Hearts Under Construction (15 page)

E
llie got out of her car and looked up at the full moon which hung suspended over a distant maple tree. The air held a pleasant breeze, with no hint of the muggy weather they had experienced the week before. She pulled the strap of her purse over her shoulder and waited a moment for Cole to get out of his car. They walked toward the door of the coffee shop together.

“Boy, it’s a nice evening,” Cole said, opening the door for Ellie.

She felt warm but shivered in spite of herself. Something about this man did that to her. She just hoped her eye wouldn’t twitch.

Once inside, the rich smells of coffee assailed her. Talk about a comfort food—mochas certainly did the trick for her. The whirring of the espresso machine and the contented chatter of patrons made her glad to be there. Especially with Cole.

Looking around, Ellie found an empty wooden table for them while Cole ordered her mocha and his espresso. She settled into a seat, pulled out a mirror and checked her makeup, then put it away just as Cole turned to walk toward the table.

“One skinny mocha with whipped cream,” he said, handing the hot drink to her.

“Thank you, Cole.”

“Hopefully, we won’t stir up a tornado this time,” he said, tossing her a wink.

She grimaced. “Don’t remind me.”

“Hey, it wasn’t all that bad. We got free drinks, after all.”

“True,” Ellie said with a chuckle. “Wonder if Amy is working tonight.” She glanced over at the counter.

Cole looked, too. He shook his head. “I didn’t see her when I was over there.”

“That was a trip to the coffee shop I won’t soon forget.”

Cole laughed. “Me, either.” He stretched his long legs to the side. “Boy, I need to start running again. My legs have been aching lately.”

“It does help to stretch them out. I don’t run, but I do walk a lot at the park near my house.”

He nodded and took a drink of his coffee. “I’ve been there. Nice park. In fact, that’s usually where I go to run when I have the time.”

“Really?” Ellie commented with a smile. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you there since I’m over there a lot.”

“Like I said, I need to start up again. Unfortunately, it’s been a while.”

Ellie smiled and gave an understanding nod.

“So I guess you’re wondering why I asked you to come here?” Cole asked, putting down his cup.

Uh-oh, she hoped this wasn’t another let’s-just-be-friends speech. Wait a minute, that was Caed. “I thought you were just being a good friend,” she said cheerfully.

“Well, truthfully, I did just want to spend some time together. With all that’s happened since Caed whisked into town, well, let’s just say we’ve had one thing after another, and I’d like to start over—again.”

Ellie laughed. “We do that a lot.”

“Yeah. Lots of beginnings, never an ending?”

The look on his face told Ellie he had surprised himself in saying that. She smiled but said nothing.

“Actually…” He toyed with the jacket on his coffee cup. “I know you’re a woman of faith. You’ve told me so yourself.”

His comment surprised her. She looked at him with caution, hoping she hadn’t done anything to offend him.

“I’ve been doing a little searching of my own.”

Now he really had her interest piqued.

“Jax and I have been meeting weekly to study the book of John for some time now, and, um, well, tonight, I took a huge step. I prayed a prayer of commitment to the Lord.”

Ellie stared at him, speechless.

He looked a little sheepish. “Hard to believe a guy like me could do that?”

She blinked. “Oh, no, not at all, Cole.” Without thinking, she reached over and cupped his hand in her own. “I think it’s wonderful.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Now, don’t get sappy on me. You might make me cry.” He laughed.

She giggled and reached into her purse for a tissue.

“I’ve been wanting to do it for some time now, but just didn’t know how or if I could take the step. This is a whole new world for me. Commitment. Letting go of things and trusting Him. But I’ve been learning a lot from my study and also from going to your church. Listening to your pastor has made me want to know more.”

“Cole, that’s great. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.” For a moment, they both drank from their cups, lost in thought.

“You know, Ellie, another reason I wanted to talk to you was, well, I want to be friends. I don’t want us to feel all weird around each other anymore, you know what I mean?”

She smiled and nodded.

“I’m not saying you have to marry me, but I could always use a friend.”

