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Burkett for me, once you two patch things up.”
Abby walked over to the balustrade and placed her
hands on the rail. “You’ll probably get the chance to thank
him yourself long before I ever do.”
“I’m sorry, baby girl. I wish I could do something to
make this easier for you. I always said Burkett was a damn
fool, and now he’s only—”
She spun around. “This is my fault, Poppy. I hurt him.”
“And you’ve been miserable. So what are you going to
do about it?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Hogwash,” Huey said. “Burkett hasn’t been around to
see you. I guess it’ll have to be you that takes the first step.
You’ve got to be honest with yourself, though.You’re head-
over-heels with our police captain. And you and this situa-
tion need fixing.”
Poppy was so right. “There’s nothing I could say to him
now.”
Her dad got up from his chair. “Get your purse or what-
ever it is you ladies need to leave the house.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are. You and I are going to the Pirate Shack.”
“What? You don’t go to the Shack.”
“I do if your future’s at stake.” He checked his watch.
“It’s nearly ten. Phil ought to be breading fritters by now.”
CYNTHIA THOMASON
181
She stared at her father a moment, decided he wasn’t
going to back down, and said, “If you’re driving, I don’t
need my purse.”
He let Flake in the house, grabbed Abby’s hand and
practically dragged her behind him to the driveway. Before
she knew it, they were in his truck and on their way.
At 10:00 a.m., only two customers, die-hard local fish-
ermen, were in the Pirate Shack, talking to Nick, who was
behind the bar. When Huey and Abby came in, one of the
men said, “Huey?”
“Yep, it’s me.”
“What are you doing at Phil’s place?”
“None of your business.” Huey spoke to Nick. “Where
are—” He paused, almost as if speaking the names of his
ex-wife and brother were too much for him.
Nick smiled oddly and nodded toward the kitchen.
“Back there.”
Huey strode to the swinging door, Abby following. “Are
you sure you want to do this, Poppy?”
He pushed the door open. “No.”
Phil and Loretta stopped working and stared in obvious
shock. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
“What the hell?” Phil said.
Huey stood with his arms crossed. “Tell them, Abby.”
“Tell them what?”
Loretta approached with a mixing bowl in her hand.
“What’s going on, honey?”
“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Huey said. “Your daugh-
ter is in love with Reese Burkett!”
Loretta smiled, visibly relieved. “Oh, that.”
Phil walked around the food prep counter. “Really, cup-
cake?”
182
CHRISTMAS IN KEY WEST
Abby stammered an answer. “I—I suppose I could be,
but there are problems….”
Loretta leaned the spoon she’d been stirring with
against the side of the bowl. “Has he contacted you since
Sunday night?”
Abby shook her head.
“That idiot.”
“Do something, Loretta,” Huey said. “You’re the one
who let this get out of hand.”
“Me? What do you think I can do?”
Abby answered for him. “Nothing! Nothing should be
done. I live inAtlanta. I’m going back right after NewYear’s!”
Loretta set the bowl down and reached for Abby’s hand.
“How far has this progressed, honey? Have you and
Reese…?”
Abby’s skin heated to the roots of her hair. “Mother!”
“I don’t mean to be nosy. It’s just that sex complicates
everything.”
Huey held up a finger. “No talking about sex,” he stated.
“No talking about any of this,”Abby decided. “My rotten
life shouldn’t be a topic of conversation for all of you.”
Phil stepped forward. “Cupcake, I love you—you know
that, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then listen up. The four of us in this room, and now
Reese, are the only ones who know what happened thirteen
years ago. We suffered with you…” he glared at Huey
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