Abigail's Secret (A Whimsical Select Romance Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page B

lovely cousin Abilene,” Tess called out.  “I do believe you may be onto something.”  Tiny Tess looked at Abigail and winked hard.
    “Not but a week ago, this f ine gentleman insisted that he knew what truly lies within your dear sweet heart.”  Abigail turned, looked at Brice and smiled like a Cheshire cat.  “I say his familiarity of it should be assessed.”
    “I do believe that’s a splendid idea,” Tiny Tess called out.  “As you know me so well, cousin, what question shall we ask of our Mister Winslow?”
    “ I think we shall keep it fairly simple so Mister Winslow has a fair chance to win your dow—why, your heart.”  She looked up at Brice and stared at him for a few moments as she gathered her thoughts.  “I shall make it simple indeed, Mister Winslow, as the answers are limited for even a guess.”
    “Please state the question, Miss Abilene, “Brice said, seemingly bored with the game that Abigail was rightly sure he knew could only humiliate him in the end.
    “What is my cousin’s favorite blossom?”
    Brice smiled wide and his relief was exceedingly obvious when his face relaxed. 
    “That is too easy, Miss Abilene , as her father had rose gardens planted in her honor from north to south as well as east and west upon their lawns, I am rightly sure that is the answer you seek.”
    “Then you would be greatly mistaken, Mister Winslow.  As the answer is the dandelion.”
    The crowd applauded and cheered loudly at his loss.
    “You play a game of trickery,” he accused, and although he smiled, the humor of it didn’t quite meet his eyes.
    “Surely I do not,” she said, and Abigail looked up at Tiny Tess.  “Cousin, please assure Mister Winslow that the dandelion is truly his hopeful intended’s favorite among all floras.”
    “As my cousin knows me as well as myself, she would be most definitely correct.”
    “Would you like to know why my cousin prefers the dandelion above all others?” she asked Brice, as well as the people who stood around the train. People nodded their heads and urged her to finish as their curiosities piqued.  She looked at Brice and he eyed her warily.
    “As you have gathered the attention of all, Miss Abilene, please continue,” Brice said.
    “ My cousin was much to the likes of a dandelion when she once lived in this town,” she said to Brice, and then Abigail looked at all the people to whom she had caught their attention, particular those she had known many years ago.  “As like Miss Abigail Large, the dandelion’s beauty and inner worth is overlooked.  It’s taken for granted and ignored and left within the fields to dry and wither.  Eventually, sir, its seeds are blown away and lost within the wind and completely forgotten.”
    Tiny Tess looked down at Abigail with saddened eyes.  A tear dropped down her cheek and she quickly swiped it away.  “I couldn’t have stated it better, cousin.”
    The p eople in the crowd that were raised in Mecklenburg County and knew Abigail looked down and nervously shuffled their feet.  Abigail looked around and easily recalled each mean-spirited word and action amongst them all.
    “I shall now step down and turn the attention back to you, dear Abigail ,” she said, and curtsied to Tiny Tess.
    Tiny Tess perked up , looked into the crowd and bellowed out, “As Mister Winslow was unable to win my hand by game of wits, then I declare to you, my lovely gentlemen, let the courting begin!” she thundered out.
    Smiles , whoops and hollers returned to the crowd, and Abigail turned and looked at Brice.  He stared at her with a peculiar smile that made her feel awkward and shy.
    “ It would appear, sir, you must work as hard for Abigail’s heart as the rest of the gentlemen who’ve come out here today.”
    “As long as you are around, Miss Abilene, I do believe I’ll need to work a mite bit harder than the others.”  He tipped his hat toward her, turned around, and pressed his way through the men who