CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
“Deciding against decorations was the best decision I’ve made in two months.”
The Book Bank was officially closed for Ellie’s postelection victory party, but since there was nothing to celebrate and no decorations, it looked like any other Tuesday evening, and thank God. Paige worked behind the counter, serving those few people who wanted a Snickerdoodle latte instead of the free tea or Cokes on the display table that usually held Christian fiction, Amish mysteries, and devotionals, which had been wiped out Sunday afternoon.
“It’s a testament to how much people like you that they’re buying stuff instead of taking the free,” Kelly said.
Ellie drank the dregs of a Diet Coke from a red solo cup. The ice crinkled when she set it down. “I should have opened a bar.”
“You might’ve won if you had.”
Ellie’s lips fluttered when she sighed. “I didn’t want it anyway.”
“Liar.”
“I am a liar.” Ellie stood. “But not about that. Once we get rid of everyone, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure. Are we going to need wine for this conversation?”
You might. “I have some upstairs.”
“Oh, good Lord,” Kelly said.
“What?”
“Here comes Julie McBride.”
Ellie turned and saw Julie and Ethan walk through the door. Her stomach clenched. She hadn’t seen Ethan since the September night he caught her and Jack kissing in the Book Bank office. The horrified expression on Ethan’s face had been what Ellie thought of when Jack told her his wife returned. Ellie had hoped if Jack made an effort with his marriage, Ethan might eventually come around to the divorce and them being together. Stupid idea, she now knew. Ellie didn’t count on ignorance being one of the biggest drawbacks of staying away from Jack. She knew nothing about how the farce was going over, if Ethan was buying it. All Ellie could tell from Ethan’s expression was this was the last place he wanted to be.
“I thought you and Julie were big buddies.”
“She wants to be. She’s called and texted me a hundred times since Saturday. She’s the neediest person I’ve ever met.” Kelly fixed her beauty pageant smile on her face. “Hey. What’re y’all doing here?”
“We’re on our way home from Matt and Amy’s visitation. Did you go?”
“We did,” Kelly said.
“It’s just so sad. Those kids being orphaned,” Julie said.
“Are you friends with Madison?” Ellie asked Ethan.
He shrugged. “We have a couple of classes together.”
“I’m sorry about the election, Ellie,” Julie said. “Though I’m not sorry for me.”
Kelly bristled. “What do you mean?”
“Michelle told me the first thing her father wants to do is fire Jack.”
“God, Michelle Doyle is such a—”
Ellie placed her hand on Kelly’s arm. “Do you want Jack to get fired?” Ellie asked. After their little conversation that morning, Ellie knew the answer, but it wouldn’t hurt for her best friend to get further confirmation what a narcissist Julie was, and straight from the horse’s mouth.
“You know I wouldn’t mind a reason to leave Stillwater.”
Kelly’s arm tensed beneath Ellie’s hand. She did not like people trashing their hometown, though Ellie knew her best friend would be happy to see the back end of Jack McBride.
“A lot of people think Jack’s doing a good job. What about you, Ethan? Do you want to leave?” Ellie asked.
Ethan studied his mother before turning his attention to Ellie. Had she caught a hint of irritation in his expression or was that wishful thinking? “I don’t want to move again.”
“How’s your photography going? Still finding a lot of subjects around town?” Ellie asked.
“Yeah. Looking forward to the changing leaves.”
“You have to catch it quick. They’re here one day and gone the next. You should go out to the lake when they turn. You can get some great pictures out there, I bet.”
“He’s turned into quite the photographer since we gave him the camera for his birthday last year,” Julie said.
“Um, you left on my fucking birthday, or have you forgotten?” Ethan said.
Julie’s smile wavered. “Your dad and I agreed on it all before I left, remember?”
“Whatever.” Ethan moved away.
Kelly recoiled visibly from Julie. Ellie knew that was it. Kelly Kendrick would be polite to Julie—she was a Southern woman after all—but she would never be friends with a woman who left her son on his birthday.
“I wanted to stop by to see how you’re feeling, Ellie,” Julie said, her voice pitched high. “She threw up on our run this morning,” she explained to Kelly.
Kelly rubbed Ellie’s back. “Are you still fighting that stomach bug?”
“I saw Sue today. I’ll be better soon.”
“You need a vacation,” Kelly said.
“I don’t think a vacation will f—” Julie began.
“Do you two want anything? Coke? Coffee? Paige’ll make you something. On the house.”
Ethan touched Ellie’s arm. “I wondered if you still had that photography book you mentioned.” He moved away from the group, but kept his eyes on Ellie, as if willing her to follow.
“Sure. Let me show you.”
Ellie wanted to thank Ethan for saving her from his mother, but thought better of it. “I ordered a few for you. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I ordered the ones with the best ratings on Amazon. Here.” With Vanna White hands, she showed Ethan the books, felt stupid, and shoved her hands under her armpits.
