Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Zach

It's obvious Ellie has thoughts swirling around that pretty head of hers. If I had to guess, I might think they were about me. Although, I'm not sure they would be flattering. For all I know, she still thinks I'm a waste of space.

After paying the check with her credit card, Ellie announces, "I need to go home and get everything ready for my mom."

"I'll help."

Shaking her head, she tells me, "You've done enough, Zach. And while I'm very grateful to you, I want to take care of the rest on my own."

I don't want to push my attentions where they're not wanted, so I simply say, "Fine. But I'm going to help you unload."

As nice as the afternoon has been, it's clear Ellie is done talking. For that reason, I don't try to engage her in conversation on the way back to her house. Instead, I try to figure out what Yolanda wants from me. Short of being in a relationship for real, I come up dry.

Once we get back to Maple Falls, I tell Ellie, "I'll give you my phone number so you can text me." I reach my hand out for her phone and create a contact for myself while adding, "I'll use a code name so that we don't have to worry about Yolanda finding out we're in touch."

Ellie takes her phone back. Looking at the screen, she laughs. "Mr. Wonderful, huh?" She immediately hits the button that calls me and says, "Now you have my number."

I create Ellie's contact, naming her Gorgeous Landlady. "We probably shouldn't be seen together while Yolanda is in town," I tell her.

"And when she's not in town?"

"We should still stay out of the public eye as much as possible. You never know who she has reporting back to her."

"That makes sense." Is it me or does she sound disappointed?

After turning off the ignition, I open the back hatch and take the wheelchair out. Once it's on the driveway, I put all the other purchases on top of it.

"I've got it from here," Ellie says as she maneuvers it toward the front door. She doesn't look back.

I'm not sure what to do now, so I head down to my cottage and give Troy a ring. If he doesn't need me for anything, I might hit that hammock by the creek and take a little nap.

I'm about to call my brother when my phone starts playing "Whip It" by Devo. As my assistant is always cracking the whip, I thought it the perfect tone for her. "Hey, Belle, what's up?"

"You just got a call from Anthony Jenkins."

Tony is one of the partners at Fame, Inc. "Finally, someone is calling me back."

"He gave me his private number and asked that you call him."

"Text it to me," I tell her. Then I tease, "I'm thinking about moving to Maple Falls and falling off the face of the earth."

"Dibs on your condo," she says without missing a beat.

Belle never mentioned whether she was going to take me up on my offer to stay there, so I ask, "Have you moved in?"

"Oh, yeah. I've already put your things into the guest room." I can't tell if she's kidding or not, but knowing her, I wouldn't be surprised if she's done exactly that.

"If I leave California, it's yours," I tell her. "At least until I come back."

Instead of gushing gratitude, she announces, "Your brother Mac called, too. He said to tell you that he needs advice."

"Why didn't he call me directly?"

"He tried to but the call wouldn't go through. It seems Maple Falls has some dead zones."

"Another reason to move here," I joke.

"Haha. That's all I've got for now. Check your texts for Anthony's number." She doesn't bother to say goodbye. Instead, she simply hangs up. That's my Belle, full of charm.

After letting myself into the cottage, I'm suddenly so energized I can't seem to relax. Looking out the back window, I decide to put my swimsuit on and see if the creek is still warm enough to swim in. But the second I walk outside without my clothes on, I change my mind. It looks like living in Southern California for so many years has turned me into something of a wuss.

After putting my jeans and sweater back on, I pick up one of the books I brought with me— The Reawakening . It's a blend of conspiracy and apocalyptic fiction, yet the more I read, the more I think it's probably one hundred percent truth and the author was forced to write it as fiction to avoid being sued, or worse, killed.

Once I get to the hammock and lie down, I realize I don't want to read about doomsday. At least not while my mind is so full of thoughts of Ellie. Dropping my book on the ground next to me, I stare up into the colorful leaves above and let my mind drift.

I've worked hard in my life, and I've loved all the stages leading up to the present day. I love the thrill of the chase when I start a new project. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when I finish it. I particularly appreciate the fact that I don't have to worry how I'm going to pay my bills. But even though I have a great life, I've recently been realizing that I want more.

I want a wife and a family. I want to recreate my childhood, but with the means to spoil the ones I love instead of struggling. Ellie is once again in the forefront of my brain.

Thinking back to all the women I've dated, I realize that while they have all been beautiful and accomplished in their own way, none of them have inspired thoughts of the long-term. I can't see any of them running around and playing with their kids like my mom did with us—like I instinctively know Ellie would do with her brood.

I don't know if Ellie would welcome romantic attention or not, but I want to let her know that I've started to have feelings for her. I'm not sure if six weeks is enough time for us to form a bond, but I know I want to try.

Thinking of Elaine, I realize that we never know the hand life is going to deal us. As such, I'm going to make the most of every minute that I'm here.