Chapter 16
* * *
Somehow Ellie made the three-hour trip to San Diego without crying. But now that she’d pulled up in the driveway of her father and stepmom’s home, she wanted to collapse into the safety of their arms like a five-year-old and sob. She turned off the engine and listened to it tick in the evening twilight while she tried to collect her wits. Through the front windows she could see the lights from their Christmas tree. The warmth ahead beckoned.
God, how she loved this house, this refuge. After the divorce, she never missed a summer or a Christmas with her father. Excitement over the visits grated on her mother’s nerves. She made her husband’s life miserable during their marriage and seemed determined to do so after it as well. But Nathan Severance was made of stronger stuff. Nothing would keep him from his daughter.
Ellie remembered the twinge of fear when he told her he was going to remarry. She was eighteen at the time, an adult, and she still feared losing her daddy. Then she met Dee—bright, open, happy, lovable, no-nonsense Dee. The woman wasted no time adding Ellie as her fourth grown child.
"Five, if I count your father."
The memory brought a smile to Ellie’s quivering lips. Dee wrapped Ellie in unconditional love, something her own mother could or would never do. Just as she did her own daughters, Dee gifted Ellie frequently with clothes to fit Ellie’s style and the occasional out of the ordinary dress she was sure Ellie would love. She never pushed, was just there. It was going to break her heart to hear what Ellie had been through these last few days.
But she had to tell them. Keeping quiet just wouldn’t feel right. It would be an omission in a relationship that was based entirely on love and open honesty. Ellie’s entire life had shifted, and she had to talk to someone—someone who loved her, someone who wouldn’t judge her. But she certainly couldn’t burst into tears the second she walked into their living room. Of course, her makeup barely covered the bruises on her face. Explanations might have a way of pouring out of her faster than she could handle.
Ellie steeled her resolve and pushed open the car door. At least Dee’s three children wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow. That would give them some private time. She slung her overnight satchel over one shoulder, grabbed the bag of Christmas presents with her other hand, and started up the walk.
The front door swung open. "Nathan, guess who’s here?" Dee shouted back into the house, then hurried forward to wrap a tight hug around Ellie. "My goodness! Look who’s wearing contact lenses. I like it. Sweetie, it’s so good to see you. We’ve really missed you these past months. How are things up in the high desert? Still cold and windy?"
Ellie winced, and turned it into a smile at the last second. Dee’s hugs were great—when you weren’t bruised and hurt. "Among other things."
Dee linked her arm through hers and towed Ellie toward the house. "Now those other things wouldn’t happen to be a certain young man in your life, would they?"
"How did—"
"Your mother called. Several times." Dee gave a light laugh as she shook her head. "Claimed we California hippie people had corrupted your morals. That was last week. Something about a wig, hoochy mama clothes, and being thrown out of your condo because of it."
Bernadette again. Well, at least with Ellie moving that relationship was over with. Neither Bernadette nor her mother would have reason to communicate.
"Then Mona called a few days after that, raging about a man named Kurt who had the nerve to answer your phone. She claimed we had instilled loose morals in you. That you were—now let me get this right—fornicating all over the place."
"Yes, yes. Public nudity. Cats and dogs, living together…"
Dee hooted with laughter. "Something like that." She squeezed Ellie’s arm. "And the gentleman responsible for leading you down the path to ruin called not five minutes ago."
Ellie’s head snapped up. "Kurt called here?"
Her stepmother nodded. "Yep. Wanted to know if you’d arrived safely. Said he’d appreciate a phone call once you did."
Now that made her tear up. Ellie quickly looked away. "What else did he say?" She concentrated on keeping her voice from breaking. The tears were so close.
"Nothing. Just asked that you let him know. Is there something else he should’ve said?"
They stepped across the threshold into a brightly lit living room that looked like Christmas central. Her father perched atop a stepladder near the arched entry to the kitchen trying to adjust a lighted garland to his satisfaction. He’d be perfecting his decorations until Christmas.
