Chapter Fifteen
J ust after eleven, Becket headed back to his house. Covered in dust from head to toe, he needed a shower before he could see anyone in town.
The dogs were outside. Jack and Sadie ran to greet him. Harper didn’t come closer, though. Instead she kept her distance with a reproachful look.
“What have I done now?” he smiled and bent down to pet her. She backed away, clearly disapproving of something.
As he opened the door, she was the first one to go in, but she didn’t run toward the kitchen for food as she normally did, she ran toward his desk and barked.
“I’ve posted last night’s sketches, what are you going on about?”
Harper picked up one of the drawings and dropped it on the floor. As he picked it up he saw it was the last illustration he’d done of Ellie. She’d been sleeping, her hand tucked in under her face, those gorgeous curls all over his pillow.
“What about Ellie?”
Harper barked again but before he could try and pet her again, she ran toward the front door where Jack and Sadie were already barking excitedly. That was when he heard the truck outside.
“I should’ve known it’s Coop,” Becket grinned as he opened the front door again.
“Hi,” he greeted his brother. “I can’t offer you coffee, I’m afraid. I have to get ready for a meeting in town.”
“What meeting?”
“I’ll tell you afterward, I promise. I still need to figure out a few things.”
“If it’s with a woman I hope you’ve Ellie about your meeting?” Coop said.
Harper immediately began barking again.
“Is that why you’ve been grumpy?” Becket grinned as he crouched down. This time Harper let him pet her. “I’ll tell her, I promise. Just give me time.”
Cooper sighed. “You know this is Marietta. Anything you do, anyone you meet—everyone, including Ellie, will hear about within minutes.”
Frowning, Becket got up. “Hopefully, Ellie trusts me at this point. I know I need to talk to her and I’ll do that when I’m ready.”
Cooper shook his head. “There’ll always be an excuse. Talk to Walker.” And with that, he turned and walked back to his truck.
Frowning, Becket closed the door and walked toward his room. There was nothing he’d like more than to talk to Walker, but he wasn’t around anymore.
Harper barked. Sighing, he bent to pet her. “You too? Okay, I’ll talk to him, okay? But now I have to take a shower.”
Clearly not happy with the state of affairs, Harper grunted before she turned her back to him.
Frowning, Becket pulled his shirt over his head as he headed for the bathroom. This was getting weirder by the day.
*
Friday morning was busy. However, not everyone who visited Ellie’s Yarn Cove wanted yarn, necessarily. Everyone, though, seemed to have a question or two.
“So, Ellie, you and Becket?” was the most popular one with “Have you tamed the womanizer?” a close second.
Ellie just smiled and pointed to the lovely new yarn and more often than not, the customer left with a bag of yarn.
She’d been on edge since early morning and she hated the feeling.
A quiet, simple life had been her only plan for the future.
A cat, good friends, lots of yarn and books—she didn’t need anything else.
Until Becket Weston had caught her in his arms. That was the moment everything had changed.
Gone was her peace, her craving for a quiet life.
She had no idea how this day would end. Becket was meeting June. Ellie didn’t know who this June was or why Becket was meeting her, but she didn’t like it.
Oh, damn, this was driving her insane. She’d had a lovely life before Becket, she’d have one again.
She’d just seen off another customer when Laura walked in. Her friend looked radiant.
Smiling, Ellie hugged her. “I was wondering when I’d see you again!”
“Sorry, it’s been so nice to sleep a little bit later and just potter around the house.” Laura looked at Ellie and frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Ellie turned away quickly. “Nothing is wrong. Come and look at the new yarn. Everyone loves these and I was worried there wouldn’t be any left for you.”
Laura took her arm. “Ellie? This is me, your friend, Laura. We haven’t known each other that long, but we’ve become good friends, I’ve thought. Something is wrong. What is going on? If Becket has done anything…”
“On, Laura, we all know Becket! He’s never going to be happy with just one woman. I’ve known that from the start. He’s been very clear that whatever this is between us is temporary.”
“Are you happy knowing that? Don’t you love him?”
Ellie sighed. “Of course I’m happy, and I’ve even let myself believe maybe I should let go of the past and believe he may feel something for me, but it is what it is. He’s meeting another woman this afternoon. June she’s called.”
Laura frowned. “He hasn’t said anything to us.”
“So it must be someone he’s just met.”
Laura shook her head. “No idea, but don’t jump to conclusions, will you? Talk to him. Come on, show me the new yarn everyone is talking about.”
Pasting a smile on her face, Ellie took Laura to the shelf where the new yarn was displayed. Was she going to be the last person to know Becket already had a new woman in his life?
“When do the movers arrive?” Laura asked as she looked through the yarn.
“I spoke to them earlier when they were a few miles from Bozeman. They seemed confident they’ll be here by one.”
“And Janice is playing shop again, she tells me.”
“You don’t think it’s too much for her? I’ve been a bit worried; it is her summer holiday as well.”
“Exactly,” Laura grinned. “According to Vivian and Annie, she gets bored very easily. Better to give her something to do before she starts matchmaking again.”
Ellie groaned out loud. “Oh, dear, no matchmaking, please. When Becket moves on, I’ll get my cat and live my beautifully peaceful single life.”
