“It was wedding food, Della. Your father told me he was marinating steaks at the house. We’ll eat better later.”
Della nodded. “He never told me that. I think Dad’s mad at me. He’s barely said anything since I picked him up at the VFW.”
“I don’t think he’s mad. I think he’s got something on his mind. I think you should talk to him—alone.”
Della turned and gazed up at a guy every cell in her body liked. Elliston was amazing in bed and out. She was still looking for faults and hadn’t found any. At this rate, she was going have to look up his ratings in The Perfect Date database to get any dirt.
After last night she now officially had it bad for him—really bad. She’d never wanted to keep a guy before. It was a strange experience for her.
“Tell your dad you’re thinking about trading cars,” Elliston ordered.
“But I’m not…”
He held up a hand. “You fib to your mother and sisters all the time. This fib is for your father. He’s a good man who loves you, Della. Just do this. You’ll understand after you talk to him.”
“When did you become such a fan of my father’s?”
“After we had a talk while you were sleeping this morning.”
“Oh God,” Della said, rubbing her now pink face. “That’s why I removed all the evidence I could from the room. Dad just walks in without thinking about it twice. If he’d found the door blocked… no, I can’t even go there in my head.”
“Are you ashamed of me?” Elliston asked, watching her face get pinker. He lifted a hand to her cheek. “I’m teasing. I would never embarrass you in front of your parents. The covers hid everything important.”
“I’m not easily embarrassed. It’s just this whole lust thing I’m feeling for you has gotten out of control.”
“Out of control?” He chuckled at her complaint and pulled her close. “Okay, maybe I get that. Talking to both your parents while you were on top of me tested my composure to its limit.”
“My mother saw us in bed together?” Della squeaked the question.
“Yes,” Elliston reported with a grin. “She didn’t seem to have a problem with it. She said she trusted your judgment because you were the only daughter she didn’t have to worry about.”
“You’re sure it was my mother who said that?”
“Tall blonde woman with big…” he grinned at Della’s suddenly wide eyes, “plans for your father. That’s why she came to the room to find him. She knew he was hiding out there.”
Her punch to his arm hurt, but at least she was smiling.
“I guess I have to be satisfied with that one shocking moment Mom saw you last night and was appalled.” She looked sideways. “You let me down today. You look better than the groom in your suit.”
“Well, you can’t really compare what I’m wearing to a cowboy tuxedo and boots with spurs. I didn’t know spurs could be that shiny. Your family has been quite the education for me.”
Della snorted. “You’re being such a good sport.”
“It was part of our deal, remember?”
She nodded and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “And last night?”
“Last night was amazing and not part of our deal. But…”
“But…” Della prompted, rolling a hand in the air when he stopped talking.
Elliston chuckled. “I’d like to be with you about a hundred thousand more times. And I really like sleeping with you, even when all we’re doing is sleeping. So I really think you need to take my dating offer more seriously. After tomorrow, our deal is done. Ball’s in your court, Dr. Livingston.”
“Great. A sports analogy. Guys love those, don't they?”
He thought for a moment. His Uncle John popped into his head. “I suppose they do.”
Della’s sigh was long. “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I can promise you at least one more night with me.”
“Are you a commitment-phobe?”
“Yes,” Della readily admitted. “I already told you why.”
“And what happened between us didn’t cure you?”
Della stopped, turned, and sighed again. “Maybe last night was just me being grateful. I won’t know for certain until we’re back home for a few days.”
“God, you are a tough sale to make. I was sold when you climbed on top of me. You pushed every other female right out of my mind. They no longer exist in my memories. There’s only you.”
When she opened her mouth, Elliston put a finger over her lips. “If you start talking about gratitude and infatuation again, I’m going to put you over my knee—and not in a fun way we’d both enjoy. Save your analysis for next week, Dr. Livingston. Nod once if you’re hearing this.”
Della was still for a few seconds and then nodded.
“Good,” he said, letting his hand slip down to link his fingers with hers.
They were quiet for a long time. “Was that your gorilla theory manifesting?” Della asked, figuring it out.
His chuckle was deep. “Yes. Welcome to my dominant side. I don’t like having my feelings dismissed.”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t what I was trying to do.”
“You’re forgiven. And you can make it up to me later. You can Wonder Woman that big old chair in front of the door and leave it there all night. We’ll see if some hot jungle sex changes your mind about me.”
Her answering giggle doubled his determination.
Della was loading dishes into the dishwasher when her mother stopped to chat.
“I know those tattoos are permanent, but can you at least get him to lose the earring and the green hair? I heard Julie Smith commenting on them at the reception. In every other way, your Elliston’s a perfectly wonderful young man.”
Her smile was wide as she met her mother’s gaze. “Mom, I wouldn’t change a thing about Elliston. He’s my perfect match.”
“Dellaphina…”
Laughter echoed through the kitchen. Della surprised herself by walking to her mother and giving her a hug. It seemed to surprise her mother too. “I love you, Mom. I know we don’t always see eye-to-eye, but I love you. Thank you for raising me right and for giving me the freedom to be who I needed to be.”