"Hey, Daddy."
Turning, he flashed her a broad smile. It disappeared immediately. "Good God, Cookie, what happened to your face?"
Ellie reached for the bruise. He scrambled down the ladder.
Dee peered around to look at her and gasped. "Did Kurt do that? What kind of man—"
"Did that son of a bitch hit you?" Her father covered the distance between them in half a heartbeat. "Where the hell’s the phone? I’ll star 69 his ass and give him a piece of my mind! Then I’m going to find him and kill him!"
Ellie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She caught her father’s sleeve before he could move any further. "No, no. Calm down. Both of you. Kurt didn’t do this. He saved me…"
That was all she could manage. Days of forcing herself to be strong finally caught up with her. She wrapped herself in her father’s arms and gave up, let the pain and fear come flooding out. He guided her to the couch and cradled her on his lap just like he had when she was a little girl, soothing her tangle of hair, shushing her sobs with gentle words of love while Dee passed the tissues.
When she was finally spent, Dee brewed cups of chamomile tea and Ellie told them everything. They listened without interruption and embraced her in the love and warmth she treasured.
Dee slipped her hand over Ellie’s when she finally finished. "You’d better give that young man a phone call. I’m sure he’s worried sick by now. It’s been well over an hour since you got here."
Ellie nodded. At least she was calmer now, more in control, even though her feelings still danced on the surface. Kurt picked up on the first ring.
"I’m here."
"You’ve been crying."
She cast her gaze to the ceiling. Two words and he’d already picked up on it. "I guess that’s why you’re an investigator."
He didn’t laugh. "I was starting to get worried."
"I’m sorry. I was—"
"Crying. I know. I don’t blame you. You’ve been through a lot this week. Being strong. Seeing your dad and Dee—"
"Please, Kurt." If he kept on being sympathetic, he’d have her bawling again.
"I just want you to know you can lean on me, too. You don’t have to be the—"
"The martyr?"
His sigh echoed over the line. "I love you, Ellie."
"I love you, too." She just wasn’t sure she trusted the feeling. "I’ll see you after Christmas."
"It’s going to be the longest three days of my life."
Hers, too.
"Oh, Ellie, you’re in love!" Dee exclaimed as Ellie hung up the phone.
"Yes…but how do I know it’s real?"
"What? Well, it won’t be if you keep second-guessing yourself, Cookie," her father replied. "Sometimes you just have to accept love for what it is."
She glanced up to find her father and Dee smiling at each other. Simultaneously, they clasped each other’s hands. Ellie smiled. If anyone would know, they would.
* * *
Kurt let the cell phone dangle from his fingers, and slumped back into his armchair. She was crying and he wasn’t there for her. It bothered him. More so when he realized how she held back all week long only to unburden herself on her family. Why didn’t she lean on him? What had he done wrong?
"Bad phone call?"
He looked up at his little sister. Fresh out of college and ready to take on the world, CeCe had assigned herself as family counselor. She’d even taken t
o wearing her long blonde hair in a French twist and called herself Cecelia at work—claimed it made her seem older, more responsible.
"No, not really." Ellie still said she loved him. Hope still existed.
CeCe sat on the arm of the chair opposite of him. "You sure don’t look like it. Come on. Talk to me. If I were in the dumps, you’d be there for me. Why can’t I do the same for you?"
The same question he asked himself of Ellie. Why did she shut him out? Before he realized it, Kurt spilled everything he felt about Ellie, everything he’d experienced since the day he first met her. When he finished, he was lonelier than ever for her company, her smile, her…aura.
CeCe squatted down in front of him, resting her hands on his knees. "Why are you afraid of giving her the time she needs? A lot’s happened to her this last week. Plus, maybe she’s right. Maybe the two of you were caught up in the heat of the moment. In the face of life-threatening situations, a person’s natural reaction is to reaffirm life. Sex…marriage…even commitment is one way to do that."
"So you’re saying it’s a mistake."
