Ella did things on automatic. She poured the coffee into the mugs, and set the table in the kitchen. When the back door opened she heard some stamping and knew Paul was getting the snow off his boots. She also knew he’d remove his boots and in a minute would be in her mother’s kitchen just like old times. Inside though Ella was reeling. He’s not married. He got a divorce. Why had no one told me? Because I hadn’t asked.
With her heart racing, Ella turned to her mother. “Sorry, I totally forgot I’ve got to make this important phone call to the office. It’s going to take a while. Tell Paul thank you for me, but I’ve really got to go,” said Ella, racing out of her mother’s kitchen leaving Gwen with a bewildered look on her face.
Ella darted to her room, locked the door and tried to calm down. Paul was downstairs in her kitchen now chatting politely with her mother, eating his pie and drinking her coffee. Damn, in Ella’s haste to escape she’d forgotten her coffee.
Not sure what to do, Ella got interrupted from her train-wreck of thoughts by a soft knock on her bedroom door. She knew that knock and hoped her mother wasn’t in the mood to give her a lecture. Opening the door, Ella also flicked open her cell she’s retrieved yesterday from the rental car. Pretending like she was talking to someone in the office was her lifeline at the moment.
Without a word, her mother walked in and set down her coffee. Only at the door did Gwen turn and say, “Paul’s gone, Ella. Said he had lots of work to do and was sorry you couldn’t spare him five minutes.”
“He said that?” Ella said, forgetting she was supposed to be pretending to listen to her make believe person on the other end of her cell.
Her mother gave her a pointed look, which instantly made Ella feel bad. “No he didn’t say that. He’s too polite. What’s gotten into you? I hope all that time living in the big city hasn’t erased all my lessons on being polite.”
Ella fought not to cry. She was thirty years old and honestly didn’t need this but her mother was right. Giving up the pretense, she closed her phone. “I…I…”
Gwen sat down on Ella’s bed and patted the spot next to her. “Paul has never forgotten you Ella. He asks about you every Christmas.”
Oh god do I really want to hear this? I guess I do. Sitting beside her mother, she settled in for a long mother-daughter talk.
“Mom, it’s not as easy as picking up where we left off. You’re forgetting I dumped him.”
“I think he knew you needed time away.”
“Seriously, Mom, I’ve been away for years now. What we had was a high school crush on each other. He got married.”
“And divorced.”
“Yes, he got divorced, but I’m sure Paul isn’t interested in me. I’ve changed.” I’m engaged but don’t have the guts to tell you.
“And so has he. Both of you are older and hopefully smarter. All I’m saying is go with your heart. Paul’s a nice guy. He’s done a lot for this community. That young man took his father’s shipbuilding business and turned it into one of the most lucrative businesses on this shore.”
“That’s great,” said Ella, meaning it, but her mother wasn’t listening to her. “Mom, I’m not staying. I can’t stay. In another week I’ll be back in New York so it’s not like anything can happen.” I’ve got a great life there. Why did that sound lame?
“Why can’t you stay?”
This time Ella sighed. She’d had this conversation a few times already since she’d arrived and more recently with herself. “Mom, I’m a real estate lawyer.”
“And, are you saying we don’t have real estate to sell here? Seems to me this town is changing. Might be a good time to get in on the ground floor and make a name for yourself here. You do know there’s at least five buildings up for sale on Main Street, and two of the ladies in my auxiliary are planning to sell and trust me those homes, in the right hands would sell for a fortune.”
“Mom, I don’t sell real estate. I do up the contracts for the land and buildings.”
“Well, what if you had a partner?”
Ella fought not to groan. How come she’d let this conversation get so off course? Oh, I know, because I don’t want to talk about my feelings for Paul and haven’t even mentioned Craig to my family. Not talking about it felt safer than opening a can of worms. “Mom, the thing is I don’t have a partner, and I’ve got a good paying job in New York.”
