by Judy Duarte
“You’re right. I find it surprising. But it’s also an admirable philosophy.”
“It didn’t hurt any of us,” Steven said. “It taught us how to work for someone else, a boss who wasn’t a parent or relative. And then, once we turned twenty-one, he gifted each one of us with a sizable check, something to add to our coffers.”
“A bonus, huh?”
“Yes. If I ever have kids, I’m going to make them get jobs, too. I mean, once they’re old enough.”
She seemed to ponder that for a beat, then asked, “When are the girls coming to Rambling Rose?”
“Soon. Now that Stephanie has moved out, they’ll take over her quarters on the other side of the house.”
“I’ll look forward to meeting them. And to trying out the food at Provisions.”
Since Ellie had made it clear she wasn’t into glitz or glamour, Steven feigned mock surprise and placed a hand on his chest. “Seriously? You’d actually eat at an upscale restaurant?”
“Believe it or not, I’m a bit of a foodie myself, whether it’s down-home cooking prepared in a food truck or a five-star French restaurant in the city.”
Apparently, there was a lot more to Ellie Hernandez than he’d once thought. She wasn’t just a small-town girl doing her best to dig in her heels when it came to change. She wasn’t just beautiful and savvy. She also had a heart, not just for Rambling Rose, but for the people she considered her tribe.
The more Steven talked to her, away from city hall and grand openings, the more she intrigued him. And tonight he looked forward to learning a lot more about her on his private patio.
And under a new moon and a starlit sky.
Chapter Five
Ellie sat at a glass-top table on Steven’s small private patio, settling into the romantic ambiance he’d created this evening. He’d thought of everything. Twinkly lights on the trees and shrubs in the surrounding yard. An outdoor heater to chase the chill from the evening air. A yellow rose in a bud vase placed in the center of the table set for two. An uncorked bottle of red wine. A crystal decanter of water.
There was no way he had the time to set a scene like this unless he’d used hired help. Of course, he certainly could afford it. In fact, an estate this large probably required a full staff, some of whom might even live on the premises.
But then again, an ultrarich, handsome bachelor like Steven might have created this secluded spot, with lights in the trees, for him to use as a permanent romantic prop for the women he brought home.
Even the night sky seemed to have fallen under his magical orchestration, as if he’d snapped his fingers to chase away the clouds and reveal a big yellow moon surrounded by a million shining stars.
When Steven walked through the open sliding glass door and dazzled her with a smile, Ellie darn near fell under his spell, too. He carried two crystal wine goblets and set them on the table. “I thought a zinfandel would go best with the filet mignon, but if you’d rather have white, there’s a sauvignon blanc chilling in the fridge.”
“Thank you, but I’d prefer water.” She probably should have explained why she was avoiding alcohol. It would have been a good segue into her announcement. But she wasn’t quite ready to drop the bomb on him.
Or maybe she just didn’t want to see a curtain come crashing down on the magical scene.
Whatever the actual reason, she added, “I’m driving.”
He nodded, filled her goblet with water then poured the zinfandel for himself.
Eager to change the subject to one that was safer and more comfortable, she asked, “So how many brothers and sisters do you have? And which one is oldest?”
“There are eight of us. I’m the oldest.”
She’d suspected as much. He seemed to have taken a leadership position within the family.
He took a seat across from her. His gorgeous eyes studied her so intensely that she could feel him watching her. For a moment, she wished things were different, that her life wasn’t complicated. That he wasn’t so good-looking, so charming... And even more than that, she wished she wasn’t expecting another man’s baby.
Steven lifted his goblet and, after giving the zinfandel a little swirl that tinted the glass, he took a sip. “I was three and Wiley was two when our mom met David Fortune. They fell in love, and when they got married, David adopted me and my brother. And our mom adopted Callum and Dillon. So we’re a blended family. Then Stephanie and the triplets came along.”
“Yours, mine and ours. That’s nice.”
“It is now. We’ve all grown to love and respect each other, but it wasn’t that nice at first. Callum and I didn’t hit it off. He was used to being the top dog in his family, and then I came along, usurped his position and became his big brother.”
“I can see where there’d be problems blending two families,” she said, “but you’re lucky to have siblings. I’m an only child.”
“There were times I wished I’d been one, too. But eventually things changed, especially when we began to play sports in high school and worked together in construction. Admiration and respect grew, and now we’re not only brothers but business partners.”
“That’s cool.”
“I think so.” Steven pushed back his chair. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to put the steaks on.”
A few minutes later, while the meat was grilling, he returned to the table. Instead of taking his seat, he placed a hand on her shoulder, setting off a spiral of heat. “So what about you, Ellie?”
What about her? What was she feeling? How did his gentle touch affect her? Where were her wayward thoughts going?
“What do you mean?”
His fingers trailed off her shoulder, and he stepped to the right and took his seat. “What was it like being an only child?”
