Could've Said Yes

by Tracy March

  “Don’t worry, baby,” he whispered as he circled her center with his slick fingers, sending shocks of pleasure through her body. “We’re just getting started.” He guided his cock to her entrance, and thrust it inside her, leaving it buried as he flicked his fingers over her clit.

  Ellie bucked with a wave of sensation, contracting around the pressure of his thick cock, then pumping her hips. She wanted all of him.

  Fast.

  Hard.

  Deep.

  Because they weren’t just getting started. This was their last time, and she wanted to shatter into pieces.

  Breathing hard, Collin gave it to her as urgently as she wanted it, never letting up on her clit.

  “Collin,” she cried. She tensed, covering his hand with hers, pressing it against her as she crashed into oblivion. “Come with me,” she urged, and rocked her hips.

  He plunged inside her, pulled out for one more intense thrust, then buried his cock again. “God, Ellie,” he said on a ragged breath. “I’ll never get enough of you.”

  —

  Collin scrubbed a towel over his wet hair. While he’d taken a shower, Ellie arranged for Kristi to open the gallery, and for him and Ellie to meet with Allan Overby, the editor of the Thistle Bend Times, at nine. Collin had planned to hit the road early, but he had to stick around long enough to see what he and Ellie could do with the new information she had about the spill.

  You have a couple days to play with. And you have Ellie.

  But he had to be careful not to wait too long. There was only so much motorcycle riding he could safely do each day.

  Collin got dressed while Ellie finished showering. Having her here had lulled him back into his one-more-day-with-her frame of mind, and that’s where he wanted to stay, for now. His career was still shot, but he’d never felt more content. Especially since he was going to make at least one thing up to her this morning—they were going to Calypso Coffee for lattes and cinnamon rolls.

  They were settled in their booth by eight, the amazing aroma of cinnamon rolls and coffee practically giving Collin a buzz before his first bite of sugar or sip of caffeine. He could see why the place had been around so long, and why locals liked to hang out here. Everything seemed so simple and real—down to the jingling bells on the door.

  Ellie sat across from him, the hint of a smile on her lips.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Last night.” She lifted one shoulder. “This morning. Being here with you. It seems like a dream.”

  The bells on the door jingled. Collin shifted his gaze to Holly and Bryce, hand in hand. His chest tightened with envy. Could Tuesday mornings—or any morning—be the same for him and Ellie? Clearly Holly and Bryce were dressed for work, but their lives were relaxed enough that they could stop in at Calypso Coffee together to start the day. He couldn’t imagine this scene in Durham, where everything was rush hour, traffic, and lines at the drive-thrus at chain coffee shops.

  Holly and Bryce caught sight of them, waved, and went to the counter to order.

  “Should we tell them what I found out about the spill?” Ellie asked.

  “Sure.” Collin didn’t mind if that information got around. That’s why they were meeting with the newspaper guy. Holly and Bryce were friends. If they wanted to spread the word, he was okay with that, too.

  “Look who’s here,” Holly said as she approached the table, her gaze loaded with questions.

  Bryce followed close behind her. “What’s up, guys? Got a couple extra seats?”

  Ellie got up and slid in next to Collin, and Holly and Bryce settled on the other side of the booth, putting their drinks and cinnamon rolls on the table.

  “Sticking around a little longer?” Bryce asked Collin, with a sidelong glance at Ellie.

  Collin didn’t know how much of their story Bryce knew, but he imagined whatever Ellie had told Holly had quickly gotten to Bryce.

  “Something came up,” Collin said. “I still need to get back, but we’ve got some business to take care of first. Some new information about the breach fell into Ellie’s hands. Thanks to her freelance gig, she’s got evidence to prove what really happened up at the site that day.”

  “Wait.” Holly furrowed her brow and tucked a layer of her hair behind her ear. “We don’t know what really happened?”

  Ellie smiled slyly. “We do now.” She showed them the newspaper and the pictures on her computer, and told them the story of how she’d arrived at the truth. “Turns out Collin didn’t breach the plug—which we already knew. But neither did Gary. He’ll be so relieved to hear that.”

