Eloise found the soft broom she kept outside and offered it to him, reaching for another and clearing the blown snow from the porch and walkway. She pulled the door to the storage unit open once the snow was cleared, glancing at the labeled plastic boxes. She pulled several red and clear boxes from inside, stacking them near the patio door.
“Elle!” Zoe came running around the side of the house, a couple snow balls following behind her. “Run!”
Eloise laughed and dropped to her heels, eyes wide when Zoe went behind her to hide. “Hey…I’m not your shield…what’d you do?”
“Hit daddy with a snowball,” she whispered with a little giggle.
“Hit my behind,” Came the male growl, his hands busily tucking his shirt back into his jeans, accepting the jacket Gwen held for him. “She dropped it down my neck…and I think there’s a conspirator involved…”
“So suspicious,” Gwen said innocently, setting Zoe’s pack next to the patio door.
Morgan brought the soft broom to the porch, following Eloise’s pointing finger and hooking it on the wall.
“I really appreciate you letting me have Zoe, Gwen…Ethan…” Eloise sighed and stepped into the house, taking one of the totes with her and not surprised that Morgan had the other two in his arms behind her.
“It’s all melting,” Morgan commented. “The roads are looking clear.”
“Be back in a few,” Gwen and Eloise took Zoe toward the back of the house and the empty bathroom.
“Good to see you survived your first meal with the family,” Ethan commented quietly.
“It was a definite learning experience,” Morgan admitted.
“Yeah…when they throw you into the middle, I’m thinking it was to see how fast we could think and can we swim,” Ethan said with a laugh.
“That’s a little harsh,” Gwen said with a face at him.
“You throw yourself into the middle of our life,” Eloise said with a glance from one to the other. “And you think it should be an easy trek?”
“So…it’s some kind of test?” Morgan asked, a crooked glance at Ethan who was also interested in the answer.
“If you can not provide me with a quantifiable explanation for why you want to be involved, I suppose so,” Eloise said thoughtfully.
“Attraction isn’t quantifiable,” Morgan tossed back. “It’s completely intangible.”
“On that very note, we’re off to run errands,” Ethan took Gwen’s palm and pulled her after him. “Be good, Zoe…and we’ll see you at dinner, okay?” He dropped to his heels to accept the hug he had rapidly become accustomed to.
“I will be very good,” she promised with a bright little grin.
“We won’t be out long,” Eloise promised. “I know exactly where I want to go…a beautiful blue spruce tree…”
“Have fun!” Gwen called as she was led out the inside door.
“Okay…got your pack?” Eloise lifted her jacket, found her purse and keys.
“You said something about the phone store, too,” Morgan reminded her, taking Zoe’s pack and following behind Eloise. “Do all kids come with packs attached these days?”
Eloise laughed. “I think all little ones do…sanity sake…practical…lots of reasons,” she told him, walking to where he’d backed the SUV. She buckled Zoe into the seat and climbed inside.
“Practical?” Morgan checked the back seat and met the brown eyes watching him in the mirror. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” he turned in the seat and held out his palm, smiling when she immediately shook his hand. “My name is Morgan.”
“My name is Zoe Collier,” she answered proudly.
“Practical,” Eloise said, his behavior making her smile. “Food, clothing, books and toys…”
“Okay…direct me…I’m new, remember? Phone store?”
Eloise watched the gradual ease in him when she asked him to hold Zoe when she had to sign papers after selecting a new phone. She handed the man her sim card and he had everything neatly loaded before they were finished. But she also heard little giggles as Morgan and Zoe walked around the phone store checking things out.
She finished up and looked around the busy store, her eyes landing on Morgan and Zoe outside in the snow. He was on his heels with Zoe at his knees, her little head bobbing. She saw his hands around her waist as her little hands worked a bunch of snow into a round ball.
Eloise opened her mouth to tell them she was finished when two snow balls came at her, one struck her middle, the other landed on her boots. She stopped moving forward, one brow arched as she looked from one to the other.