Aw. A safe topic. She could handle that. “Actually, you and I have one thing in common. The circumstances were a lot different, but I was adopted, too.”
She fingered the stem of the water goblet. She wouldn’t reveal where she’d come from or how she’d ended up in foster care at the home of a hardworking mechanic and a devoted schoolteacher. Or that her new parents, an older, childless couple, had once questioned whether she was a bad seed or a blessing.
“But being adopted is the only thing we have in common,” she added. “I didn’t grow up in the lap of luxury. And my parents believed that doing well in school was the only job I needed.”
He took another slow sip of wine, clearly enjoying the taste. “So what about your plans for the future?”
“There’s not much to tell.” Her cheeks warmed at the lie, and her mouth went dry. She lifted her glass and took a cool, refreshing drink.
The conversation stalled while Steven finished grilling the steaks. Then he returned to the house and brought out two green salads. As he set one in front of Ellie, she caught an alluring whiff of his woodland-scented aftershave that trailed away as he took his seat, leaving her in a dreamy fog.
As they began to eat, her conscience rose up like a finger with an acrylic nail, poking her chest, insisting that she tell him now. Yet a rebellious spirit rose up, which suggested there might be some genetics at play after all, and insisted that she wait a bit longer.
She’d planned to tell him after dinner, right before she went home. Why change it up now?
“I know you and your brothers are business partners,” Ellie said. “Who’s the boss?”
“We’re pretty much equal. I ran the main part of the construction/development firm in Florida. Dillon’s big on details, so he’s always been the nuts and bolts guy. And Callum took on the expansion and remote projects. I’d been chomping at the bit to get into the commercial side, and Callum said I’d get that opportunity in Rambling Rose. So here I am.”
“Yes. Turning out one project after another.”
“True. But we didn’t start from s
cratch. We bought half-completed projects, which is why we were able to finish them in record time. That’s probably what bothers you. It looks as if we’re making a lot of changes all at once.”
“Maybe so.”
As much as she hated to admit it, she found herself admiring Steven, not just the adopted little boy, the high school student who worked construction, but the man he’d become.
“Just so you know,” Steven said, “Callum handled the pediatric center and I took a big interest in the veterinary clinic, since I’m a real animal lover.”
“Did you have pets as a kid?”
“No. My mom was allergic to pet dander. We might have been able to have outdoor animals, but since she also had a lot of health issues, my dad refused to consider it.”
“That’s too bad. I had a dog named Sweetie Pie when I was a growing up. I think pets enrich a child’s life.”
“My sister Stephanie loves animals, too. She became a vet assistant back in Florida and has the same job here in Texas. She also has a houseful of pets, including a rabbit and Acton’s one-eyed cat.”
“And you have a ranch and horses.” No wonder Steven had morphed into a cowboy so easily.
“I enjoy riding in my free time, but I’m pretty busy.” He took another sip of wine. “You may have figured this out already, but I’m the one taking charge of the hotel.”
“And that’s why you take any criticism of the blueprints personally.”
“I try not to.” Steven flashed a charming cowboy grin, then stood to clear the table.
Ellie scooted her chair back, intending to help with the cleanup.
“Don’t get up,” he said. “I’ve got this.”
“Me, too.” She offered him a smile of her own, then carried her dishes inside and to the small kitchen.
They worked well together and had the counters wiped down and the dishwasher running in short order.
“Ready for dessert?” he asked.
“I’m pretty full.”
“Maybe something light? I have raspberry sorbet.”
“Sounds good.”
Moments later, he served them both. Instead of returning to the patio or finding a seat in the house, they stood at the counter and ate the sweet treat—a perfect ending to a filling meal.
As Ellie took the last bite of her sorbet, Steven said, “It’s been a great evening. Thanks for driving out here tonight. But you still haven’t told me what you were afraid to say in public.”
Um. Yeah. That. How could it have slipped her mind?
Probably because she’d blocked it out so she could have one last hour to pretend there wasn’t anything stopping her and Steven from becoming more than two people who clashed over ideas and goals. Only they didn’t seem to be clashing now. They seemed to have become friends. And the possibility of becoming more than that lingered on the horizon.
“Did you forget what you wanted to tell me?”
No, she hadn’t. But before she could find the words to speak, he reached out and cupped her jaw. His thumb stroked her cheek, caressing it and sending a shiver of excitement from her head to her toes.
Her lips parted, and her breath caught.
“Maybe this will jog your memory,” he whispered.
His touch, his heated gaze jogged more than her memory. She ought to take a step back, but she was so caught up in the moment, the woodsy scent of his cologne, the blasted romantic mood that had been growing all evening, that she couldn’t seem to think, let alone move.
* * *
Steven brushed his mouth across Ellie’s, softly, tentatively. The cool, sweet taste of raspberry sorbet lingered on her lips, and he was dying for more.
