Carrolls and Firrs: A Christmas Novella Page 12

  Ellie backed down the hall. It was every single thing she worried would happen when she agreed to move back all wrapped up in a horribly timed tag team. Spinning on her heel, Ellie raced to the desk, grabbing her bag and coat off the top as she passed, and rushed out the front door.

  This conversation was over.

  And so was her time dealing with her parents.

  ***

  Doug swept the last of the crumbled plaster into a pile in the center of the newly enlarged room. The wall separating the front room and the one directly behind it turned out not to be load bearing so it was gone in an afternoon.

  Well maybe not gone. But at least now it was in the dumpster parked at the curb just out the front door and not standing in the way of a twenty-foot coffee bar.

  He brushed the pile into a large dustpan and tipped it into the plastic trash can beside the door, topping it off. Dragging the heavy can through the front door, he hefted it against the side of the dumpster and let the dusty crumbs and clumps slide out.

  A loud slam echoed up the quiet block, the sound ricocheting off the tall buildings lining either side of the one-way road. Ellie stormed from the Carroll’s shop to where her Jeep was parked along the curb. Another loud slam bounced around as she pulled the driver’s door shut.

  Doug set the emptied can down on the sidewalk and stepped into the path of her oncoming Jeep.

  Ellie slowed, rolling down her window.

  He leaned in, resting his arm on the door. “Everything okay?”

  Her eyes were glassy and the normally pink of her cheeks was full on crimson. “I’m just—” She closed her eyes and took a long breath.

  She was struggling for control. Digging deep to find Ellie the unflappable business woman. But that wasn’t what he wanted her to do.

  Not around him anyway.

  Doug brushed his fingers across her hot cheek. “Do you have a minute? I want to show you something.”

  Ellie opened her eyes and he could see she found who she was looking for. His sweet Ellie had on her business face. The smile she gave him wasn’t warm and natural, but forced and tight. “Sure.”

  He stepped away so she could pull in front of the dumpster and park. She slid out of her seat and met him on the sidewalk. Doug touched a spot of pale grey paint on the front of her worn flannel shirt.

  “I like the color.”

  She looked down, staring at the spot. “Thanks.”

  Doug took her hand in his and led her inside. “We made one heck of a mess today but the difference in here is crazy.”

  Ellie stopped just inside the door. She stood quietly, her eyes wandering around the room. “It opened it up a lot didn’t it?”

  “It did.” He squeezed her hand wishing the room wasn’t the only thing that opened up. “Are you feeling okay?”

  Ellie blinked a few times and twisted her lips from side to side. “It’s just been a long day.”

  “Oh.” Doug tipped his head, trying to get a better view of her face. “How’s that?”

  Ellie dropped her chin, her eyes on the floor. “How were your parents when you left for school?”

  Doug’s mouth went dry. “What do you mean?”

  Ellie looked up at him, a flicker of anger simmering in her ashy gaze. “I mean were they mad when you left for college? Did they want you to feel bad about going?”

  He knew this conversation wasn’t meant to be about him. It was supposed to be about Ellie and the troubled relationship she had with her parents. He was supposed to help her sort through her anger and frustration at the way her parents tried to keep her on the path they wanted. But he couldn’t.

  Because this might be the end.

  Everything he convinced himself was different with Ellie could come crashing down, leaving nothing behind.

  Nothing.

  Ellie looked at him. Waiting for his answer.

  He waited, savoring these last few seconds with her before she knew what he was.

  And what he wasn’t.

  “I didn’t.”

  Her eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Didn’t what?”

  “I didn’t go to college.” The words came out clipped, short. Laced with years of embarrassment and shame.

  “What?” Ellie shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  Her reaction was exactly what he should have expected. The reason he should have listened to the voice of experience in his head that told him to stay away. That girls like Ellie didn’t want men like him.

  “How could you not have gone to college?”

  Doug tugged his hand free from hers and shoved it in his pocket. “Not everyone has the opportunity to go to college.” He forced out the rest, needing to be done with this. All of it. “Or finish high school for that matter.”

  “You didn’t finish high school?”

  He gave his head a quick shake. “Nope.”

  “I can’t believe that.” Ellie looked around the building, her eyes everywhere but on him.

  Doug pulled his truck keys from his pocket. He’d be damned if he would listen to another woman he loved tell him a drop-out just wasn’t what she was looking for. He shoved open the front door and walked out.

  Maybe he’d come back later and lock up. Maybe he wouldn’t. If someone wanted to walk in and steal his pry bar and sledge hammer so be it. It would be worth the price not to have to see the look of disappointment on Ellie’s face.

  And know it was directed at him.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  ELLIE SNATCHED THE tape gun off the cold cement floor and slammed the dispenser end against the large box at her feet, running a crooked, wrinkled line of clear packing tape along the top seam.

  “Crap.”

  She tried again, this time managing a satisfactory seal. One that would hold up long enough to survive the move anyway. Putting the sole of her snow boot against one side, Ellie shoved the box to the ‘packed’ side of the garage.

  One more down. She was going on two hours in the freezing cold building. Her nose was numb and her fingers ached but it was beyond time for her to get out of here and this was the only day she could be sure not to run into her parents. They would spend their morning in a church pew, followed by brunch and then an afternoon of football.

