Unexpected

Chapter Eleven


After everything he’d said, his insistence, she’d thought for sure Eli would come after her. But five weeks had gone by without a word. She knew the advantages of the rich, being that they hired her for extravagant amounts of money. If Eli had wanted to find her, he could afford the means.

So, he must not want to.

Not that she should care. After all, she’d run off in the hope of escaping him.

Still, she was . . . hurt. How dumb that sounded. A specialized soldier had her feelings hurt. Well, boo hoo. Someone break out the violins.

She had bigger problems than tender emotions, anyway.

She’d gotten knocked up.

Preggo.

In the family way—which was too bizarre for words because she didn’t know squat about families and even less about babies. They were small. Messed their pants. Needed a lot of things she couldn’t give.

She held her head, feeling like her world had just tipped off its axis.

It was disturbing emotionally and physically. She was sick when she shouldn’t be, the pregnancy wearing on her like a full day of strenuous work. She slept so much it was pathetic, and she puked even more than that.

The morning sickness had flattened her. According to her doctor, it had hit early. Lucky her. She’d barely been home a week when she’d missed her first period. Soon after that, she’d started barfing for no good reason—and it didn’t stop. She remembered the sympathy she’d felt for Jeremy and how she’d bragged that she never got nauseous. That statement had come back to bite her in the butt big-time. And for her, there were no drugs to help. It wouldn’t be safe for the baby.

So, among other ailments, she puked. Morning, noon, and night.

She knew herself to be in prime physical shape, but now she felt limp and tired and out of sorts.

And it was all Eli’s fault.

Only he didn’t know it. And she didn’t know how to tell him, or if she even should. But not telling him seemed unethical and downright cowardly. And if she had to be bitchy and sick and limp, she could at least not be a coward.

What would he do? She shuddered, unable to imagine his reaction.

Despite feeling like something the cat mauled and then dragged in, she still insisted on going to work. It helped to keep her mind off Eli, and these days, she needed all the help with that she could get. Unfortunately, her current carpentry project was in a diner. She didn’t care that it was classier than most, it hit her with the same effect as a greasy spoon.

Though she was working in the back, installing crown molding and wainscot for their new meeting room, she could smell every single steak, lump of fish, or buttered vegetable that got ordered. She hadn’t eaten that morning and still her stomach jumped and pitched and twisted.

She pushed through the discomfort, but by late afternoon she was uncommonly exhausted, and thankfully finished. The sight of half-eaten meals smothered in sauces she couldn’t even pronounce had made her shaky.

And she had months to look forward to this?

Groaning and grumbling to herself, she found the manager and had him approve her work. She listened to his praise with only half an ear and a churning belly. He signed off on the job and gave her the remainder of her pay.

After a hasty thank you, Ray headed out. Her head pounded and it was difficult to swallow. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so wretched.

Wearing her heavy tool belt, carrying her toolbox with one hand and holding her middle with the other, Ray sluggishly made her way toward the back exit where she’d left her truck. Just as she reached the door, a hand caught her arm.

The hold was gentle, but firm. “Hello, Ray Jean.”

Ray froze in midstep, her groan low and heartfelt. She’d recognize that voice anywhere. But it couldn’t be. No way. Not now.

Cautiously peering over her shoulder, Ray encountered Eli’s hard, unwavering golden gaze. Uh-oh. He looked enraged. And wonderful.

God, she’d missed him.

Everything inside her turned upside down and like a volcano, she felt herself erupting. She dropped her toolbox, narrowly missing his foot but too sick to apologize. Covering her mouth, she raced for the rest room. She prayed she’d make it there in time. Humiliation would settle in later; for now all she could think about was getting away and finding some privacy.

Unfortunately, Eli followed hot on her heels.

She shoved the bathroom door open but couldn’t shove it closed, not with him in the door frame.

“Get out,” she managed to say—then could say no more as she fell to her knees hard in front of the toilet.

Misery washed over her. She’d shoot him. She’d dislocate his shoulder. She’d . . . oh gawd, she hated being sick.

