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.

and sat down. “What do you want for lunch? I can grab something for you, he offered, his tone softer despite his frown. “How about some salad?*

of cookies. “Come on you look all good. You’re 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 hospital bed, doing her

fingers gently jeasing her closed eyelids. “If you don’t peek, I might just have to glue

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Love and Don

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Chapter 7

the box in Alex’s grasp, its contents now a mess of crumbs and

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

dismissed. To Alex, it seemed like these small offerings were all it took to

brought the pastry close to her mouth, his hand brushing her hair in a comforting gesture. “Come on, just

what Alex didn’t understand was the power of his smiles, his gentle touches–they were the hooks that had reeled Ellie in,

His e

was this a bite, a tear escaped,

innocence that had her heart caught in its snare. As she took

lunch, Alex said, rising to leave without addressing the night he’d

didn’t ask why. Her mind had told her to three years ago.

of her fantasies about him, and she’d made the hard choice

ran, the name “Alex” echoed in her heart, a lingering presence

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

she pulled Haley down to sit by the bed. “I’m good, really. I’ll be out of here tomorrow. No need to worry

was all business, her usual laid–back demeanor gone “Ellie, why’d you

mind racing for a way to explain without

of suspicion in her eyes. “Ellie, you’re not holding out on me, are you?” She might come off as carefree, but she had a sharp eye for

When Alex asked for your digits, I was kinda stuck. If he’s bugging you, just

Haley would get the hint without needing to hear the gritty details. Alex’s reasons for wanting Haley’s