Taste (Cloverleigh Farms, #7)(69)

“How are things at Etoile?” she asked as she rang me up.

“Good.”

“I’m Winnie’s mom, Frannie. Mack and I loved our dinner there. We keep meaning to come again, but it’s so hard to get in.”

“Nice to see you. And just let Winnie know when you’d like to come again. We’ll get you in.”

“Great.” She beamed as she handed me the bag of scones. “Are these for Ellie?”

“Yes. I heard she likes them.”

“They’re her favorite,” Frannie confirmed. “Say hello for me.”

“I will, thanks.”

When I pulled up behind Abelard, I texted Ellie that I had something for her and asked if she wanted me to bring it to her room.

She replied right away saying she was in the kitchen, but she didn’t need anything. Jumping out of the car, I knocked on the back door anyway, and she answered it wearing gray joggers and the Pineview Motel sweatshirt I’d bought for her.

“Hi,” I said, unable to keep a grin off my face. “Nice shirt. Brings back memories.”

“It’s the biggest thing I own. I’ll be wearing it a lot.”

“Can I come in?”

“Suit yourself.” She shut the door behind me and we went into the kitchen, where I set the bag from Plum & Honey on the table.

“I went to the bakery. Thought maybe you’d like some scones.”

Ellie looked at the bag with suspicion. “How’d you know?”

“Winnie,” I confessed. “I ran into her in the lobby earlier.”

Ellie sat down at the table and opened the bag. “Thanks.”

I watched as she took out a scone and nibbled it, swallowing cautiously, like she wasn’t sure her stomach was going to accept the offering. “So how are you feeling?” I asked, taking a chair across from her.

She shrugged. “Mornings are the worst.”

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thanks.”

“Uh, I was thinking about telling my parents today. If that’s okay with you.”

She chewed and swallowed. “Do you want me to be there?”

“I hadn’t thought about it,” I said, surprised by the offer. “Sure, if you want to.”

“Are you nervous to tell them?”

“No. I mean, maybe. A little.” I closed my eyes. “Yes.”

She laughed softly—another surprise. “I’ll go with you.”

“Thanks.” I opened my eyes, my body warming with gratitude and affection. “I think it will be good coming from both of us.”

“What time do you want to go?”

“I was thinking this afternoon. I’m meeting Felicity here shortly to go over deliveries and inventory, so maybe around one?”

“Okay.” She looked down at the scone in her hands. “I haven’t told my mom and dad yet. Will your parents keep it to themselves until I work up my nerve?”

“I’m sure they will.” I stared at the antique tabletop, running my thumb over a nick in the wood. “Ellie, I was awake all night.”

“Me too.”

I looked up at her. “Is it because you didn’t mean what you said about me going to California? Because I can try to get out of the contract.”

She shook her head. “No. I meant what I said. I think the ten weeks apart will be a good chance for us both to process this. And figure out what life will look like moving forward.”

“But—”

“Gianni. Can you look me in the eye right now, and honestly tell me you don’t want to do the show?”

“No,” I conceded.

“That’s what I thought.”

“You should come with me.” The words came out of nowhere.

Ellie looked alarmed. “What? No.”

“Why not? We could get a—”

“Why on earth would I come with you?”

“Because you’re pregnant. And I . . . feel bad leaving.”

It took her a minute to answer, but when she did, her voice was firm. “I’m not going with you, Gianni. My job is here. My family is here. My life is here.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It’s better that way. You’ll see.”

“Okay,” I said quickly, hating that I’d made her cry. “If that’s what you want, I’ll go alone. But I’ll come back when the show is done.”

“Fine,” she said, closing up the bag. “By then it will be fine.”

Her choice of words confused me. “What will be fine?”

“Never mind.” She stood up. “I’ll text you when I’m ready to go.”

I watched her hurry out of the kitchen, feeling like I’d failed her.

The water continued to swirl over my head.





EIGHTEEN





ELLIE





I went straight to Winnie’s office and shut the door behind me. The moment she looked up from her desk, I burst into tears.

“Oh, honey,” she said, coming over and giving me a hug. “What is it?”

“I’m pregnant!” I wailed.

She laughed a little, rubbing my back. “I know, babe. I know.”