Diann Hunt - Hearts Under Construction

“Yeah, I do.”

How did he know that? Why did he know that? “But—”

“I’ll see you then, Ellie.” Cole got up and walked away.

No matter how hard she tried, she could not figure him out one bit and it made her crazy. Well, she’d be on her guard. Regardless of what anyone else said, she didn’t trust him.

Ellie spent the day in a flurry of work, for which she was grateful. It gave her less time to worry about Cole and his latest antics.

She walked up to Jax in the kitchen. “I’m leaving now, is that all right?”

He glanced at the clock above the sink. “So soon?”

She followed his gaze. “I know it’s fifteen minutes early, but remember, I told you Cole is picking me up at six o’clock to meet the Wilsons. I was hoping to have a little time to freshen up before we go.”

“Oh, right. I forgot.” He opened the refrigerator. “Do you know who brought in all this grapefruit?”

She bit her lip.

“Another diet?”

She shrugged.

He shook his head and grabbed a chocolate bar tucked in the back of the top shelf. “Whose are these?”

Ellie hated being caught. She looked around the room as if she hadn’t a clue what he was talking about.

“Ellie?” He peered at her over the rim of his glasses.

She could almost feel herself seated in the middle of a dark, empty room with a bright incandescent bulb hanging over her. She imagined sweat forming over her brow. The pressure caused her to crack. “Okay, fine. They’re mine.”

He shook his head and began to unwrap the bar.

She ignored him. “So, is it okay if I leave? I’m not going to have time to eat dinner before then the way it is.”

“No dinner? Be kind to the customers.”

“Ha, ha,” she said with exaggerated sarcasm.

“You want one of these?” He extended the candy bar toward her.

“No, thanks. I’m on a diet.”

Jax shook his head. “You’re pathetic.”

She smiled at his teasing. “I know.”

“Ellie?” He grew serious a moment. “You be careful. I mean, Cole’s my best friend and all, but he’s broken a few hearts.”

“Don’t you even talk like that. I can barely stay in the same room with the man, let alone feel any attraction to him.”

Jax shrugged. “Okay, just wanted to make sure. I’ve seen him change the mind of more than one woman.”

“I’m not easily changed, remember?”

By the time Ellie heard Cole’s car pull up to her house, she had just completed the finishing touches on her makeup. She took one last glance at herself in the mirror. After changing from the blue dress she had worn to the office, she’d put on her black pantsuit. Though professional, it appeared more casual than the dress and much more appropriate for visiting a carpet store. She fluffed the back of her hair and grabbed her purse.

Thinking Cole was waiting in his car, Ellie started to bolt out of the door only to bump into him standing in the doorway. “Oh, I’m sorry.” Their noses were inches apart. He held her arms to steady her.

“We seem to do this a lot.” His eyes teased her.

Very uncomfortable with the feeling that shot through her, she pulled away. “I thought you were in your car.”

“Dost thou think me not a gentleman, fair lady?”

She couldn’t help but smile.

“How could I not escort one so attractive?”

Uh-oh, Jax was right. This man was spinning his web. No doubt to get her to share her commission. She ignored his comment. She fairly shoved him out of the way so she could lock the front door. When she turned around, she found him still standing close beside her. She straightened, and in businesslike fashion, walked to his navy SUV. He followed close behind and opened the door for her.

He made her feel like a teenager going on her first date. The sooner she got this appointment over, the better. Oh, why had she agreed to ride with him?

They made their way down the road, talking of surface matters. She tried not to look at him. She told herself it had nothing to do with being afraid of getting caught by his spell.

The appointment passed quickly. The Wilsons were happy with their final choices. Ellie had to admit Cole did know a lot about choosing carpet. She was also surprised he had let her control the meeting and even brought her into the conversation when he shared his knowledge of the carpet they’d picked. All in all, things went much better than she had expected. They said their goodbyes and got back in Cole’s car.

He turned on the ignition then looked at her. “I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. Want to stop and get something to eat?”

As if right on cue, her stomach growled. She clutched it with her hand.

“I’ll take that as a yes?”

They both laughed. She didn’t want to eat with him, but she had to admit she was hungry. A meal wouldn’t be too excruciating.

Once they were seated in a booth at the steak house, the waitress approached them. Ellie wanted ice water with lemon. Cole ordered a soft drink.

They sat in silence while looking over the menus. A country-and-western singer crooned over the speaker. Soft conversation rippled around them, and the smell of frying steak wafted through the room. Once they’d made their meal choices, Cole and Ellie stacked their menus on the table so the waitress could collect them.

“What are you getting?”

“I’m blowing my diet for tonight. I’m ordering steak in a southwestern sauce and chunky fries.”

“Trust me, those fries aren’t going to hurt you. You look great.” His smile jolted through her. What in the world was going on with her?

“Let’s keep this strictly on a professional level, okay?” There, she’d put him in his place.

“You think I want anything more than that?” His words sounded as though the very idea couldn’t be farther from his mind.

“Well, I—” Oh dear, she was growing pink again. She could feel it. Once again, she had presumed too much. Of course he wasn’t interested in her in that way. She rooted through her purse to cover her embarrassment.

“I’m sure you already have a special someone?” His eyebrows lifted queryingly as if he knew she couldn’t possibly have anyone in her life.

Oh, he lit her fire like a match to a torch. She lifted her chin and said with utmost dignity, “I belong to no one. Except God.” She almost felt embarrassed to add God to the mix, feeling quite sure she hadn’t represented Him well at all in front of Cole.

His eyes widened. “Oh, my mistake.” He flipped his napkin on his lap as the waitress approached.

Ellie pulled in a breath. No wonder she wasn’t married yet. She didn’t know how to relate to men at all. No matter how the conversation started, she always ended up saying the wrong thing.

They ate their dinners, both managing to get back to light conversation. Since the dinner was a business expense, Cole insisted on paying for her meal, and Ellie just wanted to go home and cry. Could she look any more foolish tonight?

They got into the car, and she finally mustered some courage. “Cole, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have presumed—”

“Yes, you should have.”

His words startled her.

“I was out of line. Again. You put me in my place.” He turned to her in the darkness. A nearby streetlight revealed only faint images of his face. “Ellie, can we call a truce?” His voice sounded tired.

“I’d like that, Cole.”

“Good.”

A light rain began to patter upon the windshield. Cole turned and started the car. They pulled onto the road, and he clicked on the wipers. Ellie settled into her seat. The soft whir, mingled with the fine dinner, relaxed her. She closed her eyes and dozed a little while Cole drove her home.