Her mother got up from her bed and hugged her. “I’m sorry hon. I know you have a great job and I’m so proud of you. I’ve just missed you so much, Ella and so has your sister. It’s nice you’re home for the holidays. I won’t bug you again. I’m just letting you know you could make it here. Paul certainly has and who would have thought that?”
Well if that wasn’t a jab at her nothing was. Her mother was throwing down the gauntlet. With those parting words her mother made her exit. Ella picked up her now cold coffee and took a sip thinking on her mother’s words. Could she make it here? Paul had but he was in a field that this community was known for. Still though, she had seen a number of for sale signs up around town, including a sorry looking for sale sign on Mrs. Beckman’s farm house.
Just for fun, Ella pulled out her laptop and searched up homes for sale in the area. Two hours later another knock sounded on her door.
“Sorry, thought you said you wouldn’t be doing work while you were here?” asked her sister, looking annoyed.
Ella jumped up off the bed and grabbed a sweater. She had been so engrossed in her research she hadn’t realized how cold the old house had gotten but the large goose bumps on her arms couldn’t be ignored. Rubbing her arms, she said, “I wasn’t doing work. Just checking on a few things mom said.”
“Yeah, mom told me you just found out about Paul and Debbie. Listen, about that, I’m sorry. I thought since you never asked about Paul you either knew or didn’t want to know,” said Tara, chewing on her bottom lip.
Ella pulled her sister in for a hug. “No worries. I should have asked. It’s just that the thought of him being married hurt so I honestly didn’t want to talk about him.”
Tara pulled back. “You do know that Debbie’s a bitch, right?”
Ella laughed. “Well, I might have thought of her like that without even meeting her but I’m sure she’s an alright person.”
Tara shook her head. “She’s not. She played Paul from the get go.”
“I’m sure they had feelings for each other, but enough. I don’t want to talk about Paul. I’m going to go into town for a bit this afternoon. You want to come?”
Tara looked out Ella’s bedroom window. “I can’t. But can you drop off some of my work to a few clients?”
Ella smiled. “I would love to. And Tara girl you promised to show me some of your new stuff. I’m not leaving until you show me what you’re working on for hours at a time in that barn.”
Tara’s cheeks turned red. “It’s just some stuff.”
“Okay, I won’t pry. But, I’m really proud of what you’re doing. I don’t have a creative bone in my body so I’m thrilled you got all those genes. Did mom ever show you some of the paintings Dad did?” asked Ella.
“Yeah, she did.”
“He had talent, but he took the safe route. He’d be real proud of what you’re doing with your life, Tara.”
“Safe sounds good when you’re not sure when the next piece will sell and you’ve got bills to pay.”
Ella gave her sister a thorough look. “Didn’t you mention that there was a secret buyer who’s been gobbling up your stuff?”
Tara blushed. “Yeah, it’s been wonderful.”
“He’s buying your stuff because it’s great. What you create with your pottery is one of a kind. Listen, we’ll talk more when I get back. If I don’t head into town the places will close up.”
“What are you doing in town?”
“Don’t tell Mom, but I’m following up on something she said.”
“And,” fished her sister.
This time it was Ella looking awkward. “I
really don’t want to say anything until I know more.”
“Okay, enough. I’m going to bundle up my stuff. It’ll take me a good hour.”
“Good, that gives me time to grab a hot shower and another cup of hot coffee,” said Ella, walking down the hall to the washroom as her sister sprinted down the stairs.
Ella turned on the shower and waited for the ancient hot water heater to kick in before she dared step inside. The more she thought about what she’d been researching the more she smiled. One thing was for certain, Ella knew she’d have to make sure her mother didn’t get wind of what she was looking into. Until Ella researched the idea to death she was keeping her mouth shut. The last thing she wanted was any gossip reaching her mother and that meant she’d have to be very careful while she poked around.