With a smile, Laura hugged Ellie. “That’s what I thought I wanted, until Hayden knocked on my classroom door.”
“Not everyone gets their fairy-tale ending, Laura. I’m very happy for you, though—you positively beam!”
Laura sighed. “I know! I still have to pinch myself at times. Hayden is…” she spread her hands, “just wonderful. I don’t know what will happen when Luke reaches puberty, but at the moment, we’re having a great time.” She picked up some of the yarn. “I’ll take these, thanks, Ellie.”
“I love these colors.” Ellie added two more balls. “On the house, for my friend.”
Laura laughed. “Do you make any money, I wonder? This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you give away yarn.”
“It’s my shop, I can do what I want,” Ellie smiled. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“I have a few errands to run, but I’ll see you later. We’re all going to help you this afternoon.”
“Oh, my goodness, that’s not necessary! You are all so busy on the ranch, I can’t ask you…”
Laura just smiled. “You haven’t asked. You never ask for help, do you?
If this town has taught me anything, it’s that folks around here care for their own.
And by now everyone knows Ellie Campbell and her beautiful yarn.
And, Ellie, I’ve also heard all the rumors about Becket, but if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know by now he’s not that guy everyone talks about.
He’s one of the good ones. Okay, I’m going.
I’ve done my interfering for the day.” And with a wave, she left.
As Laura left, more customers entered. Ellie was kept busy until one, when Janice arrived.
Ellie quickly showed Janice the new yarn before she grabbed her bag. “Sorry, Janice, I must go. The movers should be arriving at the house any minute.”
“Of course, don’t worry about a thing. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve just seen Becket…”
“Poor Ellie!” someone cried from the doorway.
Ellie looked around to see Aurelia Hill rushing toward them.
She was out of breath but wasn’t going to let that stop her from telling them the latest gossip.
“Ellie, my dear girl, I’m so very sorry for you.
I’ve been dreading this day. I knew Becket Weston couldn’t stay faithful. Some men are like that, you know?
“Aurelia, what are you going on about?” Janice asked crossly.
Aurelia inhaled deeply. “It’s Becket Weston,” she said gravely. “He’s in Java Café with another woman.”
For a moment Ellie swore she could hear her heart splintering into a thousand pieces.
“Oh, Aurelia, you and your stories,” Janice said.
Sniffing, Aurelia turned on her heel. “If you don’t believe me, go and have a look yourself.”
“Ellie?” Janice put a hand on her arm as Aurelia left. “Are you okay? You know Aurelia, she…”
“I heard him on the phone when he made the date. I’ve been hoping I was wrong, but…” Shrugging, she put her bag over her shoulder. “I… I have to go.”
“Make sure you have all the facts!” Janice called after her, but with her eyes on the door, Ellie put one foot in front of the other. Now was so not the time to lose it. The movers and her friends were waiting for her.
*
Deep in thought, Becket entered the pharmacy.
He wanted to get a few things for his bathroom for Ellie’s use.
He’d been thinking about it for a while, but there was always so much else going on.
It was only as he’d left Java Café a few minutes ago and saw the pharmacy in front of him, that he remembered what he’d been wanting to do.
As he walked through the aisles, looking for soap, his mind was back with the conversation he’d just had with June Kincaid.
The tall brunette clearly knew what she was doing.
She’d given him a contract—for a three-book deal!
—to look over. They were offering him an advance.
He didn’t know anything about the publishing world, but the figure mentioned in the contract nearly had him gasping out loud.
He’d get the ranch’s attorneys to look at it before he decided what he wanted to do.
As he picked up some fabulous smelling soap, body cream and shampoo his eyes fell on the display of perfume. Taking his time, he sniffed each bottle until he got one that reminded him of Ellie—sexy and sassy, full of sunshine.
He was vaguely aware of other people in the pharmacy, but his mind was so busy, he didn’t really notice anyone.
Deciding to focus on his art sounded so tempting, but it would change his whole life. If he stepped away from daily work on the ranch, it would also impact everyone else’s life.
Would it be possible? Willow seemed to have it figured out. She spent most of her time in her studio with her art, but during busy times on the ranch you’d always find her out on her horse, helping where she was needed. Before he could make a final decision, he had to talk to all his siblings.
His first instinct had been to race over to Ellie’s house and tell her the news, but she was moving into her house, so there were other things keeping her busy.
Besides, his mind was still processing. Anyway, he was on his way to help.
His mom said he didn’t have to worry about food, between her and Annie they’d organize more than enough. He’d take beer and wine.
As he walked toward the till, he became aware people were staring at him. Aurelia Hill—of course—approached him as he joined the queue.
Hands on her hips, she glared at him. “She doesn’t deserve to be treated like this,” she finally said.
“What are you talking about?” Everyone was listening anyway, so he didn’t bother lowering his voice.
“You having a cozy coffee date with another woman while poor Ellie is working in her shop a few doors down—that’s what I’m talking about. She’s devastated, poor thing.”
“So you’ve told her?”
Lifting her chin, Aurelia squared her shoulders. “Of course I told her. How else is she supposed to know…?”
But Becket wasn’t listening anymore. He quickly paid for his purchases before he = left the pharmacy, cussing a blue streak. Didn’t people in this town have enough to do, damn it?