“Cool. Thanks.” His hair obscured part of his face when he dropped his head down and flipped through a book. Ellie waited. Did he bring her over here to talk or was he just saving her from his mother? He remained silent.
“Well, I need to start cleaning up.” She stepped away.
“My dad said you two stopped seeing each other when my mom came back to town. Is it true?”
“Yes.”
“So, you switched to my uncle.”
Ellie sighed. “Dammit, I told Eddie people would think that.” She met Ethan’s gaze. “Your uncle and I are friends.” Ethan looked like he smelled something foul. “You don’t believe me. Why?”
“Why should I believe you?”
“Why shouldn’t you?”
“Adults lie all the time.”
Ellie couldn’t argue with that. She glanced over at Kelly, who looked like she was about to explode.
“You’re right. But I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“Why?”
“I want you to trust me.”
“Okay. Are you pregnant?”
Ellie’s breath left her in a whoosh, as though someone had punched her in the chest. Ellie’d never had a panic attack, but she wondered if this might not be the start of one.
“I—” The sound came out as a gasp. She could tell by Ethan’s expression the answer was all over her face, but luckily Julie interrupted them. “Ethan, let’s go,” she called across the room while Kelly stalked over to Ellie.
Ethan put the book down. “So?”
Ellie cleared her throat and tried to speak again. “Yes.”
His eyes flicked to her stomach. “Thanks,” he said and left as Kelly arrived.
“What happened?” Ellie asked, still struggling for air.
“Is it true?”
“Is what true?”
“Are you pregnant?”
First Ethan, now Kelly. This was not how or where Ellie wanted to have this conversation. She motioned to Paige to get her attention. “We’ll be in the back for a minute.” Paige waved her acknowledgment and Ellie grabbed Kelly’s arm and dragged her to the office and shut the door.
Kelly’s arms were crossed over her chest, her hip cocked in her no-bullshit pose.
“Yes.”
Kelly opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. “I don’t know if I should congratulate you or slap you. How long have you known?”
“For sure, today. I’ve suspected for a week or more.”
Kelly pushed Ellie away. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“I knew you’d react like this.”
“What did you think, I wouldn’t notice eventually?”
“No.”
Kelly gasped. “You aren’t going to get an abortion.”
“No.”
“Then why wouldn’t you tell me? Better yet? Who’s the father? Eddie? You said you weren’t sleeping with him!”
“I’m not.”
“So, what? This is the virgin birth?”
“No.”
“Is it that guy you go see in Dallas? What’s his name? Kirk?”
“No, it’s not Curtis.”
“Are you going to make me ask you twenty questions or just fucking tell me? Who’s the fath—” She stopped cold. Her eyes widened, then narrowed. “No way. You told me you never slept with him.”
Ellie nodded imperceptibly.
“Jack McBride? You’ve been fucking Jack McBride while acting like you’re dating his brother?”
“If you would stop for a minute and let me explain.”
“Oh, now you want to explain. Since I’ve confronted you about it.”
“Would you shut up for one second? Huh? Jesus. This isn’t about you, remember? It’s about me. Me. I’m the one who’s pregnant.” Kelly crossed her arms over her chest again and waited. “It happened before Julie came back. When she did, we stopped seeing each other.”
“You fucked him after knowing him less than a week?”
“You told me to!”
“I didn’t think you’d actually do it! He’s married.”
“He was filing for divorce …”
“That’s what they all say …”
“He could file uncontested when she’d been gone 365 days. She came back on 364. We decided he needed to try to make it work, for Ethan.”
“For Ethan.”
“Why is it so hard to believe?”
“Does he know?”
“Ethan?”
“No, Jack.”
“I think Julie told him I was pregnant with Eddie’s child. She believes we’re together. Jack knows we’re not.”
“The whole town thinks you’re sleeping with Eddie. But you’re pregnant with Jack’s baby. Jesus, you know how to create a scandal. Sometimes, I think you live for this shit.”
“That’s totally not fair.”
“It would be best for everyone if Jack got fired.”
“Not for me!”
“What, do you actually think he’s going to leave his wife for you? They never leave their wives.”
“Like you have so much experience with married men.”
“I watched Sex and the City.”
“Jesus Christ.”
Kelly shook her head. “I cannot believe you lied to me for two months. Right to my face. Over and over. Ellie the Honest. You’re a fucking hypocrite.”
“Typical. I’m pregnant at forty-two years old, and all you can think about is how I didn’t tell you soon enough. Here’s a newsflash, Kelly: the world doesn’t revolve around you. I don’t tell you everything. I’ve never told you everything!”
Kelly’s head jerked back as if Ellie’d slapped her. Ellie’s instinct was to apologize. She always apologized, then Kelly forgave her and they moved on. This time, she didn’t. Ellie matched Kelly’s stance and waited. Kelly’s face crumpled. She turned and walked out the door.