“Dad, what’s wrong?” Connor turned to face Ellie. Tension pulled his cheeks taut.
Silence hovered over the room until Connor spoke again. “Keep me posted on Grandmother’s prognosis. Okay. Good night, Dad. Thanks for the update.” Connor ended the call.
While Ellie waited, a million scenarios played across her mind. Had Viola taken a turn for the worse?
“My grandmother had a second heart attack,” Connor replied, as though reading Ellie’s thoughts.
“I’m so sorry.” Ellie tried to be strong for him, but it was difficult to pull off. “Your grandmother is a fighter. She’ll be okay—you’ll see,” she said, hoping that Viola’s mind and spirit were hardy enough to defy the odds.
Connor stepped closer and touched Ellie’s hand, so gently at first that she didn’t realize what he’d done. “I can’t lose her.” His sadness was almost too much to bear. “I don’t know what else to do.”
Ellie saw his fear, his desperation, and although she didn’t want to be moved by it, she couldn’t resist. She reached up and touched his cheek. “It’s okay to be afraid.”
He turned into her touch and closed his eyes. “Viola was the only person who ever really understood me, far better than even my own father. She knew I wasn’t like other kids and didn’t try to change me. Viola accepted me for who I was.”
He opened his eyes and looked at Ellie. “I’ve always known I would lose her someday, but I’m not ready.”
Ellie smiled gently. “I wouldn’t write Viola off just yet. She’s not one to go quietly into the night. You gave her something to live for.”
“We gave that to her,” Connor corrected. “But will it be enough?”
“Only Viola can determine that.” Ellie let her hand drop away from his cheek. “In the meantime, you know she’s in good hands. I can call Jordan and ask her to check up on your grandmother if that will make you feel better.”
He nodded, then stared at her for a long time as the fear in his eyes was replaced by resignation. “I don’t know how to let her go. I’ve never been very good at good-bye.”
With her next heartbeat, Ellie felt something that surprised her, a sudden comprehension about why their relationship had ended as it had, with him never showing up to the prom that night. Had he been too afraid to tell her good-bye as well?
For a second she remembered so much about the two of them, about what had drawn them together—his shyness, her loneliness, the vulnerability she’d seen in his eyes, the same vulnerability she shared. “There are no guarantees we’ll get what we want out of life. But one thing is certain: you don’t have to go through this alone.” She reached for his hand this time, feeling a connection with this man that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You said that to me once before,” he said, his voice strained.
She flinched. “That was a long time ago, Connor.”
He pulled away from her touch. “And sometimes it feels like yesterday. Anyway, I know it doesn’t matter anymore, but I’m sorry we ended the way we did.”
Ellie felt herself go hot, then cold. Of course it mattered. Their breakup had changed the course of her life.
Tense silence stretched between them as they stood there, seeing the old hurts in each other’s eyes. Then his cell phone chimed. He reached for it. Glancing at the screen, he said, “It’s my work. I need to take this,” and left the room.
Ellie didn’t move, just stood there as he walked away. She heard his voice through the fog of her mind as he answered the call. Pain twisted inside her. With only a few words he still had the power to hurt her, but she’d promised him she’d stay.
These would be the longest five weeks of her life.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ellie learned two important things about old houses on her first night at Grayson House: they were drafty, and they made lots of mysterious noises. After she and Connor had talked, they’d avoided each other for the rest of the night until finally they’d gone to bed in separate rooms.
Emotionally exhausted, Ellie had set up her space in the tower room above the master bedroom Connor had chosen. The room creaked and moaned as the October wind brushed past the old house. At first the sounds were unsettling, but soon she found them comforting as she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
The stark reality of what she’d agreed to swam in her head. She had no doubts about fixing up the old house and decorating for the holiday open house. Both of those things were well within her abilities. But spending five weeks with a man who churned up so many memories might very well be her undoing.
She looked around her small room. The decorations were old but had a classic charm, much like the rest of the house. She could be comfortable here, especially since she’d gone back to her apartment after the hospital to gather enough clothes and personal items to get her through the next several weeks.
Ellie rolled off the bed and opened the bedside table, where she’d placed a picture of her and Connor from high school. Looking at the photograph now brought back all her old feelings of abandonment and betrayal, and not just from Connor. Years of broken promises by her father had started her on this path. She couldn’t even count the number of times he’d promised to pick her up from school or take her somewhere, and then had never shown up because he was out fishing or engrossed in creating his newest lures. He’d buried his disappointment in not having a son in a passion that had consumed his every moment.
He’d broken her heart beyond repair at the junior high school father-daughter dance. Her father had promised he’d be there on time. Instead, he’d gone fishing with a friend. She’d waited by the door for an hour for him to show up. She knew he hadn’t meant to be deliberately mean to her. He was her father, after all. He’d been as he always was—neglectful and never making her feel as though she were a priority.
