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Taking Chances, by E. L. Van Hine and L.H. Nicoll
MaineWriter:
Chapter 79, continued:
Ennis leaned over the bed and touched his cheek softly. “I never would a thought last night we would have such a beautiful day together. Let’s have another one.”
“Okay.”
“I love you Ellery.”
“Thank you. I love you too.”
“Be back soon as I can.”
Ellery’s eyes filled with tears as he heard the door close, and he sat quietly, the tears slipping down his face as he thought about the day, and the fierce emotions he felt when he had woken up. They had fled in the gentle hours of the afternoon, leaving behind a wistful sense of mourning, and a feeling of gratitude that he was no longer alone, and no longer grieving for a love that he never really had.
L
mariez:
--- Quote from: magicmountain on January 27, 2007, 02:03:33 am ---Hi all,
I posted the following appreciation of Ennis in another place in response to yet another post putting Ennis down as a no hoper with no future. Louise suggested I re-post it here and here it is.
Ennis has a deep reticence and shyness that hides something precious: a loving heart, steadfast loyalty and a capacity for deep devotion. Once someone to sees this hidden beauty, as Jack did, they can never break away from him. Once you have aroused this man’s deep sexual passion, he can never break away from you.
This is a man made to love and receive love in return. He is in desperate need of love and withers without it. He has learnt bitter lessons from a terrible loss; his hard inner shell has been cracked open and his emotions are much nearer the surface now. He cries easily. He has paid a dreadful penalty for past mistakes and the pain he knows he has inflicted. He will not, cannot inflict that hurt on a person he loves again. He is filled with remorse and guilt.
You would need to woo this man and take bold action to capture him. Once captured you would need to nurse him through the miseries of guilt and aching loss and know you will never take the place of a man he will always love. But this is a man made to love and receive love in return. Ennis is a hidden treasure waiting to be found. He is well worth it.
--- End quote ---
Wow, Jo ...... those have to be the most beautifully astute observations of Ennis that I have ever read! May I print them out to place in my copy of the book? Thank you so very much for sharing. And thank you, Louise, for suggesting it.
Marie
Okay - on to the re-read!
MaineWriter:
Chapter 80:
Ennis stepped out of the bar, tilted his hat back, and made his way straight down the alley toward the man, who was leaning against a utility pole, facing half toward him. “Well,” he said, slowing to a stop. “If it ain’t Mr. Mai Tai.” Dupree was two paces behind him, and stopped approaching as Ennis spoke.
“Evenin,” he replied with a faint smile.
“Mind if I ask what yer doin standin around outside the bar this time a night?” Ennis said, voice wary.
“Waitin for somebody.”
“Anybody in particular?”
“Just... somebody.”
“You wouldn’t be waitin fer Ellery Cantrell would ya?”
The man’s head came up rapidly. “You know Ellery?”
“I do.” Ennis jerked a thumb in the direction of the bar. “That bar back there belongs ta him.”
The man straightened up from leaning against the pole. “No shit.”
“An I take it yer this Bruce Eagleton guy.”
“Yeah I am.”
“Ellery told ya last night on the phone not ta call em anymore, an tonight I’m tellin ya not ta come in his bar anymore.”
“Why not?”
“You should know by now why not boy. So why don’t you go back home ta Jackson an find somethin better ta do, cause you ain’t wanted here.”
“You can’t kick me out a here,” he said, taking a step toward Ennis.
“Sure I can. I’m the bouncer here. An up to the end a this block is private property. So git.”
“I haven’t done anythin ta be kicked out.”
“That’s where yer wrong. An don’t ya be comin around here or callin, cause you ain’t welcome.”
“I don’t know who you are, mister...”
“My name,” Ennis said, gritting his teeth, “is Ennis Del Mar. An I am Ellery’s man, an I’m sayin leave em alone an stay out a his bar. Now I’m goin inside, an when Dupree here pokes his head out you better be gone, boy.” Then he turned, and walked deliberately back to the bar, and Dupree retreated inside the door. Ennis glanced over his shoulder as he stepped back in, and Bruce Eagleton, Jr. was still standing by the utility pole, staring after him.
L
MaineWriter:
And just to remind us when Ennis and Wayne could have a civil conversation...chapter 80:
Just then, Wayne got up from his table and made his way toward Ennis. “Hey there, Ennis, Lauren said you wanted ta talk ta me about some stuff.”
Ennis shook his head. “No Wayne, I don’t ever want ta talk ta you about stuff.”
He looked disappointed. “Aww, but he said you was askin about spankin an bondage an stuff.”
“He did, huh?” Ennis rolled his eyes.
“Well did ya want ta know about it or not?”
Ennis shook his head. “I’m having a private conversation, Wayne, why don’t you go comb yer hair?”
Dupree chuckled. “Or Ennis might want ta give ya a spank.”
“Huh,” Wayne put a hand on his hip. “Maybe I might like it.”
“Oh yeah?” Ennis stood up suddenly and took a step toward him, and Wayne backed away rapidly.
“No way, I already felt yer hand, Ennis, you stay away.”
Ennis sat down, and Lauren brought Dupree’s beer. “Glad we got that straightened out, Wayne.”
L
mariez:
Mornin' everyone!
Thank you, as always, Leslie - you've been very busy this morning with these great quotes. I was about to say that these were some of my favorite chapters . . . and then I realized I say that about all the chapters! LOL!
There certainly was some rough going in these chapters - as I re-read I thought - "Thank God Ellery has Ennis now," - it scares me to think of what Ellery would have done if Ennis hadn't been there to stop him!
I like this part from the beginning of Chapter 77 - can't get too many Wes/Ellery conversations:
“What’s a matter with you, boy?” Wes grumbled. “Ennis called me an he is worried sick.”
“Nothin, just got woke up a few hours ago by that crazy Eagleton telling me he fucked my bartender an I should be proud.”
“He what? He escape from the nuthouse or something?” Wes’s voice rose.
“Not in so many words. Ennis was at the bar an Rudy left two hours before closing with somebody, an after he gets home I get a call sayin Bruce had found a queer bar an picked up a guy an … we put two an two together.”
“Yeah an are you gonna get over this or do I have ta come over there an screw yer head back on?”
“Ennis might be right. Maybe I need ta stay home. I didn’t drink but I am sure hung over.”
“Then get outta town. Have em drive you up ta Fort Laramie or something an take a walk, blow off some steam. Have a tender moment. The ranch can wait, an nobody is due in court.”
“Thanks, Wes. If that… Eagleton calls…”
“If Eagleton calls I’m gonna read em the riot act an tell him his contact with you an this department should be limited to Wyomin vs. Steele an his primary point a contact is the District Attorney, not the Sheriff.”
“Right. Thanks Wes. I can’t… talk to em. I can’t.”
“You look after yerself, gimme a call tonight
Thank God for Ennis - and for Wes!
Marie
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