“What choice did I have? You were always going to turn out like your Grandma Rose. The woman was a WAC during WWII. I’m sure she left a line of broken hearts in several countries. She was in her thirties when she finally settled down and had your father.”
“My grandmother was in the military?”
“Carlisle’s mother wasn’t exactly what you’d call the maternal type.”
“Well, that explains some things,” Della said.
“What things?” her mother demanded.
She could hear the defensiveness in her mother’s voice. It was all too familiar. Della smiled and put her hands on her mother’s crossed arms to pull them apart. She linked her fingers with her mother’s. “It explains why Daddy married you. You’re the most maternal woman in the world.”
“You think I’m maternal?”
Della nodded. “Yes, and I’m sure I was a hard learning curve for you.”
“You were, but you sure have turned out well.”
A stunned Della stepped away and stared. Her mother never praised her—never. “I need to load the car. We have to leave before breakfast. Elliston has a work deadline for Monday.”
“Work isn’t everything, Dellaphina.”
“Yes, ma’am, I know. Martina said that same thing to me on the drive here… and she sounds just like you. Wow, that explains a lot.” Like why Martina’s teasing bugged her so much. “Okay. I’m glad we talked.”
“Talk to your father this evening too. He’s been waiting to get your attention all weekend.”
“Why?”
“Lord, you’re always so tense. It’s nothing bad, Dellaphina. We have a present for you. It’s not every day someone in our family gets a doctorate.”
“But…” Della started to point out that there hadn’t been a
phone call or a card from either of her parents. She looked at her mother’s innocent face and saw no malice. “I thought with Irena’s wedding that you forgot.”
“It wasn’t the wedding, honey. It was how sick she’s been with this child. The wedding was just a big distraction for her. Your sister is scared to death to be a mother at nineteen—as well she should be.”
“Mom… I don’t think Irena got pregnant on purpose.”
Her mother snorted. “I used to catch her reading romance novels. I should have known it would lead to something like this. If I ever find out where she got them, I’ll skin that person up one side and down the other.”
Della’s giggle filled the kitchen.
“You think it’s funny that your baby sister didn’t use the proper birth control?”
“No, ma’am. I think it’s funny how much I’ve missed you all. I’ll try to get home more often.”
“We’d like that, Dellaphina. Especially your father. He misses you something fierce when you stay away so long.”
Della walked back across the floor, kissed her mother’s soft cheek, and ran a hand over the prettiest golden hair she’d ever seen in her life. When she was a little girl, she thought her mother was a princess. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too. Now skedaddle and go see your father. He’s out in the garage.”
“Which one?”
“No idea. You’ll have to hunt for him.”
Laughing at her mother’s orders, Della headed out to find her dad.
Chapter Thirteen
She found her father in the first garage smoking a cigar. Coughing, she waved the smoke away while he laughed. He was sitting by a highly polished 1947 Alfa Romeo. It was a Formula One classic and one of his most prized possessions. He’d been refusing to sell it for years.
“Well, at least you’re not drinking again.”
“Nope. Just dippin’ my cigar in a little bourbon. Makes it a smooth smoke.”
Della coughed again. “Dad, that’s a disgusting habit.”
“Most of the fun vices are.”
Della watched her father set the still smoking cigar on a glass ashtray.
“Congratulations on finishing your doctorate, Dellaphina. You’re the first in the family to get that far in your education. Your mother and I are very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. It means a lot to me to hear you say that. I know I’m not cranking out grandbabies for you yet…”
“Oh, you got plenty of time for that. Let’s take a walk. I left your present in Bay 4. This is the only sanctuary I have here.”
Della giggled at his statements. She’d forgotten her father had names for each of the garages. “Alright. I’m with you.”
She followed her father to the last enormous building with a door. He bent down and then drew the garage door up when he straightened. Inside was the most beautiful car she’d ever seen.
“A GT convertible?” Della asked in stunned wonder.
“Yep—it’s all yours. It’s a 2005 model. Found it in Indiana stashed in someone’s barn. She cleaned up real nice, didn’t she? Not UK blue, but that’s the original blue they came in. The interior was black so I put a black roll bar on it. I don’t like how those buckeyes you live around drive.”
“Dad, I don’t know what to say,” Della exclaimed.
Her father shrugged. “Thanks is always a good thing to start with when someone gives you something. I did the best I could on making it efficient, because I know that matters to you, but it’s never going to be anything but a toy.”
“Dad, this is an incredible gift.”
“Well, it’s not like you’re going to get a second doctorate in your life. I wanted you to have something to drive that looked like it belonged to someone with a fancy title. Now you can roll up anywhere in style.”
“Mom knows you did this?”
“Of course. She even helped me polish it. I touched up the paint and put a few clear coats on to protect the finish. I know you and your love of those automated car washes.”