“We’re practicing for the big battle,” Morgan told her, lifting Zoe and heading to the car with Eloise at his side.
“And who is in the big battle?”
“Me and daddy,” Zoe said simply.
Eloise looked over at Morgan. “You’re choosing sides?”
“Hey…if she’s after him, she’s not after me,” he answered with a grin. “Where to, Eloise?”
“You really are a puzzle, Morgan Kelley…” She frowned but gave him directions.
“I don’t think so…but feel free to ask questions, Eloise. I’ll do what I can to unravel what you think is a mystery,” Morgan watched the genuine confusion on her face. “I think part of the problem might be in trying to explain attraction.”
“I can understand…” she began slowly. “That you feel you’re attracted to me for some reason, what I don’t understand is how positive you are that I can return that feeling…”
“Tell me honestly you don’t think it’s possible and I’ll accept that and not bother you again,” he answered without pause, his hand going to lift hers from her lap. “Tell me you didn’t feel anything when you kissed me.”
“I would be lying if I tried,” she said after a few quiet seconds.
“And you won’t lie to me,” he said as if he already knew that answer and it seemed to please him. “Despite what you feel, you don’t want to believe it. We must have spent almost twelve hours talking, Eloise. Just conversation. Don’t you find that a fascinating fact on its own? We argued, disagreed and laughed.”
“I know,” she said quietly.
“And you don’t find that fact worthy of further exploration?”
Morgan let his fingers wind with hers, a little surprised when she carried his palm to her thigh, her other hand covering his.
He’d done nothing but think about the attraction he felt. At thirty-seven, he honestly didn’t expect thoughts of her to remain in his mind very long. After all, he was on the pursuit of what most would consider the ultimate prize, a chance to design and implement his own school program. Complete.
So why was his brain and other parts of him so deeply interested in Eloise Paddington? He should have been able to just deliver her to a police station and turn her issues over to them immediately. Yet he had taken her to his home. He had felt an intense and fierce need to protect her.
“This is the place you wanted?” He asked, parking the SUV off to the side of the huge collection of trees inside the popular nursery.
“Yes…”
“I’ll get Zoe.”
“They’ll tie it on the roof…and they have beautiful blue spruce trees…nice and full,” she said ready to reach for Zoe when he lifted her from the inside of the SUV.
“How’s this, kid? Can you see up there?” Morgan put Zoe on his shoulders, one little foot on either side of his head.
“I can see everything!” She announced, the sun shining down around them as they wandered the nursery. “I think I like being big.”
“So find us a good tree,” Morgan teased.
“Hah! I have it…right here,” Eloise gestured to the bluish green tree with both palms open. It was a little taller than he was. She walked around the tree with a satisfied nod.
“It’s beautiful,” Zoe breathed excitedly.
Morgan had to admit, it had been quite a few years since he’d had anything to do with the holiday se
ason. Even longer since he had anything to do with family. And now he found himself thrown into the middle of both. Voluntarily.
“I’ll snag a sales person,” he told her, wandering off listening to Zoe tell him about all the trees and people she could see.
Eloise carried a large mug of hot chocolate to Morgan, offering it with a smile as they waited their turn to be bundled and tied to the top of the SUV.
“I’ll make popcorn when we get home,” Eloise saw the immediate grin on Zoe’s face and confusion on Morgan’s. “You never talked about your family, Morgan. Do they live in Portland?”
“My parents live in Portland…I have one set of grandparents in a retirement home outside Tacoma, not far from here. The other grandparents are in two different families in Arizona. They separated a few years ago and found other partners,” Morgan explained.
“No brothers and sisters? Cousins?” Eloise brought her wallet out and paid for the tree. She took Zoe from Morgan and watched while he helped the man from the nursery tie the tree safely on the large chrome roof.
“I have cousins scattered around Portland.”
“You don’t get along?” She heard the slight hint of displeasure in his voice.
