“I’m so sorry,” Ellie got out.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Arlene said as she put a hand on Ellie’s arm.“Do you have dinner plans?”
“I was going to get us some steaks…” Becket began but his mom interrupted him.
“You and Ellie go and see the sheriff and I’ll talk to Hayden.He can grill some steaks and I’ll bring the rest.After what just happened, we need to be together as a family,” she got out, her eyes filled with tears.
“Thanks, Arlene,” Ellie said hugging his mom.
“You’re one of us now.We’ll make sure nobody, but nobody, ever harms you again.”
Chapter Nineteen
By the timethey 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?”
