Chapter Thirteen
A round midnight Hayden and Cooper left. They’d managed to finish two layers of paint on the bedroom walls. The walls would need another layer, but Becket could do that by himself the following day.
His mom, Willow, and Laura had left earlier. Taking a deep breath, Becket looked around the bedroom. He’d vacuumed the whole house, his mom and Willow had wiped down every surface, the place looked much better that it had when they’d arrived earlier.
There were still sounds coming from downstairs; Ellie hadn’t finished scrubbing and cleaning yet. He found her in the kitchen on her knees, cleaning out a cupboard.
“Ellie.”
She didn’t stop, didn’t look up, just kept on scrubbing.
Sighing, he bent down and scooped her up. For the first time, he saw she’d been crying. “Sweetheart,” he sighed, “why are you crying?”
Burying her face in his chest, she sniffed. “I still can’t believe your whole family came here to help me. I thought I could do this by myself.”
Chuckling, he walked toward the front door. “Of course you can. That isn’t the point.”
“So, what is?”
“You don’t have to. You’ve got me and you’ve got all the other Westons to help you. And now I’m going to take you home. Tomorrow after work, I’ll paint the final coat on your bedroom walls.” Keeping her close, he locked the front door after them.
“Becket, you work all day, I can’t ask you to do that. And you can’t keep driving me in and out of town each day, we never sleep!”
Gnashing his teeth, he opened the door of his truck and put her inside. They were both tired, it would be best not to say anything right now.
“I want to go back to the guesthouse,” Ellie said as he got into his truck. “I’m tired and filthy and…”
He reached out and pulled her on to his lap. Cupping her face, he took a deep breath. “So am I, but I don’t want to go home without you. It’s that simple. You can sleep, I won’t touch you if that’s what you want but please come with me?”
“Ugh!” she groaned before she pulled down his head and kissed him.
And just like that, he forgot everything else—his frustration that she hadn’t asked for his help, that she was hell-bent on moving into her house all on her own, how tired he was, the illustrations he still had to finish.
Nothing else mattered except the woman in his arms.
*
Minutes, hours later—Ellie wasn’t sure and couldn’t really be bothered trying to figure it out—Becket lifted his head. His eyes, although bloodshot from lack of sleep, were darkened by desire. “So, is that a yes?” he growled. “We can go back to my place?”
She pushed herself away and moved to the passenger seat. “Yes, thank you.” Before she could fasten her seat belt, Becket was already busy, those warm hands touching more than just the seat belt. “Becket…” she got out.
Grinning, he put the truck in gear and reversed it into the street. In silence, they drove through the streets of a quiet Marietta. As they left the town behind, he picked up her hand and kept it on his thigh all the way back to his house. The way he always did.
Tears clogged up her throat and she turned her head to stare into the night. It was getting harder by the day to keep from telling Becket how she felt about him. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could pretend to be happy with a temporary fling.
What if he doesn’t? Willow’s words when Ellie had said Becket would leave eventually, kept running through her mind.
What if…? Closing her eyes, she willed the tears away.
Could she forget her past and tell Becket how she felt?
Turning her head slightly, she looked at him. She wasn’t that brave, unfortunately.
By the time Becket stopped in front of his house, she was ready to drop. She opened the door to get out, but Becket was already there.
“I’m wearing shorts, I can get out by myself,” she said linking her hands behind his neck.
Ecstatic barks came from the direction of the house.
Becket walked toward his house. “I know. But I’m here. Besides, I haven’t had a chance to hold you today.”
“You were angry with me.”
“I was frustrated. And hurt. You haven’t asked me to help you. I want you to talk to me, to tell me everything. Damn it, Ellie, you have to know I’d walk over hot coals for you.”
“You know why!” she cried. “You work all day and we haven’t really had a proper night’s sleep since…”
“The first time I brought you home?” he chuckled as he unlocked the door.
As the dogs jumped up, barking, Becket put her down gently. Harper came closer, sniffing and sneezing.
“I know,” Ellie laughed. “We’re so dirty!”
“Why don’t you take a shower while I feed them? Do you want anything else to eat or drink?”
