty-Three

Abe had not been having a great week.

Elli seemed a little perkier after their chat, but still had not followed through at school. He knew he couldn't rush her, but he also couldn't stand the idea that the little shits were hurting her. He'd already resigned himself to the fact that if she came home with any kind of a bruise, he'd never be able to stop Anna ripping them apart. And he wasn't sure he'd want to.

Anna had been so quiet again this week. More so than usual. He'd hoped they were passed the worst of it, but something was bugging her. He was sure it was Elli's problem, but he thought Anna would have talked to him about that. Perhaps he would try bringing it up over dinner.

He was so tired. He wanted to be back on the farm today, but Aaron had found him some extra construction work in town. The store next door to theirs had a bad leak in the roof, and Abe was fixing it for them. He could never say no to extra money. At least Anna had popped in to see him when she and Ma had gone to town. Seeing her always brightened his spirits.

As he stepped in their side door, he looked around him curiously. The kitchen was worse than the pigpen. But something smelled amazing.

"Anna baby?" he called.

A rush of footsteps brought her down stairs. "No!" she said, immediately running and covering his eyes. "You're not supposed to be back yet!"

"Nice to see you too," he grinned, prising her hands away. "Baby, did you find one of my old grenades?"

"Oh, it's not that bad," she hushed, gathering up bowls. "I thought I had more time to clean it."

"What's the mess in aid of?" he asked, tugging his jacket off. "I mean, it smells damn good in here..."

"I have made you a special dinner," she said proudly, Abe now noticing that she had flour in her hair. "And I did it all by myself!"

"Oh darlin'!" he said, coming over to her. "I'm so proud of you!"

"I know it won't be as good as Ma's cooking," she began, but he wound his arms around her.

"I believe you'll be amazing at anything you set your mind to," he grinned, kissing her deeply. She let herself get carried away, her arms winding around his neck. "Where's Elli?"

"She's with your Momma," she murmured. "I needed you to myself this evening."

"Good plan," he breathed, kissing her, and pulling her closer.

Backing her towards the archway, his hands pulled at her clothes. He kissed her neck, falling to his knees as his hands slid slowly up her legs. His grin was devilish as he kissed her thighs and pulled one of her legs over his shoulder.

Anna was lost in him, her fingers running through his sandy hair. She gasped as his mouth moved higher, Abe's hands biting into her eagerly.

He stood up, kissing her ardently as he held her against him. "God, I have been thinkin' about you all day," he murmured, as she bit his ear.

"You have?" she said playfully.

"Oh yeah," he said throatily, then glanced around him. "Kinda wanna have you right here..." He picked her up and put her on the counter top, standing between her legs.

"But dinner!" she managed as his tongue teased her neck.

"Baby, I want you so bad-"

"Oh no!" she protested, stopping him so he looked at her innocently. "I have not spent all afternoon preparing dinner so that you can ruin it!"

"Oh, come on," he teased, "quick one now... then we can really celebrate after dinner?" She narrowed her eyes at him. He laughed, stepping back and consenting to simply kiss her nose. "Fine, I'll wait."