Rocky Mountain Angels (15 page)

Eli turned to Joe. “Her fingers go completely white in
the cold.”

“I know, I’ve witnessed it. Have you ever asked a doctor
about it?”

“Yeah, there are some meds you can take, but the list of possible side effects is pretty long. Most just advise staying out of the cold.”

Eli’s brows arched. “So have you changed—”

“These are really good, Mari?” Ben interrupted in such a way to let everyone know he’d done it on purpose. Eli gave him a look but didn’t say anything.

Mari jumped in. “Thanks. I didn’t make them from scratch, though. I had a muffin mix in my mostly bare pantry.” She looked back at Eli as she lifted her mug toward her lips. “Which brings me to another topic... I really need to get to the grocery store, but—”

Mari was taken back by the whirlwind of offers that came all at once.

“I’ll take you.”

“When do you want to go?”

“No problem.”

The three looked at each other with a hint of challenge, and Mari set down her mug. “Well, thank you all, but” —she looked at Ben— “I have something I want to talk to Ben about so maybe he should be the one to take me.”

Ben smiled, Eli nodded knowingly, and Joe looked...
disappointed?
The expression was so fleeting before the last bite of his muffin was crammed into it, Mari thought she must have imagined it.

They each had a second muffin and coffee refills while Eli and Ben related Joe’s extremely early need to tear down walls.

Mari looked to Joe. “I absolutely love the view from up there. Whatever you do, you have to plan around that. If it were me, I’d like to look at the mountains from a big comfy chair for two. Or what if it were the first thing you saw when you woke up next to your honey? No, wait. I know, a great big whirlpool tub.” She took a sip of her tea and sat back in her chair. “That would be so relaxing.”

She took another bite of her muffin and let her eyes rove over their faces, searching for a reaction, but they all looked shell shocked. She blinked.
My suggestions weren’t that weird.
“Okay, so what are you guys thinking of doing up there?”

Eli’s far away stare gave way to one of his devilish grins. “Oh, Mari, I don’t think you want to know what we’re all thinking of doing up there.”

Joe rose. “Thanks for the muffins, Mari. I believe I can now knock down plaster for another hour or two.” He gave her a warm smile before turning his attention to his brothers. “Ben, get cleaned up and take Mari to the store. Eli, I think you and I better swing those hammers.”

Eli lingered in the kitchen helping Mari clean up until both Ben and Joe disappeared upstairs. Then he turned her toward him and gently lifted her chin. “Do you know how badly I’ve wanted to kiss you for the last half hour?”

She smiled up at him. “So get to it.”

“I’m too filthy to do it the way I want to, but” —he placed both hands on the sides of her head— “this will have to do for now.” He pressed his lips to hers. Then tilting slightly, he deepened the kiss, sliding and exploring until both of them were breathless. Taking a step back, he shook his head. “That was better than coffee for a pick-me-up.” He dropped his hands to hers and entwined their fingers. “What are your plans after shopping? Can I come over?”

“No plans today except re-thinking my life here in the Springs.” At Eli’s questioning gaze, she went on soberly. “You’re right. Working in a zoo would be a disaster for me, so I’ve got to figure out a new plan.”

He started walking, pulling her out of the kitchen with him. “I’d be glad to be your sounding board if you like.”

She nodded. “Thanks. I probably need one.”

“Well, I better get upstairs before Joe comes tromping back down after me.” He dropped a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be over later.”

Mari smiled and watched him jog up the stairs.
So handsome.
Her smile slid, however, thinking about her traitorous insides that couldn’t seem to keep from spinning with Joe’s every touch. I 
don’t know why they can’t get the message that he’s off-limits.
Suddenly, a thought popped into her head that brought her smile back.
That’s it! The grass is always greener... He makes me melt because he is off-limits!

He was also tall, strong, gorgeous, responsible, caring, and handy with tools, but Mari didn’t go there.

***

Joe paused with hammer in hand as Eli emerged from the stairway. “If you’re tired, you can do the clean-up.”

Eli picked up his abandoned hammer and slipped on his breathing mask and goggles. “I’ve still got some power left.”

“Suit yourself.” Joe resumed a striking position, but Eli interrupted.

