Chapter Nineteen
B y the time they finished dinner at Hayden and Laura’s place, Ellie had finally stopped shivering. What a day. This morning, she’d been walking on air, looking forward to a quiet night with Becket and then Marcus had shown up. All because she’d come into money.
She hadn’t forgotten the way he’d called her ‘fatty’ and ‘fat cow’—those were words he’d used in front of other people to belittle her and for a while she’d actually thought it was true.
Turning her head, she searched for Becket. Where was he? It had been a lovely evening. Surrounded by the love and warmth of the Westons, she felt safe, at home. This was all temporary, though, she shouldn’t forget that.
Becket appeared in the doorway. “You ready to go?” he asked as he stepped closer.
Ellie got up. “Yes, thanks. I was wondering where you were.”
“Mom had something to show me.”
Cooper got up as well. He had Marmalade in his arms. Duke had been sleeping at his feet, but he also got up. “You ready to add to your family?” he asked as he handed Marmalade to Ellie.
“We’ll have to see what Duke says about my house,” Ellie smiled as she bent down and petted the border collie.
A little while later, they stopped in front of Becket’s house.
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m just so sorry you all had to see that…”
“You are not the problem. I hope you know that. Well, let’s see what Harper, Jack and Sadie say about their new siblings.”
It took a while. Duke happily ran toward the other three dogs, but they weren’t as excited to see him. Harper growled and showed her teeth. With a yelp, Duke scuttled away and hid behind Ellie’s legs as Jack and Sadie also growled.
“Hey,” Becket said as he took Marmalade in his arms and Duke crawled on to his lap. “They’re family now. Come on, be nice.”
Ellie crouched down beside Becket, keeping an eye on Marmalade. She was so small.
Harper was the first to walk closer. Patiently, Becket let her sniff the newcomers. She was followed by Sadie and Jack. Finally, Harper gave her happy bark followed by the other two and peace was restored.
“Phew,” Ellie laughed. “There was a moment there I didn’t think this was going to work.”
“They’ve been a unit for a long time, it just takes time.” Becket smiled as he got up.
He took Ellie’s hand. “I think we can safely leave them alone; they’ll get used to one another in their own way.” He pulled her closer. “It’s been a difficult day for you.”
Hugging him tightly, she sighed. “Yeah, it was, but thanks to all the Westons I’m fine. I didn’t have anyone before.”
“Come with me,” Becket said as he took her hand again. “I want you to see something.”
He took her to the mirror in his room. “Look,” he said as he slowly unbuttoned her skirt from behind her. “This skirt has been driving me wild since this morning.” As the skirt dropped to the floor, he lifted her top over her head. “Now look in the mirror. I want you to see what I see.”
Undoing her bra, he kept his eyes on hers in the mirror.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he slid his hand down her sides.
“Look how beautiful you are. How absolutely perfect…” He covered her breasts with his hands, “for me. These were made for my hands and I love…” Turning her around, he pulled her closer, “I love you, I love your body, I love everything about you. Don’t ever think of what that idiot said to you, okay? ”
Her heart full, she pulled down his head and as their lips met, she gave herself up to his lovemaking. Oh, she knew she didn’t have a perfect body, but as long as Becket wanted her, she’d be there.
*
His mom phoned early Sunday morning. Becket was in the kitchen, making coffee. He’d just fed the dogs and Marmalade and had left the kitchen door open for them. Duke and Marmalade were still a bit unsure of their new surroundings and kept close to each other.
“Morning, Mom, you’re up early?”
“I want to make sure Ellie knows she’s welcome for Sunday lunch.”
“Thanks, Mom, I’ll tell her.”
“And I hope you’ve asked the important question?”
“There’s no big hurry. I’m trying to think of a way to make it special for her.”
“I don’t know about that. Ellie—”
“Mom?” he interrupted.
“I’m interfering, sorry! I just don’t want you to—”
“Bye, Mom. We’ll see you later.”
A movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention. Ellie. He smiled. A sleepy Ellie was hard to resist. But why would he? Putting down the tray, he quickly moved to where she was standing and picked her up. “Good morning, beautiful. I’ve made coffee, but it’ll have to wait.”
“Good thinking,” she murmured sleepily as she pulled down his head. “I’ve missed you.”
*
On Tuesday evening the book club was a loud and happy event.
To everyone’s delight, Rose had also joined them.
She wasn’t saying much, but at least she’d ventured into town.
