Not Jelly Ellie, but Ellie, the woman who stole Ty Donaldson’s breath.
Because when he looked at her, said her name, that’s exactly how he made her feel. As if she really did steal his breath.
Just as he was looking at her right this moment.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He touched her face, brushed away tears that she hadn’t realized had fallen. “I’m sorry, Ellie. Sorry you had to deal with my father. Sorry you want to leave. Sorry you don’t love me.”
The last one had her looking up at him. “Why would that matter?”
He gave a soft laugh. “What my mother said earlier was right.”
He knew she loved him? “But how?”
He brushed his thumb across her cheek. “How could I not?”
She supposed he saw the truth in her eyes every time she looked at him, every time she’d kissed him, touched him.
Because she did love him. Even now the way she felt about him was probably shining in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Ty. I didn’t mean it to happen.”
“It’s not your fault.”
Perhaps not, but she didn’t want him feeling sorry for her. Which apparently was what was happening. He’d overheard what his mother had said and was taking pity on her just as he’d done at the ribbon-cutting.
Or maybe he was just being nice because of the baby.
Either way, she didn’t want his pity. She wanted his heart.
“I know you didn’t intend me to fall in love with you. I just did.”
As Ty’s words registered, the room spun around Ellie and she worried for a brief moment that she might pass out again. “You fell in love with me?”
He gave an ironic laugh. “As I said, how could I not? You’re wonderful, Ellie.”
“But I thought …” Her voice trailed off, a thousand thoughts hitting her at once. That Ty loved her was the foremost one. Ty was in love with her. “You really love me?”
“It’s okay, Ellie.” He shrugged off her question. “I heard what you told my mother. It’s not a big deal.”
He started to turn away but she grabbed his arm. “Ty Donaldson, it’s a very big deal. If you love me, it’s the biggest deal of my entire life.”
Facing her, he searched her eyes, his soft and vulnerable as understanding dawned. A lopsided grin lifted one corner of his mouth. “Oh, really? The biggest deal, eh?”
“Really,” she said, hope building higher and higher within her at how he was looking at her, at what she saw shining brightly in his eyes.
He stood, pulled her to her feet. “I love you, Eleanor Aston.”
Her heart burst with joy at his words, but she shook her head. “Not acceptable.”
His smile fell.
“Tell me again,” she demanded, staring up at him. “Only this time get it right.”
It only took Ty a second to realize exactly what she meant. Taking her hands in his, he stared straight into her eyes, straight into her heart. “I love you, Ellie Aston.”
She smiled. “Much better.”
“Agreed.” He grinned, pulling her into his arms. “I’ve never understood why you protested so much anyway. Ellie fits you.”