She wasn’t used to it.
For so long she’d had to rely on herself for everything. She’d always felt obligated to pay back any money they’d taken from Lindsay and Martin, not in cash but in work. She regularly cleaned the ranch house or fed the chickens and collected the eggs. She’d even spent time grooming the horses, mucking out their stalls and feeding them.
All while Dean wrote his next unsellable masterpiece.
She wasn’t used to taking something for nothing.
“Are you still there, Elle?” George’s voice in her ear brought her back to the present.
“Yes. It’s a lot of money.”
“Not to me and not to Imogen. We want to help.”
Dare she just say “thank you”? What if George used it to ask for more than she could give?
Even as she had the thought she dismissed it. George wasn’t like that.
She sighed. “Thank you.”
“You’re not mad?”
Was she? “No. Surprised, uncertain, but not mad.”
“Good.” His relief was clear.
“I called my brother after we spoke yesterday,” she said.
“Great! What did he say?”
“You already know what his reaction was. You spoke to him yourself.”
“Right.” The bashfulness was back. “When’s he going to Houston?”
“He’s going to try to get a flight Friday night.”
“Wow. That’s fantastic. How are you feeling?”
“Overwhelmed. A little uncertain. It’s happening so fast.” She ran a hand through her hair.
George’s tone turned compassionate. “I can only imagine. I wish I was there so I could give you a hug.”
“So do I.” It was true.
“I’ll be back in a couple of days. Are we still on for Sunday?”
“I’m not sure. It depends on when James flies out.”
“Perhaps we can do something all together. I’m easy.”
He sounded it as well. He didn’t seem disgruntled that their first solo day together might be hijacked by family.
“I’ve got to run. I have a dinner meeting in ten. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Elle hung up and smiled. Maybe they could all do something. She hadn’t been to the movies since she lived in California and Toby had never been. She stood and went into the kitchen to go through the community newspaper that had been delivered earlier. It usually had a movie section in it. If there were a children’s movie showing, she was sure Toby would get a kick out of it.
There were a couple to choose from and after reviewing the synopses she narrowed it down to one.
A knock on the door had her frowning. It was late for someone to visit. Perhaps Nora needed something.
Elle checked through the peephole and frowned. She opened the door to find Chris and Imogen on her doorstep. “Hi.”
Chris grinned at her, and shuffled his feet. “Hi. Today I’m playing the stand-in for George. Imogen is here so you don’t freak out. I’m under orders to give you a hug.”
Elle stared at him for a second while what Chris said computed, and then she laughed. “He didn’t call you,” she protested.
“He did,” Chris confirmed. “I’m under strict instructions not to enjoy it though.”
Elle shook her head. George never ceased to surprise her. She opened her arms. “All right then.”
Chris stepped forward and gave her a big hug. It wasn’t anywhere near the same as how she felt with George’s arms around her but it was nice nonetheless.
When Chris stepped back, Imogen stepped forward. “I need to apologize. I shouldn’t have paid for the lawyer without asking you first. I was so angry when you came home with those bruises I had to do something.”
“I appreciate the gesture,” Elle told her. “As long as you’re sure you can afford it.”
“I can,” Imogen said. “It’s my turn for a hug now.”
Elle hugged her friend. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Imogen glanced at Chris. “We should go and let you get some sleep.”
Elle closed the door and locked it. She smiled and picked up her cell. The text message she sent to George said Thank you.
A minute later came the response. You’re welcome. As long as you didn’t like it too much.
She chuckled and went to sleep, still thinking of George.
Chapter 14
After dinner on Friday, Elle put Toby into the car to drive to the airport to pick up James. Toby was a bouncing bundle of excitement, more to do with seeing the airplanes than meeting a new uncle.
James was only staying twenty-four hours, flying back Saturday night, and she wanted to make the most of their time together. She’d tried to arrange the whole day off work, but her other waitresses had plans.
They arrived in time to watch a couple of planes land and then Elle took Toby to the arrivals section to wait for her brother. When the passengers began to walk through, Elle scanned the faces of each one, her chest tight.
Then she spotted him.
Elle stood where she was and examined her brother. He looked a little older than he had, wore a designer stubble beard and his usual board shorts and top.
He smiled as he walked up to her. “Don’t I get a hug, Ellie?” he asked, a little uncertain.
Elle launched herself at him and flung her arms around his neck, and he picked her up and swung her around. Elle’s eyes filled with tears as he put her down again.
“It’s so good to see you,” she whispered.
“That’s my line,” he said.
“Mom. Are you all right?” Toby’s voice was worried, next to her.
“Of course I am.”
“But you’re crying.” He stared accusingly at his uncle.
“Happy tears, Toby-boy. I haven’t seen my big brother in a long time.”
Toby screwed up his face in a frown.
“Toby, this is your Uncle James.”
James crouched down to Toby’s level. “Pleased to meet you,” he said holding out his hand.
Toby shook it. “You can’t make Mom cry again,” he said, his voice cross.