Ellie stroked the photograph she held in her fingers as if by touching the image she could somehow transport herself back to that night. And, for the space of a single breath, she felt as if she were there. She remembered in that second the why and the how of her love for Connor. He’d been a geek to other people—but not to her. Whenever he looked at her, she always felt as if the warming rays of the sun were touching her skin. She closed her eyes and let that feeling wash over her again. A whole host of memories hit her at once: the sexy curve of his lips, the strength in his forearms when he crossed his arms over his chest, the deep rumble of his laughter.
She focused on the photograph once more. He’d made her heart thunder and her pulse quicken back then, especially when he’d said yes to her invitation to prom. Excitedly, they’d made plans—plans that went well beyond the dance. He would meet her in the gymnasium; then the two of them would head to Ellie’s parents’ cabin an hour away in the Cascade Range and spend their first night together.
Ellie had the evening all arranged. She’d gone to the cabin earlier that day and left a bottle of sparkling cider to chill, chocolates and strawberries to eat, and rose petals on the clean sheets, setting a romantic mood. There, they were going to plan their new life together, despite college, which would separate them temporarily.
Except that plan fell flat. Ellie had waited by the gym door for the first hour. The second hour, she sat outside, preferring not to see the other couples enjoying one another on what was supposed to be one of the biggest nights of their lives. As time stretched out before her, the old scars her father had inflicted became raw, mixing with this new, fresh wound.
And just when she thought her pain couldn’t get much worse, Connor had sent Mrs. Phillips, the physics teacher, to find her, with a note saying he’d been detained by the recruiters. Mrs. Phillips looked at her with pitying eyes. She had rattled off several excuses for Connor’s absence and how important the interviews were to his future. In some part of her brain, Ellie understood. But she wondered, with equal parts pain and sorrow, why she was never a priority for the men in her life. Connor knew how important that night
was to her, to them. With tears in her eyes, Ellie had sent a note back to Connor:
Tonight was a mistake. I wish you the best of luck.
Fresh tears fell from her eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut, battling the painful memories with everything inside her. Now they were married. And she felt just as abandoned as ever.
Suddenly she was both emotionally and physically exhausted by the reality of her future—a temporary future—with a man who still sent her pulse quivering. Perhaps it was better to remember the heartache than to long for something more from Connor Grayson. With a sigh, she put the photo back in the drawer. If she needed motivation to stay detached, she knew where to find it.
The next morning, Ellie—dressed in jeans, a navy-blue T-shirt, and a soft yellow cardigan—made her way down two sets of stairs to the ground floor. Even though an ache still lingered in her heart, she decided to stop dwelling on the past and start looking to the future. Viola had given her a great gift in Grayson House, and she would do everything in her power to make the project a success.
The goal for the day, apart from contacting contractors, was to clear the house of dust, cobwebs, and dirt to see what they’d truly be working with. She shivered at the thought of all the spiders lurking in the shadows.
Back in the kitchen, Ellie discovered a closet filled with cleaning supplies and a vacuum. She smiled. There would be a long hose between her and those spiders as soon as they revealed themselves.
She had barely finished the thought when Connor entered the kitchen dressed in khaki pants and a dress shirt. “Did you sleep well?” he asked, with a truly concerned look on his face.
“Better than I expected.” Ellie retrieved a mop and bucket, then shut the closet door. She frowned as she got a good look at Connor. “You’re a little overdressed for cleaning the house.”
“I can’t today. I’m off to work,” he replied, snatching an apple she’d brought from her apartment off the table.
Ellie moved closer. “You’re my co-foreman on this job.”
“Not today,” he replied.
“Does that mean you’re willing to defer all decisions about this project to me, because that’s the only way we will finish this job in five weeks?”
Connor frowned. “I’ll be gone for one day—”
“That’s your excuse today. And tomorrow?”
He took a bite of the apple, then glanced at her, puzzled. “I’m caught between this house and my job. What else can I do?”
“Help me clean,” she said, keeping her tone even.
He paused, taking another bite. “I will help. But I need to do my part in the evenings after work. I have a robotic car to finish, Ellie.”
“Don’t do this.” Her control slipped as her temper built. It was happening again. The men in her life always had other priorities besides her.
His face set. “Do what?”
“We’re both supposed to refurbish this house, but if you have better things to do, then do them. This house renovation is a huge break for my career. I’m taking this opportunity and maximizing it, with or without your help.”
A myriad of emotions played across his face—anger, confusion, then finally acceptance. “I appreciate that you’re here, helping my grandmother . . . and me. I know you’re more than capable of taking the lead on this project. I have no choice but to go into the lab at the university today. I’ve had no time to reorganize my staff and figure out how I can do more oversight than the actual development on the car. But I’ll try to be here tomorrow.”
“I do understand about having no time to arrange things. Both of our lives are different since Las Vegas. Go into the office, and I’ll see you tonight.” Without waiting for a response, she turned away and strode down the hallway. A moment later she heard the front door close.
Alone once more, Ellie looked around her. It was her first day in this humongous house. She had no doubts about her ability to get this job done on schedule and under budget. It was time to convince everyone else. With that thought, Ellie picked up the mop and bucket. It was still a few hours before she could call any of the contractors. She might as well get started on the cleaning. She’d start at the front of the house and work her way back. She might not be able to control much of the situation she currently found herself in, but she could at least conquer how much dust they tracked from room to room.