  That meant she could get all of her stuff and be out of here before they knew what happened and she could figure out what her new normal would be. Whatever it was, it would not involve her parents screening her decisions for their approval.

  Ellie peeked in a partially open box. It held the few kitchen items she brought in the move. Her expensive blender. An extra toaster. The insulated bag she used to pack her lunch for work.

  It looked like a trip to stock her new kitchen was in the near future. She zipped a strip of tape across the top and pushed it to the other side.

  Two more boxes of random odds and ends later she was done. Barely enough to fill the smallest box truck the rental store offered. At least that meant it would be easy to move.

  Ellie twisted the handle on the manual garage door and lifted the rickety panel up, letting it slide into place above her head. The truck she rented yesterday was already in place, backed up to the open door and ready to go.

  And so was she. The biggest items went in first, her mattress and box spring were easy enough to get in by sitting one end inside and then lifting the other and sliding them in one at a time. After her bed, nightstand, and chair were in she was left with only boxes. Turning, Ellie grabbed the first one and hoisted it off the ground then loaded it into the truck. This part went even faster than she expected. Lift, turn, load. Lift, turn, load. It wasn’t long before there were only a handful of boxes left.

  “What in the world are you doing?”

  So much for brunch. Ellie closed her eyes, trying to stay calm. No way was she going to let her mother upset her again. There was no reason for it.

  “I am putting my things into this truck.” Ellie slid the next box into the truck’s back end, giving it a
shove toward one far corner.

  “Why?” Her mother’s voice was already an octave higher than normal.

  It didn’t matter. She could be as upset as she wanted. This was the way things were going to be.

  “Because I’m moving.” They were three simple words but every time Ellie said them a little more of the weight lifted from her shoulders.

  “What in the world is going on here?”

  Ellie kept her rhythm. Lift, turn, load. Only two more boxes and it was done.

  Cris turned to her husband, wringing her hands at her waist. “She says she’s leaving.”

  Ellie didn’t correct her.

  “Like hell she is.” Ellie’s father tried to step between her and the back of the truck. “You listen to me young lady.”

  Ellie stepped around him and set the last box in the truck, ignoring the drama building beside her as she pulled down the door and locked it in place.

  Her dad kept right on talking. “You have your mother all upset. It is time to stop this ridiculousness.”

  Yes. It. Was.

  She turned to her parents and smiled. “I’ve got to go. Can you lock up for me?”

  They stood, blubbering as she climbed into the truck, fired up the engine and pulled away without a rear view mirror to take a single look back.

  Not that she would have anyway.

  They wanted her to act like an adult and she was. Technically they asked for this.

  Unfortunately she wasn’t the kind of adult who was great at driving a big truck. After three tries at backing it up Betsy’s driveway she gave up and went inside. “Bets. I can’t get the truck up the driveway without taking out your lamppost.”

  Betsy waddled down the hall, her coat already on. “I know. Josh has been watching you trying to get me to bet with him on what you run over first.”

  Josh grinned at her from the kitchen doorway. “I woulda won too.”

  Betsy balanced her hands on what remained of her waist and glared at her husband. “Is it really winning if you have to replace the post?”

  “My money was on the fire hydrant.”

  Ellie spun to look out the front window. “There’s a fire hydrant?”

  Josh started laughing. “I definitely would have won that bet.”

  Betsy groaned as she took the keys from Ellie and bumped open the storm door. “I’ll be right back.”

  Without hesitation, her friend whipped the box truck into a straight line and rolled it up against the garage. It took her longer to get out and walk back then it did to move the darn thing.

  Ellie turned to Josh who joined her at the window to watch his wife. “Where did she learn to do that?”

  “Heck if I know. Where did she learn to do half the stuff she manages to do?” Josh watched as Betsy slowly made her way up the sidewalk, his fingers twitching on the door handle, his eyes never leaving her.

  When she made it to the porch he clicked open the door and held it. Betsy gave a little eye roll at him as she passed.

  “I’m fine.”

  Josh swatted Betsy on her fanny as he closed the door. “I know. That’s why I married you.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and planted kisses on her cheek. “That and the cooking.”

  Ellie tried to ignore their affection. Not because it made her uncomfortable or because she’d been the third wheel in their house since she marched out of her parents shop a few days ago. Seeing how happy they were made the ache lodged between her ribs even worse.

  Ellie went to her purse and pulled out a bright orange sheet of paper. “How about we order takeout for lunch? My treat.” She handed the menu to her favorite Chinese restaurant to Betsy and grinned. “It can be my going away party.”

  Betsy took the menu. “Yeah. You’re going so far away.”

  “Are they meeting you at the house with the keys in the morning?” Josh peeked over his wife’s shoulder at the menu.

  Ellie sat down in one of the two wingback chairs that flanked the fireplace in Betsy and Josh’s formal living room. “He’s supposed to be by at nine so I should have plenty of time to unload the truck and be ready for the furniture at one.”

  She sank into the high back and let her head rest against one flared side. So much happened so quickly and to say she was drained would be a gross understatement. Right now she was running on fumes.

