Chapter 12: Chapter 12

ELI

Anger was filling Eli even more as he stood in front of the couch, staring out the window. He didn’t want to even think about what would have happened if he had been any later.

He dug his phone out of his pocket and made a phone call.

“What the hell are you playing at having Carl and Dean question Andie about Caleb and Candice? You saw how shaken up she was that night,” he practically growled into the phone.

“I know, Eli. I’m just excluding all possibilities. She had a motive. She was going to get custody of Lily. Did you know Lucy is probably the only kid she’ll ever have?”

“Oh, come on, Murphy. I’m sure if she finds the right guy, she’d have more kids,” Eli retorted.

“No, I won’t,” the soft voice whispered behind him.

He turned to see Andie in a light-pink tank top and black shorts. “Just take it off the table, Murphy. There’s no way she did it. You may want to ask that asshole if he’s been following Andie around, though.”

He ended the call and went to put his arms around Andie, but she stepped back from him.

“So, that was Murphy?” She wrapped her arms around herself tightly as she barely met his eyes.

“Yeah, it was. I know you didn’t have anything with Candice and Caleb.”

“But she’s dug into me enough to know I was told I’d never have kids. Every doctor I went to while I was pregnant with Lucy was surprised I was even carrying her, let alone that she was born healthy.”

“But you did it once. It’s possible you could again.”

Andie shook her head quickly. “No, I don’t even want to try. The letdown would be too great, and no one would want to even try with me.

“I’d have to tell whoever wanted to be with me about it, and the chances are slim to none. You proved that,” she whispered and turned away from him.

Eli sighed. He had been such a jerk when his brother and her best friend had been alive and trying to push them together.

That had been why there had been so many times that Caleb would strum up a conversation about Andie. They wanted him and her together.

Eli pulled her back to him. “I didn’t know what they were trying to do until now. Caleb and Candice were trying to push us together. Caleb always talked to me about you.”

“When did Candice start talking about me to you?”

She looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He sighed as he brushed his fingertips against the bruise on her cheek. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah.” She looked up at him. “Thank you for helping.”

He moved closer to her, lifted her into his arms, and headed to the couch. “Do you think he’s been the one giving you the weird feelings lately?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t feel it when he was in the shop. Then again, I guess he was more focused on the kids. All I could think about was closing up and that you weren’t there yet, but I figured you got busy.”

He sat down and held her in his lap. “I didn’t forget, I promise. Time just went faster than normal. As soon as I realized, I headed here.”

She was tense in his arms. “It’s okay, but you can return to the ranch. We’re fine here. I just hope you believe what you told the detective.”

“Of course I do.” He made her look at him. “They knew what they were doing in making you Lily’s mom.” He hugged her small body to his.

“All I would have been doing was trying to make the ranch bigger, so Lil would have everything she would have ever wanted, and she’d be with a babysitter all the time.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you took her, though. She was in so much danger today, and I couldn’t stop—”

Eli pressed his lips to hers, cutting her off. He pulled back from her slowly.

“She’s where she’s supposed to be, Andie. It’s okay. I’m not taking her. Look, why don’t you guys come to the ranch tonight for supper?

“Mom and Dad will be there. I’m sure they’d love to see the girls and you.” He hated that this was going against what he had planned.

He didn’t want to leave his girls unprotected, and here he was going to leave because it was what she wanted, even though it was going against what he suddenly wanted.

“Okay, I’ll be over when the girls wake up from their naps,” she whispered.

“I can stay until then.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m sure they’ll keep him locked up for a little bit at least.”

“You can stay there with me tonight. I feel better having you guys close to me for now until we figure out what’s going on. Lil’s room is still set up. It’d be perfect for the girls.”

“I don’t know, Eli. I’ll have to think about it.” She stood from his lap and moved across the room. “You should go.”

Eli didn’t want to leave. Andie’s voice sounded so broken. She couldn’t have kids? It seemed strange she had Lucy, though.

“Andie, what if we found you another doctor for a different opinion? Then maybe you wouldn’t shut yourself off from people so much. It could open so many more possibilities.”

“Because no man would want a woman who he couldn’t have more kids with? Maybe that’s why they chose me. They knew I didn’t have a reason to bring men in and out of Lily’s life.

“They knew I was done because no man would ever want someone like me. I had one kid and couldn’t have more. Now I’ll have two and can’t offer more.

“So what’s the point in finding out all over again what I already know?”

“Andie, stop.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, but she pulled away from him.

“Just go back to the ranch, Eli. I’ll be there for supper, but then I’ll be coming home after.”

He stepped in front of her and hugged her anyway. Then quietly left. Now things were becoming a little clearer but still didn’t make complete sense.

If they knew Andie couldn’t have any more children and wasn’t even supposed to have Lucy, why would they have tried to set him up with her?