  “I can’t wait to tell him,” Collin said.

  “That’s amazing.” Holly took a sip of her espresso and furrowed her brow. “It’s too bad this didn’t happen sooner, because Gary got fired yesterday.”

  Collin’s gut twisted.

  “No.” Ellie grimaced. “Did you know that?” she asked Collin.

  He shook his head. “Looks like we’re both getting the shaft.”

  “Bad time for humor,” Holly said. “But that wasn’t meant to be a mining pun, was it?”

  Bryce elbowed her and shook his head, clearly struggling not to smile.

  “So both of you guys are out of work?” Bryce took a big bite of his cinnamon roll.

  “Sounds like Gary is,” Collin said ruefully. “I’m not, exactly. The EPA pulled me from the Big Star project, and they’re sending me back to Durham. I’ll be riding a desk while they conduct an interminable investigation that, as the brass put it, will result in disciplinary action, possibly termination.”

  Bryce scowled. “For having some guy’s back?”

  “For making the agency look bad. Glad I’ve given them eight years of my life, so far,” Collin said caustically.

  Bryce narrowed his gaze. “That’s complete bullshit.”

  Collin raised his black coffee to Bryce. “They weren’t buying that for an argument.” He took a slug of caffeine and set his cup on the table. “Best I could do was negotiate my way out of being back in Durham by tomorrow. Now I have until Monday.”

  “The EPA’s got a bad rep around here,” Bryce said. “Shifty and dishonest. But you don’t come across like one of them. You going to stick around and wait for them to bury you?”

  Ellie cast a sidelong glance at Collin.

  “I’m required to cooperate with the investigation,” he said. “I don’t have to stick around for the disciplinary action or possible termination.” He shrugged. “But I don’t have a lot of options right now. I was hoping I’d be getting a promotion after this assignment, not heading to the job market. I just need to get back to Durham and figure it out.”

  Holly cut a sad look at Ellie.

  Bryce rubbed his fingers over a scar on the knotty-wood tabletop and set his gaze on Collin. “I could use a good project manager like you up at the lodge site,” he said. “I’ve got a hell of a renovation ahead of me, and I need a dependable, honest team. Having a guy like you up there would make me feel a whole lot better when I need to go to my property in Costa Rica.”

  Collin’s heart beat full throttle.

  “Pay’s good,” Bryce shifted his pointed gaze to Ellie, and back to Collin. “Benefits are even better.”

  Ellie stared at Collin, wide-eyed.

  His thoughts raced. Could he make that transition, work for Bryce, and live here?

  Near Ellie…

  “That’s a hell of an offer,” Collin said.

  Bryce nodded. “I need to get someone up and going in that position. I’ve interviewed a couple guys, but I think I could give it another week before I make a decision. Let me know if you want to talk about it seriously.”

  “You looking to hire for other positions, too?” Collin asked. “Because I can vouch for Gary Holdren, and he’s going to need the work.”

  Chapter 26

  Ellie unlocked the gallery door, a copy of the Thistle Bend Times tucked beneath her arm. It was a twice-weekly newspaper—Tuesdays and Frid
ays. She and Collin had missed getting the news about the breach in Tuesday’s edition, but that had given Allan and his staff more time to work on today’s full-color, front-page spread. Settling at the desk, she put the tabloid-sized paper on top and focused on the headline.

  Breach of Truth.

  The pictures Ellie had taken of the Big Star site the day the plug blew were featured again, their time and date stamps evident. Cropped and enlarged, there was no mistaking the mustard-yellow water pouring from the tunnel entrance, or Gary on the backhoe, headed toward trouble. The article laid out the case that the pictures proved—that neither Collin nor Gary had caused the spill.

  Ellie leaned back in her chair and sighed, sweet relief coursing through her. Now that Collin and Gary had been exonerated, maybe they could all put the drama of the spill behind them and begin moving forward. Just today, the Lariat River had been reopened for recreation since most of the pollutants had settled or washed downstream. Matt was back in business for what little remained of the rafting season, and Brian’s stream research was back under way. Everyone was hopeful that the long-term effects of the spill would be manageable and cause few future challenges for river-dependent communities. Fortunately, state and federal funds had been designated for assistance and cleanup, and lots of progress had been made already.

