“Is she okay?” He turned to Vanessa. “Did you call Dr. Lawrence?”
“He’s on his way.”
Bertha’s voice was raspy. “I’m fine. I-I just couldn’t catch my breath.”
Ellis sat down on the side of his grandmother’s bed. “We’ll let your doctor be the judge of that.”
“Everyone stop overreacting. I'm all right.” She looked down at Haven’s feet. “Where are your shoes?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t really have time to put any on.”
Ellis had been so worried that he hadn’t even noticed that Haven was in a little black swimsuit wrapped only in a towel. At a different time, he would have admired her curves.
Bertha was feeling somewhat guilty but only a little. There was nothing like a near emergency to bring two people together. “I’m sorry I worried everyone.”
Haven sat on the other side of the bed. “We just want to make sure you’re okay.”
Bertha frowned. “It’s almost ten o’clock. Why are you still in your pajamas, Ellis?”
Haven remembered seeing the blonde in the background of the guesthouse. It was one thing to talk about the women he dated. It was quite another to see it. She felt something in her gut. It wasn’t actually jealously, but Haven didn’t like it.
He cleared his throat. “No reason. I slept in.”
Bertha had a pretty good idea why Ellis was in the guesthouse until late morning. Her guilt evaporated, and she thought maybe she should have stepped in sooner.
Ellis and Haven sat with Ms. McKenna until Dr. Lawrence arrived. He ushered them out of the room as soon as he arrived to examine her.
Ellis stood with his back up against the wall. His head was thrown back, and his eyes were closed. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Haven nervously chewed the inside of her cheek waiting for the doctor’s word.
“I can’t lose her, not yet. I need more time.” She had never heard Ellis sound so vulnerable. He was always so confident about everything.
The fear in his voice was strong. Haven felt an overwhelming desire to comfort him. She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist laying her head on his bare chest. Slowly, Ellis lowered his head and buried his face into her hair holding her body close. He closed his eyes and breathed in her scent. Something about Haven was soothing.
She whispered into his chest. “Ms. McKenna is tough. She’s going to be fine.” She could only pray that reality would mirror her words as she held him in her arms.
Moments later, Dr. Lawrence stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. “Ellis?” They quickly separated eager for news. “Your grandmother is okay. She might be battling a little cold but nothing a little rest and relaxation won’t fix.”
“Can I see her?”
“Of course. Try not to keep her too long. Remember, she needs her rest.” He tapped Ellis on his shoulder. Reiterating his point, he said, “She’s fine. Don’t worry. I’ll see myself out.”
Ellis’ back was to Haven when he blew out a very long breath. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
He turned gazing into an honest pair of eyes. “For looking out for my grandmother.”
Now that the scare was over, a new awareness permeated the air. For the first time, they realized that each of them was barely clothed. They stood in the hallway almost naked, making it impossible to ignore the spark of attraction. Haven felt exposed underneath his scrutiny. Her skin prickled. She was nervous in a way she hadn’t been with him and attempted a smile. “You go inside and visit with your grandmother. I’ll go change and see her in a few hours.”
Ellis nodded ignoring the energy in the air. As he went inside to check on his grandmother, he couldn’t help but think that seeing Haven half naked would make thoughts of her, not only different, but a lot more intense.
*****
It had been two weeks since Ms. McKenna’s episode. Miraculously, she seemed healthier than ever. Today, she was visiting with some women from her country club. Haven used the free time to finish a paper. She was in the McKenna library when Ellis came into the room. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Haven looked up from the computer. “Been here for almost an hour. What’s up?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sort of in a bind. I need your help.”
“Of course, if I can.”
“Do you have plans tonight?”
“Dylan asked to go to the movies. He’s been persistent, so, I thought maybe I’d let him finally take me out.”
“Dylan, huh? How’s that going?” Ellis swallowed down what he thought might be a bit of jealousy.
Haven twisted her lips over to the side. “A lot slower than he would like. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about him. What do you need?”
“I need a date for a charity event tonight.”
“You?” She teased. “Need a date? Mr. ‘I’m a big deal?’ "
“I had plans on attending alone, but recently, I found out the daughter of the event organizer is going to be in town. This woman has never been able to take no for an answer. Honestly, I don’t have the patience to deal with it. If this wasn’t my mother’s favorite event and I didn’t sit on the board, I wouldn’t go. I’d just send them a check.”
“It’s tonight?”
“Yeah. I know it’s short notice and a lot to ask.”
“Ellis, I'm not sure if you’re aware of this, but I am a woman.”
He knew all right. Ellis hadn’t been able to think of much else