He would have eventually wanted kids of his own, wouldn’t he? But then he’d lose Andie, Lucy, and Lily. He didn’t want that, did he? He had so much to figure out before he made another move on Andie.

He couldn’t string her along and then one day decide he wanted more kids and end up leaving the ready-made family Andie held together so well. He couldn’t hurt all three of them.

Or would he be happy with just the three of them? Could he talk her into maybe adopting? There was so much he had to figure out.

But could he give Andie the hope in him she’d obviously had at one point in time, thanks to Caleb and Candice?

He ran a hand against his weary face as he got up into his truck. Fuck. What was he going to do?

ANDIE

Andie let out a sigh. She knew he wouldn’t be the one, and yet why did it hurt so bad? It didn’t even hurt this much when Daryl had turned his back on her and tried to cause the miscarriage.

She’d been right when she had told Candice and Caleb to stop pushing around the idea of Eli and herself. In the beginning, before the wedding, she had been hopeful. Who wouldn’t want a man like him?

And now, they were trying to push them together all over again, and she couldn’t tell them to stop. But as she had told him before, she wouldn’t keep Lily away from him.

After tonight, they’d have to come up with a visiting arrangement. And she and Lucy wouldn’t be involved or hanging around anymore.

It was for the best. She had to keep that drilled into her brain and her heart.

***

Then, four thirty finally came around. Andie gathered up the two playing babies and headed out to the car. Then she slowly made her way to the Cameron Ranch.

She didn’t want to do this, but Maisy and Todd needed to see Lily. Maybe she could just drop Lily off and insist she come back later.

It wasn’t like Eli would put up a fight to get her to stay now that the truth about the non-possibility of more kids with her was in the open.

She had her precious miracle and didn’t think she wanted to risk ever having another one. The doctors had to watch her so closely during the pregnancy, especially after the attempted forced miscarriage.

She pulled up next to the blue Jeep Cherokee that was next to Eli’s gray 250. She let out a sigh. She’d never see that truck outside her bakery or house ever again.

She closed her eyes tightly. ~Just shut off all emotion and only show any toward Lily and Lucy. No one can hurt you if you are emotionless, and you are. ~

~You’re cold-hearted, and no one gets any but your daughter and Lily, who’s now your daughter also, and Candice, but she’s gone.~

She ached so much, but it was her own fault. She knew she shouldn’t have let Eli in, and she was paying for the gigantic mistake.

She opened her eyes and stared blankly ahead.

~Just get through this night then everything will go back to the way it was supposed to be. ~

She let out a shaky breath and then got out of the car. She opened the back door, put the bags over her shoulder, and started to get Lily.

She looked up when the other door opened, and Eli got Lucy. She narrowed her eyes at him but adjusted Lily and shut the door harder than necessary.

Then she walked around the car and went to take Lucy. “I thought I’d just come back for Lily later.” Her tone was a little cold, even to her own ears.

“Why? You’re already here, and that’d be a waste of another trip back home and then back out here. Plus, I thought you were staying here tonight.”

“No, I told you I wasn’t.”

“Then I’m coming back with you.”

“No, you’re not.”

He narrowed that coppery glare at her. “We already discussed it. I want to make sure you are safe tonight.”

“And Lily will be. Even if I have to stay up all night to keep her safe, I will.”

“At least stay for dinner?” he almost pleaded. It was as if he genuinely wanted her to stay. But why?

“Fine, one dinner, then after this, we’ll set up a visiting schedule where Lily can come stay with you for a few hours or days, whichever works better.”

She brushed off his hand that he’d tried to place on her shoulder and headed to the house.

ELI

Eli just stared after Andie for a minute. The coldness she surrounded herself with before was back. And in full force. God, he wanted to break it down and keep it down for good. But how?

He was so uncertain of what he wanted in the future that he didn’t know what to do. They headed to the kitchen where the delicious smells of fried chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, gravy, and apple pie wafted from.

His stomach growled loudly as he followed Andie, not only with his feet but with his eyes.

His gaze took in a lavender-colored tank top that showed off her cleavage well and a pair of dark jeans with little rhinestones glued to the back pockets, which glistened as the light hit them.

The way those jeans hugged her bubble butt made him ache.

He let out a soft groan, mesmerized by the little wiggle in her walk. She’d never let him near her unless he could talk her into a couple of times. He mentally kicked himself. She wasn’t that type of girl.

He tried to push everything away as they walked into the kitchen.

Maisy turned toward them. “Oh, there’s my baby,” she said excitedly as she stepped forward.

ANDIE

Andie moved to the side quickly as Eli took Lily from her and left her with Lucy. She let Maisy and Eli interact with Lily, and then she slowly moved out of the kitchen. She didn’t belong there.

She should have just dropped Lily off and gone back home. She scurried out the front door, found herself holding Lucy closer to her, and made her way to the wooden porch swing.

