Page 53 of Make Her Mine
Clayton bumped my shoulder with his and muttered to me, “He’s grown a bit attached to her it seems. She’s been staying here most nights.”
“Why wasn’t she at brunch?” I asked.
“She probably feels somewhat awkward.” He gestured to our surroundings. “It’s quite ostentatious here, don’t you think?”
Even so, we should make Dyllan’s girl feel more at home. I looked over my shoulder as they came up behind us. “Glad to have you joining us today, Bobbi Jo. Chef Todd is barbequing our supper tonight. You have to try his ribs. They melt in your mouth.”
She smiled. “Looking forward to it!”
Dyllan put his arm around her, beaming. “His potato salad is awesome, too. I’m glad you’ll join us for a meal, Bobbi Jo.”
Clayton looked sideways at me with smirk. “Us, too, Bobbi Jo.”
Saddling up in the barn, we took off with Kyle and Mr. Finley leading the way. Clayton and I were the last to leave. I thought to ask him for his advice. “Clayton, I need your honest opinion on something.”
“You’ve got it,” he said as he swayed in the saddle.
Making sure everyone else was out of earshot, I asked, “Do you think I’m only interested in Ella because she’s a virgin? That’s what her sister thinks. And her brother didn’t really understand what I saw in her. Am I deceiving myself?”
“I don’t know,” he said as he looked up at the blue sky. “Men will always be interested in having firsts from women. And sex isn’t about love. Not to a man, it’s not.”
He was right. I didn’t need to love to have sex. But Ella should have that before we got intimate. And a real commitment before taking her to my bed wasn’t off limits. But now… I might be lying to myself about my feelings for her.
“If people are meant to be together, do you think spending time apart, not even talking, would prove if it is real or not?” It seems time would let us know if what he had was real.
“Maybe.” He smiled. “I loved Tiffany back in high school. She was the girl who took my cherry after all. Now I’m not sure. When I first saw her again, I thought so. But some things were broached that make me wonder if I could really love her. She isn’t the person I thought she was. Maybe Ella isn’t who you think she is either. Women can keep secrets, Brandon. Secrets about many things.”
Clayton sounded like he had other things on his mind, so I didn’t bother asking him for more guidance. I knew what to do. Although should Ella be privy to it or not?
If she really cared, she’d call. If she called, then I’ll let her in on my experiment.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ella
Midnight rolled around, and Brandon still hadn’t called. I turned off the lamp beside the bed and closed my eyes. We talked every day for hours. Why did he suddenly didn’t call?
Even though I planned lights out at midnight if he hadn’t called, I was fighting it. I’d gone through the awkward gynecological exam. And what was worse, a male doctor performed it. But I didn’t leave; I didn’t freak out; I didn’t cry either. I just stared at the ceiling and thought about Brandon. I thought about how life would be different very soon. This was only a part of it.
Not being able to sleep, I got out of bed and went to get a drink of water. That and a cracker or two might help me sleep. As I stepped in the living room, Sherry came out of her bedroom. “You can’t sleep, Ella?”
Shaking my head, I admitted why, “He hasn’t called all day.”
“Hmm.” She went with me to the kitchen. “That’s weird, huh?” Pulling open the fridge, she got out the milk. “I’ll make some hot cocoa with honey. Care for some?”
“I’d love a mug, thanks.” She must’ve been having trouble getting to sleep too. “What’s keeping you up?”
“Tomorrow is a big day.” She filled a small saucepan with milk then nodding in a gesture to one of the cupboards. “Can you grab the chocolate out of there?”
I got out the chocolate cubes and put them next to the stove. “Here you go. What’s so big about tomorrow?”
“The state is making its fourth visit to the daycare. Everything’s in order as it should be, but I get fretful anyway.” She stirred the milk, adding the chocolate slowly. “Talking to you would help me focus less on my small problem, which isn’t even a problem, just my dang insecurities that crop up every so often. So, tell me what has you worried about your guy, Ella?”
I took a seat on a barstool at the kitchen island. “Everything.” I chuckled because it was the truth. “I’ve never been so interested in anyone. How to act? What I am supposed to be doing? And since he hasn’t called, has he found someone else? I’ve gone through so much for him, and if he’s moved on… It’s going to really screw with my head and my heart.”
“I’ll be upfront with you, Ella.” She poured the finished drink into two mugs, grabbed a jug of honey, and then came to sit with me at the island bar. “Here ya go. Careful, it’s hot. Add the honey when it cools off a tad” She blew across the surface of her mug, making wisps of steam stir in the air. “You had a traumatic event when you first started school. That would scar anyone. It’s no secret your family has babied you. It’s to be expected. Aunt Ruth and Uncle Zeke weren’t expecting to be parents again in their thirties.”
“It was a ‘happy accident’ is what mom says.” I smiled, then added some honey to my drink. “I’m okay with that.” Stir, stir…