James laughed. “I’ll do my best not to.”
On the drive back to the apartment, they chatted about James’s work and the flight. When they arrived home, Toby was asleep in his car seat. Elle woke him up to get him inside and into bed, where he promptly fell back asleep.
She hurried back to the living room where her brother was standing, examining the place.
Elle prided herself on keeping her little furnished apartment clean and tidy, but nothing could change the fact all the furniture was old and worn. She had saved a lot of money not having to buy everything herself – in fact if she’d had to, they’d be living on cardboard boxes and the floor.
“Can I get you a drink?” she asked.
“Got any beer?”
Elle shook her head. “I don’t drink much. Tea, coffee, juice.”
“Coffee would be great.” He followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table, making himself at home. Elle still couldn’t quite comprehend that her big brother was in Houston with her.
She made the coffee and sat down next to him.
“Have you lived here long?” he asked.
“Since I left the shelter,” Elle replied.
Her brother put his mug down with a bang, slopping coffee over the sides, and stared at her, horrified. “What shelter?”
Elle swallowed. She hadn’t meant to mention that. Briefly she debated making something up, but she knew James would push until she told him the truth.
“When I left Dean I had no money. Toby and I had to stay in a women’s shelter until I could find a job bussing tables and earn enough to put together a deposit.”
“What happened to you, Elle?” His voice was quiet, his gaze direct.
She sighed. “Dean kept me on the ranch and his parents paid for us. I wasn’t allowed to go into town by myself so I couldn’t work. When I’d ha
d enough, I had to leave with nothing.”
“Tell me the rest.” He wasn’t buying it.
“I was so stupid,” she said to her brother. “I thought Dean loved me and that he would love our son, but he didn’t. He barely tolerated Toby in the same room and often made me take him to Lindsay to babysit while he wrote. He didn’t mail the letters I wrote to you and then told me you didn’t love me enough, that you didn’t want me any more. I was so alone and desperate for Toby to have a father that I stayed.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
“We didn’t have a phone. Dean told me his parents were already giving us so much I couldn’t ask to use the phone as well. I was trying so hard to make it work.” She’d done whatever Dean had told her, trying to please him. It made her sick with shame to think of it. “After a couple of years, it no longer occurred to me.”
James swore. “What made you leave?”
Elle looked down at her hands, clenching them together. “He started hitting me.”
James pushed away from the table and paced the small room. “If I could get my hands on that son of a bitch …”
Elle stayed where she was, unused to seeing her brother so angry. “It’s over now,” she said quietly, trying to soothe. “When he hurt Toby I left.”
“Does he know where you are?”
She shook her head. “Martin, Dean’s father, has my cell number and they know I’m in Houston, but that’s it.”
“Good.” He stood behind his chair, hands on the backrest. “Why didn’t you contact me after you left, Elle?”
She felt his pain. “I wasn’t sure what reaction I would get and I was too fragile to deal with another rejection.”
He swore again, but under his breath.
“I had to protect Toby and I needed a job and a place to live. That was my focus. It wasn’t until George asked about my family and suggested Dean might not have sent the letters that I began to reconsider.”
“Remind me to give the man a medal,” James said.
Elle smiled. “I don’t think he’d accept it,” she said. She yawned. “It’s getting late and I need to start early in the morning. Why don’t you have a shower and I’ll make up the couch?” She couldn’t deal with any more tonight.
James nodded and Elle breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t going to push any further. He gave her a hug. “You’re so brave, little sister,” he said.
Elle blinked and said, “Let me show you the bathroom.”
***
The next morning, James was up, dressed and ready to go when Elle was. He’d given Toby an astronaut toy when Toby had got up and Toby was happily playing with it instead of eating his breakfast.
“You don’t have to come to work with me,” she said.
“We’ve only got the day,” he said. “Plus I figured you could do with an extra pair of hands.”
“All right.” Pleasure lightened her mind. She wanted to spend more time with her brother though she was nervous about how he would react to her café.
But when they arrived, James broke into a big grin. “This is fantastic, Ellie.” He walked over to the book area, running a hand over the tables. “The design is perfect.”
Elle smiled. “I remembered some of the design tips you told me about while you were studying,” she said.
“You’ve done so well. Where would you like me to start?”
“Why don’t you play with Toby while I organize everything? I’m sure he’d like the company.”
Toby nodded.
“Does Toby play here every day?” James asked, making himself a coffee.
“I share a babysitter with Nora, one of my waitresses,” she said. “It’s only until school starts – they’ll both be going in the fall. I needed to get the café started as soon as possible.”
“Must be hard,” James said and took his coffee and a hot chocolate for Toby into the playroom. “Come on, Toby. How about a game of chutes and ladders?”
“All right!”
Elle smiled and began the morning preparations.
***
By the time Harry arrived at ten, the café was packed. With Toby gone, Elle handed James an apron.