At first Eli stood there like a halfwit, then he made several overtures, none of them helpful, and finally cursed. Ray slumped against the toilet, never mind the unsanitary conditions. If she could have moved, she’d have killed Eli.

With a limp hand, she reached up and flushed.

Eli knelt beside her. He caught her shoulders and pulled her against him. “What do you want me to do, honey?”

He smelled good. And felt even better. “Leave.”

“Not on your life. No, don’t stiffen up. Sit still and I’ll get you a cool towel. Maybe that’ll help.”

He couldn’t be that stupid. A cool towel? Yeah, right, that’d fix things right up.

He was back in only moments, handing her several dripping paper towels.

She pushed them away. “I don’t . . .”

“Hush, sweetheart. Breathe slowly.”

She well remembered his odd combination of gentleness and command. Since she wasn’t up to killing him, she did as he told her, and even used the towels to wipe her forehead and mouth. The second she felt more collected, she leaned away from him. Propping her back against the cool tiled wall, Ray glared at him. Her hammer gouged her in the side and the tool belt made an uncomfortable lump against her back. “You could have given me some privacy.”

“So you could run off again? I don’t think so.”

“Did I look like I was up to anything other than tossing up my guts?”


He stared a moment, fought the inevitable smile. “No. You didn’t.” His words were so soft they sank right into her. “You still look pale as a ghost. What’s wrong with you? Flu?”

She couldn’t deal with this in a public toilet with her feeling like crapola and him looking as delicious as ever.

Eli’s hand touched her chin in a now familiar gesture, and he asked suspiciously, “Ray?”

She struggled to her feet, went to the sink, and rinsed out her mouth.

The heat of his body touched her spine, letting her know he was right behind her. “Ignore me all you want, babe, but I’m not leaving here without you.”

“Fine.” She used another towel to dry her mouth. “I was ready to go anyway.” She avoided looking at him as she headed out.

He carried her toolbox for her, and she was just wasted enough that she let him. They went out the back door. Dressed in a dark green tank top and carpenter jeans, the early summer air felt nice settling over her bare shoulders and warming her face. She took a moment to enjoy the fresh air before fishing her keys out of her front pocket.

Eli took them away from her. “We’ll take my truck.”

These days, her temper was on a very short fuse. She counted to ten, knew she’d puke again if she starting fighting him, and nodded. “Whatever you say, Eli.” There was still a definite bite in her tone.

“Well, now. That’s a new attitude. I think I like it.”

Ray narrowed her eyes at him as they crossed the parking lot. “Don’t press your luck.”

“We both know you’re not in fighting form, Ray, so give it a rest.” Eli opened the passenger door of a shiny black full-sized pickup.

Ray cocked her brow at him. “Pretty fancy.”

With a negligent shrug, he said, “It gets me where I’m going.” Without her assistance, he unbuckled her tool belt and put it in the back along with her toolbox, then helped Ray inside and closed her door. With the cumbersome belt gone, Ray caught herself resting both hands over her still-flat belly. It was instinctive, a damned maternal gesture or something that she’d been doing ever since finding out about the pregnancy. She quickly jerked her hands away, putting them on the seat beside her hips.

She’d imagined their reunion   a hundred times, especially after she first left him, when she’d stupidly allowed herself to think he’d immediately follow her. But as the weeks had passed and she began to think he wouldn’t come after all, she tried not to think about him—without much success.

This wasn’t how she’d imagined it would be. He was calm and detached, not at all glad to see her. In fact, she wasn’t even certain why he’d bothered.

“Is there some reason for this visit, Eli? Or did you just happen to be in the neighborhood?”

He ignored her questions. “Where are we going?”

“I was going home. But without my transportation now . . .”

“I’ll go back for your truck later. Where do you live?”

Ray grudgingly gave him directions. She hadn’t had an appetite in too long to remember, but the thought of warm tea seemed just the thing to settle her stomach.

Eli didn’t say a word when Ray directed him to pull into her driveway. It wasn’t exactly a huge house, but it was spacious, a renovated farmhouse with a wide, curving porch and an upstairs balcony. Ray saw her brother’s car in the drive and wanted to sink into the floorboards. Since Matt had found out about her pregnancy, he’d been pampering her. Even though they were always considerate of each other, it wasn’t something she was used to.

