Ellie frowned and set her glass of wine back on the table. “I wasn’t too fond of the last business proposition you brought to me, if you remember.”
Oh, he remembered, all right. He had been surprised and more than a little surly after she got bent out of shape when he brought her his idea about faking a relationship.
“True, but,” James said, leaning forward and taking her hand, “you came around. And you have to admit, it turned out to be a pretty damn good idea.”
A blush flared across her cheeks and a flash of happiness danced in her eyes before something darker chased it away. Then the mask came down and it was just Ellie smiling sweetly at him. “I guess it hasn’t been a total bust.”
James didn’t like whatever he’d just seen in her eyes. He didn’t like the mask she wore around him. Around everyone, really. He wanted to get past the barriers she had set up. He wanted to know her. The real Ellie Charles.
But first things first.
“I want to invest in Good Beginnings.”
Surprise dropped her jaw. “What?”
“I have faith in the owner. The business model. I want to support local business. Keep money in the area by funding a local shop rather than letting a big corporate café come in and drain Bliss of our resources.”
Ellie was already shaking her head. “I can’t…you can’t…” She pulled her hand from his and sat back in her chair. He knew she would be a hard sell on the idea, but James was pretty good at getting what he wanted.
“I’m going to give you a few hundred dollars every two weeks.” Ellie started to protest again and he just kept talking. “And you’re going to use it for whatever you need. Pay off credit cards. Pay bills. Upgrade stuff at the café. Because, sweet Ellie? What I’m really investing in, what I really believe in, is you.”
Her eyes glistened with tears and gratitude and shame. “I can’t let you do this.”
“You don’t get to tell me what to do. My heart is set on it. And it’s fragile, remember? If you turn me down, you could send me into another downward spiral.”
Ellie laughed and swiped at her eyes. “That’s a low blow, big boy, and you know it.”
“Then it’s decided,” James said, leaning forward and claiming her hand again.
She opened her mouth to speak then closed it several times, only to open and close it again. She shrugged and flared her fingers, blinking away tears with the practiced air of a professional.
“Ellie Charles. Are you speechless?”
She let out another choking laugh. “I’m speechless.”
“Is that even a thing? You? Unable to say anything?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s really not. Typically, I find myself unable to not say things.”
“I have another question for you. Do you need someone to help with the office stuff? Like, if I’m helping with the counter and the office, would you be able to work in the kitchen?” That damn mask came slamming down over her expression again and he couldn’t read her response. “I’m actually really good with numbers. If I hadn’t decided to go the spoiled trust fund brat route, I could have gone into accounting and been fine.”
She shook her head again, her eyes a million miles away. “James…I can’t let you do this.”
“Why?” What was it with her and not accepting help? “I want to help. I have the ability to help. Why won’t you let me?”
She sucked in her lips and closed her eyes. Held her breath. Everything about her went on pause and it took James a second to realize that she was frozen in fear and pain and trying to hold back a torrent of tears.
He stood, the chair scraping back against the tile, his napkin falling from his lap unnoticed, and pulled her into his arms. She took a ragged breath and sagged against him. He waited for her to unleash the sobs he knew she was holding in, but she never did. Instead, she grew still again and let out one long, controlled breath.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He waited for her to continue. Waited for her to accept his offer or tell him to go to hell or make some sort of sound, any sound at all. The silent Ellie in his arms unnerved him. He didn’t know what to do or say so he just held her, smoothing her hair and wrapping his arms around her curvy frame.
“James?” she asked, her tiny voice cracking with the weight of the emotion she held in.
“Yes, sweet Ellie?”
“Can I sleep with you tonight? We don’t have to do anything, but will you please hold me tight?”
James didn’t answer. He just swept her up in his arms, cradled her to his chest, and took her up to his room.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ellie
Ellie’s thoughts were snarled and angry and she had no idea why James’ offer to help shut her down so completely. She wasn’t great with the books and hiring a new cook was going to take more time and effort than she had to give. Her resources—financially, spiritually, emotionally—were all tapped out. And there was James, offering her the very things she needed.
Money.
Help.
Support.
And a strong set of arms to wrap around her when the weight of the world exceeded her ability to carry it.
So why, if she could recognize that she needed his help, couldn’t she bring herself to accept it? Why did she need him to lift her into his arms, carry her upstairs, and hold her tight while she basically shut down…all because someone saw what she needed and came to her rescue?
James laid her down on the bed, ever so gently, careful not to shake or disturb her. He pulled the cover back and tucked himself around her, wrapped his body around hers then pulled her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. He accepted her silence, almost as if he
