The lights are already on, illuminating the oasis that Mama has been building since I was a little girl. She and Dad used to work on it together, now it’s something she does alone so she can keep his memory close to her. It’s my favorite place in the world, our fenced back yard. In the center there is a large, circular stone patio that Dad put in with a fire pit in the middle of it. It’s already set for a small fire, so all I have to do is light the kindling with the long matches that are in a container on the small table that sits between two of the wooden Adirondack chairs. I set our drinks down and pull off the lid, withdrawing one of the matches before bending to strike it against the stone.
Blake drops to his knee beside me. “Here,” he offers, “let me.” His big hand closes carefully around mine, stilling it before I can strike the match, and plucking it from between my fingers to light the tinder. The dry wood flares to life quickly, and with little effort he coaxes it into a big enough flame that he can add a couple of pieces of split wood to it before sprawling out in the seat beside me.
“Here you go,” I say, passing him the cold bottle and scooting my chair close enough to prop my feet up on the stone barrier around the fire. The heat soaks through my thin sneakers, warming my feet and making me smile.
“This is nice,” he says, looking around at the strings of fairy lights strung from the wooden pergola that covers the entire patio area. In the summer the whole area is bursting with pots and baskets of flowers, but Mom has already moved them into the small greenhouse that sits along the fence on the far side of the yard. The days are warm enough, but the chillier nights can kill her flowers and she doesn’t like when that happens.
“Yeah,” I agree, “It really is.”
“I’ve never actually been to anyone’s house where they have a yard like this,” he tells me, putting his feet up beside mine and leaning into the soft cushion behind him as he pops the top on my spritzer and hands it to me.
“Thanks,” I murmur, our fingers brushing as I accept it from his hand. I want him to understand about our yard and why we have put so much effort into it when our house and neighborhood are so humble.
“Mama’s family came from money, she grew up in a fancy house with beautiful gardens and when she married my dad, a simple mechanic, her family didn’t approve. He knew he would never be able to give her everything she left behind, so they bought this house and for their first anniversary he put in the firepit so they could sit outside on cool evenings and toast marshmallows together and drink cheap wine out of a box.” I can’t help my wistful sigh, even though it’s part of my life’s story it’s still the most romantic thing I can imagine. All I’ve ever wanted was a love like Mama and Dad’s, like Lizzie and Dan’s, and both of theirs ended tragically. The thought of loving so much and losing it scares me.
Blake sips his beer and waits quietly for me to finish the story, and for once I don’t feel awkward in the silence.
“So, from that day on every time there was something to celebrate, an anniversary, a birthday, Cinco de Mayo, he would bring her a plant, or build her a chair. Something to make this their little piece of paradise. Then Lizzie and I were born, and with more birthdays to celebrate the tradition continued until…” I wave my free hand, indicating everything around us. “This.” I give a little laugh, hoping he understands everything that I mean by that one small word.
“Thank you for sharing it with me,” he says, his voice deep and low. “I can feel how special it is.”
My heart swells, tears prickling behind my eyes, but I blink them back. He gets it. I didn’t know if anyone outside of my family would ever feel how magical this place is.
“I’m glad.” I whisper, settling back against my own cushions I close my eyes with a long exhale, letting go of tension I didn’t realize I was holding onto. “What about you? I feel like all we’ve talked about is me.”
“There isn’t much to tell,” he shrugs. “My mom died when I was a kid and I was in the system until I finished high school and joined the Marines. It was the first time I ever felt like I had a family. That’s where I met Travis.” He closes his eyes briefly and for a moment I regret asking him to talk about what I can tell is a painful past.
“I’ve never seen anything like what you have with your family,” he admits in a reverent voice. “It’s amazing.”
“They like you,” I whisper, and the smile he gives me is bright enough to light the night sky.
“I like them too.”
