Miss Abigail's Beastly Beau by Maggie Dallen (amazing books to read TXT) 📕

“We are in your debt, Mr. Calhoun—”

“Caleb,” he snapped. How many times did he have to remind these people? He wasn’t some gentleman and he certainly wasn’t any Mr. Calhoun.

“Caleb, then.” Her father wouldn’t let him go. Not without making this awkward. “I never truly thanked you for—”

“No need.” Caleb started to walk away. It was what anyone would have done. The captain’s gratitude rubbed him wrong, making him more irritable than ever by the time he reached his new temporary abode.

He didn’t need the captain’s gratitude, and he certainly didn’t want Abigail’s. There was no question it was gratitude that had kept her coming to visit him every day as he healed, coddling him like he was one of her scruffy little children.

It was gratitude on her part, that was all.

And as for him...she was under his protection. Everyone knew that when you saved someone’s life it was yours to protect.

Duty on his part and gratitude on hers.

That’s all this was.

He’d do well to remember it.

Chapter 4

Abigail grinned as she entered the carriage to see it overrun by the hulking mass of muscle that was Caleb Calhoun. “Well, you certainly managed to strong-arm your way into this one,” she said.

He scowled. That made her smile.

“Your father agreed with me that you need more protection than she can provide.” He nodded toward her maid who climbed in behind her. “No offense, Miss.”

Her maid, a shy, quiet girl named Anna, merely blushed and looked away. No doubt she was terrified by the oversized pirate.

Abigail had tried to tell her earlier that he wasn’t nearly as frightening as he looked, but no one seemed to believe her. Even Hattie had given her a look of disbelief and Hattie was always quick to see the best in people.

Hattie, who even now was flooded with guilt for not being by her side. Her youngest sister stuck her blonde head inside the carriage. “Are you certain you do not wish for me to join you?”

Abigail sighed. In truth, she did wish Hattie could join her. Not because she was frightened by Caleb. Certainly not. She just did not relish the thought of visiting Aunt Lucinda on her own.

But even as she waited for a response, Hattie sniffled, her red nose a dead giveaway that she was still too ill to travel. Abigail smiled and patted her sister’s hand, where it rested against the carriage door frame. “Next time, dear. For now, you get some rest.”

Hattie smiled gratefully. None of them actually enjoyed these visits to Aunt Lucinda, and she was no doubt relieved to be staying behind.

Abigail teasingly narrowed her eyes. “But do try to rest, dear. Not just read all day.”

Hattie’s grin was sudden and sweet. It was also a reminder of how quickly she was growing into a young lady. She was no longer a child, just as Abigail was not getting any younger.

She shoved aside the thought. She’d had enough wallowing yesterday to last a lifetime. “We should be off,” she announced brightly.

Hattie nodded and turned to leave, but then she paused. In an act of courage that made Abigail proud, Hattie lifted her gaze to look at Caleb directly. “Thank you for looking after my sister.”

Caleb stared at her youngest sister as if faced with a vicious predator. Wariness was in his eyes along with that familiar glare.

She bit her lip to hold back a laugh. No doubt he was not used to sweet young ladies thanking him for anything. Or even making eye contact. Sure enough, he gave a grunting noise of acknowledgment and Hattie beamed in response.

Abigail couldn’t quite stifle her laugh as Hattie ducked out and Caleb’s scowl grew.

He eyed her steadily as the carriage ride got underway. “You seem happier today.”

“Is that an accusation?” she teased.

“No.”

Poor Anna looked terrified by their exchange, glancing from one to the other before dipping her head and focusing solely on the darning she’d brought with her.

“I am happier today,” she admitted when his gaze refused to stray. He seemed absurdly interested in her mood, which was a little flattering, if she were honest. Her sister and father hadn’t even noticed she’d been crying. Or, if they had, they likely thought it was just a result of Minerva’s departure.

And while losing her very best friend was a part of it, it was not all of it. Her leaving merely brought the rest of her woes into focus.

And by woes, she meant her future.

She blinked rapidly and turned to look out the window. But she would not stew on that again today. Not when the sun was shining, and the fall air was crisp and heavy. Snow would be on its way soon enough, and today was a day to revel in the last of the autumn sunshine.

Besides, she had her very own guard, and he made for extremely enjoyable company in his own unique way.

“We have a long journey ahead of us today, Caleb.” She used his given name carefully, ignoring Anna’s flickering glance of surprise.

It seemed important to him that he not be known as Mr. Calhoun, and she wished she knew why.

He gave a short grunt of acknowledgment to her prosaic comment.

“We might pass the time by getting to know each other better.” She used her most calming voice, the one that always soothed the little ones when they were overset.

Caleb’s gaze grew wary again.

“When did you choose a life at sea, Mr.—er, Caleb?” She flashed him an apologetic smile for the near slip and outright ignored her maid’s look of horror at the personal question.

Caleb’s expression was more difficult to read. He did not seem shocked. But he also did not seem inclined to answer.

He ignored her just as thoroughly as she ignored her maid.

That was fine. She looked out the window. If her years of teaching the town’s little ones had taught her anything, it was patience.

She assumed he wasn’t going to answer at all. And that was fine. She could wait. Perhaps