For a moment it was silent.They all knew Hayden was talking about Walker’s house.
“If you’re willing to pitch in during our busy times, especially during the calving season in spring, like Willow does,” Hayden finally continued, “it would help us.Hopefully that will give you enough time for your art.”
With his heart in his throat, Becket stared at his siblings.“That would be perfect.You guys won’t mind?”
“We’ll mind if you don’t do what you love to do,” Willow said.“To get back to you and Ellie, who is the woman you met today?In Java Café of all places, where everyone in town could see you?”
“It was a business meeting,” Becket said.“The woman is June Kincaid.”
“I’ve heard she’s gorgeous,” Isabella interrupted.
Becket nodded.“She is, but there is only one woman for me.June is a publisher.”He continued to tell them about her emails and the meeting they’d had earlier.“They seem to like what I do.What’s more, they think they can sell it.I haven’t signed anything—I still wanted to talk to our lawyer, to you guys and to Ellie.”
“But you’ve already decided?”Willow smiled.
Becket shook his head.“Of course you’d know that.”
“Well,” Hayden said as he got up, “this calls for a toast.I’ll bring the bubbly.”
“I’ll get the glasses,” Laura said as she followed Hayden.
*
Ellie was onher way to Becket’s house when she saw all the Weston vehicles, including Becket’s and his mother’s, parked in front of the main homestead.She’d been there for Laura’s wedding and she’d been to see her friend a few times since then, but she’d never been to the house with Becket.
Slowly, she drove closer and stopped next to Becket’s truck.“Well, Marmalade, this is it.It seems I’m going to have an audience.Not quite what I had in mind, but nothing ever is since I moved to Marietta.”Picking up the cat, she got out of the car.
As she neared the front door, excited voices reached her ears.She rang the bell and waited.After a while, she knocked.Still no reaction.They probably couldn’t hear her above all the laughter and noise.
“I’m not leaving.Let’s see if the door is locked.”The door opened easily.
As she stepped into the house, Arlene appeared in one of the doorways.Her eyes widened and she held out her arms.“Ellie!I thought I heard the doorbell, but everyone is talking so loudly, I wasn’t sure.Hello, Marmalade,” she smiled as she hugged Ellie.“Come on in, we’re celebrating Becket’s wonderful news.”
“What news?”she got out.
“He’ll tell you.”Arlene smiled.
With Marmalade still clutched in her arms, Ellie walked into the dining room.Everyone had a glass of bubbly in their hands and were talking and laughing so hard they didn’t see her.
For a moment, she stood still, drinking in the scene in front of her.When she’d left Phoenix early this year, she was hurt and lonely with no real plan for her future.The only person who had ever loved her, her grandmother, had passed away.She was only going to visit Marietta because her grandma had talked about it so often.Finding love had never been in the picture.And then she’d fallen in love with the town, the people and this family.And with Becket.
At that moment, he turned his head and their eyes locked.His face lit up and he quickly put his glass down.“Ellie!”he called out as he crossed the room to get to her, his three dogs at his heels.
Before he reached her, a pair of hands took Marmalade out of her arms so she had her arms free when he pulled her close.With a sigh, she held on tightly.Underneath her ear, his heart was beating like a runaway train.His dogs jumped up, barking excitedly.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he whispered in her ear.“We were on our way to you…” Big hands kept stroking her back.
“Okay, you can get a room later,” Arlene finally laughed.
Blushing Ellie pulled out of Becket’s arms.“I know you, and I know you’ll never hurt me on purpose.I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions, and I’m sorry I didn’t want to listen to you.”
Those blue eyes staring down at her were molten pools of ink.He picked up one of her hands, lacing their fingers.“I should’ve told you about meeting June, but I wasn’t even sure what she was offering.”
“Share your good news with Ellie,” Arlene said.“I’ll get another glass.”
“I’ll get you a plate, Ellie.”Isabella smiled.Ellie remembered the friendly woman from the wedding.
“What news?”she asked Becket.
