Tobias' cheeks flushed a deep crimson in an instant, a clear sign he was caught off guard.
"Ye—yes, but Queena told me to zip it," he stammered.
Abner, eyebrow quirked, leaned on his cane and made a slow circuit of the scene.
The helping hands were all locals, born and bred in the village. The place was remote, tucked away so that even a trip to the nearest town meant an afternoon's journey by bus.
Fishing was the lifeline here, with villagers drying their catches to sell as fish jerky. If they snagged something rare, they'd haul it to town to hawk to the eateries that catered to tourists.
Abner's presence was magnetic; where he strolled, eyes followed. His stature alone was enough to pique curiosity, prompting whispers and nudges directed at Tobias.
"Has your family always had such a handsome relative?"
"Nah, he ain't family. Queena's the one who fished him out of trouble. My dad brought him back."
As Abner stepped into the Temple family home, Queena's voice greeted him.
"You're still on the mend. Don't wander off now."
The interior was tidy, everything in its place, with a closed door at the far end—likely where the person Tobias mentioned was kept.
Abner had a simple plan: if he'd been brought to this fishing village, could his crew have been saved too? He was still clueless about who had double-crossed him, and if it turned out to be one of his own, they'd have to answer to him.
But Queena was clearly playing her cards close to her chest, and he didn't want to make waves while still recovering.
"Staying cooped up in Tobias' place gets stuffy. Just needed some air."
He didn't venture further inside, instead stepping back out into the open where a gaggle of village women quickly swarmed him with questions about his marital status, job, and salary.
Abner, whose last voyage was on a cargo ship that had long since docked, could only offer a polite smile.
"I hail from Greenfield."
"Greenfield, huh? That's a stone's throw from here," one of the grandmas exclaimed.
"A city boy, I knew it! Look at you, so dashing. My granddaughter, bless her, is as pretty as a picture. You two would make a fine pair if you're not spoken for."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja)
Author, would you story about Ryan settling down and another story on Eric regaining his body and memories back from Patrick, and Eric also settling down as I find it so disheartening for him to have gone through what he went through at the research institute, and I'll like for him to get his "golden boy" life back though, not at the detriment of Ian....
When will the author update to finish Beck's story? What about Dylan and Tyler's love lives? Also, I'll like the author to write on Wilma and Elvis ending up together as she was quite persistent in pursuing him. And Shawn's story, Cornelia Sullivan and Omar Casson. Also, a little write-up on Jeff (Ian's assistant) love life, too. Thanks, author for updating....
When will get update?...
What is wrong that the author has not updated this novel in over a month or is there somewhere else that I can continue reading the novel from chapter 1951 upwards? Do tell, please. Thanks....
Is everything alright with writer?...
Author, why are there no updates after almost 2 weeks? What's going on with the updates,Author? Do update soon....
Will any update make for us?...
Is author ok...
Playing too much with my emotions. It’s been 9 days and no updates. What is going on with Fitch and Zoey?...
Is author playing with our emotions?...