Chapter Eleven #2
“Well, what did you think would happen when Becket picks you up each day and drives you home?” Willow laughed. “I’ve heard about it since last Tuesday morning.”
“We were in Bozeman on Monday!” Ellie cried out.
“That’s why we only heard about it on Tuesday,” Janice smiled. “I don’t know Becket that well, Arlene, but I must agree with you. He has a kind heart. So do we have a wedding date, Ellie?”
Ellie gasped. “Oh, my goodness, no! There will be no wedding! Arlene, I agree with you and Janice, Becket is kind and considerate, but he’s not interested in being tied down to just one woman.
You were the one who told me he’s a womanizer, remember?
Becket and I are spending time together, yes, but it’s a temporary arrangement.
Until he’s had enough and decides to move on. ”
“And how will that make you feel?” Willow asked.
“I’m a big girl, I’ll be okay,” Ellie got out. “Let’s get back to our book. Any other thoughts on North and South ?”
Willow picked up her copy of the book. “Just that what Laura said needs repeating, I think. Individuals make assumptions about each other based on what happened in their own past or because of their own biases or experiences, without making sure they have the complete picture. You have your own reasons why you don’t want to get married, but do you know what Becket’s reason is? ”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “He’s a man. I don’t think he needs another reason.”
Vivian chuckled. “Oh, so you don’t have any preconceived ideas about men?”
Throwing her hands in the air, Ellie got up.
“Okay, yes. Guilty. Who wants more wine?” Turning, she picked up the bottle.
“Everything was so clear, I was happy and then…” She quickly swallowed the rest of the sentence.
Oh, my goodness, she’d nearly confessed to loving Becket in front of his mother, his sister and their friends.
When she turned around, everyone was staring at her.
Willow was the first one to speak. “You love him, don’t you?”
Shrugging, Ellie looked down at the bottle in her hand. “It doesn’t matter, does it?”
Willow also got up. “Of course it does. Anyway, that’s something you two should figure out. I must leave a little earlier tonight. Mom, can I give you a lift?”
Everyone suddenly had to leave early.
“Why are all of you in such a hurry?” Ellie asked.
“I’ve had such a busy day,” Vivian said. “By the way, has anyone spoken to Rose, lately?”
“I had tea with her yesterday,” Arlene said. “She’s looking much better, but she still doesn’t go anywhere. Laura, I see your dog is still staying with her.”
Laura nodded. “I don’t have the heart to take Molly away right now. She’s always very happy to see me, but somehow, she senses Rose needs her at the moment.”
“I popped in earlier to ask her if she wants to join us,” Ellie said. “Her answer was the same as always—she’s not ready.”
“I can’t help wondering, though, if someone isn’t worried about her,” Janice said.
“We’ve asked,” Annie said. “She just shakes her head. But I also think we’ll have to do more if we want to help her. Leaving her on her own for a couple of weeks seemed reasonable, but I do worry about her. We still don’t know how she ended up in Marietta.”
“Let’s give her more time,” Ellie pleaded. “We don’t know what she’s been through, but I’ve never seen anyone looking so lost.”
“I agree,” Willow said. “Come on, Mom, I must go now.”
Within minutes, everyone had left. As Ellie grabbed her bag, her phone pinged. Her heart just about jumped out of her body, but the text wasn’t from Becket, it was from Willow.
Are you on Instagram?
Why would Willow ask her that? She texted back she was, before she left the shop.
The past week had been so busy she hadn’t had time to read, let alone post anything or scroll through her favorite artist’s illustrations.
She was having a fling, an experience that was taking up all of her time, it would seem.
Deep in thought, she locked the door behind her.
Was she unfairly making assumptions about Becket, as Margaret had made about Mr. Thornton?
Could she trust that he wouldn’t hurt her?
Not physically, of course—Becket was always so gentle with her—but she was dreading the day he moved on.
At some point he would discover she wasn’t what he really wanted.
She missed Becket with every fiber of her being, but maybe it was a good idea to get a good night’s sleep for a change.
“I thought you were never going to finish tonight,” a soft voice said behind her.
With a yelp, she turned around and there he was. Big and so sexy, her heart skidded to a stop at the mere sight of him.
He quickly touched her arm. “Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you. Willow agreed to try and end things quickly tonight, so I could see you.”
Without thinking, she walked into his arms. “So that’s why everyone left so quickly.” She had to swallow the ‘I missed you’ that nearly slipped out.
This was going to end badly, she knew that, but he was here.
Before she could catch her next breath, he picked her up, holding her close. “I’ve missed you. I’m taking you home.”
Nestling against his chest, she sighed. “I’ve missed the dogs.”
Chuckling, he walked to her car. “Let’s drop your car off at the guesthouse. I’ll bring you back tomorrow.”