The silence between us is comfortable while we sit, sipping our drinks. I feel like even though we aren’t talking, we’re still getting to know each other in the quiet evening with the sound of the crackling fire as our soundtrack. When my drink is empty, I set the can on the ground beside me and rest my hands on the arms of my chair. Blake’s hand finds mine across the space between us, twining our fingers together. It feels so right.
Neither of us say anything. I’ve never been good at making small talk, so finding someone who doesn’t feel the need to fill the silence with idle chatter makes me more at ease than I can ever recall being around any man. Not that I’ve had time for dating recently, but even before everything happened, it was rare that I met someone who appreciated the quiet like I do. I sneak a glance at his profile and hold back my twitterpated sigh, forcing myself not to stare too long.
When the fire burns down to coals Blake squeezes my fingers gently in his and turns to look at me. “What time do you have to work in the morning?” He asks.
“Seven.” I know it’s getting late. I don’t want him to go, but I know he’s going to.
“I should let you get some sleep then, angel.” He stands, keeping our hands entwined and pulls me to my feet before gathering up our empties. I know he’s right, dang it! I wish I had tomorrow off work. I wish I didn’t have to be up before five to make sure that everything is ready for the day so that Mama can get in a few hours of work before Auggie and Lizzie wake up and take all her attention until I get home. Just once, I wish I was free to do what I want without having to put everyone else first. Immediately I’m swamped with guilt for thinking that way. This is my family and I love them. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them. It’s just so hard sometimes.
“What just happened there, Ellie?” Blake questions, tipping my chin up with a careful finger until I’m looking into his serious eyes. “What just went through your head that sucked the joy out of you?”
I think about denying it. Telling him that he has an overactive imagination, but I don’t want to lie to him. I don’t actually think I’m capable of doing that.
“Just wishing that things could be different for me… and feeling guilty about it.” I admit, hanging my head and breaking our connection.
“Poor girl,” he murmurs, setting down our empties and stepping close, enclosing me in the circle of his muscular arms, my cheek tucked against the hard expanse of his chest. I relax into him and return the embrace, listening to the steady thud of his heart beneath my ear. His big hand strokes my back in a soothing rhythm, and the negative feelings float away on a cloud of feel-good hormones flooding through me.
He smells of fabric softener and man, with the faintest hint of wood smoke from our fire. It’s comforting and arousing at the same time and unconsciously I snuggle closer, my hands exploring the ridges of muscles I can feel under his shirt. His heartbeat quickens while I listen. Somehow, I made his heart beat faster. Me. I did that.
Not moving an inch away from him, I tilt my head back and look up into his smoldering eyes for one long moment before he lowers his face and brushes his soft lips against mine in the sweetest, gentlest kiss I could ever imagine. There’s no urgency, only the slow stroke of his tongue as it urges my lips to part and grant him admission. I surrender with a soundless moan, relishing in the slick slide of our mouths, the soft clack of our teeth as we try to reposition without creating space between our bodies. I didn’t know kisses like this existed. It’s magical.
“Ellie, are you out here?”
Mama’s voice calling from the kitchen door breaks the spell and we both sigh with regret at being interrupted. He reluctantly releases me, and I even more reluctantly step back.
“Yes, Mama. We’re out here.” I call back, thinking that maybe if she realizes that I’m still with Blake she will give us privacy and maybe he’ll kiss me again, but the spell is broken, much to my disappointment.
Slipping his arm around my shoulders, he pulls me against his side and leads me toward the dim light of the back steps. Mama is standing there waiting, a huge smile on her face.
“Did you enjoy my garden?” she inquires, beaming up at him.
“It’s lovely,” he answers, giving me a little hug before releasing me so I can ascend the steps. Mama leads the way inside.
“Thank you again, for dinner, and a very enjoyable evening, Beatriz.” Mama is charmed by him. I can totally tell. He has the same effect on me too.
“You’re welcome, Blake. Come back anytime.” She tells him, looking back and forth between us. I wonder if she can tell that we have been kissing. The knowing smile on her face says that she can.
