The Maddox Brothers: Beautiful Burn Part 44

He shook his head and sat up, ready to fight for me. He opened the box, plucking the small silver band with a single round solitaire diamond. "I know it's not as big as Finley's..."

"I don't care about that. I just care about what this means."

He slipped the band onto my finger and choked out a laugh. "Holy s.h.i.t."

I thought about his words, letting them bounce around in my mind along with everything I'd learned over the past two months. Returning to old relationships or starting new ones was a recipe for a relapse, and Tyler and I qualified as both. Knowing that, I knew no one could teach me how to love me better than him.

"Can we just...?" I began.

"Whatever you need, baby," he said, holding my hand to his lips.

I settled back into my seat, and Tyler's hand encompa.s.sed mine for the rest of the way back to Estes Park. I didn't feel added stress or worry or anxious-quite the opposite. Everything had seemed to fall into place in the same day. The new Ellie was home, in love, engaged, and happy. I couldn't imagine anything emotionally healthier than that. Not that I expected everything to be smooth sailing, but when I looked at Tyler, the only thing I felt was content.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT.

Jojo poked her head around the corner, looking like she'd fallen asleep in a tanning bed. Her long blonde braid hung from the nape of her neck, swinging a bit in front of her shoulder. "Got a minute?"

"Sure," I said. "Just let me finish up this..." I typed out a few more words, saved the doc.u.ment, and sat back in my office chair.

"How does it feel to be back?" she asked, collapsing into the love seat in front of my desk.

"Um ... fine," I said, nodding.

"And how do you like your new place?" she asked.

I nodded again. "That it's not mine, nor anything that's in it."

"I know this is hard. It'd be harder without their help. Right now the focus is on getting well."

"I know. Tyler says the same. He's not even pushing me to move in with him, which is ... weird."

"But smart. Congratulations, by the way." The synapses of Jojo's mind were clearly firing, and I waited while she twisted the platinum strands hanging from the clear elastic band securing her braid. "Chief called today. He asked how you were doing."

"The Alpine crew's superintendent?"

"Yes, that Chief. He asked a few questions about your recovery."

"Awkward."

"He wants to give you another chance."

"He does," I said, dubious.

"The Alpine crew is on R&R now."

"I know."

"They're leaving for Colorado Springs in two days."

"I know that, too."

"When they're back, Chief asked me if you'd be ready."

"Why would he want me to come back?" I asked, suspicious.

"He saw your latest feature on the forestry service. It's getting great reception, and they would like to see it wrapped up on a positive note."

"I guess the AP picking it up helped him make that decision?"

Jojo smiled. "I'm pretty sure Daddy would adopt you if he could. You put this magazine on the map. Ad s.p.a.ce is booked up for six months. Subscription numbers set a new high every day. That was all you, Ellie. I can't even take the credit for the last write-up. I used almost every word you wrote."

"I noticed your name was absent."

"With good reason," she said, leaning forward. "Getting you well is our first priority. If you think it's too much, too soon, we'll push it back to next year's fire season. Daddy wanted to make sure you knew that."

I turned, seeing that Wick's door was closed. It had been that way since I'd returned to a full-time desk job.

"No, I can do it," I said, my heart thumping against my chest. I tried not to make my excitement too obvious.

Jojo's entire face brightened. "Really?"

"Yeah. Just stop saying well. It makes me feel sick."

She stood, shaking her head. "Absolutely. Won't mention it again." Not two seconds after she turned the corner, her orange face popped back in, her hot-pink lipstick bordering her bright smile. "That's not true. I'll mention it if necessary."

"Understood."

Jojo left me alone, and I leaned back, taking in a deep breath. The surface of my desk was still as empty as it had been on my first day, but for the three photographs I had framed. I picked up the metal five-by-seven, looking over the hideously cropped retake of a picture of Finley hanging on the wall of the chateau. It was ironic that that very picture had landed me the photography job in the first place, and just eighteen months later, it looked so amateur I had to lay it flat on its face several times a day.