“No, thanks.” As she turned toward his room, she remembered she hadn’t brought any pajamas. Some of the clothes she’d bought in Bozeman were still here; she’d never taken the bags to the guesthouse.
“May I borrow one of your T-shirts?” she asked, looking over her shoulder.
With a ready grin, he wiggled his eyebrows. “Of course. I can’t promise you’ll wear it for long, though.”
Giggling, she ran toward his bathroom. It wasn’t going to last, she knew that, but oh, how she loved this man. He always managed to make her smile.
It was heaven to wash off the grime from cleaning the house. Every bone in her body ached, but at least her house was clean. Because the Westons had come to help. She’d never known a family like theirs, never…
Behind her the shower door opened. “Room for one more?” he asked as his big hands slipped around her body and cupped her breasts.
Lifting her arms, she brought his head down so that she could kiss him. “Always.”
*
By lunchtime Thursday, Becket was really struggling to stay awake.
Everyone was already at the kitchen table when he showed up for lunch.
Harper was next to him, but Jack and Sadie had seen Jessie, Luke’s dog, and barking, went chasing after her.
Harper kept looking at him, sensing his restlessness.
Bending down, he petted her. “It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” But Harper didn’t believe a word he was saying.
After he and Ellie had spent way too long in the shower, he’d thought they would fall asleep right away. But the moment she’d snuggled against him, he’d been ready for her.
By the time she’d finally fallen asleep, it was time for him to get up. Maybe he should just finish the last few orders he’d received and close down his page.
“No, that is not the solution,” Willow said as he sat down at the table. “You know what you have to do.”
“What are you talking about?” Hayden asked.
Becket glared at Willow. “Nothing.”
As they got up from the table, Hayden put a hand on Becket’s shoulder. “Do you have a minute?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Shall we talk in my office?”
“Stay,” he told Harper. With a soft whimper, she lay down again.
As Becket followed Hayden, he glanced at Willow.
“Tell him,” she said.
“Please,” Cooper added.
In his office, Hayden sat down on one of the chairs near the window. “Come and sit. I think we should talk.”
“About what?”
“About you.”
Irritated, Becket frowned. “What about me?”
“You show up, you’re doing a great job pretending to like the work on the ranch, I can always rely on you, but I get the impression you’re not really enjoying it.”
Crossing his arms, Becket glared at his brother. Damn it, he didn’t have time for this. “Since when does one have to be happy when you work?”
Hayden smiled. “Oh, I think that’s a prerequisite for any job. If your heart isn’t in it, why do it?”
Sighing, Becket got up. “Look, I don’t know what drivel Willow and Coop have told you, but I’m happy. Okay, maybe not ecstatically happy, but who the hell is? I like most aspects of working on a ranch, but we’re all different.”
“Exactly. I know, for instance, Coop’s strong point is animals.
He’d much rather spend time with them than with people.
Ranching is a business and like any business we need to use every hand we have where they do the best work.
Not everyone likes to work with the cattle, some prefer working the fields. ”
“Damn it, Hayden, where does this come from? Have I given you any reason to complain?”
“Of course not.” Hayden also got up. “I was hoping you’d trust me enough to tell me about your illustrations.”
Becket looked up quickly. “Who told you? Was it Willow or Coop?”
“They’ve mentioned it, but I’ve always known you love to draw.
Ever since you were little, you were always drawing on anything you could get your hands on.
I didn’t know about your social media page, though.
Laura was the one who showed me what you’re doing.
I’ve always known you have talent but, looking at the illustrations you share with the rest of the world, if not your family, it’s obvious that is your passion.
If the comments on your posts are any indication, people love your cartoon sketches as well as the witty comments you add.
Wouldn’t you rather spend your time doing that than working on the ranch? ”
Stunned, Becket stared at his brother. “You and Cooper can’t do the work alone. Willow helps when she can, but when she has an upcoming exhibition, she disappears into her studio for days.”
“I know. That’s why I’ve contacted a few people who have reached out before about working with us and I think I’ve found the right person. You know Hunter Grant?”
Becket nodded. “I’ve had a few beers with him at various times over the years. I like him. Last I heard, he was still working on a neighboring ranch.”
“He’s resigned. His family has a ranch in Colorado and he was heading back, because his dad wanted to retire.
