“We’re here,” smiled Arlene.“We’re going to help you, whether you like it or not.”
Swallowing against the huge lump in her throat, Ellie nodded.“Thank you,” she finally got out.“Where’s Luke?”Ellie asked.
“He’s staying with Isabella,” Laura said.“It’s Summer Break so the kids on the ranch stay outdoors much later than during school term.I really love this kitchen.”
“Mom,” Willow said.“I think you’re right.Maybe I should redo the kitchen in my house as well.”
“Told you,” Arlene grinned.“While you’re at it, why don’t you also get yourself a nice husband?”
Willow rolled her eyes.“You know how I feel about that.”
“The men want beer,” Ellie said.“And something to eat.”
Arlene walked over to the two baskets they’d put on the counter.“Let’s see.I didn’t have much time to prepare something fancy, so I’ve just made sandwiches, but at least nobody will starve.Here we go.”She handed three beers to Ellie and a plate of sandwiches and cold meats.
“Let me help you,” Willow said as she took the plate.
As they walked up the chairs, Willow smiled.“We’re a bit overwhelming, I know.But this is what people do for one another around here, you’ll see.You’re good for Becket.This is our way to thank you.”
“Oh, Willow, you know your brother,” Ellie sighed.“I have no idea how long this—whatever it is—will last.”
“You should tell him how you feel.”
Ellie shook her head.“I’m not making it any harder than it will be when he leaves.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
Fortunately, they’d reached the bedroom and Ellie didn’t have to answer.
Chapter Thirteen
Around midnight Haydenand 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?”
