Chapter 11

She was so happy that nothing could dent the euphoria that was wrapped all around her. He had made love to her this morning, laboring over her body with an exquisite torture that had tormented her and had her begging for release.

At the door, he had kissed her long and lingeringly, his arms wrapped around her body as if he did not want to let her go.

But there had been no promises of seeing her later. But that had not mattered. After last night and this morning, she was certain he would acknowledge that they were in a relationship. If he wanted to take it slow, then she would concede. She would comply with anything as long as it meant that she would be with him.

Not even the upsetting phone call from her mother had dampened her spirit.

Eleanor had called complaining as usual. About the difficulties she was facing. Her career was about to become extinct.

"They are making noises about killing off my character." Her voice was bitter with anger. "I have been with that series for more than two decades. I made it into what it is today and now they are trying to get rid of me! I am speaking to my lawyers…"

"Mother, what do you want me to say?" Ellie asked wearily. "You were the one who said that you needed a break. That you were tired of playing the same role. Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to either hang up your acting shoes or try out new things.

You are a seasoned actress, and I am certain your agent would have no difficulty finding something to your taste." The silence following her sage advice had been profound.

"You are never on my side. Sometimes I wonder why on earth I call you. You left me to go to that one horse town and I have only heard from you once. And I am wagering that your father received more phone calls than I have." Ellie had remained silent because she had not wanted to lie, that was not who she was.

Her mother had taken her silence as an affirmative and had told her a stiff goodbye. Ellie had been happy when she hung up. The usual guilt had not been there, and she realized that her mother's influence was slowly diminishing.

Even though she was exhausted after getting only a couple of hours sleep last night, she was revved and raring to go. She spent three quarters of the day writing the article and making changes to some of the sentences and was satisfied that it was coming along nicely.

She had not heard from him all day, but she was still hoping he would call before the day was out. And she wanted to discuss the article with him, run it by him to see if he had an issue or she could run with it. There were things she needed to add, but she had two days left before she left.

Unless he wanted her to stay longer. The idea of that was making her breathless. She would stay of course. She could always send in the article via email and if there were any changes, she could make them.

She had just woken up from a nap when her phone rang. Rolling over and grabbing it before she missed the call, she squelched her disappointment when she realized it was not him.

"Caitlin, hi."

"I hope I am not disturbing you."

Ellie smiled as she recognized how apologetic the older woman always sounded.

"Of course not. How are you?"

"Thankful for the showers. My plants needed it. Are you free to have dinner with us?" Ellie wanted to ask if the invitation was issued on behalf of her son but managed to refrain from doing so.

"Of course. What time?"

"Say around the same time. It's a beautiful day and not too cold despite the rain. We could have supper outside in the gazebo."

"Sounds lovely."

"Good, see you then."

Ellie hung up and felt the rush of excitement coursing through her veins. The family seemed to like her a lot and she liked them too. She also had no doubt that Axel would be there as well. A grin touched her lips as she recalled the last time she was there.

Caitlin and Cathy had engineered it so that they could be alone, and it had worked out wonderfully well. Taking a deep breath, she went into the kitchen to fix herself a snack.

*****

"She said yes?" Cathy came into the kitchen just as her mother was taking out the chicken to prepare. It had been seasoned from the night before and was just the way she liked it. She was also making the sauce from scratch and had everything laid out on the massive counter. But there was a troubled look on her face.

"She did."

"She didn't ask about Axel?"

"No." Caitlin slipped on the disposable cooking gloves to start preparing the chicken. "Oh, I love my son to death and would do anything for him, but sometimes I want to take him over my knees and knock some sense into him. That poor girl."

Axel had stopped by this morning to tell them he had been called away on business to Texas.

"When are you coming back?" Caitlin had asked him anxiously.

"I am not sure. It might not be for a while."

"What about Ellie?"

"What about her?"

"Does she know you are leaving?"

"No."

"Axel…!"

"I have to go."

He had left abruptly, but Cathy, who had been on her way to work had followed him to his car.

"You are a coward."

She had stood there glaring at him, not backing away from his ominous and formidable expression as he started the engine.

"You are running away from her."

"I am leaving because I have business and speaking of which, this is none of yours."

"You are attracted to her."

"She is not the first and she certainly won't be the last."

"All because that bitch betrayed you." Cathy had felt like crying.

"That's right and it won't happen again. I'll call when I get to Texas." She had stood there while he drove away.

"I will help you." Taking out a bottle of wine, Cathy poured some into a glass and looked at her mother with raised brows.

"None for me thanks." Cutting off a dejected sigh, she set about preparing the meal. "Oh, I could just kill him."

*****

Rolling the brandy glass on the tray, he stared at the liquor, a frown touching his brow. He had refused the offer of refreshments twice because his appetite was nonexistent. His sister's accusation was reverberating inside his head.

And he was exhausted and unhappy. It was for her own good, that's what he kept telling himself. It wouldn't have worked between them, and he was not prepared to try and find out.

He was not a damn coward; he was just being pragmatic. And preempting getting hurt. A woman as beautiful as Ellie Logan would never be faithful. He had learned his lesson the hard way. The only two women he trusted were those he was related to.

