Page 24 of The Jackpot Screwer
I followed her through to the kitchen where she immediately turned on the kettle and pulled out a packet of chamomile tea.
“You got any vodka instead?” I asked with a laugh.
“That bad, huh?” She pulled me into the hug I so needed. “My brother again?”
I considered her question for a few and then said, “Actually no. I’m over him being an idiot.”
“So, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing as such. I’m glad Mom and Dad know. And the idea of being a momma is growing on me.” Instinctively my hands cradled my tiny bump and I felt a surge of something in my chest. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it felt warm and comforting. “I guess it’s just the thought of having to make choices that are a little more grown-up than which purse to buy.”
“It’s only natural to feel that way.” Ellie gave me a sympathetic smile and pushed a mug of tea toward me. “We’re getting older. All our lives are changing.”
She glanced over at some drawings and her face pinked.
“What are they?” I asked, getting up from my seat at the breakfast bar, my interest immediately piqued.
Ellie cleared her throat and followed me to look down on what appeared to be architectural drawings of a house.
“Oh my God,” I cried. “Are y’all moving? Don’t you dare tell me your mom and dad are selling their place. What will I do without you here?”
Ellie laughed. “Calm down.” She looked at me warily from under her lashes. “It’s Hunter, he’s having the barn converted to a living space.”
“He’s finally decided to do that. At last, you’ll get some privacy.” I leaned down to take a closer look. “I thought he was just converting the upstairs to an apartment. This is like a real house. And why do you have the plans?”
Ellie blushed again as she took a deep breath. “He decided a house would be better. Well, he and Jefferson decided. There’ll still be an office.” She pointed to a room on the plans. “See there, at the back of the house overlooking the stables. And here, well they’re going to build a small bunkhouse. Jefferson just bought twenty more acres from Lyle Matthews and wants to expand the herd at The Big D again this year so is going to take on four more ranch hands. That means with him, Hunter and the Williams brothers, there’ll be eight of them working there. They’re going to add on to the stables too, seeing as they’ll need more horses. Oh and —”
“Ellie,” I interrupted around a giggle. “Why are you babbling and why are you as red as a beet?
Staring at me with wide eyes, she chewed on her lip before blurting out, “Hunter asked me to move in with him.”
“Oh my God,” I screeched. “It’s quick, but it’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.” Pulling her into a hug, I felt my face ache my smile was so big. Something struck me and I pulled away to look at her. “You seem unsure. It is what you want isn’t it?”
“Yes, more than anything.” Her face lit up, settling my concerns. “I didn’t want to make you feel bad, with everything going on with you and Carter, is all.”
My heart clenched a little. My best friend was happy and in love and I was unhappy and in love.
“Am I being stupid?” I asked, the words barreling from my head to my mouth. “Pushing Carter away.”
“Bronte, you have to do what’s best for you. I can’t tell you and neither can your folks or mine. No matter how sad for everyone, if you don’t think it’s right with Carter, then you have to do whatever is necessary.”
“That’s the problem,” I sighed. “Everything with Carter is amazing, most of the time. You know he’s not the same with me as he is with you. He’s kind, he’s thoughtful and he’s real funny.”
Ellie screwed up her face. “We talking about the same Carter? Six-one, dark auburn hair, head as big as a bison’s?”
“Yes,” I laughed. “Seriously, Ellie, he’s as sweet as cotton candy really.”
“I guess I’ll take your word for it.” She shrugged. “Personally, I think he’s a dunderhead and that you need help, but that’s just me. So, why are you pushing him away, if you think all those things about him?”
“You know why. Because aside from all those things he’s also selfish at times and is basically a fifteen-year-old in a twenty-six-year old’s body. You know just before I found out I was pregnant he suggested we go travelling for three months. Go to Europe or India.”
“Well, that’s not unusual. I can see why he’d suggest it.”
“I agree, but when I told him that would be cool, you know what he said?”
Ellie shook her head.
“He said, ‘Oh, wait, I have to castrate Missy Malloy’s Shar Pei next week. Maybe we’ll do it some other time.’.”