The front door chimed, and Jojo greeted whoever approached her front desk. I could tell by the familiarity and condescension in her voice that it was Tyler.

"Ellie?" Jojo's voice squeaked over the intercom.

I pressed a b.u.t.ton. "Yes?"

Tyler was in the background, complaining that Jojo should just let him come back to my office.

"Tyler Maddox is here to see you. Shall I allow him back, or would you like me to suggest he return to the sea of venereal disease where he came from?"

I spit out a laugh. "Send him back."

She sighed loudly. "Fine."

Tyler appeared, holding two fountain drinks. "Sprite for you," he said, sitting it on my desk. "Cherry c.o.ke for me."

"Thank you," I said, wrapping my lips around the straw. "So, Chief called today."

"Did he?" Tyler asking, feigning surprise. He sat on the love seat in the exact spot Jojo had been, bouncing a few times.

"How did you talk him into it?"

"Now how in the h.e.l.l am I going to talk Chief into bringing you back after what you pulled in Colorado Springs?"

"Don't lie."

"You're right. We all talked him into it."

"Who's we?"

"The guys. They miss you. Puddin' laments your grilled cheese at least twice a day."

"I said yes."

His eyebrows shot up. "You did?"

I nodded, and he popped out of the love seat, leaning over my desk and grabbing my cheeks to plant a kiss on my lips.

"Wow, I should say yes more often."

"I agree. Remember what happened the night of the last time you said yes?"

"Yes, I do."

He smirked. "You said yes a lot that night."

"Shut it. What are you doing tonight?"

"Besides you?" he asked.

"Hilarious. Any plans?"

He chuckled, itching the side of his nose. "No, baby. You're the only plans I have."

"Good, because we've been invited to dinner at the chateau."

"What's that?"

"My parents' vacation home."

He blanched. "Say what?"

"My parents would like to meet you."

He blinked, his entire body frozen in the position it was in when I broke the news. "Oh."

"Oh?"

"I just thought ... you know ... we weren't going to any parties."

"Not a party. Dinner. And they're serving sparkling water. Finley will be there."

"So, what you're saying is ... this will be the most awkward dinner ever."

"Pretty much."

"I'm in," he said, standing.

I smiled, lifting my chin to meet his gaze. "Yeah?"

"Of course. Gotta meet the in-laws. Looking forward to all of those judgey eyes and questions about my meager salary."

"Glad you know what to expect."

He leaned over and kissed my cheek, waving before he rounded the corner. "Love you!" he called back just before the door chimed.

"We don't love you back!" Jojo yelled.

The room was quiet except for the forks sc.r.a.ping against the plates and Daddy sipping his water from a wine gla.s.s. Felix was standing by the door like a militant waiting for Tyler or me to attempt escape, and mother hadn't looked me in the eye since we'd arrived.

Finley was busy texting on her phone, just as embarra.s.sed to be in the same room with Tyler as he was with her.

Sally looked up to wink at me occasionally to make sure I wasn't too stressed. Tyler was cutting through his lamb shank, happily eating the fourth course of a five-course dinner.

"Ellison," Mother began in her voice that warned of impending doom. "Your father has spoken with the board, and they're very interested in using your newfound talents within the company. I'm sure you'll find the salary very agreeable in comparison with your current pay."

I swallowed quickly, and then cleared my throat. "I like the job I have now."

"You can do the same job at Edson Tech, sweetheart," she said.

"I can't hike mountains and photograph wildfires at Edson Tech."

Mother pursed her lips, deepening the wrinkles around her mouth. "Precisely. Your father and I feel that your higher wages will better a.s.sist with the cost of your new condo, and-"

"Uh ... you insisted on that condo, and I complied."

"But it still costs money, dear. Money that, as an adult, you should provide."

"I was living in a great apartment that I could afford."

"We agreed a move would help create the feeling of a fresh start."

"I could have found a more affordable apartment, I-"