"Sir?"

His head jerked up to glare at the stylishly dressed flight attendant.

"Yes?"

"We are about to land, would you like something other than…?"

"No." he tempered his tone, realizing he was attacking the woman needlessly.

"Thank you."

With a polite nod, she moved away, leaving him to his misery and dark thoughts. What was she doing now? He knew she expected to hear from him. How could she not, after what they shared last night and this morning. He had led her to believe that there would be a repeat performance.

Lifting the glass to his lips, he downed the rest of the liquor just as the pilot announced the landing.

*****

Cathy greeted her at the door and led the way through the winding path, heady with the scent of flowers blooming, until they reached the gazebo, gleaming in the lights near the pool.

"This is heavenly." Ellie murmured, wondering why Cathy was so reticent. She had been hoping to see Axel waiting, but he was not present. She supposed he would be by later.

"Mother is always in her element whenever she has to entertain."

The woman under discussion, came forward with outstretched hands, a smile on her face.

"My dear, how lovely you look." She exclaimed admiring the teal blue sweater and faded denims.

"Thank you. Something smells wonderful."

"Rosemary chicken. I made my own sauce and everything." Taking her hand, Caitlin led her to the table that was set just inside the painted wooden gazebo. "I hope you are hungry."

"I am. My goodness! You must spend most of your time out here."

"Mom does. She personally cultivated the various gardens." Cathy pulled out a chair and sat. "If it was up to her, she would spend all her hours tending to her plants."

"I strongly believe that being among living things is being near to the Almighty." Being the perfect hostess, Caitlin prepared plates for all of them. "How have you been?"

"Wonderful." Ellie told her with a laugh. "I am almost finished with the article and am pleased with the direction it's taken."

"So, you will soon be leaving us." Cathy murmured.

"I should." She hedged as she dug into her baby potatoes. "It's funny," She laughed softly. "I always swore I would never be caught dead in a small town. I am used to all the bright lights, not the iridescent glow from the moon," She glanced over at the slats where the full moon was shining through the leaves of the trees.

"But coming here has made me a believer. It's so peaceful and breathtaking here."

"I would never want to live anywhere else." Caitlin admitted.

They were almost at the end of the meal, when Ellie mentioned Axel.

"Will he be here, do you think? I wanted to go over some last-minute details with him." She had bent her head to spoon the delicious raspberry tarte into her mouth and missed the glances exchanged between mother and daughter.

"How about some coffee?" Cathy sprang up from her chair.

"I don't…," Ellie's voice trailed off as she stared at first Cathy and then Caitlin. Both faces revealed what wasn't said. What she feared.

Caitlin broke the silence, a look of regret and anger on her lovely face.

"He said he had an emergency business meeting."

"He left." Putting down her spoon, Ellie stared at the woman. Sliding back the chair, Cathy sat back down.

"This morning."

"I see."

"We had hoped…," Cathy looked first at her mother before staring at Ellie. "My brother is an idiot."

"When is he coming back?" She did not recognize her own voice.

Caitlin busied herself with the utensils and avoided her eyes. "He said a few weeks, he wasn't certain."

"I see." Ellie was hanging onto her control by her fingernails. She could not – would not break down in front of his family.

"My dear, I am not making excuses for my son, but he has trust issues…"

"I have some more questions- "She broke off foolishly, realizing that they already knew what had transpired between her and Axel. It was obvious. They had left together after dinner that night. She had to leave. She couldn't stay here.

She had been a fool, and the two women were aware of it. It was obvious that she was in love with him. That she had been hoping…

Pushing back her chair, she stumbled to her feet. Both Cathy and Caitlin sprang up as well.

"I am sorry." Her fingers curled into her palms and bit into her flesh. "I – thank you for dinner. I have to go." She fled, not even stopping when they called out to her.

Pushing away her plate, Caitlin pressed her lips together and rose.

"Mom, let me…"

"He is a damn fool!" she whispered tearfully. "How could he hurt that poor girl? I am so mad at him right now." She started stacking plates haphazardly, her eyes swimming.

"Mom…," moving around the table, Cathy took the plates from her. "Sit."

She sat heavily. "Did you see the look on her face? She looked positively broken. How could he just leave without telling her?"

"You know why." Cathy said quietly. Pulling up a chair, she left the plates and sat next to her. "That woman hurt him to the core. Axel does not give his heart easily and she pretended to be everything he desired in a woman. She made herself over, said and did everything he wanted to hear and played him so well, he fell under her spell.

He told me his instincts are what he values most in business and when he found out she had played him, he started second guessing himself." She bit her lip. "He told me that she took something from him."

Caitlin's hands gripped hers.

"I never knew all that."

"He always wants to protect you mom." She closed her eyes briefly, opening them to stare sightlessly at the patch of crab roses she had so carefully cultivated. "She loves him."

"Yes." Cathy agreed sadly. "She does."

*****

The tears burned the back of her throat and formed a ball that was difficult to dislodge, no matter how many times she swallowed. She had no idea how she made the ten-minute drive from his mother's house to the cottage.

