Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

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Fri, Jan

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The clock ticked past one in the morning, and the rain came down like a waterfall. Alex pushed through the hotel’s spinning doors and spotted Ellie, huddled in the corner of the portico, trying to dodge the rain’s bullets.

Even there, she was getting soaked, clutching a tattered umbrella, looking like a drowned rat with those big, damp eyes tracking him

The doorman rushed over, shielding Alex with an umbrella as lie beclined for his fancy car.

“Alex,” Ellie’s voice called out, but he pretentled not to hear, his strides lengthening.

Not to be deterred, Ellie dashed to the car as Alex slid in, her umbrella fighting a losing battle against the wind, her hand tugging at his arm.

“I messed up, and I’m sorry,” she muttered, her voice barely a whisper, head bowed like she always did when she was little, even if she didn’t do anything wrong.

Alex glanced at the sad umbrella and then at Ellie. “What exactly did you mess up?” he snapped, even though he was the one who should be on the apology train,,,

The wind snatched the umbrella from Ellie’s hand, and she let go of Alex’s arm to wrestle it back. After a few deep breaths, she found her voice, soft but steady. I’ll help you… with her,” she said, her words a quiet offer.

Alex, already behind the wheel, paused with the seatbelt in hand, his eyes locked on Ellie.

She stood there, eyes downcast, the weight of a lifetime of his shadow on her shoulders. She’d tried to escape it all, running off to college far away, but here she was, right back in the thick of it.

His face was still a thundercloud, but his voice had an edge of curiosity. “You gonna talk back to me now?” he asked, a challenge in his tone,

Ellie shook her head, her compliance as automatic as it was unnecessary. “No,” she whispered.

just a bit. “Get in,” he said, opening the door for her, a reluctant truce in the

moment before climbing into the

quick to toss her a towel “Dry off,” he said, getting straight to the point.

desperation. I’ve kept

just stared, a dismissive snort escaping him that Ellie took as pure sarcasm. He held her gaze, and she fidgeted with the towel, the silence between them

on the steering wheel, his mood lighter.

her eyes meeting his. It was clear he was in control of her brother’s situation, and she felt powerless. Jaslands was Alex’s world; he could find out anything about anyone. Yet, he was making her jump through

give you her contact info when you

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Love and Deepspace

Fri, Jan 24

Chapter 6

this harder than it has to be, Alex replied, pausing for effect. “The

his

gave her a playful glance. “And since I’m serious about Haley. I’m planning on marrying her, so I need to

stear herself. Her feelings for Alex were a one–sided struggle she couldn’t control, and the

her, or how her brother would react he found out. But Ellie was out of options.

let’s hit the road, Alex said, tucking his phone

“Where exactly are

the old homestead, Alex answered, his voice leaving no room for

as a last resort to help h brother. And she left that life behind a

gas, and the car leaped forward. Ellie’s breath hitched, but she managed to keep her

on full blast, it was hard to see the road ahead. Ellie knew Alex’s temper, she wasn’t about to test

kept to herself. Maybe it wasn’t all bad–she’d get to see his grandfather and

parents

snapped back to reality by he phone buzzing in her pocket. Seeing Haley’s name flash on the screen, she

voice was frantic on the phone. “Ellie, I’m in a mess. I had to get out of the house, and now my bank cards are frozen Can you come pick me up? I’m really in a pinch here.

screech. Ellie was still processing the noise when Alex was already out in the downpour, pulling open