She let out a shaky sob as Lucy laid her head against Andie’s shoulder. She gently rubbed Lucy’s back as she slowly moved the swing.

So many nights, she and Candice sat out here, just looking at the stars and chatting about everything going on in life.

Her eyes began to fill with tears. She wanted her best friend. She didn’t belong anywhere now. Lucy let out a squeal, so Andie placed her down on the porch with a blanket and toys.

She gazed out toward the open green, low rolling hills, zoning out slightly. “What do you think, Lucy Lu? Should we go home and let this family be a family tonight?”

ELI

As Maisy took Lily from Eli, he turned to talk to Andie. His stomach dropped when he didn’t see her. He spun to look at his mom. “I’ll be right back. You got Lily Pad for a minute?”

“Of course,” Maisy answered as she kissed Lily and began to talk to her a little.

He rushed down the hallway that he’d just followed Andie down, checking rooms as he went.

—Where could she be?—

He headed to the front door and threw it open. His gaze landed on her and Lucy, and the knot in his stomach relaxed. He leaned against the house as she placed Lucy on the porch on the blanket.

Her gray eyes looked so sad. “What do you think, Lucy Lu? Should we go home and let this family be a family tonight?”

The stomach drop happened again. He rushed over to Andie and Lucy, scooped Lucy up, and sat down beside Andie. “You are family, Andie.”

She looked at him, eyes a little round but still turned to steel. “I’m not, Eli, and it’s okay. I get it. I don’t have to be here. I can come back to get Lil later. It’s not a problem.”

“Well, it’s a problem for me. I want you here. I want Lucy here. You two are my family now.

“Yeah, mainly because Candice and Caleb apparently pushed us together again, but I’m fine with that. You need somewhere to belong, and that is here, Andie.”

She looked into his eyes. It was crazy how those eyes of hers were so shut down but expressive every time he gazed into them.

He saw the pain, the loss, and the need she was obviously feeling every time he looked into them.

He tilted his hat a little, leaned down toward her, his lips inches from hers, and said, “So, please say you’ll stay for supper.”

“Okay,” she breathed out, and his lips gently claimed hers.

But it didn’t last long enough for him as Lucy squealed. He pulled back from Andie and looked at Lucy. He smiled at her.

“What? Do you want kisses too?” he said teasingly and pressed his lips to her cheek and kissed and nibbled, making her grab his cheeks and laugh loudly.

He pulled back and stood up, cleaning up the toys and blanket, then pulled Andie from the porch swing and led her into the house.

He wrapped his arm around Andie as they walked into the kitchen. Maisy and Todd were getting the table ready with all the food while the apple pie sat on the stove to cool down.

He pulled a chair out for Andie and then cursed a little.

“What’s the matter, Eli?” Maisy asked as her eyes darted up to him.

“I don’t have another highchair for Lucy. Oh well, I’ll hold her while we eat.” He pulled the chair out next to Andie and sat down beside her.

Three pairs of eyes turned on him as he settled Lucy onto his lap, but he didn’t care. He began to place food on Andie’s plate, knowing she would take less than she should.

They began to eat, and the conversation revolved around Lily and Lucy, how they were getting along, and how Andie was managing both girls.

Dinner was finally over, and Maisy began to get the pie ready. Andie refused to eat any pie while she took Lucy back from Eli.

His gaze, all through dinner, kept drifting to her. He just couldn’t help it. She was so beautiful. He really had to figure out what he was going to do with his life. And fast.

After the pie, Maisy and Todd decided to head home for the night. They kissed Eli and the girls and hugged Andie.

Eli led Andie into the living room and put the girls in the playpen Candice and Caleb had set up in there. He slowly pulled her down onto the couch.

“I really wish you guys would stay here tonight, please? I want to keep all three of you safe until I know for sure who’s been following you around.

“If they find out it was Daryl and they keep him locked up, I’ll relax a little. It’s either my place, your place, or I can stay out in the driveway all night, your choice.”

She looked up at him. “I guess I can. I have to go back home, though, for the girls’ formula, extra clothes for Lucy and myself, and some baby food.”

He looked at her, feeling a little concerned. “Do you want me to go with you?”

“No, I can do it. Plus, the girls seem to be having fun, so I don’t want to interrupt them.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “Okay, let me know when you get there and when you are heading back also.”

“Okay, I will.” She got up from the couch, and he did the same.

He followed her to the door and stopped her before leaving. “Remember to let me know.”

“Yes, Eli.”

Before she made it out the door, he gently pulled her up against him and kissed her softly, his fingers brushing against her cheek.

Then he let her go and stood in the doorway until she got into her car and left the driveway. He sighed and headed back into the living room to watch the girls.

He hoped everything would be okay. A feeling was stabbing in his gut that something wasn’t right.