Rocky Mountain Angels (16 page)

After Eli’s announcement upstairs concerning he and Mari, Joe had tried very hard to convince himself it was for the best. He even told himself that what he had been feeling had more to do with commitment jitters concerning Beth rather than any real feelings for Mari.
Eli’s right, I’ve been dragging my feet with Beth. It’s a wonder I still have her.

He and Beth had met at a wedding. He was friends with the groom, she with the bride. She had longer hair back then, cut shorter in the back, and obviously salon high-lighted. They had been seated next to each other at the reception, and Joe couldn’t help noticing her figure in the little black dress she was wearing. While she was chatting with the woman next to her, he had cast covert glances her way, and discovered she had a pretty face as well. A face that seemed so full of expression—laughing one minute and sassy the next.

He had asked her to dance and was surprised that she was tall. Even in heels, most women only came up to his nose. He had noted that he could lean forward and kiss her eyes should he be inclined. He liked how his arm fit around her when they danced and later, after he’d asked her out, he noticed that he didn’t have to bend as far to give her a kiss.

And maybe that kiss hadn’t set his world on fire, but it was nice enough.
And maybe I haven’t bought her a ring yet, but we have talked about marriage; we’ve made plans.

He rose and crossed to his nightstand to pick up her picture sitting there.
I’m sorry, Beth. I don’t know what’s gotten into me the last few days, but I promise, I’ll shake it off.
He set it back down. “And tomorrow, I’m going ring shopping,” he announced aloud.

He swept his phone off the nightstand as he left the room, scrolling to find her name as he walked down the stairs.

***

The snow had stopped by the time Mari had finished the sandwich Eli had made her for lunch, and since Mari wouldn’t allow them to sit on the bed, he insisted on taking her thrift store shopping to find some new seating. Mari was surprised that they actually found a love seat that was both comfortable and affordable. It was upholstered with an unappealing pale blue and tan plaid, however, but Eli insisted they could find a throw to cover it. She paid for it, and the store manager helped Eli load it in the back of Joe’s pickup.

They made a quick stop at Home Depot for curtain rods and pleated shades; then Eli drove to the mall to continue their shopping out of the cold. Even though the shops were more mainstream than the artsy Manitou shops, Mari enjoyed watching Eli in action as he pondered bedspreads, pillows, and towels. He made a game of showing her two different items and asking her which would go best with her style and colors. If she got it “right,” she got a kiss. Mari was certain that if Eli had been her professor, she would have done much better in her design classes.

With all the tender touches and stolen kisses, Mari had to admit that Eli seemed to be completely smitten, but doubts kept creeping in.
How do I know this isn’t just the way he is with all his women? Will I ever be able to really trust him?

By mid-afternoon, Eli had found everything on his list for Mari’s place with the exception of an area rug, and he was starting to yawn. “Your early morning wall busting is catching up with you, I think,” Mari observed, shifting the bag of towels to the other hand.

Eli shook his head in an attempt to shake off the afternoon malaise. “Yeah, I need a coffee.” He pulled her toward an escalator.

“We could just go home, and you could take a nap.” She pulled back to slow him down. “My foot is starting to hurt.”

He turned to her. “I’m sorry, why didn’t you say something? Have I been going too fast?”

“I just did say something, and your speed hasn’t been a problem until now.”

He set the huge bag down containing Mari’s new bedspread and pillows, cozied up to her, and slid his hands around her waist with a devilish look. “Would that nap include you?”

She pushed on his chest with eyebrows raised. “Absolutely not.”

He picked up his bag again and took her hand while attempting to squash a smile. “Then I’ve got to have some coffee.” He slowly tugged her toward the escalator once again. “We have to go down anyway to leave, and the coffee shop is right at the bottom.”

She allowed him to help her onto the escalator with her awkward boot; then he stepped on behind her. At the bottom, Eli took her hand once again, sliding his fingers between hers and caressing the side of her hand with his thumb.

They were nearly to the coffee shop when a long-legged blonde in a short red skirt, cream sweater, and high heels came out with a cup in hand. She stopped short, and a smile lit her face. “Eli!”