Just as Eli turned off the engine, Matt stepped out of the house. Tall for his age, broad-shouldered but lean, her brother made an impressive sight. He walked down the porch steps and waited, his arms crossed over his chest, for Ray and Eli to get out.

Eli immediately took Ray’s arm again. “Company of yours?”

“My brother. Better get prepared for the inquisition. He’s a bit on the overprotective side.”

“And he let you go into Mataya?”

“He’s only eighteen, Eli. I’m thirty-one. Do you really think I’d let anyone, even my brother, tell me what to do?”

“One can always hope.”

With that last comment, Eli started forward, towing Ray with him. She tried to give Matt a silent message to mind his own business, but he kept his attention fixed on Eli. He stood in front of the steps, blocking the entrance to the house. Ray saw that Eli was only a tiny bit taller than Matt.

She tried for a casual smile. “Matt, you’re home early today.”

His gaze flickered to her face, then away again. “I fixed lunch for you. Soup. And before you tell me you’re not hungry, remember what the doctor said about keeping up your strength.”

Frustration rose the minute Matt mentioned the doctor. Now the questions would start, and she had no doubt he’d done it on purpose. The brat.

Eli stared down at her, one brow raised in honest concern. “You’ve been to the doctor? Just how sick are you, Ray?”

Matt spoke up. “Oh, she’s not exactly sick.”

Eli ignored him. “Ray?”

“It’s nothing. An upset stomach.”

Matt snorted, then reached out to take her arm. “You look like hell, Ray. Come inside and I’ll get you some tea. Lunch will be ready in a few minutes.”

Neither overbearing male seemed inclined to release her. Eli had one arm and Matt the other. They stared at each other in belligerent silence. Ray, never accused of being a diplomat, tried to think of some way to avoid a clash of wills, when suddenly her stomach settled the problem for her.

“Oh no, not again.”

Matt said, “Out of her way,” and hurriedly shoved Eli aside.

Ray dashed into the house—and she knew, there’d be no avoiding the truth now.





Appalled, Eli watched as Ray fled away. Again. Seeing her so pale and weak had already scared him. But for her to be this sick . . . He started after her.

Matt stopped him from following. “She’ll be all right. But I can guarantee she won’t appreciate you chasing on her heels.”

“But . . .”

“No one wants an audience for what she’s going to do.”

Eli grudgingly agreed. “I suppose you’re right.” Then he started up the steps, saying, “She should be in the damned bed, resting. She had no business going into work.” Without waiting for an invitation, Eli entered her home.

Matt didn’t object. “She’s stubborn.”

“No kidding.”

Eli looked around with curiosity. The house was sparsely furnished, antiquated and charming. It showed off Ray’s considerable talents as a carpenter, just as Buddy had predicted. The house was neat as a pin, finished with crown molding, wooden floors, elaborate trim, and a lot of love.

It showed Ray’s softer side—a side she’d probably deny—and he liked that.

Matt pointed to the kitchen. “You can wait in here for Ray. She’ll be out in a minute.”

“I don’t know about that. She’s been avoiding me.”

“You don’t say? And I thought it was the other way around.”

“No.”

At his one-word denial, Matt relaxed. “She won’t avoid you this time. She’s too afraid I’ll start blabbing if she leaves me alone in here with you.”

“Blabbing about what?”

“Not yet.” Matt turned away, and Eli followed him into the large country kitchen where an oval pine table and four chairs sat. The smell of homemade soup filled the air. Eli straddled the chair, watching Matt as he lifted the lid off a large pot on the stove.

“You’re Ray’s brother?”

“That’s right.” Matt turned and stuck out his hand. “Matt Vereker. I think I’ve already figured out who you are.”

Eli took Matt’s hand. “Is that right?”

“Yeah.” His grin was wide and engaging. “You’re the brave soul who wants to get closer to Ray. Right?”

“Ray talked about me?”