By two o’clock, Ellie not only had a plan for the renovation but she’d wrestled the first floor of the house into livable shape. The surfaces were clean, the spiders and cobwebs were gone, and all the lightbulbs that were burned out had been replaced with energy-efficient LEDs.
Once she could sit on a clean chair and not freak out about the spiders nearby, she’d contacted several contractors, who’d agreed to come out tomorrow and give her bids on the projects she’d identified as priorities—the roof leaked, a section of the siding on the western side of the house had dry rot, a window on the second story at the back of the house was broken, and just about every surface, inside and out, needed fresh paint.
She knew from past wedding projects she’d taken on in older venues that the repairs were essential before any decorating could take place. Once she had a canvas that was sturdy and safe, then she could add the paint, creating a masterpiece. At least that was the way she looked at the Grayson House project. The fundamentals of a good roof, walls, and windows were first, then paint and furnishings, followed by the part she enjoyed the most—creating a look and feel that was as unique as it was inspiring.
With a final glance around her at the work she’d done, Ellie was about to take a lunch break when someone knocked at the door. She wasn’t expecting any of the contractors until tomorrow, so who could it be?
As soon as she opened the door, she got her answer. A thick vellum business card was thrust at her, bearing a name and, below that, “attorney-at-law.” “Georgia Burke to see Connor and Ellie Grayson.”
Ellie took the card, then stiffened at the lawyer’s words. Grayson. She was a Grayson. It was the first time she’d actually considered that fact. Her fingers started to shake, and she wished desperately she still held the mop, as she had all morning. It would give her something solid to hold on to. Something to focus on other than the lawyer’s confused eyes.
It’s only temporary.
Ellie seized the comforting thought until her fingers stopped shaking and the lump in her throat melted away. She drew a breath and asked, “Did Connor send you?”
“Heavens, no,” Georgia said with a frown. “I represent Viola Grayson. She sent me. I have papers for both you and Connor to sign.”
“Viola isn’t well. How could she have sent you?” Ellie objected.
The lawyer raised a brow. “My client was able to communicate her needs. Now, may I come in?” she asked stiffly.
Ellie stepped back and waved the tall, no-nonsense woman inside. “Connor’s not here, but you’re welcome to come in and talk with me.”
The lawyer reached for a brown travel bag near her feet that Ellie hadn’t noticed before. She strode into the house and set the bag down in the foyer. “Where is Connor?” Georgia’s frown made it clear she wasn’t pleased. “He’s supposed to be here. That was Viola’s agreement with the two of you.”
“He had to go into work and arrange things with his staff. He’ll be back soon.” Ellie had no idea when Connor would return, but she wasn’t about to let the lawyer know that. And because she knew this wasn’t a social call, Ellie asked bluntly, “Why are you here?”
An odd half smile tugged at the corners of Georgia’s lips as she bent down and unzipped the bag. A gray-and-white-striped tabby jumped out.
The cat stared up at Ellie with lazy interest. “You brought a cat?”
“He used to live here with Viola but has been with a foster pet family since Viola moved into the assisted-living facility. Since the house is now occupied, Viola wanted him returned. He’s your cat now.”
She didn’t know anything about cats. “But—”
“The papers Viola sent over outline everything she expects of you and Connor while you live in and refurbish Grayson House. Zanzibar is simply another one of your new obligations.”
Ellie looked down at her new pet. Two gold eyes watched her with suspicion. Zanzibar. Who named a cat something like that? “What does he eat?”
Georgia set the bag of cat food on the now perfectly polished mosaic floor. “There are directions on the back. Now.” She bent and retrieved a leather binder from the outside pocket of the bag. “Let’s get down to business. There are several papers I need to go over with you, including a certificate of approval I received from the Historic Preservation Board.”
A half hour later, Ellie had signed several legal documents. She had to give Viola credit for being thorough. The older woman had had her lawyer draw up a contract for the renovation budget, her remodeling expectations, and even a cohabitation agreement for Ellie, Connor, and the cat. And Viola had already vetted any legal issues they might have with the city of Seattle for the renovations to the house.
Quiet acceptance settled inside Ellie. She not only had her first paycheck; she and Connor had a bank account with enough money to see to the restoration as well as living expenses for the next several weeks.
Connor would have his own papers to sign, but Viola had come through on her promise to fund his research. And for her grandson, she’d also included a power of attorney and a last will and testament.
“Viola’s preparing for her death,” Georgia said slowly, her hawkish brown eyes watching Ellie.
For a moment, everything went quiet and still as fear crept along Ellie’s spine. Connor had told her he wasn’t ready to lose his grandmother, but even their pretending to be in love might not be enough to change that fate. All Ellie could do was play along, pretending to be worthy of what Viola had just given her—a way to move forward with her business, a livelihood, and a cat.
Married at Midnight Page 5