  Ellie folded the newspaper, tucked it in one of the desk drawers, and gazed around the gallery. To quickly boost her inventory, she’d pulled out a number of photos that she’d hand-tinted years ago, and put them up for sale. Although she still liked the older pieces, seeing the contrast of her past and present work reminded her of how much she’d improved—at least in her eyes—and how her style had evolved.

  Even to include “people” pictures, thanks to Collin.

  Her success at the arts festival had her confidence at an all-time high. Smiling, she set her gaze on the bright yellow ribbon and Jurors’ Award certificate lying near the corner of her desk, ready for framing.

  Maybe Milly and Merri had made a wise investment, after all.

  The door opened and little Kenzie Holdren bounded into the gallery, a halo of strawberry-blond curls on her head, a pink-lipped grin on her face. Gary and Maddy followed close behind, their expressions just as bright.

  “Good morning,” Ellie said, focusing on Kenzie, who had stopped in front of the desk, a large piece of paper clutched to her chest, the ruffles of her baby-blue shirt peeking over the top.

  “Couldn’t be better.” Gary gazed at Maddy and nodded. “Thanks to you and Collin, and the Thistle Bend Times. Have you seen the article?”

  Ellie pulled her copy from the drawer and unfolded it. “I’m thinking of framing it and putting it on display,” she teased.

  “On our way here,” Maddy said, “people stopped us to talk about it, and tell us how happy they were to hear the news.” Her eyes welled with tears as she smoothed her hand in circles over her belly. “We’ll never be able to thank you and Collin enough for what you’ve done for us.”

  Ellie gave them a self-deprecating smile. “I’m so glad things are getting better, and that the truth is finally out there.”

  “Kenzie’s too young to understand what’s happened,” Gary said. “But she gets that you and Collin have made her mommy and daddy really happy. So she drew a picture for you.”

  Ellie beamed, and set her gaze on Kenzie. “You drew a picture for me?”

  Gary leaned down, picked up Kenzie, and settled her on the edge of the desk. “Want to give it to Miss Ellie?”

  Shyly, Kenzie handed the picture to Ellie. Her heart tumbled at the sight of the three-year-old’s drawing of two stick figures, what just might be a motorcycle, and a big pink heart. One of the stick figures had long yellow hair, blue eyes, and held a red flower. The other had green eyes, spikes of short hair, and oversized hands.

  Ellie stifled a chuckle, focused on Kenzie, and pointed to the yellow-haired stick figure. “She’s beautiful.”

  “She’s you,” Kenzie said with an adorable lisp.

  Ellie flattened her palm over her chest. “Me? That’s the prettiest picture of me I’ve ever seen.”

  Kenzie smiled.

  “And who’s this?” Ellie smoothed her finger beneath the green-eyed stick figure.

  “Collin,” she tried to say, only it came out Cahwin.

  “He’s so handsome,” Ellie said. “I really like his hair.” She moved her fingers to the right. “And this is what he rides around on, right?”

  Kenzie nodded.

  Ellie scratched her head. “What’s it called?”

  “Motorthycle.”

  “That’s it.” Ellie nodded. “Wow, you drew Collin and his motorcycle. That’s awesome.”

  Kenzie looked proudly at Gary and Maddy. “And I gave you a frowa.” She pressed her tiny finger against the flower in the stick figure’s hand.

  “I love flowers,” Ellie said. “Especially red ones. Thank you.”

  “That’s what this says.” Kenzie swept her hand across the thank you written in big, squiggly orange letters across the bottom of the picture. “Mommy helped me write it.”

  “Good work,” Ellie said. “And what a pretty heart.”

  “It’s for love.” Kenzie gazed at her sweetly.

  “That’s the most important thing of all,” Ellie said, her own heart swelling. Kenzie was so precious. No wonder Maddy and Gary wanted more children.

  “You know what?” Ellie said to Kenzie. “I like this picture better than any of the ones I have.” She gestured around the gallery. “So I think I should put it in a special place where everyone can see it. Do you like that idea?”

