Page 20 of The Awakening (The Morton Family Saga #3)

Chapter Eighteen

Gavin

“ A re you feeling up to a drive? We should go out and see what kind of shape grandpa’s house is in.” I leaned against the door, crossed my arms, and watched Ellie as she moved around the room. I couldn’t tear my eyes off her.

“Sure, I think it would be good to get out of here.” She set down the clothes she was putting away and gave the room a scan, her brow furrowed.

“Jacket?”

“Yeah.”

“I have it. Come on, let’s have some fun.”

“You still know how to have fun?” She teased. Sure, I'd become a bit more serious while building my new business, and the demands of keeping my family happy on top of that were a bit much. But did it really seem like I didn’t know how to have fun anymore?

“I’m fun.” I pulled her coat from beneath mine on the hook and tossed it on the bed for her before closing in. “I’m too serious? Is that what you think?”

“Maybe…” She bumped into the wall behind her. There was nowhere for her to go.

“Maybe I just need help remembering how to have fun.” She shut her eyes as I dipped forward, anticipating a kiss, but instead I gave her a firm slap on the behind.

Ellie’s eyes shot open. The action didn’t seem to displease her, but she was shocked.

“See, this old boy’s got some surprises left in him yet. Let’s go, Little Spoon.”

The old house wasn’t in terrible shape. It was a two-story white farmhouse with a wraparound porch. This house was a far cry from that of my parents and even my brothers, but there was something about it that felt like home.

I couldn’t put my finger on it. Maybe it was the simplistic style or the memories it held, but I was happy to be there after so much time away.

For years, I’d avoided returning. It was far easier to focus on life outside of the ranch than deal with the scrutiny of my family.

I was more than happy to be on my own for decades.

I looked over at Ellie. Somehow, she was changing all of that for me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just been a long time since I’ve been out here.” I stared at the house in front of us. “Want to go in? See where you’ll be living?” I tried to lighten the mood, but the grayness of the sky mimicked how I was feeling.

Ellie nodded and smiled at me. We hadn’t overstayed our welcome at the big house, but it was time for some privacy, and the baby would need a nursery and she’d need a place to settle in to being a new mother.

With the cold seeping through my coat, I held my hand out for Ellie, and we ran to the porch.

A scent of chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, and Old Spice wafted through my nose when I pushed open the door.

I knew it was just my imagination, but it felt real.

My grandparents had been gone so long, it was impossible for those familiar smells to still be lingering, but it put me a little more at ease with this entire situation.

I watched as Ellie scanned the entry way. It was dusty, and the paint was peeling, but those were easy fixes. She wandered into the front room, a smile forming on her face.

“What’s that look for?” I asked quietly as I came up behind her and wrapped her in my arms. She needed to be held, and I wanted to be the one to do it.

“There was a house that looked almost identical to this close to the ranch in Montana. The Hestmens used to own it. When things were bad at home, I could always run there, and Mrs. Hestmen would have cookies and a cup of tea ready for me.” Drawing in a ragged breath, she continued.

“Being in this room just brought that memory back. I’m sorry.

I’m being a downer. Can we keep touring? ”

“As you wish, ma’am. Let’s check out the office. Then we’ll go to the kitchen and proceed upstairs, where the magic happens.” I waggled my eyebrows, expecting Ellie to turn red like she usually did when I said something like that. Instead, she exploded in laughter.

“I can’t wait to see that. Lead the way Mr. Morton.” She motioned ahead of her, and I walked out into the hallway, breathing a sigh of relief.

The stairs creaked as we moved to the second story, but those would be an easy fix. Three bedrooms and a bathroom occupied this floor. “Everything needs work,” I mumbled as we wandered through the house.

“It just needs people, laughter, and love, Gavin. And we’re here to do just that.” She encircled my waist with her arms. We’d been playing these parts since we’d come to Texas, but I wasn’t sure if this was that or if it was more.

I wrapped my arms around her, and we stared out the window of what would be our bedroom.

Standing there, we watched the sky go from a crisp dull gray to a hazy white. The wind picked up and rattled the windows.

“Oh no.”

“What is it?”

“Blizzard. We’re going to be stuck here until it’s over. I better get some wood and get the fireplace going. It’s going to get cold in here.” Absentmindedly, I kissed the top of Ellie’s head before I let her go.

“I’ll see if there’s anything to eat in the pantry.” She was hot on my heels as I ran down the stairs. “If nothing else, I’ll get the oven going to start warming this place up.”

I stopped midstep, and she obviously wasn’t paying attention because she plowed right into me, sending me flying down the last few stairs. #

I caught myself before I hit the floor and then caught Ellie as she stumbled into me.

“Gavin. I’m sorry.” Her eyes were wide, and she flinched when I tightened my grip on her arm to steady her.

“Ellie, it’s fine. It was an accident.” I let go and took a step back, holding my hands out in front of me.

“Gavin, I am so very sorry.” She took a few steps away from me like she was afraid I’d hurt her.

“Ellie, did he hit you?”

She shook her head. “No, but there were threats and manipulation. Flinching was just my way of protecting myself, waiting for it to happen.”

I crossed the gap between us, and I took her into my embrace. “You never have to worry about that again. I’ll never raise a hand to you or threaten to do so.”

“I know you won’t. You aren’t that kind of man, but I can’t always help the reaction.” She spoke into my shirt.

“I know so little about your time in Montana. Will you tell me about it? The rumors, the flinching, the woman who was in my kitchen. What’s the story?

Maybe if I know more about your past, I’ll be able to help you feel more comfortable with me.

” I reached out for her hand and guided her to the living room couch to have this conversation.

Once she was settled, I gave her a few moments. I wouldn’t make her talk if she didn’t want to. Crouching in front of the fireplace, I threw in the paper I had wadded up.

Her voice was distant when she spoke. “My father had a vision for a community where everyone worked together, shared resources and just wanted to live a life that provided well for families.” Taking a ragged breath, she looked out the window across from her instead of looking at me.

“The people of the community looked to my father for guidance, and at some point, that went to his head. He heard about things that were happening in large cities and didn’t want outsiders infiltrating our group, so he made sure the women of the community were sheltered at home.

Teams had been arranged to go to town for supplies when needed, but unless you were part of that group, you didn’t leave. ”

She lowered her head, wringing her hands in her lap before she continued, and I couldn’t stand the idea of not touching her, comforting her, as she spoke, so I sat beside her on the couch.

“When I was younger, we could leave the compound, but then, almost overnight, it was forbidden. The penalty for leaving was shunning for a week. Each offense after that would be a week added on. When I got my fourth violation, no one spoke to me for a month. Except Ray. He had been so nice, and I’d been so thankful for the company, but then turned on me at the end of my month.

I had to confess in front of the entire community that I had disobeyed our leader by speaking to Ray.

They accused me of luring him in. That’s when they decided I would marry Ray.

That way, according to them, he would keep me under control. ”

My blood boiled at the images her story created. The hatred I was beginning to have for the life Ellie had been living was growing rapidly.

“Marrying girls off who were ‘trouble’ was my father’s answer.

So that’s how I ended up engaged to Ray.

My father never raised his hand to anyone, and his punishments were harsh, but they were consistent.

Ray, on the other hand, would fly off the handle if I looked at him wrong, if I laughed at him or dared cross him about anything.

” She stopped talking and wrapped her arms around herself.

When she didn’t continue, I placed a gentle hand on her knee.

“I want to fly to Montana right now and deal with your father and Ray myself.” Clenching my fists, I took a few deep breaths to calm myself.

How could anyone treat another human like that?

Especially one like Ellie. She was a beautiful woman who deserved the world.