“What did you tell Elliston about this? I know you talked to him this morning.”
“I didn’t tell him your secrets. We talked about how you can sleep through anything. He said he didn’t mind—said he liked watching you sleep. Seemed like he meant what he said.”
Della nodded. “Elliston’s a good man.”
“I know. Do you love him?”
She swallowed hard. “I…”
“Lord, Dellaphina. Are you going to waffle on him too? The man is ga-ga for you.”
“No, it’s not like… I mean, of course, I lov… I mean…” Della put a hand to her forehead and rubbed. “We haven’t known each other very long.”
“I knew your mother for like five minutes and I could tell she was the one. You really are like my momma. Daddy always said it took him years to win her over. I don’t see that man of yours waiting for you that long. Young people don’t have that kind of patience these days. Maybe you ought to move in with him while you’re making up your mind. In your stubborn case, proximity would probably help things.”
“Dad… geez.” Della stared at her grinning father. Her face heated. “He hasn’t asked me to move in with him. We’ve only been dating…” she thought quickly, “for a month. That isn’t very long.”
Her father sighed. “Alright. I did what I could for the man. He’s on his own now.”
Della walked to her father and hugged him tightly. He held on so long it brought tears to her eyes. Her mother had been right. “I’m sorry I don’t come home more often. I’ll try to be better about that.”
“Come when you can. I know you’ve been real busy.”
Della nodded against his shoulder. “Thank you for the beautiful car. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“What did Elliston get you?”
Della laughed as she pulled away. “A funny t-shirt.”
“Really? He doesn’t seem that tight-fisted to me.”
Her giggle escaped. “He also sent me three vases of flowers, a stack of presents, and a new leather office chair.”
“Because you got a promotion and a new office… yeah, he told me about that.”
Della sighed. “Elliston’s great in about a hundred ways.”
“Honey, are you worried about getting stuck in the kind of life your sisters have? Because that’s never happening to you. They have exactly what they want. Good men. Lots of fun. And babies. Josephina is expecting too, but she didn’t want to say anything because of Irena’s situation. That one’s got your mother’s constitution. I bet Jo-Jo doesn’t get sick a lick with this baby.”
“Great. So now I’m the childless spinster. Looks like I got a demotion in the family.” Della kicked at the cement floor.
Her father laughed. “You need to get over yourself. Nobody is judging you but you. Your sisters hope their children grow up to be like their Aunt Dellaphina who’s smarter than all the professors at U of L thrown together… or so they brag.”
Della’s throat closed up. It was hard to talk around the knot in her throat. “My sisters say that—my sisters?”
“In between all their normal drama—you know how it is around here. Life is about small things in Outback. I imagine it’s a bit more complicated where you live.”
Della swiped at her now completely wet eyes as she nodded. “It is more complicated, but I like it.”
“Seems like Elliston could smooth that out for you a bit—if you’d let him.”
Nodding, Della reached out a hand and touched her new car. “Here’s my secret, Daddy. I’d even let him drive this.”
“Then what am I worrying about? That’s practically engaged by Livingston standards.”
Della laughed, the last of her tears drying up. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, honey.” She hugged him again until he grunted against the pressure. She giggled when he let out a relieved breath as she let go.
“Push that chair in front the door
before you go to sleep tonight. You know how nosy your momma can be.”
Still being her father’s tomboy daughter, Della socked his arm and grinned when her father moaned in pain.
Elliston was in bed when she finally got to her room. He was sitting up with a laptop across his thighs. She hoped he worked fast. She had her own plans for his lap later.
“Hurry and finish. I’m going to grab a quick shower.”
He chuckled. “Is this where I say ‘yes, ma’am’ and do what you tell me? I noticed your sisters order their spouses around.”
She stopped and smiled. “Sorry. I’m a little wired. I just got a reconditioned 2005 GT Convertible from my parents. It was a congratulation present.”
“Wow. Sounds racy.”
“I’m sure it runs amazing. My dad always gets top dollar for his work. Man’s a freaking genius with cars. Do you care to drive it home for me?”
Elliston narrowed his gaze. “How about you drive the convertible and I’ll drive the Honda? You should be the first person to drive the car your father built for you. But thanks for offering.”
Della nodded and walked to the bed. “Is your dating offer still open?”
“For the rest of our lives,” Elliston said boldly, grinning at her giggle. “You’re in a strange mood.”
“I’ve decided I want to quit faking it,” Della said, holding his gaze.
“When you say faking it, are you referring to our dating deal or last night when you….” he left the rest unsaid as he stared.
Della chuckled and leaned forward to kiss him. “Where did your gorilla go?”
He gripped her shirt when she started to pull away. “I told you I keep him on a leash.”
Her laughter rippled and then died. “I don’t think I’ve ever liked a man as much as I like you, Elliston McElroy. The rest makes you just… perfect.”
“Going to give me five stars in the database, Dr. Livingston?”
“If you continue to earn them,” she teased.
Never Be Her Hero Page 11