“Undeserving”

Alex stood on the balcony, watching Abby as she headed down the street towards the market. He’d offered to go with her but she’d insisted she could manage by herself and that he should try and get some rest being that he’d only been out of the hospital for a couple days.

He smiled to himself, watching the way she walked, greeting people as she passed by. He couldn’t help but wonder how he could end up with such a beautiful soul as Abby in his life. She was the breath of fresh air he’d been waiting for yet he couldn’t help but feel less than deserving of her affection.

Ever since he’d first met her he’d had this nagging feeling of guilt that he just couldn’t seem to shake. It was his fault that her husband, Dwayne, had found her; Alex had tracked her here to the Glen for him. It was his job, of course, and he’d been paid well for it, well enough to take up residency here himself. Now, however, knowing why Abby had run in the first place, well, what the hell would she think if she knew Alex was the one that led Dwayne to her?

And then there was the little matter of his friend, Colin. Poor bastard had it bad for Abby, he was sure of it. Colin had tried to move on, dated a few women here and there, but Abby had told Alex about how Colin came to see her in the hospital and then again here at the inn. The man was trying to win back her affections but Abby was having none of it. And this, too, was Alex’s fault – in more ways than one. Because of him, because of the job he’d done for Dwayne in finding Abby, she’d broken off her relationship with Colin. How could Alex face the man now, knowing he’d not only caused the break-up but was now preventing them from getting back together?

Alex sighed, lit up a cigarette and took a long drag. Shit, what a mess he’d made of it. Somehow, some way, he would make things right. But for now, he’d just sit back and take what life threw at him; enjoy the time he had here with Abby – while it lasted, while she still cared about him.