"No. I’m saying if you love her, you’ll do two things. First, give her the time and space she asks for. And, second, never give her a reason to doubt you love her. If it’s the real thing, it’ll all work out."
Kurt eased into a more relaxed position. "So when did you get to be so good at relationships?" He grinned at her.
"Oh, I’ve always been sensible," she assured him. "You’ve just never been smart enough to take my good advice."
With an impish wave, she left him to his thoughts. Kurt still didn’t feel any better. His parents, sister, brother, and other arriving family members chatted all around him. Kurt never heard a single word. The only person he wanted to talk to was Ellie and he was determined not to call her again.
Sleep? Impossible. Not when he ached to have her sweet body tucked safely in his arms. Not when the very thought of her sent fire racing through his veins. Not when he was ready to crawl through hot lava just to let her know they’d be together forever. So all night he tossed and turned in his old twin bed, then gave up, and pulled on some sweat pants and a T-shirt.
Muttering a curse, he stomped into the kitchen, started a strong pot of coffee, and whipped up homemade waffles and bacon. His nephews, ages three and five, were the first to join him, the first to take his mind off his worries. Caring for the boys, laughing with them, being Uncle Kurt lightened his mood, and gave him hope this was what the future held for him and Ellie.
"Well, I’m glad you could finally join us," his father said as he walked into the kitchen and made a beeline toward the coffee pot. "I was beginning to wonder where my cheerful son had gotten to."
"Sorry, Dad. I just have had a lot on my mind."
"Work or woman?" he asked as he filled the small cauldron he called a mug.
"Woman. Ellie. Eleanor Severance, actually."
"Hmm…" He pulled out a chair, made funny faces until the boys giggled, then helped himself to bacon.
How could his father say so much with one simple word? Kurt filled the waffle maker with batter. "Would you and Mom mind if I missed Christmas with the family? There’s something I have to take care of."
His father blew gently across his coffee, then added a careful amount of milk. "Might want to shave and shower first. Never hurts to make a good impression. Show yourself at your best."
Sound advice. If he’d done that from the very beginning, just been himself, he wouldn’t be in the predicament he was in now.
* * *
Ellie picked through her fruit bowl. The joy of the traditional Christmas Eve brunch at the Blue Whale Restaurant was wasted on her. Sadly, so was the company. While the rest of the family laughed and chatted away, all she could do was sit and wonder what Kurt was doing at that very moment.
Sighing, she leaned back and fingered the omega necklace at her throat. Wasn’t the future what you made of it? If she predicted doom, wouldn’t she get doom? She was letting her mother’s negativity seep into her life, questioning her instincts and the motives of others, shoving aside the chance for happiness. And wasn’t that what life was about—taking chances?
She stood abruptly, and a hush fell over the long table. Heads turned her way.
"I’m sorry, everyone. I have to go. I hate to miss Christmas with you all, but there’s something I have to take care of before it’s too late."
A chorus of good-byes followed her to the door. Ellie dug out her cell phone and punched in Kurt’s number as she strode to the car. No answer. Then she’d just have to surprise him. But Jess wasn’t home to give her Kurt’s parents address or phone number. All a call to information got her was the news that their number was unlisted.
Frustrated, she returned to her father’s house to pack. Satchel in hand, she opened the front door and had to blink twice in astonishment when she saw Kurt’s black Impala pull up in the driveway behind her red Volkswagen. She was out of the house before he could come to a full stop.
"Kurt! I was just trying to figure out how to get to you, and here you are." She tossed herself into his arms.
Laughing, he swung her up and around. "I couldn’t stay away."
"A day without you feels like—"
"Forever."
He sat her gently on the hood of his car and gave her a kiss she was sure the neighbors would talk about for years. Then another. And another. Until all Ellie wanted to do was…
She peeled away from his marauding lips. "We need to get inside."
He brushed her temple with the backs of his fingers. "If I don’t wait a minute and get myself under control, we might cause more gossip than if we stayed here smooching."