  Betsy handed the menu off to her husband. “I am so excited. I can’t wait to see the furniture all in place.” She clapped her hands together.

  “You’re just excited to have a baby sitter two doors down.” Ellie stifled a yawn.

  Josh dropped the menu on her lap. “That’s what I’m excited about.” He tucked a stray lock of blonde hair behind Betsy’s ear. “When little miss Emma gets all sassy pants I’ll just send her down to go visit Auntie Ellie.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Course by then maybe you and a certain someone will have a munchkin of your own.”

  Betsy’s eyes flew open wide and rolled to look at her husband.

  Josh looked back at her, clearly confused. “What?”

  Ellie blew out a breath. It looked like poor Josh knew just enough to stick his foot in his mouth. “It’s a long story.”

  Betsy leaned into his side, her face serious, lips barely moving as she spoke. “I will tell you about it later.”

  “No.” Ellie shook her head. “It’s okay.” She looked at Josh. “I am pretty sure Doug and I aren’t…” She tried to think of a word to explain what they no longer were. As she did her hand found its way to her neck where a tiny replica of the tree whose name he shared still laid against her skin. “We just aren’t.”

  “How can you only be pretty sure?” Josh looked from Ellie to Betsy. “Is that code for you broke up with him?”

  “I think he broke up with me.” It was the only way to interpret their interaction at his new building a few days ago. And his lack of contact since.

  Josh looked at Betsy. “Am I missing something?” He looked back at Ellie. “What makes you pretty sure you think he broke up with you?”

  Ellie’s brain hurt. Her body hurt. Worst of all, her heart hurt and she didn’t know how to explain what happened any more than she already did.

  Luckily, Betsy came to her rescue as she had so many times over the past few days. Offering her a place to stay. Sitting with her while Ellie tried to make sense of why Doug became so upset. Helping her find a place to rent and the furniture to fill it.

  It was why she decided to stay. Because she couldn’t imagine life without her best friend.

  “Doug told her he didn’t go to college or finish high school and just sort of walked out. She hasn’t heard from him since.” Betsy said it quietly in her husband’s ear.

  “Oooohhh.” Josh nodded at his wife.

  Betsy sat down in the matching chair beside Ellie and grabbed her hand. Ellie gave her a small smile. It was less than her friend deserved but the best she could do at this moment. She’d already been lucky enough to rehash things with her parents this morning and thinking about Doug and what happened between them was more than she wanted to try to handle right now.

  “That might make sense.” Josh held his hands up. “Stop giving me dirty looks and hear me out.”

  “Josh.” Betsy shot him a look that most people would interpret as a threat of bodily harm.

  “Just listen.” Josh turned to Ellie. “I have never heard a bad thing about Doug. Never.” He squinted one eye. “I take that back. I’ve never heard anyone besides your parents say anything bad about the guy.”

  Ellie sank further into the chair. Josh must not feel the same way she did about analyzing her situation with Doug. He was trying to help and the guy was hard to be mad at so she settled in for his unwanted armchair diagnosis.

  “Sometimes men are more sensitive than you think.” Josh pointed at Betsy. “Stop right now.”

  Ellie looked over to find her friend’s mouth still open. “But—”

  “This has nothing to do with The Notebook incident. Not
everyone needs to hear about what happened the first time I watched that movie.” Josh eyed his wife as he twisted his fingers over his lips and threw away the nonexistent key before turning his attention back to Ellie. “I can’t imagine having to explain to a woman who was educated and successful that I was less than that.”

  Ellie threw up her arms. “That’s the thing. He’s not.” She stood up and walked to one side of the room. “Doug is brilliant. He has made that little farm into a fantastically successful business.” She held up three fingers as she spun on her heel and walked in the other direction. “Three successful businesses.”

  Well, two right now but knowing Doug there was no way the coffee shop wouldn’t be just as successful as the tree farm and The Grove. And he’d done it all on his own. It was amazing.

  “Buuuuuuut.”

  Ellie stopped mid pace and looked at Josh. “But what?”

  “He might not look at it the same way.” Josh shrugged. “Or he might have dumped you.”

  Two very different possibilities with two very different potential outcomes. “So what do I do?”

  “You go give him hell for being difficult.” Betsy stood up and shoved Ellie’s shoulder.

  “Give him some for me too.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “I’M GONNA NEED you to stop being such a Debbie downer son.” Bruce Firr looked at Doug from the passenger seat of the ATV. “You’re killing my good mood.”

  “Sorry.” Doug stopped beside the fence and honked his horn, rousing a group of young doe’s picking bark off a cluster of small trees. The girls immediately abandoned their found snack for the more palatable treats his father held out.

  It was a good day, for his dad at least. He qualified for a new treatment that was giving him a little more movement in his swollen joints and a lot less pain. It was good to see some improvement after so many years of slow and steady decline.

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better dad.” Doug pulled half an apple from the feed bucket and situated it in his dad’s hand.

  Bruce held it up and one of the smaller doe’s carefully mouthed it free. “Me too.” He chuckled as one of the deer nuzzled his neck and nipped at his hat. “Hopefully it keeps up.”