When inside the room she looked as uncomfortable as Eleanor felt.
“I suppose you think my husband is terrible.”
Eleanor didn’t speak. Really, what could she say?
“He isn’t. He was just raised a certain way and sees the world in black-and-white with no shades of gray.”
“Ty being a doctor isn’t a shade of gray.”
His mother smiled, surprising Eleanor. “I heard the two of you argue. I wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping. I came to find you, to tell you how happy I am Ty has a strong woman like you.”
Eleanor wanted to laugh. Her, strong? Ha. Ty’s mother had her confused with someone else.
“So the fact that even now you defend him, well, it makes this mother’s heart sing with joy.” Then she surprised Eleanor even further by wrapping her arms around her. “Please reconsider leaving. My son loves you. Stay and talk this out with him.”
Eleanor reeled at the woman’s words. “Ty doesn’t love me.”
She supposed the woman might think that as he’d brought her here when he’d never brought a woman home. Then there was the whole thing of being pregnant with his baby.
“Has he not told you?” Then his mother frowned. “Have you told him how you feel? That you’re in love with him?”
“I don’t love Ty,” she denied, but even as she said the words, she realized that she did.
That perhaps on the night he’d rescued her at the ribbon-cutting she’d fallen hopelessly in love with Ty Donaldson.
Standing just inside the open door of his bedroom, Ty recalled exactly why he’d been taught not to eavesdrop.
He flinched at the words that stopped him cold.
Hearing Ellie say she didn’t love him cut straight through his chest, right to the soft center of his heart.
Hell, he was making a habit of eavesdropping today and nothing good had come out of it yet.
Squaring his shoulders, he cleared his throat.
Both women spun toward him.
“Ty!” Ellie gasped, her face flushing, her eyes bright, guilty. Guilty because she didn’t love him and he’d heard her say so.
Thank God he hadn’t poured his sappy heart out to her earlier.
“The plane is fueled up and Harry is going to fly you to Houston. I’ve booked you a seat on the first available flight back to New York.”
Her gaze dropped, then she nodded. “Thank you.”
“Ty,” his mother said, stepping toward him, “I was just trying to convince Ellie to stay. Don’t you think that’s a good idea?”
“Her name is Eleanor and, no, I don’t think her staying is a good idea at all.” Never would he be accused of forcing a woman to be with him when she’d so plainly said she didn’t want to be.
His mother le
t out a loud sigh. “You’re as stubborn as your father.” With a shake of her head she hugged Ellie. “For whatever it’s worth, I hope you change your mind and decide to stay. This family needs to heal and you started that process today. Please don’t leave without seeing it through.”
Heal? His mother thought what had happened between him and his father had been healing? Wrong. The confrontation had been like ripping the scab off a deep wound. Nothing more.
Looking torn, Eleanor hugged his mother back. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home.” She hesitated. “With the baby, I’m sure our paths will cross in the future. Please take care.” Then she turned to Ty. “I’m ready to go.”
She reached for her suitcase, but Ty beat her to it.