“How are your cleaning skills?” she asked with a grin. “Clear the tables and I’ll show you how the dishwasher works.”
He winked at her. “Yes, ma’am.”
It was amazing to have her brother there.
After lunch, the singer arrived: a Native American by the name of Adahy. Elle showed him where to set up and got him a drink. “George said it’s your brother who owns the Wooden Spoon,” she said as she put the glass of water on a stool next to him.
“Sure is.” Adahy grinned.
“I went there the other night. Please tell him the food was amazing.”
“You can tell him yourself if you like. He’s right over there.” Adahy pointed to a man sitting by himself in the corner. He had brown skin and dark eyes and his dark hair hung to his shoulders. There was something intense about him: everything about his body language said he didn’t want to be disturbed.
“Maybe later.”
Adahy laughed. “He won’t bite.”
“What’s his name?”
“Taima.” Adahy strummed a few chords, made an adjustment to the note.
“Let me know if you need anything else,” Elle said and moved away to let him begin his set.
While Adahy was open, smiling and friendly, Taima was the polar opposite. Noticing his cup was almost empty, she took a deep breath and walked over to him.
“Can I get you something else to drink?”
“No.”
Adahy had begun to sing and his tone was rich and full. “Wow, your brother is amazing,” Elle said.
Taima looked at her then. “He is.” There was pride in his voice.
Pleased he wasn’t quite so hostile now, she said quickly, “I really enjoyed eating at your restaurant the other day. I’ve never had food so good.”
There was a small smile. “Thank you.”
A hand came around Elle’s waist and she jumped: it was George. Her heart leaped and she turned into his arms.
“You’re not chatting up my girl, are you, Taima?” George asked, giving Elle a quick kiss.
Elle blushed and glanced around the café to check who might be watching.
James stood there with raised eyebrows.
Elle cringed.
“Never dream of it,” Taima replied with a bigger smile.
“Mind if I join you?”
Taima indicated the chair. “Fine by me.”
George turned his attention to Elle. “I missed you.” He kissed her again, this time slower, more intensely.
Elle melted against him. To hell with her brother. She’d missed George too. She deepened the kiss and then, before she got carried away, stepped back.
George’s eyes were hungry. “Wow.”
Elle grinned. “I’ve got to get back to work. You staying for long?”
“A while.” He winked.
Elle laughed and went to make his drink.
“George told me you were friends,” James said, coming over to her.
Elle ducked her head. “We are.”
“My female friends don’t kiss me like that.”
She sighed. “Not now, James, please.”
He put a hand on her arm. “I’m worried for you.”
“I know.” She patted his hand and got back to work.
***
George ended up staying for Adahy’s whole set. He chatted with Taima, who had relaxed and seemed more approachable. Perhaps that was George – he did seem to put people at ease.
Then after Adahy had packed up, the three of them sat and chatted for longer.
It was after three when Toby marched in to the café, closely followed by Harry.
“Did you have a good day?” Elle asked, giving him a hug.
“Yeah.” He spotted George. With a five-year-old’s sense of entitlement he walked over and George pulled
him up on his lap.
“George, can people have happy tears?” Toby asked.
George glanced up and smiled at Elle. “Sure they can. Why do you ask?”
“Mom cried when she saw Uncle James. He seems nice but I wanted to check.”
“No, kiddo. Everything’s fine.”
“Good, cause I like him.”
James laughed, next to her. “That’s one hell of a kid you’ve got there.” He swung his arm around her shoulders.
“Yeah. I should go and rescue George.”
“Doesn’t look like he minds.”
It didn’t. George was continuing to chat with Taima and Adahy while Toby openly stared at the two men.
Elle knew instantly he was going to say something inappropriate. “I’ll be right back,” she said to her brother.
She was two steps away from their table when Toby asked, “Are you real Indians?”
Elle winced.
“The term’s Native American, kiddo,” George said. “These are my friends, Taima and Adahy.”
“Hello,” Toby said. “Can you ride horses bareback like they do in the movies? I can. My Pepah taught me.”
Adahy laughed. “Can’t say I can.”
Toby pouted. “What about shooting with a bow and arrow? I wanted to try but Mom won’t let me.”
“Nope, but I can play guitar.”
“Cool.” It was a suitable alternative to Toby.
Before he could say anything else, Elle stepped in. “I’m sorry. Let me take Toby so you can finish your conversation.”
“He’s not doing any harm,” George said.
“Though you may want to update his knowledge on Indians,” Taima said, his voice on edge.
Elle flushed. “I’m sorry. He’s only watched the old movies his grandparents showed him.”
“Maybe you should educate him further.”
Elle nodded. She didn’t know much about Native American history herself, only that some lived on reservations. She would have to do some research.
“You can leave Toby here,” George told her. “You’ve got catching up to do.” He raised a hand to greet James, who was still standing across the café.
“All right.”
The café was quieter now. She checked Drew and Mary-Beth had things under control before she sat down with James.
“Toby is comfortable with George,” James commented.
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