“So, Joe, you seem to be in a sudden hurry to get this bedroom suite underway. Does that mean you’ve actually gotten the girl a ring? Getting anxious for a wedding? And maybe a wedding night?”

Joe swung a blow at the wall, sending debris and dust flying. “I told you it’s just what I felt like doing today.”

Eli moved to the wall he had been working on perpendicular to Joe’s. “So there’s still no ring.”

Joe didn’t break his rhythm. “Nope.”

Eli let his hammer fly. “Why is that? Why do you keep talking about marrying Beth, but you never get around to making it official? Isn’t she getting impatient?”

Joe really wasn’t in the mood for this conversation, but Eli made a good point.
Why haven’t I gotten her a ring?
He ground his teeth. “I’ve been busy with the synagogue.”

“I see.”

They both pounded plaster for a few minutes in silence, and Joe hoped Eli was finished grilling him.

He wasn’t.

“So now that the synagogue is nearly finished, you’ll be having an engagement party, I assume.”

Joe didn’t answer.

Eli just kept talking. “What kind of bedroom does Beth want?”

Joe paused and rested the head of his hammer on the floor. “Eli, just what are you getting at?”

Eli stopped and stared as if he hadn’t a clue as to Joe’s irritation. “If I’m going to draw up some plans, I need to have some idea of what the lady wants.” He resumed pummeling the wall. “Or are you just planning to surprise her?”

Joe slid his hand down the sledge handle and pulled it up into position. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.” He gave the wall another crushing blow.

Eli gave him a look. “Careful, Joe, we don’t need air conditioning up here.”

Joe paused and wiped his forehead with the handkerchief from his back pocket. Eli took the moment to pause as well. “See, that’s what I don’t get.”

Joe gave a heavy sigh. “What, Eli?”

“Not thinking that far ahead. That’s what you’re known for, Joe. You’re the foreman. Your whole job is thinking ahead, and yet on something as important as marriage, you’re not thinking ahead.”

Joe scratched his head, sending plaster dust flying. “I didn’t say I wasn’t thinking ahead on marriage,” he began, his exasperation starting to show. “I just haven’t gotten around to thinking about this room.”
What on earth is Eli getting at?

“And yet,” —Eli hit the wall— “after seeing it once,” —he hit it again— “Mari has.”

Joe started to stumble over debris, so he set the hammer down and picked up the shovel. Pulling the trash can close, he started to shovel it in. “Women think about those things.”

“Has Beth?”

Joe was scooping up a real dust storm. “If she has, she hasn’t mentioned it.”

“Seems strange.”

Joe threw the shovel down. “Damn it, Eli, if you have something to say, I wish you’d just say it.”

Joe couldn’t tell for sure with Eli’s mask and goggles, but he was pretty sure he was grinning. “Joe, I don’t have anything in particular to say.”

Joe kicked the trashcan out of his way and it slid five feet on the dust-covered floor. “Then shut up and let me work.”

Eli turned back to his wall. “Sure, Joe, whatever you say. You’re the boss.”

Joe clenched his jaw and picked up his hammer. The question nagging at him since he came upstairs finally wheedled its way out. “Do you, uh, have any idea what Mari needed to talk to Ben about?”

Eli kept hammering away. “I do.”

“She’s not interested in him, is she? I mean, you were right, she really is quite a bit older than he is.”

Eli still didn’t pause. “That’s what she wants to tell him.”

Joe let out a breath and raised his hammer again.

“That, and the fact that we’re dating.”

Joe missed his target and slammed into a stud, cracking it. He let the hammer head hit the floor. “That’s it, I’m done.” Whipping off his goggles and mask, he left them in the dust as he headed to the stairs.

Eli watched him go. “Just like that?”

Joe didn’t look back. “Just like that.”

Chapter 12

Ben’s old Ford Focus was loaded down with groceries, and he and Mari were heading back to her place before she got up the nerve to broach the subject of dating Eli. She gave him a glance then licked her lips. “Ben, how old do you think I am?”

Ben gave a little start at this unexpected question. “I don’t know... twenty-two or twenty-three? I figured you were a couple years older than me.”

Mari shook her head. “I know someday looking younger than I am will be a real blessing, but right now, I’m afraid it has just complicated things. I’m actually quite a bit older than you think.”

Ben flashed her an incredulous look. “How old are you?”

