His Reason to Stay

by Jennifer Hoopes

  As the stone crunched under heels way too tall for this kind of stroll, Tabby thought ahead a few years. Would she be settled enough with the baby and her career to possibly look for a man? She knew her family would be there to support her once the truth came out, but ultimately, the baby’s welfare was hers to shoulder, and time for men and sex seemed too far away to ponder right now.

  And really, would any man measure up to the one I just ran away from?

  She batted the thought away. There would be other men. Eli would continue his life flitting in and out of hers. She just needed him out before he discovered her little secret and felt compelled to permanently attach himself as a support structure.

  Was she being naïve? As soon as Eli found out about the baby, who was to say he wouldn’t be right back there? Was she in a no-win situation?

  Tabby stumbled, cursed, and slipped off the nude pumps, hooking the straps around her fingers. She moved to the manicured lawn and felt the earth sink beneath her toes. This was better. Barefoot and pregnant. She laughed.

  No. Distance would allow Eli to hear her words and understand the need or rather lack of need from him.

  It was only as she backed out of her parking spot that she remembered the other spurt of jealousy she’d witnessed tonight. Was that Eli being Eli and thinking no man good enough, or was that Eli the man reacting to another alpha in his territory? As much as Tabby wanted it to be the second, she hoped and prayed it was the first. Because Eli the man was far more potent a force to turn down.

  As evidenced by that impulsive night fifteen months ago.

  …

  For the second time that evening, Eli cursed horses. Tabby had planned her damn escape well, and it had taken considerable charm and effort to extricate himself from Caro without leaving hard feelings over her denied advances. They’d had a time, once, many years ago, and while it was a nice memory, that was all it was, a memory. His chief concern was making sure Tabby really had chosen to stay at The Inn. And maybe find out just how jealous she’d been tonight.

  Only someone who’d known Tabby her whole life would have seen the narrowed eyes and the tense way her body had been ready to pounce on Caro’s avid interest. And while having the interest of two stunning woman would soothe any man’s ego, it was probably best that Tabby and Caro had parted ways as quickly as they did.

  “You can stop here,” Eli ordered, and this time he waited until the carriage rocked to a halt. He thanked the driver, palming him a tip, and walked to the gravel parking lot.

  Tabby’s car wasn’t there.

  Eli moved farther down the row and slid behind the wheel of his silver Audi. The Inn was on property and just down the road near the vineyard. And for both his and Tabby’s sake, she better be settling into a room as he drove.

  Sadly, it took a lot of charm and even more money to weasel Tabby’s room number out of the front desk. He spun a tale about getting separated at the function and him wanting to surprise her and make it up to her. Everyone knew the Brodie and Ellis clans were close—probably the only reason he’d won through what should have been a definite privacy block, although ordering room service and the bottle of Moet & Chandon might have sealed the deal. With a sensual smirk and widened eyes, the mature woman mouthed, “Three twenty-three,” and went back to typing on her keyboard. Eli blew her a kiss and headed for the elevator.

  Three sharp knocks and the door flew open to reveal Tabby, wearing an open robe with a cami and shorts underneath, her long hair hanging loose around her shoulders and framing her fully on display chest. A flash of pale skin peeked out from between her shirt and waistband, and Eli knew if he traced the smooth curves, they would be as silky as a rose petal.

  “What are—”

  She didn’t finish the accusation. Instead, a hand flew to her mouth, and she whirled away farther into the room. Eli slammed the door shut and followed, only to find her collapsed beside a pristine white toilet, retching.

  “Go away,” she managed between spasms.

  A helplessness he’d never felt washed through his body. He needed to be doing something, helping her, making the pain and sickness go away. Only he lacked critical knowledge.

  “Should I call 9-1-1?”

  A shake of her ebony locks was all she managed before leaning up and over the toilet again.