“Oh yeah. She talked. Didn’t really say much though, just gave a few, er, necessary explanations.”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying not to laugh?”

Matt’s cough sounded like a snicker. “I’ll bet she was plenty surprised to see you after all this time, huh?”

“She shouldn’t have been.” Eli was already enjoying Ray’s brother. He was as forthcoming as Ray, but with a more jovial persona. “I told her I wouldn’t let her go.”

Ray walked back in and slumped into a chair opposite Eli. The tank top she wore was snug on her breasts, making them appear fuller than Eli remembered. The soft, well-worn carpenter jeans hung on her hips, though, as if she’d lost weight. No matter the changes, she looked so damn good to him. Keeping his hands off her and sitting politely at her table was a challenge.

Matt immediately handed her a cup of hot tea. “Feeling better?”

Ray nodded as she sipped at her tea. Her hair looked lank, her cheeks pale, and Eli wanted to haul her into his lap and kiss her silly.

“You boys been getting acquainted?”

“Sure thing.” Matt put his hand on her shoulder, then tilted his head toward Eli. “I was just about to ask what the hell took him so long.”


“Matt!”

Matt pressed her back into her chair. “Under the circumstances, it’s a damn good question, don’t you think?”

Ray tipped her head back to narrow her eyes at her brother. “Don’t you start,” she said through stiff lips, “or you can just leave the room. Which probably isn’t a bad idea, anyway.”

Matt gave her a “yeah right” look. “Ain’t gonna happen, Ray.” He lifted his gaze to Eli. “I’m not sure yet that I trust him. Any guy who would—”

Ray lurched to her feet. “That’s enough, Matt.”

Confused by the undercurrents and by what wasn’t being said, Eli also stood. “If you children can put off this little family squabble for a few minutes, I’d like to talk to Ray. Alone.”

Matt again folded his arms over his chest, though now there was no real menace in the act. In fact, he looked highly amused at his sister’s agitation. “I need to serve her lunch. She won’t eat unless I force her to.”

Incredulous, Eli stared at Ray. “She won’t eat?” No wonder she looked skinnier. “And here I thought she was a bottomless pit.”

“That was before.”

Eli looked between brother and sister. One was smiling, one was furious, and the static in the air nearly had his hair standing on end. “Before what?”

Ray threw up her hands. “Well, I can see I’m not needed in this conversation. When you and my nosy brother get everything straightened out, let me know. In the meantime, I think I’ll just go take a nap.”

Eli drew himself up. “Take a nap?”

Ray didn’t bother answering him. She stomped from the room, looking too wrung out and defeated and put upon.

Eli watched her go with a horrible, sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and a vice around his heart. Had she caught something awful in Mataya? She’d only downed half her tea. She looked weak, didn’t argue, and . . .He swung his gaze around to Matt.

“She sleeps a lot these days,” Matt explained. “And she’s emotional to boot. If I didn’t love her so much, I’d probably strangle her.”

“Emotional?”

“Yeah.” Matt Vereker, a younger, masculine version of Ray, gave an ear-to-ear grin. “Pregnant women are like that, you know.”

“Preg—” The bottom dropped out of his stomach. Eli fumbled for the chair behind him, then fell into it hard. His head swam. She wasn’t seriously ill. “She’s . . . ?”

“If you can’t even say it, how the hell do you think Ray feels?”

He shook his head, then said, “Emotional?”

The grin widened. “Very. And sore and tired, and as you already saw, full of morning sickness that doesn’t confine itself to the morning.” Matt grew serious. “I’ve never seen her like this. She can deal with anything. She doesn’t bat an eyelash when that damn agency contacts her, handles any weapon with ease, and could teach the local law enforcement a thing or two about hand-to-hand combat. But this has laid her low. If you hurt her—”

“I’m going to marry her.” Eli shook his head, trying to take it in. “I was going to marry her before I knew, it was just a matter of convincing her. But this ought to help things along.”

Matt appeared pleased by Eli’s statement, then said, “You don’t really know Ray if you think that. And I wasn’t kidding about the emotional part. If you thought she was temperamental before, try getting on her nerves now.”

