All I Have (4 page)

Hope I got everything you need. Feel free to let me know if I forgot something. —Ellie

Shane came into the room toweling his head. "What's that?"

"A note from Ellie."

"Ah, already getting love letters, are you?"

"Dad! Jeez. It's about the food."

Shane lifted his hands in defense. "I'm only joking, son. You're usually not so sensitive about these things. I remember the time your mother found a letter in your backpack and started reading it at the dinner table and–"

Nicholas interrupted, "Maybe we should go. We don't want to be late for dinner."

Shane laughed and pocketed a flashlight, heading outside to the trail.

Carla's voice rose in volume. "What's taking them so long? Don't they know supper is getting cold and it's rude to make people wait?"

"I'm sure it's taking longer because of the one bathroom. They'll be here," said Ellie.

Carla rested her hands on her hips. "Doesn't it bug you that the money your dad spends on their labor is money you'll never see?"

"No.” Ellie turned to walk away. “I think I'll wait on the porch."

"No, I need your help here. Cover those dishes." Carla lifted a lacquered fingernail and pointed at the table.

Releasing a pent up breath, Ellie went to the kitchen, grabbed some foil, and returned to cover the bowls. When the task was finished she looked up to see her father's smiling face. He hugged her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"How was your day, sweetie?"

"Very nice."

"So what are you doing?"

Carla interrupted. "Jake, she offered to cover the dishes since our guests aren’t here yet. She's very considerate." While she spoke, she sidled up to Jake, placed an arm around his waist, and sent Ellie a warning look.

Jake smiled. "What have you been doing today, darling?"

"Oh, this and that."

Ellie bit her tongue and walked to the front porch when her dad pulled Carla into a tight embrace. Anger made her heart pump faster. She paced the length of the porch and sweat beaded on her upper lip from the heat.

Without warning, a light bobbed through the trees and out came Shane and Nicholas. They laughed and Ellie felt guilty at her envy of their companionship. Stepping off the porch, she said, "Hello."

"Hello, Ellie. Sorry if we kept you waiting," Shane apologized.

"No problem."

Shane walked past her, going inside and leaving her alone with Nicholas. They walked up the porch steps and Ellie waited for Nicholas to speak. He said softly, "Thanks for the food."

She shrugged.

"No, I mean it. You went way beyond just buying a few items."

"Well, I hope you like what I picked out."

"I'm sure we will. We're easy to please."

Nicholas quirked a smile and Ellie's face flushed. A voice behind them caused her to jump.

"Hmm, that's nice to know. Guess I was right about figuring you're the type who knows
exactly
what he wants."

Nicholas frowned at Carla's flirty tone. Ellie ignored her and invited him inside. He followed without comment and she led him to the dining room where Shane and Jake were uncovering dishes. Carla entered and took over. "Oh, that's not work for you two, allow me."

To tamp her irritation, Ellie kept her body moving by filling glasses with sweet tea. When she came to Nicholas, he flashed a smile that made her heart flutter.

Jake and Shane sat at each end of the table while Carla and Nicholas sat on one side and Ellie sat alone on the other. The meal was shared without much conversation. At the end, Ellie brought out coffee and peach cobbler.

Shane finished first, leaning backwards and massaging his belly. "I'm full to bursting. That was mighty fine eating. You'll have to give my compliments to Charlotte."

"Oh, Charlotte couldn't come in today," said Carla absentmindedly, while sucking on her dessert spoon.

"Then who cooked?" Jake asked, his eyebrows drawn together.

"I did," Ellie answered, feeling the rush of heat flooding her cheeks.

"Ellie? I didn't realize you could cook so well. But I guess I should have. Four years away at college, you should be able to cook something," said her father, with pride.

Ellie shrugged and studied her hands.

Pushing away from the table, Jake said, "Shane, do you mind coming to the study? I want to share my plans for the farm; see what you think. Ellie, why don't you and Nicholas go visit on the swing? He probably has lots of questions."

Ellie's heart skipped a beat. When she stood, Nicholas placed his hand on the small of her back, sending shivers up her spine. She led the way outside into the twilight and a covered swing. She patted a spot next to her, waiting to start the swinging motion until he was settled.

"So, dad said you might have some questions?"

"Yeah, I might. But why don't you go first?"

"Me?"

"Sure. You must have questions as to why my dad and I are here. Just ask and I'll answer."

Ellie gnawed her lower lip. All day she'd thought about spending time with Nicholas and getting to know him, but now that the opportunity was here, she didn't have a clue as to what to say! She lowered her head slightly and peered upwards from under veiled eyes. Poised to speak, voices coming from the study stopped her. The swing was in a garden that lined the side of the white farmhouse. Shane and Jake were talking with the window open.