  He dropped to his knees beside her and gathered up her hair, despite mumbles of protests. When the next spasm hit her, he held the strands back and mumbled his own words of encouragement.

  Who knew how long the two of them suffered together? With every gut-wrenching wave, Eli thought for sure his insides were emptying right with her. It was emasculating watching a woman you cared about your entire life dealing with such a draining episode and not be able to do a damn thing about it.

  When it seemed she’d finished, he scooped her up with no protest and carried her back to the bed. Settling her, she managed to look both angry and thankful, a feat only Tabby could pull off.

  “You can argue with me in a moment,” he said and went back into the bathroom and wet a washcloth.

  He sat beside her and laid the cool fabric across her forehead. Her eyes closed on a sigh.

  “So, you ready to tell me what’s going on?”

  Blue eyes batted open and met his. “Nothing’s going on. I must have eaten something bad.”

  A lie.

  Eli knew that as sure as he knew his name and birthdate. But after what she’d been through tonight, he wasn’t going to call her out on it.

  Tomorrow, however, was fair game.

  Chapter Six

  Tabby wracked her brain for a way to get Eli out of her room and, more importantly, her personal space, but reality was the process was futile. She might have stood a fighting chance if he was still on the opposite side of the door, but the minute Mother Nature had played another of her timing tricks, Tabby had lost all rights to order him away. He wouldn’t leave her until he was satisfied she was healthy enough to kick him out. Which, of course, meant no time in the near future.

  At least he’d swallowed her food poisoning tale or, rather, swallowed her lie and didn’t plan on fighting her about it. Grateful for the intuitiveness and reprieve she’d received, she turned to her side and closed her eyes.

  Movement around the room drew her three-ton eyelids open only to see a jacket then a shirt find its way to the back of a chair. Talk about a shot of caffeine.

  She lurched up. “What are you doing?”

  Eli turned, providing her a view of a lean muscular chest covered in a tight, white tank. Only a saint wouldn’t have licked their lips, and Lord knew when it came to Eli, Tabby was no saint.

  “I’m getting comfortable.”

  The “duh” was involuntary. “Why?”

  He sat, forearms dusted with dark hair tensing as he removed his shoes and socks. “Because sleeping in a tux is highly overrated.”

  The quip was enough to throw her hormone-riddled mind into question, and by then, Eli was working on his belt. Dear God, if he takes off his pants, I don’t care what happens, I’m out of here.

  She raised her gaze to see a smirk flitting about his sinful lips. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep them on.”

  Tabby shrugged, but the gesture was a sham, and they both knew it.

  A knock at the door had them both turning. Eli crossed to the small hallway and a moment later wheeled in a beautifully set cart.

  He grinned. “I guess eating’s out of the question.”

  Tabby shook her head and buried her nose into a pillow. He’d ordered seafood and, if she had to guess, a big fat steak. The meat didn’t bother her, but the smell.

  A minute later, a heavy hand rubbed her shoulder. “It’s gone.”

  She risked a sniff, and while still lingering, the smell had left with the cart. She noticed he’d kept the champagne and dessert.

 
“You should eat. Don’t let me stop you.”

  Eli unwrapped the bottle and went to work on the cork. “Nah. It was really just a cover anyway.”

  “For what?”

  He actually looked sheepish. “For getting them to give me your room number.”

  Tabby laughed. She’d wondered how he’d found her. The timing had been too long for him to have simply followed her. Although she should be concerned that her privacy was offered up for something as little as room service.

  “You better hope you don’t get someone fired.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “No one will know unless you tell them. And besides, I had to do something after the disappearing act you pulled.”

  She snorted. “I’m surprised you were able to tear yourself away from Caro long enough to even notice I was gone.” Tabby clapped a hand across her mouth and dropped back against the pillow. Why the hell didn’t she just broadcast her jealousy for all of Asheville to hear?