“If it’s okay with Ellie, I’ll definitely be back.” He promises her and I nod my acquiescence. I want him to come back. The sooner the better.
“Good then,” Mama says, “It’s settled.”
Blake shuffles nervously, then pulls her into a hug and kisses her cheek. I hear him whisper, “Thank you,” into her hair before releasing her and taking my hand.
“Walk me out?” he asks, winking at me teasingly. Of course, I’m going to walk him out. I’m not about to miss out on one more chance to kiss him before he leaves! Does he think I’m crazy?
“Be right back, Mama,” I tell her, allowing him to lead me by the hand to the front door. We step out onto the front porch and he crushes me against his chest, his lips moving against the crown of my head.
“Thank you for inviting me tonight,” he breathes.
“You’re welcome,” I whisper back, not knowing what else to say.
“I really like you, Elinor Lovell,” he admits before taking my mouth with his again.
It’s a long time before we step away from each other, and I’m able to catch my breath. Cupping his stubbled cheek in my hand I smile into his eyes, letting him see into my heart. “I really like you too, Blake Stone.”
Chapter Seventeen
Blake
I don’t think I’ve ever done anything as stupid as leaving Ellie’s house the other night without getting her phone number. Sure, I could get it from her employee file, I do have access, but that seems wrong. I still need to come clean about the night I followed her home and that’s enough of an overreach. It’s been on my mind since I last saw her, held her in my arms and kissed her sweet mouth.
Those kisses were a promise, me pledging to myself and to her that I will always do whatever I can to ease her burdens and make her happy. That means no secrets. I wasn’t ready to talk too much about my past, but I want to open myself up with her. I’ve never wanted to make myself vulnerable that way with anyone. Hell, even Travis doesn’t know everything.
Seeing Ellie’s family together was the first time I can ever recall seeing a family that openly cared about and put each other ahead of himself. In my experience, it was everyone for themselves. I did the best I could to protect the littler kids from the worst foster families and when I lucked into the better ones I didn’t last long because I couldn’t stop myself from stepping up and doing the same in school, and nice families don’t want to foster a troublemaker.
She hasn’t been to work since then. I’ve been watching for her but haven’t wanted to draw attention to my interest in her by asking about where she has been. She was supposed to be here, I found reasons to pass through housekeeping to check the schedules to make sure I wasn’t just missing her somehow. The black line drawn through her name for the last three days assured me that wasn’t the case. Something is wrong. After stopping in the café and talking to Tina I know that her absence doesn’t have anything to do with Lawrence, at least. That’s why I’m on my way up to Xavier’s penthouse looking for Ana. I know that they are close, so maybe she knows where she is.
Taking advantage of the brief elevator ride I check my texts. Well shit! Travis sent a message half an hour ago when I was snooping through housekeeping letting me know to meet everyone at the diner for brunch. Could have saved myself a few minutes if I had checked it sooner. Everyone being together should make getting information about Ellie easier. I won’t have to be obvious about inquiring, hell, I may not have to ask at all.
When the doors slide open, I jab the button and head back the way I came, stepping into the already bustling casino and striding across the floor to the café. They are easy to find. Travis and Xavier are both big enough to stand out in any gathering, but it’s the girls who catch my attention first. More specifically their laughter cutting across the din of the crowded eatery. Waving for the hostess to stay where she is, I weave through the tables and slide into the big curved booth.
Everyone scoots over, making room for me as a harried looking waitress rushes over with an extra menu and a carafe of coffee, filling my cup. I smile my thanks and quickly order a veggie omelet with a side of bacon and sourdough toast before she leaves, then settle back to see what’s going on. This is the first time that I have been invited to a couple’s breakfast, so there must be something they want to talk to me about.
I’m wrong, it’s not a couple’s breakfast. X and Trav are talking business. That’s why I’m here. Xavier has asked us to stay on and assist but Travis and I had been discussing making the move permanent. It sounds like that is the main reason for us all being here this morning.
