Page 26 of Axel
“I have read several of your articles.” Caitlin told her. “I like the way you get to the heart of the matter.”
“Thank you.”
“Well,” Caitlin cleared her throat. “I want to get to the heart of the matter, myself. You said initially that you were going to write a story based on my son’s life here before he became a businessman.”
Ellie nodded.
“I would like the readers to get to know the man behind the hype. Your son has taken the business world by storm and people love a good success story.”
Caitlin nodded, a smile flirting her lips. “He was always so responsible and acutely aware of what is going on around him.
When my husband left us, I tried to shield my children- “She glanced at her daughter with a smile and Ellie felt a flare of envy as she witnessed the look that passed between them. It was obvious that mother and daughter were very close.
Something that was lacking in her own life. “You were a baby and had no idea what was going on. Axel was just a toddler, but he realized that something was going on. He would try to make things easier for me.”
She shook her head. “Never getting into the usual scrapes, always around to help out with his little sister and do things around the house. After my husband left, he became the man of the house. Without question, he just took on the role.”
She paused, and Ellie waited, realizing that she was gathering her thoughts.
“I never wanted to place that burden on him. He was a child and deserved to enjoy his childhood. But it was tough and I would be lying if I said I didn’t welcome his help.” She smiled lovingly. “And he was a very good helper. When he was old enough, he started cooking.
I was doing three jobs just to make ends meet and fortunately for me, the people I was working for, allowed me to drag Cathy along with me. Axel would come home from school and prepare dinner. I would come home, tired and worn out and there was dinner waiting for us.”
“He never complained.” Cathy picked up the story, sending her mother a smile. “His friends were shooting hoops in the park after school and he had to hurry home, make dinner and go back out to stock shelves at the local market.”
“He had to grow up very fast.”
The two women looked at her and Caitlin nodded. “I was angry and felt guilty that he had to do so, but he was always reassuring me that he was fine with it. And it made things a lot easier for me.”
“For me as well.” Picking up her wineglass, Cathy took a sip, a contemplative expression on her lovely face. “He is the best brother a girl could ever hope for….”
Ellie knew the exact minute, the topic of their conversation came into the room. She did not have to notice the delighted look on Cathy’s face to tell. The atmosphere shifted as if he had sucked it all in, bringing a burst of life with him. And his cologne was making her senses tingle.
“Darling, I thought you would be in time to have dinner with us.” Caitlin sprang from the table, seemingly unaware that he had paused just inside the doorway when he noticed their guest.
“I had no idea you had company.”
Chapter 7
Linking her hand through his arm, she ignored the comment and propelled him forward. “We were just about to have dessert, but if you are hungry, I would be more than happy to fix you a plate.”
He avoided looking at Ellie, but Cathy had noticed immediately the tension that had sprung up as soon as he stepped into the room. A thoughtful expression came over her face as she stared at them.
“If Ellie has finished with us, we could leave her alone with Axel. I am sure she has some more questions for him.”
“And you could show Ellie around the garden. The floodlights are on, and the flowers are in full bloom.” Cathy hid a smile when she realized that her mother had caught on quickly.
“I am not hungry.” He said abruptly, feeling cornered. He had walked in and saw the very woman he had been unable to get off his mind and almost turned and walked back out.
His mother had called and asked him to come over, but she had neglected to tell him that Ellie Logan was here. And looking incredibly beautiful – the dress settling over her curves, much like the jogging outfit she had been wearing the last time he saw her.
She was standing next to her chair, giving him a delightful view of every delectable curve. The knee-high leather boots highlighted her long legs and had him thinking about them wrapped around his waist. He felt the blood gathering inside his lower body.
Pushing back her chair, Cathy rose, touching his arm lightly, as she moved past him. “I have some papers to grade.”
“And I have some phone calls to make and to finish planning for the bonfire.” Rising on her toes, his mother brushed her lips on his jaw. “Come say goodnight before you leave.”
They both walked out of the room and left the two people staring at each other.