  The bed dipped on the other side, followed by the heat of a body sliding in dangerously close to her. Lord, it was bad enough he’d held her hair during her not-so-proud moment of hugging the porcelain throne, but now he expected her to lay beside him and not die of mortification after her whiny comment about Caro.

  “I noticed, Tabby. I’ve noticed a lot of things in the past few days.”

  His voice was low and breached the small space between them, wrapping around her in comfort. God, he cared so much. Was so protective. But protection wasn’t love, and it sure as hell wasn’t a basis for anything more than what they’d already had. So he could look and notice all he wanted. As long as acting on whatever he saw wasn’t in the equation.

  She risked a glance. Eli stared at the ceiling, corded biceps clasped behind his head. So at ease. So comfortable with who he was and where he was in his life. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him with his choices or his life. It was because she knew what kind of man he was. How good and pure and strong and, yes, demanding—it was that part of him that dictated and ranted and raved to get what he thought was the best outcome.

  Supporting her through a pregnancy would, in his mind, override anything else of importance. Not because he loved her. But because he viewed her as his to protect. Hard instinct for a warrior to overcome.

  “Thank you for your help tonight.”

  “I told you earlier, I’m here. Now get some rest. I’m not going anywhere.”

  For once, his dictate and her wishes aligned, and despite her super sensitive body being hyperaware of the virile man not twelve inches from her, she settled her cheek on the cool pillow and let dreams of a future she would never have lull her to sleep.

  Her mind recognized the heavy weight before her body did. Heat roared at her back as nerve by nerve came alive and did a happy dance. Sometime in the middle of the night, spooning had become an acceptable form of sleep between two friends, and now Tabby could add the sensation of waking up in Eli’s arms to her memories.

  His palm rested on her stomach, one hairy leg tangled between hers. He’d lost his pants in the middle of the night, and if the slight bulge in her lower back was any indication, his boxers consisted of pretty thin material. Regardless of the heavy weight of passion lingering around the morning wake up, the peace of having him anchored to her, to the baby he knew nothing about, settled on her shoulders like a perfectly woven cape.

  She rolled her shoulders to throw it off, the movement startling Eli and allowing her to slide away and turn onto her back.

  He awoke like he made love. Slow and easy, stretching and anticipating until chocolate brown eyes blinked open and met hers with a lazy, sexy smile.

  “And how are we feeling this morning, Miss Brodie?”

  Tabby managed a smile, despite her stomach flipping over for reasons unrelated to the life growing inside of her. Sleep-tousled Eli was even more magnetic than decked-out-to-the-nines Eli. His scruff more pronounced, his longer hair mussed and perfect for running fingers through. All visions she devoured and savored because the chances of her waking up next to Elijah Ellis again were as good as the chances of her last name becoming Ellis.

  “Much better, thank you.” She slid the rest of the way off the bed and scurried into the bathroom before he thought to reach out and touch her.

  When she emerged, cleaned up and refreshed, Eli was putting on his shoes.

  “You headed back to Gatlinburg now?”

  He nodded. “Want to follow me?”

  “No. I mean, I can’t. I’m meeting a friend for lunch today. Not planning on heading back until later this afternoon.”

  He scanned her face, and for once, at least where he was concerned, she’d told the truth.

  “Well, shoot me a text and let me know you made it home. Okay?”

  A firm nod was her only answer. To question why he needed to be so concerned would only open the floodgates to interrogation about last night. Maybe if she pacified these little boundary crosses, then the bigger one wouldn’t occur.

  He stood and came over to her. Gripping both arms, he ducked his chin until she was forced to look at him. “You’ll tell me sooner or later. Either I’ll figure it out, or you can spill the beans, but don’t for one second believe that I bought any lie you told me last night or even this week. I think you and I, and our history, deserve a little more than that.”

  He kissed her lightly on the lips and left. She stood rooted to the spot, long after he’d reached the road back to Gatlinburg.

  Chapter Seven

  Eli threw open the office door and launched his tux jacket onto a chair.