Ellie laughed a little, though she wasn’t sure how to take his comment. She couldn’t deny that she wanted to be more than friends and had felt a twinge of disappointment, but Cole seemed to want her friendship most of all. God is in control, she told herself. If Cole wanted friendship, that’s what she would give him. If they had no future together, so be it. But she would be there to answer his questions about God and help him as much as she could.

They talked together awhile, long past the time the last drop of their coffee had been drained from the cups. Ellie glanced at her watch.

“Uh-oh, I’ve kept you out too late. Your dad will have my hide.”

Ellie laughed. “Not my dad, but my boss might if I’m too tired to show up for work in the morning.”

“Oh, boy, we can’t have that,” he teased. “You ready to go?”

She nodded.

They picked up their paper cups, tossed them into a trash dispenser, then walked outside together. “Hey, thanks for meeting me, Ellie. You’re a good friend.”

Okay, she got the idea already. If he said that word one more time, she might have to hurt him. “You’re welcome, Cole,” she answered, pleasantly. She turned toward her car and headed for home.

The next morning, Alex and Cole stood huddled in a corner of the kitchen whispering about something when Ellie walked into the room for a glass of water. She had a headache. Alex looked up and then back to Cole, ignoring Ellie altogether. Cole turned his back toward Alex and looked at Ellie.

“Morning, Ellie,” he said, with his dazzling smile.

“Hi, Cole. Alex,” Ellie said. Alex barely gave a noticeable nod. Her face looked pinched, as if she was in pain. By the looks of her tight pants, Ellie figured the circulation to her legs had stopped. That was bound to cause discomfort. Just the very idea made her feel better, though she tried to feel sufficiently ashamed of herself.

“Will you meet me in my office when you’re done in here, Ellie? We need to go over the schedule.”

“Sure.”

Ellie didn’t miss the look that flickered on Alex’s face. No question about it, Alex was after Cole, and she didn’t want Ellie to get in the way. Ellie couldn’t help but wonder, though, if Alex really liked Cole or if she wanted to make Jax jealous. Oh, well. Ellie didn’t have time to think about it. She had a headache to get over and then work to do.

By the end of the day, her headache had finally subsided and Ellie could hardly wait to get home. She planned to eat a sandwich at home. Then she’d grab her light yellow sheet, since it was too hot to lie on a blanket, and her latest suspense novel before heading over to the park. The evening was perfect, and she wanted to spend it outside in the fresh air.

By the time she had pulled on her beige shorts, a cream T-shirt and brown sandals, and had twisted her hair into a clip at the back of her head, it was almost seven o’clock. She didn’t mind, though. The park stayed pretty active with people this time of year until about nine or ten.

She parked her car and spotted a nice grassy knoll. Walking over, she spread her sheet out and settled down with her book. Murmurs sounded around her as people walked on a nearby path. What a perfect spot. She could stay here forever. Feeling a wave of contentment, she opened her book and started reading the first paragraph of the sixth chapter.

“Well, you just never know who you’ll run into.” Cole’s voice sounded behind her.

Ellie turned around to see Cole silhouetted against the backdrop of a fiery setting sun. “Hi, Cole.”

“Okay if I sit for a minute?”

“Sure,” she said, pointing to a spot on the sheet. She put her book down, but somehow wasn’t disappointed by the interruption. As he settled into place, she couldn’t help but watch him. A navy T-shirt hugged his muscular chest, and khaki shorts stopped just above his knees. White crew socks and sturdy athletic shoes completed his runner’s outfit. His arms glistened in the sunlight but he didn’t look sweaty, just active.

“Been running?”

“Not too long. Just started a half mile back, really. I thought I’d stop and say hi, though.”

“I’m glad you did,” she said, meaning it.

Cole stared at her a moment. She felt a little awkward and glanced down. A slight breeze stirred between them. When she glanced back up, a ruffle of wind had lifted Cole’s hair a smidgen until it peaked like the crown of an agitated bird. Ellie stifled a laugh with her hand.

“What?” he asked.

She dared to look up again. That was her mistake. For the life of her, she couldn’t hold it in. Giggles poured from her until she finally gave way to a full-fledged guffaw. Tears streamed down her face and her stomach ached from laughing. Being a good sport, Cole laughed with her, though he did manage to smooth down his polly-want-a-cracker do.

