Long after the sound of his brother’s truck had faded into the night, Becket was still standing where Cooper had left him.The real Becket.Shaking his head, he rubbed his neck.He wasn’t sure he even knew who that was any more.He had to be so many versions of himself, for so many different scenarios, he was afraid he’d lost his real self somewhere along the way.
*
Heavenly smells greetedEllie when she entered the guesthouse on Sunday morning.For the last few nights she’d been struggling to fall asleep.Even during those times she’d managed to drift off, she’d have such vivid, erotic dreams about Becket Weston, that she’d wake up time and time again, all hot and bothered.At this point she was so irritated with herself, and with him, that she could scream.
That was why she’d just been for a long walk all around the outskirts of Marietta.She wasn’t really one for exercise, but she enjoyed walking.Hopefully, her head was now cleared of all things Becket Weston.
Out of breath, she walked toward the kitchen, where Annie’s excited voice could be heard.
“What is that divine smell?”Ellie asked as she entered the kitchen.
“It’s a new frittata recipe I’ve used for breakfast for our Italian guests.Would you like some?There is more than enough.On the house…”
“You’re spoiling me as it is.”Ellie said.
Annie motioned toward a chair.“By this time, you’ve become family.Just pull up a chair here at the kitchen table.”
“It looks wonderful, thanks.”
“Before I forget,” Annie said as she put a plate in front of Ellie, “Vivian phoned and you’re also invited to lunch at their place today…”
“Oh, no, I don’t…”
Annie wasn’t paying her any heed, though.“…and afterward, we’ll all go and have a look at Gloria Morris’s house.She’s away for the weekend, but Vivian has the key and Gloria has agreed that you can have a look at the house.”Out of breath, Annie finally stopped talking.
Ellie laughed.“Yes, to looking at the house, but I’m not intruding on a family lunch.”
“You’re not intruding, you’ve been invited.Okay, great, that’s settled then.We’ll leave around half past eleven.We’ll just walk from here, if you don’t mind.It’s such a beautiful day.”
Chuckling, Ellie threw her hands in the air.“Okay, thanks to lunch as well.It seems I don’t really have a choice, do I?”She hadn’t accepted any invitation from Annie or her family before, as she didn’t want them to feel obliged to include her in every activity, but just this once wouldn’t be a problem.If everything worked out, she’d soon be living on her own.
Back in her room after breakfast, she had a long shower before she dressed for lunch.Looking at her meager summer wardrobe, she grimaced.At some point she’d have to drive to Bozeman to buy new clothes.It had been winter when she arrived in Marietta and she’d left most of her summer clothes in storage back in Phoenix.
She’d only been to Bozeman once, when Arlene and Willow had taken Laura to try on wedding dresses.In the end, Arlene had somehow managed to talk them all into trying on wedding dresses.Ellie sighed.She still remembered the beautiful pale blue one with a skirt of layers and layers of tulle she’d tried on.It had fitted perfectly.
Irritated with herself, she decided on cool blue palazzo pants.Why was she thinking of wedding dresses, for goodness’s sake?Getting married was not part of her future, she’d been the one who had decided that.
Quickly she slipped into the pants and put on the boxy white top she usually wore with it.It was short and just reached the top of the pants, but no skin showed.A pair of long dangling earrings and flat sandals completed the outfit.
Maybe she could close the shop for the afternoon tomorrow so she could go to Bozeman; Monday afternoons were usually quiet.Or maybe she could ask Arlene… But as soon as the idea entered her mind, she shook her head.Oh, no, it would be way too weird to ask the mother of the man she was having hot and steamy dreams about to look after her shop.
Gulping in a breath, she groaned out loud.Just thinking about the man had her all hot and bothered again.This had to stop right now.
It was still too early for lunch, so there was time to read a few pages before they left.Picking up her book, she curled into the big chair in front of the window.She’d have to get herself one exactly like this one—it was the perfect reading chair.
Minutes later, she threw the book down.She couldn’t concentrate and that never happened!Taking deep breaths, she opened her phone.Maybe a dose of cuteness would help.Where was her favorite ET Beck page with the lovely dogs?She quickly searched his name and clicked on the page.
Frowning, she stared.Whoever ET Beck was, he or she posted every day.Every single day.Since the day before, though, no new pictures had been posted.Frowning, she refreshed the page, but still nothing new loaded.
Fed up, she got up.She would go and help Annie.Hopefully if she was busy, her mind would be able to focus on something other than Becket Weston.
*
Harper’s bark stoppedBecket in his tracks.With his hand on the front door, he turned around and looked at his Labrador.Harper knew.Heaven only knew how she did it, but she knew he hadn’t yet posted anything today.
Jack and Sadie, the two Golden Retrievers got up and joined Harper.Now he had three pairs of reproachful eyes staring at him.Cussing softly, he got out his phone and texted Willow to let her know he’d be late, and he’d drive into town on his own.
Those three pairs of eyes followed him until he sat down behind his desk.Only when he picked up the illustrations he’d made the previous night, did they relax and settle at his feet.