She leaned into him for a moment, kissing him back, but before he could slip his arms around her and draw her close, she pulled her mouth away from him and stepped to the side.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I’m sorry. I...” She tucked a glossy strand of dark hair behind her ear, revealing a small diamond stud. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“You don’t owe me an apology. We didn’t do anything wrong. Something’s been building between us for quite a while. And I’d be surprised if you claimed you weren’t feeling it, too.”
“Yes, I’ve felt it. But kissing wasn’t a good idea.”
He tossed her what he hoped was a disarming smile. “It seemed like a good one to me.”
She slowly shook her head and blew out a ragged breath.
He studied her carefully, waiting for a response. When she didn’t explain, he said, “I don’t often get my signals mixed, and you were giving off some I’m-interested vibes.”
“You’re right. I don’t blame you for picking up on them. And acting on them. But...” She bit down on her bottom lip, clearly wrestling with whatever she had on her mind.
When she didn’t continue, he pressed her to go on. “Is it because of our different backgrounds?” If so, that would be a new one for him. Most women fell all over themselves to date a rich and successful man.
“No,” Ellie said. “That’s not it.”
Good. If his wealth didn’t impress her, that made her all the more appealing to him.
“I hope you’re not worried about our political differences,” he said. “Or the potential conflict down at city hall. Because, believe it or not, you and I both want what’s best for Rambling Rose.”
“I’ll admit that’s a factor, but it’s not the biggest one.”
Then there was only one other reason. “Are you involved with someone else?”
“No. Not really. It’s just...” She stood tall, sucked in a deep breath and blew out the words. “I’m pregnant.”
Pregnant.
The word reverberated in the small kitchen, bouncing off the walls like the little ball in a pinball machine.
Wow. He hadn’t seen that coming. He probably ought to respond, but he’d be damned if he knew what to say.
Congratulations?
Who’s the lucky guy?
It sure as hell wasn’t him.
And what was with her response to his question about there being someone else? No. Not really?
What the hell did that mean?
Steven might be dazed, even stupefied, but he couldn’t very well just stand there. He had to say something. “I didn’t realize... I mean, I might catch a lot of buzz from the Rambling Rose grapevine, but no one ever indicated you were...involved. Or dating.”
“I try to be discreet when it comes to my private life. I dated a guy for quite a while, but we broke up about four months ago.” She paused, clicked her tongue and closed her eyes.
Steven had no idea what to say. I’m sorry?
“And the guy...?” he asked.
She sucked in a deep breath, then slowly blew it out. “The relationship hadn’t been working for either of us for a while, and I’m the one who finally called it quits. He knows about the baby, but he’s not interested in being a father. In fact, he left the country.”
From her frown and the twitch in her eye, he suspected she might not be happy about that.
“Are you sure you’re over him?” Steven asked.
“Absolutely. His character flaws came out when I told him about the baby. I’m just sorry I didn’t pick up on them earlier.”
“So what’s troubling you?”
“When the news gets out, and everyone finds out that I’m pregnant with no husband in sight...”
There’d be talk. That was for sure.
Ellie leaned a hip against the counter. “Things will probably get... Well, I’m not sure ugly is the right word, but it won’t be cool.” She looked at him, her eyes pleading. “Please keep that bit of news to yourself until I’ve made an announcement. My parents don’t even know yet.” She combed her fingers through her hair, mussing it in an oddly
pretty way.
As he tried to sort through his thoughts, silence filled the room.
She studied him intently. Her brow furrowed, and her expression changed from one that was unbalanced to suspicious. “Steven, you’re not going to say anything, are you?”
Hell, no. He could be trusted to keep a secret. And he wanted her to know that.
“No, of course not. I’m not one to...” Kiss and tell came to mind, but that wasn’t how he’d meant to finish the dumbstruck statement. “Don’t worry, Ellie. I won’t say anything to anyone.”
“Thank you.” Then she turned and snatched her purse from the kitchen chair, where she’d left it when she arrived. “I really need to go before it gets too late. I want to drive over to my parents’ house and level with them.”
“Okay. I’ll walk you out.”
“Good,” she said. “I’d probably get lost trying to find the front door.”
He lifted his hand to touch her back, to guide her down the hall, but thought better about it.
“Thanks for dinner,” she said as they made their way through the house to the foyer.
“No problem.”
But Ellie clearly had one. A big one. And for some dumb reason, which didn’t make any sense at all, her problem now seemed to be his.
* * *
From the moment Ellie had driven away last night, Steven knew he’d screwed up. He should have said something to set things back on track. But that was the problem. He’d been completely stumped and speechless.
A barrage of emotion had been tumbling inside him ever since she’d told him she was pregnant—mostly surprise and frustration, followed by sympathy and a wallop of guilt.
Steven didn’t get ruffled easily. No matter what the problem, he’d always been able to think himself out of a corner. But not this time. One wrong word, one wrong move on his part would have only made things worse.
His first thought was to avoid her until the news got out and then to wait until her world righted itself on its axis. But he’d never taken the coward’s way out, and he wouldn’t start now.