"Or make the ladies incredibly envious." She slid to her feet, making sure she brushed up tight against him. "I bet I’m going to unwrap a very nice present from Santa."
"Trying to ravish me again, my love?" He girdled her waist with his hands. "Because I’ll let you, if you want to."
She teased her fingers through his soft hair. "I thought I’d save the ravishing for our honeymoon."
His ice blue gaze caressed every inch of her face, intense, searching. His lips moved, but no words came out. Finally, with a long sigh, he tucked her close against his pounding heart.
"Ellie, promise me you’ll never hold back what you feel just for the sake of sparing me. When I learned you were upset yesterday and I wasn’t there for you… I never felt more helpless in my life. Don’t shut me out, Ellie. Let me be there for you."
She traced her thumbs along his jaw line. "Just understand that I am self-sufficient. I never want you to lose focus on your job because you’re worrying about me. I can take care of myself." She added a smile. "But it’s nice to know we can team up."
He chuckled. "I feel…a thousand different things right now. I see just as many pictures in my mind. I love you so much. Corny as it sounds, you’ve just made me the happiest man in the world. I’m going to make you the best husband… Okay, the most adequate husband I can."
That got her giggling. "I’m going to want children, Kurt." She watched his face intensely, looking for any signs of rejection or withdrawal. "I don’t want to wait much longer." Oh God, please let him want kids. Please.
He set her back against the car door. Mischief lit his eyes. "Oh, we can start working on that right away. I’m willing to work and work and work until we get it right."
She sagged with relief and joy. "Such as noble sacrifice."
"Practice makes perfect," he bowed his head humbly. When she laughed, he winked roguishly, then swung her into his arms.
"I’m going to buy you a diamond ring big enough to skate on."
She laughed. "I would be perfectly happy with matching bands, nothing more. And I bet I know where we could get a fabulous deal. I’ve got a secret contact in the jewelry world. Her name is Dee. Come on, it’s time to meet the family."
* * *
Kurt liked Nathan and Dee Severance the second he walked into the restau
rant with Ellie. They felt like an extension of his own family. The news of the impending marriage was greeted with squeals of delight from Dee’s two daughters. Then Nathan patted the empty chair next to him, inviting Kurt to sit.
"It’s going be a while, son," the man said. "They’re talking weddings."
Ellie interjected one word. "Small."
The ladies’ spirits deflated with a collective "aw".
She held up her hands. "I’d rather put the money toward other uses."
She was a woman after his own heart. How the hell did he get so lucky? "But we won’t cheat you out of a big party afterward." Kurt brought her fingers to his lips.
"Ellie, dear, you realize that’s not going to make your mother very happy." Dee’s voice was soft and sympathetic.
"I’m beginning to think nothing will ever make her happy," Ellie mused. "But this is about us, not her. I refuse to permit her interference."
Nathan smirked as he leaned forward. "Oh, please, let me tell her, Cookie."
"And have her yell at you? No way." Ellie shook her head. Kurt had seen that stubborn set to her mouth before. Obviously, so had her father since he settled back in his seat.
"I’ll do it." Kurt whipped out his cell phone.
Ellie grabbed his hand. "Don’t use your minutes to call her. Use the phone she’s paying for. Mother even conveniently put her own number on speed dial for me." She slipped the phone from her purse. "Make sure the volume is up full-blast. I want everyone to hear this."
Kurt smiled. Was it possible to love this woman more each second? One push of a button, a ring, two, and Mona picked up. He could take the smart-ass approach with her and really set her off, or he could simply tell her. Kurt chose the latter route. Smart-ass hadn’t gotten him anywhere good lately.
"Ma’am, this is Kurt Duncan calling. I’m sure you remember who I am. I love your daughter and we’re getting married."
There was a sharp intake of breath. "Have you gotten her pregnant?"
So much for being polite. "Not yet, ma’am, but I’m working on it."
JUDGING ELLIE Page 24