Eli focused on the approaching woman, and Mari felt him tighten his hold on her hand. “Raina.”

Flipping her long straight hair behind her shoulder, she glanced over at Mari but spoke to Eli. “I was expecting you to call me this week.” Her gaze made it down to their clasped hands, and her smile faded. “You said you would.”

“I’m sorry, Raina. I should have called.” Mari looked up at him; the tension in his jaw belied the relaxed sound of his voice. “It was a crazy week.” He looked over at Mari. “A crazy, wonderful week.”

Raina looked puzzled. “Is this your little sister? Is she visiting or something?”

Eli turned back to her and blinked. “No, she’s my... my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” Raina shifted her coffee to the other hand with eyes wide. “You just spent the day with me last Monday.” She fixed Mari with a glare. “And believe me, sister, we weren’t shopping.” Her glare traveled back to Eli. “We weren’t shopping all day and half the night.”

Eli dropped Mari’s hand, grabbed Raina by the elbow and steered her a good ten feet down the hall, standing so Mari couldn’t see her face. Eli was obviously trying to keep his voice down, but Raina had no such compunction. She suddenly laughed. “Let me know when it’s over.” She took a step to the side and locked eyes with Mari. “It won’t be long, I’m sure.” Then she gave Eli a saucy smirk and strode away.

Eli’s shoulders slumped, and he turned slowly, looking like a wounded puppy. He shook his head as he walked back to her. “I’m so sorry, Mari. I don’t know what to say.”

“I do.” Mari’s chin ticked up. “Get your coffee. I want to go home.”

Chapter 13

After fifteen minutes of silence, Eli couldn’t take it anymore. Mari had stacked their purchases between them in the truck, so he couldn’t reach her hand.

He could barely see her.

Running into Raina was probably the worst possible scenario for the day, and yes, he supposed he should have called her and let her know he wouldn’t be calling her, but he had made no overtures of love to her. He’d been very clear from the outset of their relationship—which amounted to sex every now and then—that he wasn’t looking for a girlfriend.

At least he hadn’t been until Mari showed up on his porch.

He glanced her way again, but she was still turned away looking out the side window. He took a deep breath. “Mari.”

She didn’t answer.

He reached over the bags to touch her hair. “Mari, please talk to me. I know you’re hurt, but you knew that about me. I told you that I’m not proud of all the women that I’ve... I’ve spent time with. Now that I’ve met you, I’d give anything to go back and do the last fourteen years over again.”

She turned to look at him with brows pinched. “Would you really? That’s pretty easy to say now. I mean, what’s so special about me?”

Eli snorted. “What’s so special about you? Well, you’re obviously beautiful, but it’s not just on the outside.” He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. “You’re smart and funny and warm.” He stopped at a light and slid his hand behind her neck, giving her his full attention. “You’re real, Mari Baker. You’re never trying to be something you’re not. And that, my dear, is rare.”

The light changed, and he turned his focus back to the fore and put his hand back on the wheel. “I can’t say for sure that I would have waited and saved myself for you if I could have peeked into the future, ’cause I was a pretty randy teenager, but if how special you are could have permeated my testosterone fog, I would have.”

Mari looked down at her hands clenched in her lap. “But you’re not a teenager anymore, Eli, and it sounds to me like you’re still in a testosterone fog. That woman claimed you were with her just a week ago. What makes you think you can just turn that off for me?”

He turned onto their street. “Because I’ve never wanted to before now.” He stopped in front of her house, cut the engine, and turned to face her. “I’ve never met anyone I’d be willing to even try to rein it in for.”

She met his gaze, shaking her head. “But shouldn’t you be reining it in because it’s the right thing to do—because God doesn’t want his children to behave like animals—rather than because it’s what I want you to do?

“Look around, Eli, marriage break-ups are the norm now. Why? Because people like you rehearse divorce over and over and over with every partner. And think of all the baggage you will be bringing to our relationship. You will compare me to every woman you’ve ever been with.”

Eli shook his head with feeling. “Mari, I won’t. I promise.”

Mari gave a little laugh and opened the door. “Eli, you won’t have a choice.” She looked back and reached over the bags to tap the side of his head. “They’re all up here.”