“Blake and I talked about it. We’re moving K&S headquarters to Vegas.” Travis says, shoveling a bite of crispy hash browns into his mouth. I can’t help my smirk; he’s going to have to run later for eating all those carbs. His words bring a sense of rightness. Moving here is going to be good for us, personally as well as professionally. Ellie thinks I don’t know that she is worried about me leaving, but reading people is part of my job, and her eyes say everything she doesn’t speak out loud. Like the way she checked my hand for evidence of a ring last night at dinner. Yeah, I saw that and knew exactly what was running through her mind.
“We’ll need a temporary space to work from. Is that something you can help us with?” I ask Xavier, sipping my coffee and listening with half an ear to Ana and Faye talking quietly across the table from me.
Xavier nods thoughtfully, “There are some office spaces upstairs by mine that you are welcome to use. They’re empty anyway.”
“Will you need more apartments for your employees?” Ana pipes up, drawing all eyes toward her.
Travis and I meet each other’s eyes. There are a few people we have discussed moving down here from the Spokane office. Most of our investigators are mobile and can work from anywhere. Only a few of them want to move, so we’ll be looking for new people as well once we get established here.
“Not really,” I say, “Becca, our office manager, is relocating once she gets everything wrapped up in Spokane, but she won’t stay here. We do need to find a small fenced lot somewhere close for her bus.”
“Bus?” Ana asks, confused.
“Becca is the best!” Faye enthuses, “She’s kind of like an Amish hippie and she lives in a converted bus with her dogs!”
Faye and Becca became fast friends during her short stay with Travis before coming here. I can’t stop my laughter. Amish hippie does fit Becca perfectly, except that she isn’t actually Amish. Or a hippie. I’m not sure what she is, it’s not something she has been willing to talk about, and I suspect she is running from something. Travis and I have both made it clear to her that if she needs help we’ll provide it no questions asked, but she has always declined. I guess it’s enough that she knows we’re here for her if she needs us.
“We shouldn’t have any trouble finding her something close by,” X say
s. “I’ll call my realtor and get him looking.”
Rattling off the basic information about Ellie’s neighborhood, I suggest, “That might be a good place to have him look.” Four sets of quizzical eyes turn toward me.
“I’ve been out exploring a bit,” I tell them, just a touch defensive.
“That’s where Ellie lives,” Ana says, a knowing smile on her face as she elbows Faye and they both giggle before putting their heads together and whispering frantically, glancing at me before resuming their gossip again.
Trying to ignore them, I turn my attention back to Travis and Xavier, but they are both looking between their women and me like they are trying to solve a riddle. When Travis snorts with restrained humor I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes at him with a small shake of my head. Mercifully the universe takes pity on me and the waitress returns with my plate of food and I dig in, doing my best to ignore the entire lot of them.
“In case you were wondering, Blake,” Ana giggles, “Ellie is home taking care of her mom and sister.”
Does everyone know?
Not wanting to be obvious about how much I had been wondering where Ellie has been, I shrug and pop a bite of fluffy eggs in my mouth, chewing slowly and swallowing before saying, “It’s too bad her family isn’t feeling well.” I keep my tone as bland as possible, but already my mind is rushing around to what I can do to give her a hand.
“Poor thing,” Faye says, her voice full of concern. “I haven’t gotten to know her very well yet because she is always so busy, but she seems so nice. It’s sad that she doesn’t have anyone to help her out.”
“Yeah,” I say, but I get the feeling that my disinterested act isn’t fooling anyone. Least of all Travis. He’s looking at me with a bemused smile. He knows my dating history, so I’m sure he’s wondering what’s going on that he’s missed. I grin at him. He’s been busy for the last few weeks and totally wrapped up in Faye, so I can’t blame him for his unusual lack of attention.
Embracing Ellie: K&S Securities Series Page 11