Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Three days later, Ellie stirred in the hospital bed, the beeping of machines and the faint smell of disinfectant telling her she was in the medical ward.

Aaron’s call came through, his voice urgent. “I got out this morning and tried to reach you. You never picked up. Everything okay?”

The tightness in her chest eased hearing Aaron was free. She shifted to sit up, but a wave of dizziness made her pause. Her gaze fell on her bandaged ankle, the scrapes on her arms a silent reminder of her recent ordeal.

Pushing through the soreness, Ellie levered herself up with one hand, her voice as casual as she could make it. “Just needed a break, you know? To clear my head. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Good, Aaron replied, his relief palpable. “Take all the time you need. Just want you to know I’m fine now.” And with that, he hung up.

Her phone buzzed with a transfer from Aaron–a small amount but it was all he could spare. It was enough to know he was there for her.

Before she could fully register the amount, Alex’s hands were on her shoulders, gently but firmly easing her back onto the pillows. “Stay put, he said, his tone brokering no argument.

Alex dropped off some cookies on the nightstand and leaned over Ellie’s hospital bed. She was unusually quiet, and it seemed to irk him.

He playfully tweaked her cheek, his voice a mix of annoyance and concern. ‘I told you to stay put. What were you thinking, running off like that? You could’ve really messed up.”

Ellie, still smarting from being left in the rain and her mishap on the way home, shot back, “If I go down, I go down. I’m not exactly a delicate flower.

Alex stood by the bed, arms crossed, glaring at her. He was silent for a moment, realizing he’d been so focused on getting to Haley that he’d forgotten about Ellie.

But she was tough; a little rain wouldn’t have bothered her if she hadn’t gone wandering off and fallen into that manhole. He gave her a light tap on the forehead, his face stern. “That’s for the attitude.

Ellie tried to hide her hurt, touching the spot where he’d tapped but she kept quiet.

want for lunch? I can grab something for you, he offered, his tone softer despite his frown. “How about some salad?* Ellie’s eyelashes fluttered as she quickly closed her eyes, trying to hold back her feelings. She shook her head.

tough; a little rain won’t hurt you. But Haley, she might get sick. I brought you some cookies, thought they might help he said, trying to lighten the mood. Ellie was propped up in her

gave her a hand to sit up, his fingers gently jeasing her closed eyelids. “If you don’t peek,

1/3

Love and Don

75%

Chapter 7

sight of the box in Alex’s

a flash of something–regret, maybe?—but he quickly covered it up, offering her a piece that had survived the fall relatively unscathed. “It’s not much to look at, but it’s still good,” he said, his voice warm with a hint of apology.

on the crumbled cookies, a symbol of how she felt–easily dismissed. To Alex, it seemed

close to her mouth, his hand brushing her hair in a comforting gesture. “Come on, just a little bite,

smiles, his gentle touches–they were the hooks that had reeled Ellie in, time

His e

sweetness that was innocent, yet it was this a bite, a tear escaped, rolling down her

had her heart caught in

said, rising to leave without addressing the night he’d left her in the rain or the car that never

ask why. Her mind had told her to three years ago.

fantasies about him, and she’d made

how far she ran, the name “Alex” echoed in her

her eyes widening at the sight of Ellie’s tear–streaked face. “Whoa, what’s up? You didn’t dodge that manhole?” she asked, her tone sharp with worry as she moved to Ellie’s side to check her out. “If Alex hadn’t called, were your gonna keep this little mishap from me and Aaron?”

it cool as she pulled Haley down to sit by the

was all business, her usual laid–back demeanor gone “Ellie, why’d you hand Alex my number?”

way to explain without giving too much

holding out on me, are you?” She might

pause, she finally looked up, meeting Haley’s gaze. “Haley you know I’m tight with the Warren family. When Alex asked for

details. Alex’s reasons for wanting Haley’s number were pretty obvious. And she believed Haley