“Not really. Nothing in common,” he said, thanking the man and climbing into the SUV, waiting for Eloise before starting the engine.
“When was the last time you talked to any of your family?” Eloise asked curiously, chewing on her lower lip when she saw the pulse at his throat jump. A sore spot, she thought with a wince at the prolonged silence.
“Not everyone has a picture perfect family scene, Eloise,” he said with a quiet calm belying the tension in his demeanor.
“Ours isn’t perfect, Morgan. But we have rules and…and expected behaviors, let’s say,” Eloise sighed. “You’ve had less than a pleasant experience with family, Morgan. Yet you’ve thrust yourself head first into the middle of the Paddington family. All because you feel some odd, hormonal burst.”
“Hormonal burst,” he repeated, his voice soft and words slowly drawn out.
“How would you explain it?”
“I think we should get the tree off the SUV and into the house,” he said flatly, turning the car off and leaving her sitting there alone.
“Well…guess he doesn’t want to talk about it, huh?” Eloise hopped to the ground, listening to Morgan mumble to himself as she lifted Zoe from inside, carrying her pack to the house and pushing the door wide. By the time he had the end trimmed off the tree, she had the stand up and ready for the tree.
Morgan had his laptop set up on her desk, looking up now and then as Eloise and Zoe sat cross legged on the floor stringing popcorn and cranberries, the little girl talking about the Emporium and her Christmas list. Her theme was nature, he realized, watching her carefully string the fruit and popcorn and adding brightly decorated birds, butterflies and various small animals.
“I like the chipmunks,” Zoe announced after they turned the house lights off and the tree lights on. “And the little birds…”
“I guess we have to wait and see if Santa brings us presents, huh?” Eloise looked at the suddenly wide eyes.
“Have you been good?” Zoe asked curiously.
“Hmm…now that’s a really good question,” Morgan commented, closing his computer and turning to watch them, the small lighted angel on top of the tree sparkling in the dark room.
“I think we need to go to dinner,” Eloise said casually, lifting Zoe’s pack and opening the inside door. “Are you dining with us tonight?” She asked, looking at Morgan.
“Are you going to deny what you feel because it’s isn’t explainable, Eloise?”
“I don’t think now is the time to discuss this, Morgan,” Eloise guided them to the dining room, smiling when Zoe took off at a run along the corridor and into the room. Sounds of dinner chatter whispered around them as she handed Gwen the pack. “Thanks…she’s an expert cranberry stringer.”
“And popcorn…” Zoe told them as she climbed into her chair. “It’s a beautiful tree with birds and chipmunks and butterflies and fairies,” she whispered reverently.
“I forgot the seashells,” Eloise said with a sigh. “I always forget something.”
“I don’t think there’s room on it for anything else,” Morgan commented with a laugh.
“There’s always room,” Eloise answered with a nod. “I’ll get them when I go back later.”
Chapter Six
“So what are your intentions, Morgan?” Kris Paddington asked, looking at Morgan expectantly, ignoring the slight coughing from Eloise.
“Intentions? Dad…we’re friends. That’s all,” she said firmly.
“I have quarters offered to me at the resort, Mr. Paddington,” Morgan responded, his plan unfolding. “It was my intention to make certain Eloise was safe. I admit that twenty-four hours of intensity made for a fast friendship where I wasn’t looking for one.”
“Morgan and I are friends,” Eloise repeated, her gaze darting around to the familiar family members.
“It’s the holidays,” Clarissa said with a slight sound of woe. “And you’re staying in a hotel?”
“No one should be alone during Christmas,” Jessica seconded, glancing at her uncle in hope.
“We are in your debt, Morgan,” Zora picked up the rolling ball despite the look on Eloise’s face and slightly shaking head.
“It’s quite alright,” Morgan said easily. “I’m used to being alone.”
Eloise groaned and closed her eyes.
Gwen choked back a laugh.