He was gone. He had kissed her with intense longing this morning and he knew he was leaving. And he never said anything to her. She had to hear it from his mother and sister. She had seen the way they looked at her and they knew.

They knew that she had fallen in love with him. She had seen the realization on their faces as well as the pity.

It was raining again. Sitting in the car, she watched numbly as the rivulets of water racing down her windshield. She was shivering, even though she was wearing her jacket.

She jolted when the jagged lightning slashed the air and highlighted the area shrouded in darkness. When the thunder cracked right after, she roused herself from her inertia and pushed open the door.

She was soaked by the time it took her to reach the porch. But it didn't matter. She had done the unthinkable and was being punished for her bad judgement.

She had naively thought he was on the same page. She had wanted him to be into her so badly. She had wanted him to love her, had hoped that after last night, they had scaled all the obstacles. But he was gone.

Shrugging out of her jacket, she stumbled into the living room and sat on the sofa. She had left a fire burning in the hearth in case he wanted to come back to her place and it had kept the place cozy and warm. She would not cry. She had made a fool of herself, but she was going to finish the article and go home.

*****

"I am dying."

"Again?" Axel did not have time for the man's theatrics. William Gamble was an old friend and a mentor. He had played the part of a father to him when he was stumbling around trying to find his way.

The man had hired him when he walked off the streets to muck stalls and a grudging friendship had been formed between them. He had been sullen and intense and determined to make his fortune. He had been in a great hurry.

The old man had taught him a lot. Seeing the potential through the rough edges and the ‘I am mad at the world' persona, William had taken Axel under his wings.

He had spent five years at the ranch learning business and everything else he could learn. He had been like a sponge and an eager student. William had no children and had never been married.

They had formed a wary friendship and then it had blossomed from there into something much more significant. William did not only own the ranch, but several other businesses and Axel had been determined to surpass the old geezer in wealth. And he had. But they remained friends over the years.

William had called urgently and asked to meet. Axel had welcomed the chance to get the hell out of River Glades. He felt trapped and confused.

"Looks like I am not the only one with problem." He had come straight from the hangar where a car was waiting to transport him to the ranch, where the old man had been waiting for him on the wraparound front porch, smoking his usual cigar.

"You look like you had been dragged through the mud and hit by a bulldozer. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Axel had tried to sleep while on the flight over, but every time he closed his eyes, he kept seeing her sprawled out on top of him.

"You had me ditching everything and running here." Lowering himself into the rocker next to William, Axel glared at him. "Don't tell me it was you crying wolf again."

"Relax boy." William blew smoke in the air, light blue eyes squinted as he stared out at the rugged terrain. He had been born on this ranch, had seen his granddaddy and daddy work their asses off to make it work.

But he had failed them. He had spent too much time riding the range and not enough time courting Mary Jo who had been sweet on him for a long time.

By the time he decided that he should settle down, it had been too late. Mary Jo had married his best friend. He had lost his chance. Afterwards, he had been too tired and not motivated enough to start looking around for someone else.

"The doctors said I should get my affairs in order." He murmured now.

Axel glanced at him sharply. William Gamble was ornery and a hard taskmaster. But he had profited from being with him, here on the ranch where he had learned things he would not have done otherwise.

"The cancer is back."

The old man nodded. "Pour me some of that scotch, will you?"

"Aren't you taking medication?"

"As far as I know you don't have a medical degree, and you are not my damn wife. Pour yourself one too, you look like hell."

William watched as the young man shoved out of the rocker and went to grab the bottle from the table in one corner of the porch. The sun was going down, the large orange and ruby red disk making its slow descent behind the mountains. Gamble Ranch was set on an incline and looked down on the spread of land surrounding the building.

Operations had been scaled down drastically a few years ago when William had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had gone into remission soon after spending thousands on a clinical treatment and for a while it looked as if he was going to bounce back.

Handing him the glass, Axel strode over to the strong column. Leaning against it, he turned to look at the wizened old man. A pang went through his heart when he noticed the additional lines on his face and the weary stoop of his thin shoulders.

"I am eighty-six and I feel every inch of my age." He remarked as if reading Axel's thoughts. "I am tired and just want to hang it all up." Taking a sip of his drink, he eyed Axel thoughtfully. "You are the closest thing to a son I have, and I made arrangements with those bloodsuckers that call themselves lawyers. You get everything."

"What the hell am I supposed to do with a ranch? Especially one as broken down as this one?"

Instead of taking umbrage, William grinned at him. "The property was just appraised a week ago and I would have you know that it is still valuable. Sell it, break up pieces of the land, if that's what you want to do.

There is an outfit in Dallas who has been sniffing around. They have plans to build luxury apartments and according to them - this is the perfect spot."

He shrugged. "I don't care a damn. I am the only surviving Gamble and the name is going to die with me." His sharp gaze landed on Axel. "You should do well to give thoughts to your own life. Why the hell are you still single? I know you were involved with that greedy gal; you introduced me to a year ago, but she was never for you.

Heed my advice and find someone you can settle down and have a life with. You have been running all over the world, making your fortune, but you need someone to warm your bed at nights. Take it from me, son. Loneliness is a bitch."