Until You Loved Me (Silver Springs #3)(62)

“Hi.” He seemed a little tentative. That wasn’t like him, but they were both in uncharted territory, didn’t quite know how to treat each other, and given who he was, she found that uncertainty boyishly charming.

“Thanks for coming.” Somehow Ellie managed to sound normal, even though her mouth had gone dry at the sight of him, and her heart had started to pound. Her own reaction scared her, made her fear she was in over her head. How could she ever protect her heart from a man like Hudson?

She didn’t have any choice except to try, so she opened the door wider to admit him.

He’d brought flowers—a huge tropical bouquet containing ginger, birds of paradise, some type of orchid and a couple of other flowers Ellie didn’t recognize.

“These are gorgeous,” she said, taking them from him as he stepped past her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He handed her a small Cartier bag she hadn’t noticed.

“What’s this?”

An eager smile curved his lips. “A small token of my appreciation.”

“For...”

“For being willing to make the sacrifices you’re making. I realize you’re getting the worst end of the deal. I don’t have to move, and I get to keep my job.”

“I won’t be able to work in a few months anyway, so it’s logical that I should be the one to relocate. I’ll get through it. You don’t have to buy me gifts.”

“I want you to know that this next year won’t have to be miserable, despite what you’re giving up. I may have come off rather...stingy at the motel, but that’s not who I am. I’ll be generous with you.”

He’d purchased jewelry—at least, that was what Ellie assumed. “I appreciate that. I really do. But I can’t accept anything.”

His smile faded. “Why not?”

“Because I’d feel...I don’t know...as if I’m cashing in on what happened in some way.” She handed it back to him. “Thank you, though. I appreciate the gesture.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You won’t even open it?”

“No. Your money is your money. I don’t want any of it—well, no more than I have to take to get through the next year. I have the ability to make my own way, and I’ll do that as soon as the baby’s old enough for me to return to work. Until then, the amount we agreed on will certainly be adequate.” She held up the flowers. “I’ll take these, though. I don’t see anything wrong with you making a small contribution to dinner.”

He acted stunned, as if he’d never had a woman turn down a gift. “So what am I supposed to do with this?” he asked, raising the bag.

“Can’t you take it back?”

“I didn’t ask. I never dreamed I’d have to.”

“If that’s not a possibility, maybe you could give it to one of the women you’re dating—if it gets serious enough. I know you said you don’t have a girlfriend right now.”

He gaped at her. “At least open it before you say that.”

She wanted to—if only to satisfy her curiosity. But if she saw what it was, she might be tempted to sacrifice her ideals, and she knew Hudson wouldn’t respect her in the long run if he felt she was capitalizing on his wealth or status. “Probably better if I don’t.”

“Why? I found the perfect thing. I think you’re going to love it.”

She was fairly certain she would. But she refused to put herself in the position of having to feel grateful to him. And why risk putting him in the position of feeling she was a little too interested in what his money could buy? Obviously he’d met a number of women who’d made him leery of that kind of parasitical behavior, or he wouldn’t have reacted as he had when she’d told him about the pregnancy. “That’s the problem.” Giving him an apologetic smile, she took the flowers into the kitchen to find a vase.

When he didn’t follow, she could tell he wasn’t happy, but she didn’t know what else to do. She couldn’t accept his gift. Judging by the brand and the packaging, it was far too expensive. “Do you like seafood?” she called back, hoping they could just move on.

He appeared at the entrance to the kitchen. “Are you still holding a grudge?”

“For...”

“The motel?”

“Of course not. Don’t mention it again.”

“You know I believe you? Believe the pregnancy was an accident?”

“I do, and I’m glad about that, since it was an accident. But I still can’t accept any gifts from you. Why give you any reason to doubt my motives? Besides, you can afford better presents than I can, and we need to keep things as even as possible, especially since I have to take a salary from you. What if you start to resent that?”

“I won’t resent that.” There was an edge of irritation in his voice. “It was my idea, the only way I could be part of the pregnancy.”

“Well, what you’re paying me is enough. Come in and sit down. I can’t speak for you, but I’m hungry.”

Shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe her obstinacy, he tossed the Cartier bag on the counter.

She flinched as she heard it hit the granite but didn’t comment. She figured it was best to drop the subject. “I made crab bisque,” she said, attempting to cajole him out of his disappointment. “It’s one of my favorite recipes, something I learned from my mother. I hope you’ll like it, too.”