“Nonsense. We have plenty of room here,” Elizabeth said firmly.
“I am certain Morgan would find the bustle around here very disturbing while he tries to work on his plans for the new school,” Eloise cleared her throat, looking over at Gwen to see the slightly shaking head. "Why? What?”
“I honestly find it quite relaxing and comfortable,” Morgan injected with a slight smile in-between bites. “I was working while the girls built the tree and it was very productive.”
“Eloise does have a large second room,” Kris said easily.
“We can take care of the furniture tomorrow,” Jessica announced cheerfully.
“We like making up rooms,” Clarissa agreed. “We would love to have you join our family, Morgan.”
“It’s far more comfortable and we have better food, I’m sure,” Thomas commented with a nod. “We can always use another guy at the table.”
“This is a pleasant atmosphere,” Morgan commented, ignoring the narrowed pale lashes of the woman sitting next to him. “I think I’d find it very refreshing to spend the holidays with your family, Mr. Paddington. Thank you.”
“And it’s Kris, Morgan…if you need anything, just ask Eloise, she’ll see things are comfortable,” he said with a firm nod at his daughter.
“Eloise is an excellent hostess, believe me,” Morgan said with a smile, reaching for another slice of meatloaf.
“I’m sure Morgan will make himself quite at home,” Eloise said flatly, glaring at him openly.
“I appreciate the warm welcome,” Morgan said honestly.
Eloise was helping Gwen clear the plates, standing near the kitchen entrance.
“You know it was fated once you brought him to the table,” Gwen told her with a shake of her head.
“I don’t buy into fated,” Eloise said in a low hiss. “He’s annoying and…and…”
“Confident,” Gwen suggested, laughing at the scowl.
“Stubborn and bossy,” Eloise suggested grimly. “I’m going home. See you tomorrow, cos…”
Eloise turned and took the cart of plates into the kitchen, leaving them with Margaret before striding to the other door, heading to her quarters with boots echoing on the stone flooring. She knew she was mumbling to herself as she stood in the door to the spare room for a long minute before she began hauling things and shifting stuff around. She hadn’t used it for anything but a junk collecting room until she moved th
ings out to thrift shops or storage.
“Did you hope I’d get lost on the way back?” Morgan asked dryly, his body filling the doorway to the bedroom. He’d stood staring at her as she moved things in the room, long, silky hair swaying behind her.
“I live in hope,” Eloise countered, dropping the stack of linens to the bed before reaching for a pillow. “What else do you think you’ll need? I know we have extra desks…I suppose a night stand…”
“You,” Morgan said simply, crossing the room swiftly. His hands were on her shoulders, turning her to face him. “What kind of outcome did you want, Eloise?”
“I don’t…outcome to what? To why you’re here?” She brought her palms up between them, pressing firmly against his chest for space. He was musk and male and all the things she’d fought against to keep herself single.
“You’re going to lie to me and tell me you feel nothing?”
“You’re here because between you and my family, I didn’t have any choice but to be polite and…” She’d just ignore his question. Yeah, she thought, that always worked.
Morgan growled softly in his throat seconds before his mouth covered hers in rough possession. He savored the softness beneath his mouth, tasting and teasing, inviting her tongue to explore. His palms moved along her slender shoulders, framing her face and holding her captive for the marauding kiss. He felt a shiver take her body seconds before she gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him in the fevered passion he brought to life.
“You asked what I needed, Eloise…” he whispered, his lips trailing a hot series of kisses along her jaw to her throat, his voice husky in her ear. “You…I need you, Eloise…”
It would be so very easy to lose herself in his kiss, her body screaming for the touch of a man she barely knew.
“I…I don’t believe this is what my father meant when he said I should do my best to make you feel at home,” she said quietly, lowering her head with a raggedly drawn breath.
“I’m betting the house already believes we’ve shared a bed,” he responded gruffly.
WindSwept Narrows: #10 Eloise Paddington Page 5