I’m not quite sure what happened, but apparently the old guy has changed his mind.
I haven’t asked more questions, but Hunter is interested in joining our team.
I’ve spoken to Coop and Willow about it.
Coop doesn’t have a problem, but Willow…
let’s just say she’s not very happy about it. ”
“Do you know why?”
“Not really. Hunter is ready to join us as soon as you decide what you want to do.”
A huge lump formed in Becket’s throat. “But what about Walker?”
Hayden’s gaze didn’t waver. “What about Walker?”
“It’s my fault that he’s dead. I have…” He had to swallow before he could continue, “…I have to do his work as well.” Ellie had been the one who’d shown him what he was trying to do.
Clearly stunned, Hayden stared at him. “That’s bull and deep down you know it.
Walker’s death was an accident. I get why you’re saying that, though.
For a long time, I couldn’t forgive myself, either, thinking it was my fault.
I was the one behind the wheel that night, remember?
I was the one who swerved when I saw the elk in the road. ”
“I could’ve grabbed his arm!” Becket cried out. “I was right there next to him but, because my mind was on my next art project, I wasn’t paying attention…”
Hayden reached out and touched him. “There wasn’t anything any of us could’ve done. I’ll tell you what Willow told me—go and talk to Walker.”
“Walker isn’t here anymore.”
“I know. Talk to him, anyway. Tell him what you’ve told me.” He grinned. “Sounds crazy, I know, but then we’re constantly told we Westons are a weird lot. Lately, I even have to guard my thoughts around Luke. Like his aunt and uncle, my son seems to have the ability to read my mind.”
Dazed, Becket shook his head. “There is no way I can leave you guys in the lurch…”
“You won’t be. Just tell me what you want to do. And damn it, get some sleep. You look bad. Coop and I have this afternoon covered. Why don’t you go and finish that painting job in Ellie’s bedroom, so that you can get to bed at a reasonable hour tonight?”
Nodding, Becket turned away.
“And Becket?” Hayden waited until Becket looked at him again. “While you’re with Ellie, tell her how you feel about her.”
Dejected, Becket threw up his hand. “I don’t know what I feel, but it doesn’t matter anyway.”
Hayden stepped closer. “Because of Walker? Because he can never have a future?”
“How…?”
“…do I know? Because that was exactly what I thought. Do you think for one minute that Walker wouldn’t have wanted you to be happy?
To get married, have kids? If you won’t listen to me, talk to him.
The view from the graveyard is spectacular this time of year.
And remember, whatever you decide, this ranch will always be your home. ”
His throat too clogged to speak, Becket nodded and quickly left Hayden’s office. He didn’t head back to the kitchen, where Willow, Cooper and Laura might still be, but escaped through the front door.
The dogs were waiting outside. Harper stayed close to him as he walked toward his truck.
As usual, she’d picked up on his mood. As he helped her into the truck, she licked his face.
Jack and Sadie followed her lead as they usually did and covered him in dog kisses.
“Okay, you lot. I’m okay.” Smiling, he closed the back of the truck.
They always made him feel better, no matter what happened.
“Let’s get you home. I’m going to help Ellie this afternoon, but we’ll be back later.”
When he mentioned Ellie’s name, all three barked.
“Yeah, I know. I like her too.”
As he drove away, his mind was busy. Finally, he took out his phone. June Kincaid kept sending emails, maybe he should give her a call.
Moments later she picked up. “I never answer a call from a strange number; please tell me this is ET Beck?”
“You keep sending me emails,” he said.
“Because you keep ignoring me!” she laughed. “Don’t you like the offer from the publisher?”
“I do. I just don’t know whether it’s a scam.”
“Where are you?”
“On the ranch.”
“A cowboy, I should’ve known. Nearest town?”
“Marietta, Montana.”
“Of course it would be. Okay, tell you what. I’m in Seattle, but I’m getting on the first plane. I’ll text you the details, but keep your afternoon free tomorrow. And relax, this is no scam. I’ll forward you the link to our website, you can do your own digging. I hope to see you tomorrow.”
Dazed, Becket ended the call a few minutes later. A publisher was interested in his work. He was still struggling to accept it wasn’t a scam.