Page 8 of The Awakening (The Morton Family Saga #3)

Chapter Six

Gavin

T he Morton ranch sign loomed out in the distance, flanked by two massive redwood logs on either side of the private road that led to the ranch. Ellie gasped and leaned forward, looking up as we passed under the sign.

“Welcome home,” I muttered to myself. This was the last thing I had imagined myself doing, and I hadn’t had the time to prepare any of them for our arrival. There was no way to know what we were about to walk in to.

“I’m sorry for making you do this, Gavin.” Ellie’s voice was quiet, and she rested her palm on my leg gently.

I placed my hand over hers and held it tight as we drove deeper into the compound.

I pointed to her right. “If you take that road, you’ll get to my brother Tyler’s house.

He lives there with his wife and their son.

” He smiled. “You’ll like Kate. She’s a good woman.

She whipped my brother into shape. Their son, TJ, is four now. ”

Ellie craned her neck, catching what glimpse of their house she could between the trees.

“Ty and Kate’s marriage was arranged by our father and hers.

It wasn’t good for a while, but they made it work.

” I guess in a sense their marriage had been fake too, though the circumstances behind it were very different, but now they had the kind of marriage that most people could only dream of.

A smile crossed my face at the idea of being here to watch my nephew grow. Spending time with him and teaching him some of my old tricks gave me hope that being back home again wouldn’t suck the life out of me.

Ellie gasped. No doubt spotting the main house in the distance.

I was almost embarrassed by its size. I pointed over at the dash.

“My other brother Rob and his wife live in the house across from the big house. Rob was a single dad for a long time. Out of the three of us, he’s never strayed far from Mom and Dad.

Then Jessica came back, and they rekindled their high school romance.

Addie, my niece, is twelve and keeps this family on their toes. ”

As we closed in on the big house, and I looked over at Ellie. I thought her eyes were going to bug out of her head. I swear I could almost see the wheels turning in her head, and they were about to fall off.

“You grew up here?”

“No, I grew up in Montana. We moved here when I was in high school. My mom’s dad had this ranch and left it to her in his will. My parents built this house before we moved here.”

I pulled the truck to a stop, and took in my family home, my stomach falling to the floorboards as realization sank in.

Why was I doing this?

I could have put Ellie on a plane and sent her anywhere in the world she wanted to go with enough cash to keep her comfortable while she figured herself out.

But no, for some reason, I’m carrying on with this ridiculous scheme and bringing her home to meet my family.

I sighed. Something about her being all alone in the world didn’t sit right with me.

But was I doing right by her bringing her home with me?

What she didn’t know was that all the money in the world couldn’t buy happiness.

And though the ranch was pristine in appearance, there was plenty of dirt lurking beneath the surface.

“If you don’t want me here, Gavin, we can turn around and leave. Or I’ll leave; you can stay. Whatever you think is right.” Ellie looked down at her hands.

Coming home had been my decision, and it wasn’t right that she was blaming herself for my reservations.

“This is what is best for you right now. Nobody will bother you when they know you’re here and with my family.” I threaded my fingers through hers and gave her half a smile. “Time to face the music.” Wiggling my eyebrows, I tried to break the tension.

Ellie didn’t smile as I hoped she would. Instead, she chewed at her lip. The atmosphere between us had gone from light to thick enough to cut with a knife in no time at all. I hopped out of the truck, rounded it, and opened her door. “

As we stepped onto the porch, my mother threw open the door, stepped out, and spread her arms wide, ready to wrap me in a hug. She looked the same: petite, blonde, and immaculate.

“My baby boy has finally come home.” She wrapped me up tight and hugged me for what seemed like hours. “You have no idea how happy I am to have you home, Gav.” She said in my ear.

“It’s good to be here,” I muttered.

“Don’t lie to your mother. I know this is the last place you want to be.

” She let me go and patted my cheek. Her smile genuine, but there was concern in her eyes.

She knew this place had the potential to crush me.

It had proven that time and time again, but I was hoping this time would be different.

“Mom, please meet Ellie Bowers—uh…Ellie Morton. My wife.” I turned to look at Ellie, who looked slightly horrified, probably because I’d slipped and used her maiden name. “Sorry,” I mouthed.

Her eyes went soft, and her smile returned. She held out her hand for my mom to shake. Her eyes widened, but her smile never wavered. Always cool under pressure. “Oh no, Ellie, we’re family now.” Mom pulled her into a hug.

Ellie looked at me over mom’s shoulder, tears welling in her eyes. Leaving Montana and her family was harder on her than I thought it would be. To me, it was an easy decision. Her father was trying to send her back to a man who’d crushed her.

“Thank you, Mrs. Morton.” Ellie said as the women parted.

“Call me Sandra, honey. I can’t wait to get to know you better, dear. I was beginning to think we’d never see the day when Gavin would finally settle down. We’d just about given up hope that he’d marry by forty, but here you are. You must be quite something.”

Ellie glanced over at me and squinted. What were the chances she hadn’t caught on to the married by forty comment? Slim-to-none would be my guess. “Now come in. The family is waiting to meet you.” My mother hooked her arm through Ellie’s, leading her into the house as I followed behind.

I had the distinct feeling this wasn’t going to be the low-key arrival I was hoping for. “Mom, when you say ‘the family,’ what do you mean?”

“Everyone, son. We’re all happy you’re home.” She turned over her shoulder and smiled.

“Great.” I slowed my steps, falling farther behind the two women.

Maybe I could sneak away. I wouldn’t have to deal with the looks my brother would give me because I’d almost lost the ranch.

Ellie wasn’t the only one with secrets. Only, she’d aired her dirty laundry before we said I do.

I hadn’t found the same courage. She wasn’t the only one who stood to benefit from our marriage, but I’d been to chicken to tell her.

Running wasn’t an option, though. I’d been there and done that before.

Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to Ellie. I couldn’t throw her to the wolves and turn my back, now, could I?

“Look who’s finally home.” My mother sang out as we walked into the living room.

She was kidding. They were all there, even Nate and Delaney. Mom walked toward Dad, and I stepped next to Ellie, slipping my hand into hers and giving it a squeeze. She held on to mine tightly when she realized the room was full.

“Hey Gavin, welcome home.” Tyler came up and gave me a one arm hug followed by a rough pat on the back. “Are you home for good?” He asked in my ear so nobody else could hear.

“Guess we’ll see,” I answered. I didn’t know what else to say.

Even after we’d finished with introductions, eyes were wide. Just like they’d been the other night when I’d caught her off guard in the cabin kitchen.

“Okay, girls, it’s time to talk. Let’s head to the den.” Kate stood and headed out of the room.

“You, too.” Jessica leaned across Rob and grabbed Ellie’s hand.

Ellie looked at me with a forced smile, so I gave her a reassuring nod.

She was in good hands. Me, on the other hand?

I was left with my brothers and my father.

This might not turn out so well for me. I’d much rather have slipped on a wig and a pair of high heels and joined the women than face the wrath of the Morton men so soon.