After they both calmed down from laughing, Ellie apologized. “I don’t know why that struck me so funny, but I think I needed a good laugh like that.” She looked at him sheepishly. “Sorry it was at your expense.”

“Oh, you’ll get yours, Miss Williams,” he said with an ornery grin. “Besides, I like hearing you laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before.”

“Isn’t that awful? I think I take life too seriously.”

He kept watching her. “What would you think about, um, I mean, what would you say…”

She watched him, waiting for him to spit the words out. He was obviously struggling.

“Oh, now I’m acting like a tongue-tied kid.”

She grinned.

“Now, don’t you start laughing again,” he said, shaking a finger at her.

“Wasn’t going to,” she said, with the Scout’s honor sign.

“What would you say to going out once in a while?” He waited a second and then quickly added, “I mean, as friends, you know.”

Her face grew warm. She felt light as a feather. “I’d like that,” she said, deciding whatever the future held for them didn’t matter. She would simply enjoy being friends with this man.

“Great,” he said, flashing his trademark smile. Boy, she’d like to market those pearly whites. “Well, I’d better get back to running and let you get back to your book.”

“Thanks for stopping by.”

“My pleasure.” He looked as though he meant it.

She watched as he ran away, literally. It was all she could do not to run after him….

The week went well. Ellie’s estimation of Cole went up with every passing day. Perhaps they had crossed the hurdle of their differences and were on the other side of their friendship. She liked this side.

The phone on her desk rang and Ellie jumped. “Hello?”

“Ellie, could you come into my office?” Cole asked.

“Sure. I’ll be right there.” She hung up the phone and grabbed a notepad and pen. Hurrying to his office, she knocked at his door and he motioned her to come in. Jax stood by the window, watching her. The look on his face told her this couldn’t be good. “So, what’s up,” she asked, trying to stay positive, as she settled into the chair across from his desk.

“Well, the strangest thing. You know the carpet we talked about for the Gibsons’ home?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry about that. I meant to get that ordered last week, but didn’t get to it. I can order it as soon as I leave here. I didn’t know the painters were finished.” She glanced at Jax whose face stayed expressionless. Goodness, what had she done?

“You didn’t order it already?”

She looked at him, puzzled. “No. I was swamped with paperwork, and didn’t get that far down on my to-do list. Why, is there a problem?” They still had plenty of time to get the carpet ordered as far as she knew. Why the third degree?

“How strange.” He rubbed his jaw.

“Cole, Jax, what is it?”

“Well, first of all, the carpet was ordered and it was delivered by E-Z Carpets.”

“What? We never do business with them.”

“Exactly.” He stared at her, as if the answer to the puzzle was on her face. “And they said it was ordered by Ellie Williams.”

Ellie was taken aback. “Well, that’s crazy. I never order from them. Why would they say that?”

“That’s a very good question.”

“Can’t we just send it back?”

“Unfortunately, the carpet guys went out there and already installed carpet in two of the rooms. The good news is one of our crew was there, noticed it was from E-Z Carpets, and knew we didn’t do business with them. That’s when he called me.”

“Oh, Cole, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m just wondering how it happened.” He sat thinking, then finally shrugged. “Oh, well, there’s nothing we can do about it. It was a phone order, and we have no way of proving we didn’t order it. They even had our account number. We’ll save the extra carpet and see if we can use it for something else.”

“Again, I’m sorry.”

“You’re sure you didn’t accidentally call them?”

“Quite sure. How could I accidentally call them?”

“Well, you might have copied the wrong phone number down.”

“I would know if I had called someone and ordered carpet. I didn’t call them.”

“You’re sure?”

“Look, Cole, I said I didn’t call them.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Feeling dismissed, Ellie stood and walked out of the room, but not before catching a doubtful glance between Cole and Jax.

Discouraged, Ellie walked back to her desk and tried to sort through the mystery. Was there any possibility she could have called the carpet company and just forgotten? But if that were true, she would have called their regular company, she wouldn’t have called E-Z Carpets. Everyone in town knew they sold inferior carpet. Someone from another company could have ordered it, but why would they leave Ellie’s name? Even if there was another Ellie Williams, that didn’t explain using Wiley’s Dream Homes’ credit card number. None of it made any sense.