Chapter Six
Paul was fuming mad. More at himself, acting like a fool for Ella all over again. He should have known better. Nothing good was going to come of wishing for what he couldn’t have, which was Ella in his life and most certainly in his bed. Too bad all his memories of Ella had surfaced, leaving him all but panting with need. She’s been his first girl. When they’d kissed that first time their teeth had clashed and they’d laughed and then gotten it right the second, third and fourth times.
His fist slammed into the weight bag with enough force to almost make him curse out loud. Damn if that didn’t hurt. The used boxing gloves had taken the brunt of the sting off his hands but he wanted pain. He did his usual repeat pounding session on the punching bag for another fifteen minutes, feeling the burn in his lungs and hands. He was glad now he’d insisted on hanging the weight from the reinforced wooden beam in the converted warehouse. The warehouse that at one time he’d thought of tearing down to make way for more boats. He was glad now he’d kept the building and had it fixed up for him and the crew.
Four years ago when he’d been going through hell and wanted to spend as little time as possible at his house he’d used his energies to convert the warehouse into a make-shift gym. When his crew found out what he was doing they’d slowly over the months added more stuff and today there were three treadmills, two heavy bags, about a dozen weights and even an elliptical. Christ, he’d kill to see one of his guys sweating on that elliptical. The only thing Paul had brought to the place had been the heavy bags but that didn’t mean he didn’t hit the treadmill for a good hour-long run when he needed to vent off steam.
“What’s with the note?”
Paul cursed long and hard in his head. Shit. He didn’t want Ella to be here to see him like this—angry. He kept up his rhythm. Sweat rolled down his back and he had to blink the sweat out of his eyes.
Ella came right up beside him and even through the stench of his own sweat he caught a whiff of her lilac perfume.
“What’s with the note, Paul?’
Paul hit the bag hard. “I was just returning your scarf. Nothing to it.”
“You’re mad at me. Why?”
“Jesus, Ella, I was just trying to be nice and stay out of your way. You made it perfectly clear you didn’t want me around today—”
“Oh, Paul, I’m sorry for being so rude. It’s just that seeing you again…
Paul stopped punching and grabbed the nearby towel to wipe off. He waited for Ella to finish, knowing she wouldn’t and hoping she would. He watched her struggle. She kept darting her eyes at his chest and he had to fight a grin. He knew he didn’t look the same since they’d parted. A decade changed a man and he’d purposely bulked up. Gone was that scrawny, no-confidence kid looking for some loving from the one girl he thought would be his forever. Changing was easy but trying to forget Ella when he’d loved her with everything he had, had been harder. And now here she was, back in his life and that old familiar ache for her burned through his body and heart.
Not as academically smart as Ella, Paul had to learn things the old-fashioned way. He couldn’t afford secondary education so he’d learned what needed to get done to make his business successful. That didn’t mean every day for that first year when Ella had left he didn’t wish for her to call to tell him she missed him as much as he missed her. The nights has been the hardest. For hours he’d lie in bed recalling her body, the things she’d said to him over the years and the feel of her soft kisses that always turned to passionate embraces when they could steal some time alone. As teenagers time alone hadn’t been easy or all that comfortable but they hadn’t cared.
Today, he was proud of what he’d accomplished. While his father hadn’t given one whit about their community Paul did and he owed a lot of that to Ella and her mom. Ella was the one who wrapped her arms around the shy, awkward teen he’d been and whispered encouraging words when he talked about making changes to the shipyard. She had told him he could do it when no one else believe in him.
Back then though Paul had naively thought letting Ella go off to pursue her dream would ensure she’d come back to him. The last thing he’d wanted was to smother her but when she’d left, she hadn’t looked back. Not one letter, not one email, not one visit home had she checked in on him. Damn, that hurt because Paul had always looked for her. The hardest times had been Christmas when he’d check in on Gwen with some flimsy excuse to see if she needed help with the wood or whatever. Paul always got the impression Ella’s mother knew he was looking for her but all she’d say was Ella was busy studying or working in the big city. Paul had never been to New York and he had no intention of visiting any time soon because his dislike for the city that kept away his Ella from him and her family was real.