“I’m thirty.” Ben’s lips went thin, and he looked straight ahead. “So,” she continued, “you and I, well—”

“I don’t care.”

“What?”

He turned a corner, shaking his head. “I don’t care that your ten years older than me.”

“Ben... you’ll meet someone closer—”

“No, I won’t. I want you.”

Mari put a hand to her head as she tried to re-group her thoughts. “Ben, I’m really flattered, and you are just a wonderful guy...” She knew she was sounding lame, but she truly hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. The only thing she could think of to add was Eli, and she was pretty sure that wasn’t going to go over well. “It’s just too much difference for me. I’m sorry.” She knew he wouldn’t want to hear the “let’s be friends” line, but that’s exactly how she felt.

He pulled up in front of her house and cut the engine. Turning to her in the seat, Mari’s heart nearly broke at the expression on his face. “Mari, just give me a chance. I know I’m younger than you, but I’m a lot more mature than most guys my age. I really don’t have a lot in common with girls who are twenty.”

Mari couldn’t stop the tears that were threatening. “There’s one other thing, Ben,” she nearly whispered, swiping quickly at the corners of her eyes. “Eli and I—”

Ben turned abruptly away from her, and Mari didn’t say any more. She unclipped the keys from the side of her purse, turned, and opened the car door. Ben was at her side by the time her feet hit the pavement, offering his hand. She took it, and he walked her to the door in silence before going back for sacks of groceries.

Letting herself in, Mari felt drained. She hung up her coat and made her way to the kitchen. Ben followed closely on her heels with the first bags and set them on her small table. Mari rushed to get them put away before Ben arrived with more, never saying a word.

Finally, he slung two up onto the counter and declared them to be the last. He turned to leave, and Mari caught his arm. “Ben, please don’t leave angry. I really do want to be...” There was just no other way to say it. “I want to be friends.”

Ben gave her a grim smile. “When he breaks your heart, I’ll still be here.”

Mari blinked back more tears as Ben strode purposefully out of the house. Slumping into a kitchen chair, she folded her arms on the table and couldn’t stop the tears.

***

Eli had made his way across the lawn to Mari’s as soon as Ben came in, flew up the stairs, and shut himself in his room. He took a deep breath as he rang her bell, looking around at the snow that was just starting to come down in huge flakes.

Mari answered, sniffling, with red rimmed eyes, and Eli moved in to take her in his arms. He gently pushed her head to his shoulder, sliding his fingers into her hair. “Ben?”

She nodded with her nose in his neck.

“He took the news badly, I take it.”

She nodded again then pulled back to look at him. “I knew he had a little crush, but I didn’t realize...”

Eli ran his hand down the side of her head. “He has a big crush.”

Mari’s face crumpled. “I broke his heart.”

Eli slipped out of his coat and shoved the sleeves of his thin navy sweater to the elbows before pulling her to him again and rubbing her back. “He’ll get over it.” He felt her arms come up around him, so he just held her, breathing in the floral scent of her hair. He noticed that her extra bed pillows were on her uncomfortable wicker bench, so he led her over there to sit. They helped pad the seat, but now the back felt too low.

Mari leaned against his shoulder then noticed the snow coming down and sat back up. “Oh, it’s beautiful!”

Eli thought it was coming down even heavier than a few minutes ago. He put his arm around her. “Yes, it is.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Just like you.”

She wiped her eyes with the cuff of her sleeve. “I bet I look a fright.”

Eli stroked her hair. “On the contrary, I don’t think I’ve seen you look more lovely. It’s a beautiful thing how much you care.”

She gave him a shy smile, and he placed a kiss on it.

They sat looking at the snow for awhile before a low rumble broke the silence. Eli looked down at her stomach. “I take it you haven’t had lunch.”

“No, I felt too awful to eat.”

He pulled her up and toward the kitchen. “Well, what have you got to work with?”

“I feel like I bought out the store, but I don’t really want to cook.” She opened the refrigerator and pulled out an apple.

Eli arched a brow. “That’s a start. You eat that while I make you something.”

***

Joe had retreated to his room after a shower, in a clean white t-shirt and jeans, and sat staring at the painting that Beth had given him. There was something about it that seemed out of balance, but not being an art critic, he couldn’t say just what.