LOVING ELLIE by Lindsey Brookes Page B

home to an empty house.  One that had lost the welcoming warmth that Jarrett’s being there brought about.  But tonight it would be much colder if the ride to work with Lucas was any indication of how things were going to be once she got home.  Unbearably icy. 
    Not that she blamed Lucas for his response to her decision to give her baby up for adoption.  He’d just lost his brother and now this.  If Lucas hadn’t of decided to play knight in shining armor, she wouldn’t have panicked and blurted her out her intention.  She didn’t want him there.  And she certainly didn’t need him there.
    Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the number he’d given her when he dropped her off at work.  She stared at it, not so sure she was ready to face his silent fury.  It only added to the guilt she already felt. 
    Her hand skimmed lightly over the swell of her stomach.  Even the knowledge that she was doing what was best for her son didn’t keep the tears from her eyes.  Grabbing for her phone, she dialed Lucas. 
    “Hello?” came his husky reply three rings later. 
    She had spent so many years not being able to count on anyone but herself it was hard to ask anyone for anything.  Even for something as simple as a ride home.
    “Hello?” he repeated again.
    “Hi.  It’s Ellie.” 
    “Done already?”
    “I closed up a little early.”
    “Why?  Is something wrong?”  There was no anger in his voice, only concern.
    “No,” she replied, unsure of how to read him.  He’d barely spoken two words to her on the drive in that morning, yet here he was back to Mr. Nice Guy mode.  “Business was slow because of the weather which was probably a blessing in disguise.  I’m really dragging today.”
    “Then it’s good you decided to shut down early.  Give me a few minutes to wash up and then I’ll head into town to pick you up.”
    “You don’t have to rush,” she said, unnerved by the thought of facing him again despite the lack of hostility in his voice.  “It sounds like I caught you in the middle of something.”
    “Nothing that can’t wait.”
    “Are you sure?  I can stay here tonight.”
    “Your things are here at the ranch,” he reminded her.  “Besides, you and I need to talk.”
    Just what she didn’t want to do.  “Lucas...”
    “In person,” he added.
    “Fine.”  Their ‘ talk ’ was going to happen sooner or later.  And, unlike Lucas, she didn’t run away from her problems.  She faced them head on and dealt with them as best she could.  “Go ahead and finish what you were doing.  There are a few things I can take care of around here while I wait.” 
    “What you’ll do is rest until I get there,” he said firmly.  “And, before you begin another ‘ I can take care of myself ’ argument, know that I can be twice as stubborn as you when it involves that child you’re carrying.”
    The one she was preparing herself mentally to give up.  “Fine.”
    “I won’t be long,” he said, his voice quickly replaced by a dial tone.
    That’s what she was afraid of.
    True to his word, Lucas didn’t waste any time getting there.  She watched as he pulled up along the curb in front of the coffee shop, a nervous flutter stirring in the pit of her stomach.
    The bell over the coffee shop door jingled a few moments later as Lucas stepped in from the cold.  His large frame filled the doorway as gaze shifted her direction.  “Glad to see you followed orders.”
    “Don’t get used to it,” she replied, sliding out of the booth seat she’d settled into.
    Removing his hat, he glanced around the room.  “You fixed the place up real nice.”
    “Thanks.”  Small talk.  She’d feel better if he just said what was on his mind.  “I’ve been remodeling for nearly a year now.”
    “A year?  That’s a long time.”
    “Yeah, well, renovations don’t come cheap.  I’ve done all of the interior decorating myself.”
    “I’m impressed.  Maybe you should