  Kenzie’s eyes widened, and she nodded.

  Ellie stood, picked up the picture, and stepped around the desk. She hitched her head toward the front of the gallery. “Follow me.”

  Gary picked up Kenzie, and all of them trailed behind Ellie as she led them to the empty easel in the bay window.

  “This is where I put my favorite pictures so people can see them from inside and outside.” Ellie clipped the drawing to the easel, and Kenzie grinned from one little ear to the other. “I’ll always remember that you are the one who made this picture for me and Collin,” she said to Kenzie. “But other people might not know. You’re a real artist, so you should sign your name.”

  Maddy raised her eyebrows excitedly, smiling at Kenzie.

  “I’ll be back in a second.” Ellie hurried to the desk, pulled a paint pen out of the drawer, and headed back to the easel. “Here we go.” She held up the pen. “Would you like me to help you?”

  “That’d be a great idea,” Maddy said.

  Gary held Kenzie while Ellie helped her sketch out her name in the corner of the picture. They all stepped back and admired the handiwork.

  “That’s perfect,” Ellie said to Kenzie. “Now everyone who sees it will know that you drew this pretty picture. The first person we should show it to is Collin.” She pulled her phone from the pocket of her jeans, snapped a photo, and attached it to a text.

  Kenzie Holdren drew this for us. I think you have another fan.

  “He’s going to love it,” Ellie said.

  Gary nodded. “Is he back in Durham yet?”

  “No.” Ellie tucked her phone back in her pocket. “He’ll get back late today. It’s a long ride.”

  “After all those hours on that bike, I’m not sure he’ll be able to walk right,” Gary teased.

  Ellie figured Gary was trying to keep the subject light, guessing that she’d been going through a hard time since Collin had left Tuesday afternoon—and she had been. But after their morning meeting at the Thistle Bend Times, he’d spent several hours at the lodge site with Bryce, discussing Bryce’s job offer. No decision had been made, but Ellie continued to hope that Collin would seriously consider coming back to Thistle Bend. That hope was the only thing making her hard time any easier.

  Eager to change the subject, she asked Gary, “How are things working out for you?”

  �
��Thanks to Collin’s good word, I had an interview with Mr. Bennett yesterday, and…” Gary glanced at Maddy, a glimmer in his eyes.

  “He starts working on the lodge project Monday morning.” Smiling, Maddy sighed with drama. “It’s such a relief for us. Again, we can’t thank you and Collin enough.”

  “Just be happy,” Ellie said. “That’s all the thanks we need—besides this beautiful picture.” She winked. She could only hope things would turn out as well for her and Collin.

  After the Holdrens left, Ellie stood gazing at the picture Kenzie had drawn, wishing things could be that simple.

  Me.

  Collin.

  His motorcycle.

  And love.

  But maybe Collin’s hands shouldn’t be that big. She grinned and shook her head. As she walked back to the desk, her phone pinged with a text. She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen.

  Collin.

  Her pulse fluttered.

  Love the picture. Keep it right where it is until I get back.

  Chapter 27

  TWO WEEKS LATER

  Collin tossed another log on the campfire, and a plume of sparks flew into the crisp night air. He and Ellie had parked at the trailhead and hiked up to Stallion Ridge for a night of wilderness camping.

  She owed him, after all.

  The moon was nearly full, and Collin wasn’t sure he’d ever seen so many stars. The night couldn’t have been more perfect—just the two of them, back where it had all started.

  He joined Ellie on the blanket near the fire, and she handed him a stick with a couple of marshmallows stuck on the end, ready for roasting. They’d had to carry all their gear, which included everything they needed to make s’mores.

  Camping’s an adventure—campfires, s’mores, sleeping under the stars.

  That’s what Ellie expected, and he intended to deliver all of that, and more. They sat shoulder to shoulder, Ellie eyeballing the marshmallows she had roasting over the fire. “Wilderness camping isn’t so bad. First the sunset, now a campfire.” She glanced over at the two-person tent he’d pitched for them. “That, I’m still not sure about, especially when we have a perfectly good bed back at my place.”