  “What the hell is up with Tabby?”

  Sam looked up, concern etched into a face Eli knew like the back of his palm. Only this face was older. Tired. Less vibrant. Dark circles under eyes lacking spark and skin stretched tight against his cheeks. Guilt weighed him down, and he collapsed in another chair opposite the one being used as a coat rack.

  “What do you mean?” Sam’s sharp voice heightened Eli’s worry. “Tabby’s grieving and stressed. We all are.”

  Eli dropped his gaze as more guilt threatened to suffocate him. He would examine that later. Right now, Tabby was the number one mystery to solve.

  “Sam, she’s not fine. She’s sick. I held her hair last night while she hugged a toilet, and it wasn’t from alcohol, which, by the way, she seems to suddenly not have any interest in. Pretty sketchy for a master distiller.”

  Sam sat back in the chair, tension radiating off of him. “She probably ate something bad.”

  Eli stared at his twin. Sam didn’t believe that any more than Eli did, or even Tabby for that matter. Did Sam know the real reason? And, if so, why was it such a big secret? “She didn’t eat something bad and don’t sit there and lie to me. If you know something, tell me so I can help her.”

  Sam dropped his gaze and tapped a pile of papers. “She hasn’t told me anything.”

  Not a lie, but Eli would bet his Wildlife Photographer award that Sam at least suspected what was going on.

  His twin shifted a pile of papers on his desk.

  Or rather their father’s desk.

  The loss slammed into Eli’s chest. He forced himself to glance around and noted Sam had done nothing to the room. The books still lined the cases, pictures covered in a light layer of dust, the wedding picture of his parents front and center in the window behind Sam. The happy couple in front of the tiny church on the grounds of the first amusement park the company ever owned. Eli slumped farther into the padded chair and rubbed a palm down the center of his chest. Grief burned as the guilt resurfaced. No parents. No more memories. Not enough time with them.

  Swift on those thoughts came the choking sensation of being in the collective fold. Only this time, it tasted bitter as he stared at the happy couple. Forging his own path was something he’d had to do, but had there been a better way than almost total
isolation?

  “Have you been to the graves?” Sam asked, gaze rooted to the desk.

  Eli cleared his throat, the lump subsiding enough to speak. “I went with Tabby.”

  They sat together, each lost in a world of thoughts. His visit to the graves had prompted Eli’s plan to help while in town. But the weight he saw on Sam’s shoulders, and he expected if he looked closer would find on the rest of his siblings, added a dimension to him staying. The family business wasn’t his cup of tea and certainly wouldn’t be his choice, but he was strong enough to handle his share for the time being. They were family, and he loved them, and life was about choices and making the best of them. His choice was to be home in Gatlinburg for the moment and help keep the companies something their amazing and loving parents would be proud of.

  His plan, hence he controlled the outcome.

  The twin-to-twin connection broadcasted loud and clear as Sam asked, “How long you sticking around?”

  Eli stood and snagged his jacket. “I have no plans to leave anytime soon.”

  Sam’s head jerked back. A blank stare and opened mouth slid into a smile. A grin Eli hadn’t seen since he’d returned home. “Glad to hear it, Eli. Welcome home.”

  He saluted his twin and walked to the doorway.

  “And Eli?”

  Eli glanced over his shoulder.

  “If you’re so worried about Tabby, maybe you should just ask her?”

  Eli snorted and walked out of the office. He’d tried that numerous times, but maybe he hadn’t taken the right approach. Maybe the time had come to track her down and not let her go until she’d given him the truth. All of it.

  Whether he wanted to hear it or not.

  …

  Five days later, paper crinkled under Tabby as she shifted to the left, and feeling returned to her right butt cheek. Today was the day. She would hear the baby’s heartbeat again. See him or her on the ultrasound and possibly breathe a little better, knowing everything was on track. Of course, that also meant telling everyone. Including Eli.