He walked by her to grab a drink from the nearby water cooler.
“This is hard for me, Paul. You’ve got to understand. I came home thinking you were still married.”
“I’m not.”
“Yeah, I finally figured that out, but …”
“But what, Ella?”
“I don’t want you to hate me.”
Paul sighed and moved closer. “Ella, I could never hate you.” He was so close he could smell her strawberry shampoo.
She took a step toward him. “I never expected this. When I crashed and you saved me I felt awkward and whenever I see you I get this…”
Jesus, if she paused one more time, Paul was going to do something drastic, like kiss those lips of hers. Just thinking about that caused his feet to move closer.
“Paul,” she said.
Her voice was a whisper that felt more like an invitation and he was going to take it. Paul closed the gap, grasped her around the waist and hauled her close. He didn’t give her time to react, he simply acted. His lips descended and she met him halfway, open and willing. What might have been hesitant became desperate. They kissed like they had in high school, when they sneaked snuggles behind the bleachers or in her parent’s barn, frantic for the feel of each other. Paul’s hands snaked in underneath Ella’s jacket, wanting the feel of her skin on his fingers. He changed his stance, angling his head more and her tongue met his. He groaned. She felt so good, so right, and so damned perfect in his arms he never wanted to let her go.
Her hands skimmed across his back, at first tentative but then with a desperate feel like she couldn’t figure the best place to let them rest. Paul found himself moving her back toward the wall. The minute she hit the wood, he shucked off her jacket and moved his lips lower, kissing her neck. She groaned and ran one of her hands through his damp hair while the other skimmed over his back muscles.
Needing the taste of her again on his lips, Paul moved his lips back up to capture her eager mouth while cupping her face with one hand.
She angled her head and he skimmed light kisses down her neck and then lower as his hand cupped her breast. She groaned and clutched at him, pushing his head deeper into her, ensuring he understood her want. Paul almost chuckled. This was the Ella he knew and loved.
Her nipple pebbled thanks to his tentative mouth which was leaving a large wet stain on her shirt. Like she knew that, Ella whipped her shirt over her head.
Pau
l sank to his knees.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a breathless voice that caused his erection to strain even more against his gym pants.
Cupping her ass, he hauled her closer. His head was level with her cute belly button. “Worshipping you.”
Her hands skimmed through his hair. “I like,” she said.
“Trust me, I like more. God I’ve missed you, Ella.”
“Paul…”
“Shh, less talk and more kissing.”
She chuckled and he kissed her belly as it moved, causing her to giggle more. This was like old times. A lot of their foreplay had been spent learning each other’s bodies and Ella happened to have a lot of ticklish places. Kissing the sides of her belly, he let his hands capture her plump breasts. With his fingers he tweaked her nipples, loving how sensitive they were to his touch. She was panting with need – something he understood. Edging up, his mouth captured her taut nipples and he suckled first one and then the other until she was squirming. His free hand tentatively moved lower to slip between the vee of her legs. More than anything he wanted to feel her heat but for now he’d take whatever she was willing to give him.
Ella opened her legs more and groaned. “God I want you Paul.”
Those were the best five words Paul had ever heard. He was about to speak when she sank to his level. They were now both on their knees and kissing with all the heat and passion they’d been denied for years. When Ella’s hand reached out to push against his erection Paul almost toppled over.
Her hand found his shape and within seconds thoughts of going slow vanished.
“You like?”
She was teasing him and he smiled around her lips. “Oh, yeah, I like.”
“Paul, we can’t…”
“Ella, are you in there?”
They both froze like two deer caught in headlights. With lightning fast reflexes Ella scampered to her feet and whipped on her shirt and jacket. Paul gritted his teeth and rearranged the part of him that was now left throbbing with need.
What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 7) Page 163