She turned to exit the truck, so Eli quickly did the same. “Mari, wait, let me help you.”

“It’s all right. I can walk.” She waved him away, so he grabbed the shopping bags off the seat and walked slowly behind her up the walk.

After unlocking the door and letting them both in, Mari started to slip out of her coat, but Eli just set the bags down and headed back out. “I’ll go get some help for the love seat.”

Mari nodded without smiling. “I’m going to go lie down.”

Eli wanted so badly to take her in his arms and reassure her of his heart, but he just watched her disappear into the bathroom before letting himself out to find one of his brothers.

***

Mari looked at herself in the mirror after popping a couple of pain pills and chasing them with a glass of water. “He’s right, you know. He told you he had no idea how many women he’s slept with, but you said you’d give him a chance.”

Leaving the bathroom, she entered her bedroom, closed the door, and sat on the edge of her bed. Removing her footwear with a quick flick on the left and a very careful slide on the right, she left them by the bed and lay down.

Up until the encounter outside the coffee shop, it had been a wonderful afternoon. Eli was fun and caring, and the way he looked at her never failed to start her heart racing.
But how many women have been the recipient of that look before me? Is it really possible that I am special to him somehow? Does he look at me differently than he has every other woman?

Closing her eyes, she crossed her arms over her head.
What do I do, Lord? Forgiving him and giving him a chance seemed like a Godly sentiment yesterday, but the reality is harder to swallow. Now that I’ve actually seen one of his women, I don’t know if I can do it, no matter how great of a kisser he is. No matter how much I enjoy his company.
A tear rolled down the side of her face.
No matter how sweet and kind he is.

She wiped the dampness from her temples.
Good grief, stop it. You just met him a week ago. He can’t be that important to you already
. She turned on her side, trying to categorize Eli the way she had Joe and Ben—as a brother—but she had never kissed them—had never felt their caresses. The thought of him never holding her again started her lip trembling, and she couldn’t stop the flow of tears.

He can never undo what he’s done. It will always be holding onto his coattails, following him all through his life. Women from his past will just continue to pop up and confront him, tempt him.

She tried to tell herself she was crying for him, but she couldn’t stop the feeling that there was more to it. Raina had embarrassed her.

If Eli has a reputation, what will people think of me?

***

Mari woke later to voices in her living room. “So, is this how you did it? Bought her with art and a sofa and... towels?”

“No, Benjamin. She bought the love seat herself. I bought the other stuff, because I wanted to. There are no strings attached. Even if we... even if we stop dating, it’s hers.”

Mari felt instantly guilty.

“I suppose it’s cheaper than what you’ve spent wining and dining other women.”

“Keep it down, would you, Mari’s probably sleeping.”

Ben laughed, but in a hushed voice. “Yeah, I bet that’s why you don’t want me mentioning your women.”

Mari scowled.
Oh, Ben!

Eli had lowered his voice so much she had to strain to hear. “Ben, if Mari is willing to give me a chance, why can’t you? You’re my own flesh and blood. Have you never made a mistake? Gone down a wrong path? Just had your head on backwards for awhile?”

Mari sucked in a breath.
Eli, do you really see it that way—as a wrong path?

“Sure, but you’re expecting me to believe you’ve turned on a dime. I don’t think it’s possible... Where do we put the wicker thing?”

“I don’t know.”

Mari wondered if he’d really move it out on the lawn and set it on fire.

“I’ll just put it here for now.”

There was a pause then the sound of shuffling feet and a thunk.

“Ben, please try to believe in me just a bit. I know you’re concerned about Mari, but I promise I won’t hurt her.”

Mari held her breath, waiting for an answer, but none came. She heard the front door open and close and let out her breath with a agonized sigh.
They’re brothers. Surely Ben could reserve judgment long enough for Eli to prove himself
. Her brows lifted.
And what about me?
Do I have that same responsibility?
She got up and hobbled to the door without putting her boot back on. She paused with her hand on the knob.
Eli could have lied about the number of women he’d been with, but he didn’t
.
He was truthful even when it would hurt his chances.
She straightened her spine and opened the door.