After Arlene told them about the way Rose had tackled Marcus, they brought Rose up to speed about Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South .
“Poor Margaret,” Vivian was saying. “Okay, she got her man, but a mother-in-law like Mrs. Thornton will not make life easy for her.” Reaching out, she touched Janice’s arm. “I’ll always be grateful for Janice. I wish I could’ve known Aiden’s parents, but having you in our lives is such a blessing.”
“I certainly cannot complain either,” Laura said. “Arlene is the best mother-in-law anyone can ask for. You’ll see, Ellie.”
Ellie shook her head. “Arlene will always be my friend, but Becket and I aren’t getting married, remember? He’s been very clear about that from the start.”
Everyone inhaled sharply. “But I thought…” Annie began.
“He hasn’t said anything?” Vivian asked, clearly surprised.
“Oh, men!” Arlene smiled. “Don’t worry, he’ll get round to it.”
Ellie hugged herself. “It’s all still so brand new, we’ll see.
And it’s fine, really it is. I also have other plans.
I’ve told you, Marietta is just a temporary stop for me.
He’s been so busy getting things ready for the publishers and I’m still unpacking the last things.
Which reminds me, I wanted to ask you guys.
I’ve been thinking of getting help in the shop.
If you know about anyone who would be willing to help me… ”
“I can help,” Rose said.
Surprised, everyone looked at her.
Rose inhaled deeply. “I’ve decided to stay in Marietta for now. Laura, let me know if you want to sell your house, otherwise I’d like to rent it from you for maybe a year? I will of course, also pay you for the time I’ve been staying there.”
“Are you sure?” Ellie asked.
Rose grimaced. “I’m not sure of most things in my life right now, but I do know I want to stay right where I am for the time being.
I know you all want answers, and I promise to tell you all about myself soon.
I’m not quite ready, though. I can reassure you I haven’t killed anyone, although to be perfectly honest, the thought has crossed my mind.
I don’t owe anyone anything, I can pay my own way.
Oh, and I’m not on the run from the mafia.
Apparently, that’s one of the stories doing the rounds in Marietta.
I don’t want to go back just yet, and I need to have something to do.
This shop, Ellie, it’s been my sanctuary from the first day I’ve arrived here.
It feels right somehow to work here for a while at least.”
“I love the idea, Rose,” Ellie said. “Maybe you should join me one morning to see how you like it?”
“Great. What about tomorrow morning?”
“Perfect. More tea anyone?” Ellie asked as she noticed Arlene typing away on her phone.
Willow got up. “Thanks, Ellie, I had a lovely time, but I have an exhibition in Seattle coming up in December and I still have a lot of paintings to finish There is still time, I know, but usually I have no problem coming up with an idea about a theme or topic. This time, though… I don’t know, it’s been a struggle.
Things are finally falling into place, so I don’t want to lose momentum. ”
“I’d love to see what you do,” Rose said. “Or don’t you show your work before the exhibition?”
“Not usually, no,” Willow smiled. “But for you I’ll make an exception.”
As usually happened, when one of the book club members left, the rest followed shortly after, and by nine o’clock everyone had left.
Ellie tidied the shop before she locked up.
She wasn’t in any big hurry. Becket was working in his house on the ranch, He had illustrations to finish and get ready for shipping and she wanted to unpack the boxes labeled ‘Grandma’.
He hadn’t mentioned that he was fetching her later, so she wasn’t expecting to see him tonight.
Duke was ecstatic to see her and ran circles around her to make sure he had her attention. It took a while before he settled. Marmalade was much less enthusiastic, but was happy to be cuddled.
Ellie fed them and after checking her phone, she opened the first of her grandma’s boxes. Marmalade and Duke had followed her. Duke had found a sleeping spot on the carpet and Marmalade had curled herself against Duke.
No message from Becket. He was probably working. Which reminded her… Quickly Ellie opened her phone. The last few days had been so crazy, she hadn’t had a chance to look at Becket’s page again.
She couldn’t help a smile as she scrolled through the last few illustrations. There was one where Harper, Sadie and Jack were sitting next to one another, their tongues hanging out and they were staring at a closed door. Are you kidding me? Again?
Blushing, she grinned. She’d seen Becket this morning, but everything in her wanted to be with him. Still smiling she scrolled through the rest. He’d added Marmalade and Duke to the last few sketches.
The last picture made her frown. It had been posted about fifteen minutes ago.