He heard her
She wondered what he was doing there and quickly put on a pair of slippers. She stepped out onto the yard and let the back door fall shut behind her. Her father must have heard the door close because he suddenly appeared.
“Sweetheart, hello!” he said as he approached Abby, looking caught off guard. “What are you doing out here in the cold? Let’s get you back inside, shall we? Would you like a hot chocolate?”