Eli waved all that away. With a small, very pleased smile, he whispered in awe, “Pregnant.” And then, thinking of how violently ill she’d been, he winced. “Poor Ray.”

“Poor you. You’re the one who put her in this condition, and she remembers that every time she pukes—which is pretty damn often.”

“I can handle her.”

Matt shook his head, laughing. “She did say you were brave.”

Feeling steadier by the moment, Eli came to his feet again, started out of the kitchen, and realized he didn’t know which room was hers. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, he shouted, “Ray,” loud enough to rattle the windowpanes.

The air seemed to still around him before Ray shouted back, “Stop that damned bellowing,” from a door at the top of the stairs.

Eli took the steps two at a time. He couldn’t wait to hold her, to tell her how he really felt, to touch her and kiss her and—given she was sick, a lot of that might have to wait. But not all.

He flung her door open, but held onto the knob for support. Knowing Ray would have his baby made his knees weak and expanded every tender, loving thing he felt for her.

Ray stared at him, her expression antagonistic. He remembered what Matt said about this throwing her, and quickly collected himself. She needed his reassurance and support to help her accept the inevitable.

He stepped into the room and quietly closed the door behind him.

Ray sat up and hugged a pillow to her stomach. Still scowling, she said, “You look so damned determined.” And then, softly: “I missed that look.”

That she’d admit to missing anything about him gave Eli hope. “You’re pregnant.”

Her chin jutted forward. “Surprise, surprise.” Taking two steps to tower over her, Eli gently grasped her by the upper arms and lifted her from the bed. “When did you plan to tell me, Ray?

“Tell you? How did you expect me to do that? I don’t have your resources. I couldn’t track you down, and you sure as hell didn’t follow like you said you—”

Despite her scowl, she looked hurt, and Eli decided the questions could wait.

Kissing her could not.

He leaned forward—and Matt swung the door open.

“Here’s your tea, Ray.”

Eli knew he only wanted to check on his sister, and he admired that. But at the same time Matt spoke, a feral growl sounded, and before Eli could turn to face the snarling threat, he got hit in the backside with a ball of fur brandishing sharp teeth. The dog—Ray’s pet, he assumed—was latched onto his backside.

Eli lost his balance as he twisted around, but since he still held onto Ray, they both stumbled. The room was filled with sudden curses, barks, and shouted warnings.

And as if the day hadn’t held enough surprises, Ray fainted.

Despite the toothy dog clinging tenaciously to the seat of his pants, Eli managed to catch her just before she slid to the carpeting. Matt tried to work himself closer to see Ray’s face, and struggled to hold onto the dog’s small, stout body at the same time.

Eli’s own worry was immense. “Move so I can get her on the bed. And get that damned mutt off my ass.”

The dog snarled and jerked and shivered, making Matt’s job more difficult.

Very gently, his eyes never leaving her pale face, Eli placed Ray on the soft coverlet. She didn’t stir. One small-boned wrist dangled off the side of the mattress, making her look almost frail when Eli knew her to be anything but.

He heard Matt commanding the dog to let loose, but it refused to listen. The stubborn animal swung jerkily back and forth, his teeth deeply snared in the material of Eli’s jeans, only narrowly missing actual flesh. It might have been humorous if Eli wasn’t so worried about Ray.

Impatiently, he reached back and pried the dog’s jaws loose. It yelped in surprise, giving Eli his release. Giving the dog the full force of his intimidating stare, Eli commanded in a stern tone, “Stay.”

The dog stilled, perked his ears, whimpered, and then sat. His tongue lolled out and his head tilted to the side. He peered toward Eli, awaiting further instruction.

Matt was amazed. “That dog doesn’t obey anyone except Ray. How did you do that?”

Eli bent over Ray, his hand gently cupping her cheek. “I’ve spent some time with your sister. I had to learn quickly to assert myself.”

Matt chuckled, then peered over Eli’s shoulder. “I can’t believe she keeled over like that. But then, pregnancy does funny things to women. At least, that’s what Ray keeps telling me. She’s been really weird.”

