Gulping in some air, she finally stopped.“You must seriously work on your lines, cowboy.I can’t believe any woman would fall for that.”
And stepping on the gas, she pulled away.Her laughter rang in his ears long after the taillights of her car had disappeared.
Perplexed, Becket stared after her.He wasn’t quite sure why, but he had just been shot down.Mercilessly.Not something that had ever happened to him.
Swearing under his breath, he turned on his heel and strode toward his truck.What had he been thinking anyway?She’d made it clear she wasn’t interested.So why was she still on his mind?
He was nearly home when his blood finally settled and he could think again.For someone who wasn’t interested in him, she’d been very comfortable leaning against him, though.
*
The moment Ellieopened the guesthouse door, Annie called from the direction of the kitchen.“Ellie?Is that you?”She appeared in the kitchen doorway.“How about a glass of wine?I’m so excited you finally actually went somewhere besides your shop, I want to hear all about it.”
Laughing, Ellie followed her into the kitchen.“I go out.Sometimes.Okay, not since I’ve been here, but it hasn’t been that long.”
Shaking her head, Annie brought a bottle of wine and two glasses to the kitchen table.“It’s been four months!You’re such a special person, I just want to see you happy.”
“I am happy, I promise you.I’ve told you this is just a temporary stop, anyway.”
Glancing at her, Annie poured wine into the glasses.“I’m prying, but why don’t you date?”She handed Ellie her glass.“It’s none of my business, I know, but I like to think we’ve become friends over these last few months you’ve been staying with us.You know, getting married was the very last thing on my mind when we moved to Marietta.Weeks before my wedding I was dumped by my then fiancé—the best thing that could’ve happened to me, I realized later.That was one of the reasons Mitch, Vivian and I decided to move to another town.We picked Marietta because we remembered it from childhood holidays and well, here we are, all happily married.”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that and I’m really so happy for all of you,” Ellie said, and she meant it.Annie and her siblings were some of her favorite people.“It’s clear to anyone who watches you how truly happy you all are.But happy endings are not for everyone, Annie.”
Ellie looked down into her wine.“I’ve tried very hard to put the past behind me and I don’t like to talk about it.I was engaged.I met Marcus through friends.He was a nice guy, or so I thought.At first he was charming and sweet.As long as he got his way, I soon discovered.He moved from being frequently irritated to being angry with me all the time.I didn’t look the way he wanted, I didn’t do what he wanted, the criticism never stopped.I was frightened by his behavior.The first time he shoved me against the fridge, though, I walked away.Up until my fifth birthday, when I went to live with my grandma, I saw what abuse did to my mom.It’s not the life I want for myself.”
Her eyes swimming with tears, Annie reached across the table and took Ellie’s hands in hers.“Oh, Ellie.I’m so sorry you had to go through that.But you’ve walked away, you’re building a new life for yourself.You’ve survived.You’re strong, you’re brave, you’re beautiful—I hope you know that.”
Swallowing against the lump in her throat, Ellie tried to smile.“I don’t know about that, but now you know why I don’t date.How do you know the man you fall in love with won’t hurt you?”
“I can understand that you are wary, but not all men are like that, Ellie, trust me.Both Vivian and I were lucky enough to find husbands who truly love us deeply, are comfortable in their own skin, and only have our best interests at heart.And Mitch has always just been a big teddy bear.”
“Knowing that and really believing it are two different things.But I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m single and I’m truly happy, really.I’m even going to get a cat, like a real spinster.”Ellie grinned.
Annie’s eyes widened.“Oh, but…”
Ellie laughed.“Sorry, not before I’ve found my own place, don’t worry!”
“I was hoping you won’t find a place too soon.You do know we love having you here?”
“I know, thank you.As I’ve told you, it’s time I found my own place.I’m still not quite sure how long I’ll be staying in Marietta, but at the moment the yarn shop is doing well, I have great friends, so I’m happy to settle down for a while.”
“I’ll be on the lookout for a cat for you.”Annie smiled.
“I may already have one.The… um… Westons were also at the concert tonight and Cooper, the younger brother, says he has an orange cat named Marmalade and a dog named Duke.But apparently, they will have to decide if they like me.”
“Cooper Weston and his animals are legendary in Marietta.An animal whisperer, I believe.”
Ellie nodded.“About a place to rent—Janice told me Gloria Morris’s house is up for sale.I’m of course hoping I could rent it for a while; I’ll have to find out.”
“I’ll ask Vivian if Gloria would mind you stopping by to have a look at the place.”
“That would be so kind, thanks, Annie.”Ellie got up from the table.“Thank you for everything.I’m really going to miss you when I leave.And I don’t even want to talk about your breakfasts!”
“Did you see the newlyweds as well?”Annie asked as she pushed her chair back.“Laura and Hayden?”
“No, they weren’t there.According to Arlene, they’re still on their honeymoon.I’m so happy for Laura, she doesn’t stop smiling.”
“So just Cooper was there with his mom?”
