Page 26 of The Awakening (The Morton Family Saga #3)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gavin

T he winter turned to spring, and the ranch was buzzing with new life, green grass, and blooming flowers. Ellie and I grew closer every day. We had become friends quickly and now we were more than that. She and I worked well together, and I enjoyed her company when it was just the two of us.

Stepping out of the hardware store, I set off toward the pharmacy, realizing I should have asked Ellie if she needed anything while I was here. I had my phone halfway out of my pocket when someone called my name.

“Gavin.”

I turned, coming face to face with a ghost from my past. She was someone I used to think I’d never get over, but seeing her now, I realized I hadn’t thought of her once in the last few months.

“Naomi, hi.”

She flung her arms around me and hugged me tight. When she finally let me go, she was almost vibrating with excitement. “Are you busy? Let’s grab a coffee somewhere.”

I looked around the street, which was usually bustling with people, but it was almost empty. “I suppose I could spare a few minutes.”

“Good. Let’s go to Stella’s. I want to hear all about what’s been happening. I heard you got married! That must be a story.” She laced her arm through mine and pulled me toward the coffee shop.

Had she always chattered this much? Naomi had always seemed so levelheaded, but this encounter had exhausted me already.

“Hey, Stella. Two coffees, please. We’ll be in the back booth.” Naomi said as we walked past the older lady at the counter.

“I’ll grab them. You go get settled,”

She walked to the farthest booth while I waited for Stella to pour the coffee.

“Here you go. And may I just say how lovely your wife is? She came in the other day, and we had the loveliest conversation. Much better choice than that one.” She tilted her head at Naomi. “You dodged a bullet there.” She arched her brow and gave me a knowing look.

“Thank you, Stella. Ellie’s still settling in here, and I know she had a wonderful visit with you. Thanks for taking the time to make her feel welcome.” Taking the coffee off the counter, I couldn’t help but feel like everything Stella had said was the truth.

“Don’t do anything to hurt that wonderful woman.” She put her hands on her hips and stared into my soul.

“I won’t. I promise. This was an ambush. I will be in and out before you know it.” I gave her half a smile, hoping she knew this was the last place I wanted to be.

“I know, dear. I saw everything.” She turned back to the coffeepot and began changing the filter and grounds.

I stopped and set the cups down on the table before I sat down across from Naomi.

“I guess I don’t have to ask what you’ve been doing since we broke up.” Naomi picked up the mug and raised it to her lips.

“Yeah, well, life keeps moving.” Hopefully keeping m answers short would end this conversation quickly.

“Mine didn’t I was heartbroken for months. I picked up the phone almost every hour to call you.” She set down her cup and reached out and put her hand on top of mine.

Pulling my hand away from hers, I put it in my lap. I didn’t need anyone gossiping about the two of us more than they already would. Things were changing between Elie and me, and our marriage was becoming more real every day.

I was feeling far from obligated when it came to Ellie. I could see us growing old together, raising our kids and building a life here.

“Gavin, what are you thinking? You’re not dad material. We always said we never wanted kids. Traveling, not being tied to one place, that’s what you always dreamed about.”

“Again Naomi, things change.”

She wasn’t wrong. I’d never wanted kids and here I was about to raise one that wasn’t even mine.

“She trapped you, didn’t she? Saw your money and got knocked up on purpose.”

There was so much Naomi didn’t know but had Ellie trapped me. Had she sought me out because of her situation? Was this always the plan? Her father seemed to give up rather easily. Were they all in on it?

Naomi kept chattering on, but I tuned her out. My thoughts were all over the place. I needed to get home and get to the bottom of it all.

What were the requirements for an annulment? Screw an annulment. I didn’t care if I had a divorce to my name. This wasn’t exactly a normal situation.

“I have to go. Thanks for the chat.” Before I left the table, I stopped and looked at her.

“Naomi, we are done. Whatever you hoped to accomplish here only solidified the fact that I am over you. Don’t bother me again.

” I watched her face fall and tears well in her eyes.

I didn’t give her the opportunity to plead her case.

I just walked away and didn’t look back.

Once in the truck, I grabbed my phone to call Ellie but decided against it. This conversation needed to happen face to face. How afraid for her life was she really?

I had always been too trusting when scared women were involved, but I hadn’t over offered to marry one of them.