“Has she ever fainted before?”

“Are you kidding? Ray faint?” He snorted. “I shouldn’t be surprised, though. She has a terrible time keeping anything down and she doesn’t sleep well. She’s always tired but still insists on working. And like I said earlier, she’s in permanent PMS mode.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t say this if she could hear me, but I think she’s afraid.”

Eli made no comment to that. To him, Ray lived her life in fear, and the worst fear of all was that someone might know.

He patted Ray’s cheek. “Come on, sweetheart. Open your eyes for me.”

Ray moaned softly, turning her head away from him. She looked so damned debilitated with her face washed clean of color and dark circles ringing her eyes. Her bloodless lips parted on a sigh and Eli wanted to defend her against the world. He couldn’t stop touching her.

As his thumb drifted over her smooth, stubborn chin, her lashes flickered. She blinked vague eyes open. “What happened?”

Matt leaned over her. “You fainted dead away and would have hit the floor except that Eli caught you, even with your dog chewing on his butt.”

Eli didn’t look at Matt when he said, “You spilled the tea, Matt. Why don’t you get her some more?”

Seeing Matt rush from the room without question, Ray frowned. “Don’t order my brother around. I don’t like it.”

“Should I have said please?” Eli smiled gently, and his thumb still drifted over her lips. He’d missed touching her so much. He’d even missed her quarrelsome tone and commanding manner.

Ray raised a shaking hand to her forehead. “That’s never happened before.” And then, with suspicion: “You’re sure I fainted?”

“I sure as hell didn’t knock you out, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

She closed her eyes, but said, “Right. As if you could.”

Eli sat on the side of the bed. He took Ray’s hand, stroked her slender fingers. The dog came bounding past him, and with one less than agile leap, landed square on Ray’s chest, making her grunt.

She smiled the sweetest smile Eli had ever seen her bestow, and said to the dog, “Hello, Precious. Were you worried about me?”

Eli shook his head. “Worried?” Then the name she’d used registered and he laughed in disbelief. “Precious ?”

Ray continued to smile. “That’s right. He’s a very sweet dog. And he’s always trying to protect me.”

So, she allowed her dog that privilege, but no one else? “He attacked my backside. What did he think I was going to do? Sit on you?”

Ray glared at Eli. “You didn’t scare him, did you?”

“No, I didn’t scare him. I’m the one with teeth marks in my ass. And there is absolutely nothing precious about that damned mutt.”

“I told you a long time ago that Precious didn’t like men.”

“Yeah, well, I think Precious and I understand each other well enough now.” His gaze went to the dog, and it immediately laid its ears back and whined, then gave a tentative, lopsided doggy grin, complete with lots of tongue and drool. Satisfied, Eli scratched Precious behind his furry ears. “As to my injury, I think I’ll survive.”

Ray pushed up to her elbows. “I’m sorry.”

Eli had the feeling she didn’t say that too often, and that she was talking about quite a bit more than just the dog. He traced the dark shadows beneath her left eye with his fingertip. “What’s going on, Ray? Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?”

Hugging the dog, Ray avoided looking at him. “I hadn’t heard from you . . .”

“You ran off.”

“I know. I had to. But . . . you were so obstinate about things, I sort of expected you to try to follow me. When you didn’t, and then I found out I was pregnant, I just wasn’t sure what to do.” She looked up suddenly. “I would have told you, though. Eventually.”

She’d said a lot, and he needed time to wade through all the misconceptions and insecurities without making matters worse. He considered his next words carefully. “You should call the doctor and tell him you fainted. Maybe you need vitamins or something.”

Ray gave him a wry grimace. “I’m already taking tons of vitamins. Believe me, I don’t need any more. And besides, he’ll probably tell me the same things he always tells me.”

“And what’s that?”

“Every woman reacts differently to pregnancy and every stupid thing that happens is normal. Bear with it and eventually it will go away.” She made a disgusted face. “After I give birth, is what he means.”

Eli couldn’t hide his small smile. “Has it been so horrible, honey?”