"I'm glad you called me, Shane."

"Yeah, me too."

"I just wish you had called earlier. Annie and I would have come to visit. We could have offered support. You know we'd have–"

"–I know you both would have bent over backwards to help, but trust me, there was nothing anyone could do. We tried everything possible."

"I know you did."

"When I called to tell you–"

"Shane, don't be ashamed. You can stay as long as you want. I'm just glad to have a friend around."

The tone of the conversation changed as Shane asked more specific questions about his responsibilities on the farm. Ellie watched emotions flicker across Nicholas' face. She felt sorry for him. He appeared so lost. She said, "I met your mom once." As soon as she said the words, she regretted them.

Nicholas stared across the yard, crossed his legs at the ankles, and folded his arms across his chest. Ellie didn't know what to say and stared at the ground. Unexpectedly, Nicholas said with a catch in his voice, "I didn't know."

"I visited for a few days while checking out a college. Your mom was terrific. She took me shopping, told me stories about my mother, and shared your baby pictures."

Nicholas groaned. "Tell me she didn't."

Ellie laughed. "She did."

"All of them?"

Chuckling, she said, "Well I don't know about that. I just know there were pictures of you growing up. Some from little league baseball, a photo from a karate tournament, a couple from graduation, stuff like that." When he didn't respond, she added, "She was proud of you, you know."

"How do you know that?" he whispered hoarsely.

The sadness in his voice tore her heart. Ellie did her best to explain. "Well, she talked about little else but you. She told me how you graduated at the top of your college class. How you were being promoted in the military. She said one day she expected you to call and tell her you'd made General."

"That sounds like her, always exaggerating my accomplishments." They were both silent, the only sound the squeak of the swing. Then Nicholas said, "It appears you have me at a bit of a disadvantage."

"You think so? I'm sure if you ask my dad to pull out my baby pictures he'll more than oblige. Trust me; it doesn't take much to get him started. In fact, if we go to the study right now we might find him in the middle of doing just that." She laughed and repeated his earlier words, "What would you like to know? You ask and I'll answer."

His placed his arm across the back of the wooden swing and stared intensely into her eyes. "Why don't you tell me about school? Your dad said you just graduated?"

"I did. I went to State and received a business degree in finance."

"So what are your plans?"

A half laugh escaped. "You know, I haven't a clue. I've put in a few applications at local banks, but other than that, I'm content to help dad and just spend time with him."

"Sounds nice."

Ellie avoided his gaze and stared at the house. "I know I'm twenty-two and I should want nothing more than to leave home and start a career, but right now, I just want to be home. Dad is all I have left." Her last words came out as a whisper. It was easy to expose her soul to Nicholas. She felt a sense of oneness with him.

He shifted and reached for her hand, his thumb stroking the side of her smooth flesh. Ellie swallowed the lump in her throat, then she heard Shane call, "Nicholas, where are you?"

Nicholas sighed. "Sounds like my dad is looking for me."

Bowing her head, she said breathlessly, "Yeah, it does."

Still clasping her hand, Nicholas pulled her to a standing position. She watched in amazement as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. His eyes crinkled at the corners in a smile and he bowed. "Until we meet again, Milady."

Before he was out of earshot, she said, "Nicholas, tomorrow is the county fair. My dad is going. Would you like to join us?"

He turned to face her and smiled. "I would love to go with you."

"Then I guess I'll see you in the morning, bright and early."

"Is there any other time around here?"

She laughed as he called, "I'm coming, Dad."

Later, Ellie watched her father help Shane and Nicholas find the trailhead with their flashlights. Touching her hand where Nicholas had kissed it, she felt like a school girl with a desire to rush inside and write everything in her diary. She would declare how she'd never wash her hand again because it had been kissed by the cutest guy ever.

In bed, she stared at her ceiling and replayed their conversation. Why had she mentioned his mother? They both shared a similar loss, but she was sure he didn't want to be reminded. Would he think about their conversation later and consider her insensitive? She could only hope not.

"So, did you have a good time tonight?"

Nicholas and his father were getting ready to turn in when Shane asked the question.

"Yeah."

His father laughed. "Well, don't go getting all excited."

"Dad, please."

Shane lifted his hand in a defensive gesture. "Sorry. I didn't realize what a chore it was talking to a beautiful girl."

Nicholas shot him a glare, which his father ignored and kept on talking. "Jake's worried about her. He said she spends all her time on the farm. She doesn't go out. She doesn't talk on the phone. He's afraid maybe she has no drive or ambition."