“You’re damn right, it has. I stay sick all the time, and I’m tired and my boobs hurt and my ankles are swollen and—” She stopped suddenly, her lips compressed as if she’d only then realized how she complained.

He wanted to hold her, to tell her to cry if she needed to. He started to tell her he loved her and would take care of her. But he knew such a sentiment would be abhorrent for Ray, so he quickly changed the subject.

“My grandfather was ill with pneumonia when I got home. It was pretty serious for a while there. I couldn’t leave him, but I had people searching for you. The damned agency wouldn’t give me a single hint about your location so I had to search every small town in Illinois.”

“The agency protects me by keeping things private.”

“I understand that. But it wasn’t easy. I should have known you’d live in the most inconspicuous place imaginable. I’m not even sure it’s on the map.”

“You were really looking for me?”

She sounded uncertain, keeping him off guard. “Isn’t that what I just said?” He squeezed her hand. “Lady, I about went nuts when I couldn’t find you right away. I went from swearing I was going to make love to you all night, to wanting to lock you in a windowless room so you’d never get away from me again. I may as well tell you, it’s still a toss-up.”

Ray didn’t take that threat seriously. “How’s your grandfather now?”

“Anxious for me to bring you home so he can meet the woman who’s had me so distracted. It’s not something he’s used to. There was so damned much to do, tending him, breaking off the business arrangement with Jane, making certain Jeremy was settled. And all I could think about was you.”

Ray affected a look of casual interest, though Eli saw through the ruse easily enough. “How did Jane take the news?”

“She still thinks our families should unite.” He smiled. “I thought about siccing her on Jeremy, since he’s been behaving like such an ass. Would serve them both right.”

Ray licked her lips. “You may have jumped the gun here.” She didn’t meet his gaze, choosing instead to stare at her hands while she petted the dog. “I’m still not interested in a relationship.”

It was in Ray’s nature to put up one last grandstand. Eli didn’t begrudge her the effort, but he had her and he wasn’t letting her go. He already knew it, and he imagined Ray did, too.

Matt came back in with a tray. “I brought the tea and the soup. Usually once she eats a bit, it settles her stomach. I think working in that stupid restaurant is what really nauseates her. But she won’t listen to me.”

“I finished that job today, so quit harping.”

“I was thinking about your work,” Eli told her, while moving the dog from her lap. He ignored her incredulous expression when all Precious did was wag his stubby tail in seeming joy, then plop down across Eli’s feet.

After Ray scooted up to sit against the headboard, he placed the tray across her legs. “Why don’t you teach self-defense or something? You’d be really good at it.”

Matt chuckled. “She tried that once.”

“Being my brother won’t save you, Matt.”

Matt just winked at her. “She even worked for the cops. But they kept sending her women to train and the women kept running off in tears. Ray here isn’t all that good at tempering her strength or showing any sympathy with broken nails or messed up hair.”

Imagining the whole scenario, Eli grinned. “Prissy women, huh?”

“Regular women,” Matt claimed, “and not up to Ray’s intensity.” He leaned toward Eli in a conspiratorial way. “She had them all whining and crying within minutes.”

“I can see where that might make things difficult.”

Ray’s expression had gone from embarrassed to annoyed to chagrined. “Why are we congregated in my bedroom? I’m feeling fine now. Let’s go downstairs to eat.”

Eli and Matt said, “No,” at the same time.

“Not until we’re certain you won’t faint again.” Eli handed her a spoon and sat back to wait while she ate her soup.

“I won’t faint.”

Gently, Eli told her, “I’m not sure that’s a promise you can keep, honey.”

Ray gave an exasperated sigh at his insistence, then relented. Eli thought she must surely be exhausted to keep giving up so easily.

He waited until she had a spoonful of soup in her mouth, then said, “I have a suggestion. One for you both to consider.”

Matt looked interested, but said nothing. Ray tried to ignore him.

“Come to my ranch with me. Ray can get plenty of fresh air and some much needed rest, and you can both get to know my family. They’re dying to meet you.”

Ray promptly choked.





Lori Foster's books