Meant to Be (RightMatch.com Trilogy) (13 page)

“I was thinking about that earlier. She’s a remarkable woman. I admire her.”

When he was ready to disconnect he said, “I love you, Beth. Think of me today.”

How could she not? she thought after she clicked off and sat in the living room of his apartment. A big TV took up part of one wall; a desk was tucked in the corner, with sophisticated computer equipment on it. Family photos hung everywhere. Standing, she slipped the throw over her shoulders and examined some. Him and Ellie cuddling in bed. Him and Ellie playing in the sandbox. Ellie alone with something smeared all over her face, body and in her hair. It looked like pudding. Ah, here was one of Cole and Rick. With their arms around each other, standing together, she could see the strong similarities. Same hairline. Same sparkling blue eyes. Same charming smile. Tracing Cole’s face she said, “Oh, sweetheart, I hope you don’t lose this man. I know it will devastate you.”

A sound came from the nursery. “Da, Da, Da. Ooo, eee.”

Cole had told her Ellie rarely cried and woke up most mornings babbling and cooing. Leaving the living room, Beth went to Ellie and stood over the crib. The baby grinned, showing a few adorable teeth, and pumped her legs. Then she held up her arms.

“Okay, cutie pie. Beth’s got you. It’s me, Daddy’s friend, Beth.”

When she picked up Ellie, the baby looked right in her eyes and said, “Be…Be…Be…”

Beth sighed feeling more of the ice around her heart melting.

o0o

At eight o’clock, Cole’s father was stable, recovering in ICU, and the family was told they could go in and see him within the hour. Spence and Joe ganged up on Cole and dragged him out of the waiting room, leaving Ellison, who refused to accompany them, with her daughters-in-law. The three men headed down to the cafeteria for some breakfast.

Cole was so tired he didn’t have the strength to argue with his brothers. He sat drinking coffee while they got food, then joined him.

“You look like hell,” Joe said, setting orange juice and scrambled eggs in front of him and taking a chair at the table.

Cole scanned Joe’s visible beard and the lines around his eyes. “You aren’t beauty-pageant material yourself, bro.”

Spence rubbed his shadowed chin. “None of us are. Let’s stop picking on each other. Now eat, both of you.” He gave Cole toast.

The food fueled Cole and he was forced to admit he felt better after he downed it. When they’d finished, Spence sat back in his chair and sipped his coffee. “Want to talk about it?”

“About Dad?” Cole asked.

“Well, first off.”

Dissembling was stupid, so he simply said, “I’m scared.”

Joe nodded. “Me, too.”

Spence conceded he was fearful, too, then added, “We have to have faith. He could pull through just fine. He’s a strong guy. Remember when my father came blasting into town when I was sixteen and wanted to take me away from mom and send me to the same prep school he went to in New York?”

Cole nodded.

“Rick stood up to him. Said he couldn’t take me away from you. I went to a private school in Rockland, but I lived with you.”

Joe got a faraway look in his eye. “Rick was a godsend to me when I hurt my knee and blew my football career. He spent a lot of time talking to me about different paths in life and how I had a real opportunity to contribute to the world. He didn’t say it, but I guessed he didn’t think highly of professional athletes.” Joe’s eyes misted. “He was so proud the day I graduated from the police academy.”

Cole smiled. “I was always glad he treated you like his sons. It made us more of a family.”

“And now we have to stick by him.” Spence’s voice was firm. “When he gets through this, we’ll all pitch in and take care of him.”

Lazing back, Joe sipped his coffee. “So, what’d ya think of how he had the attack?”

Spence smiled and shook his head. “You know you read about that kind of thing happening. But when it’s your own mother…”

They all shared a chuckle.

“Okay, let’s forgo Mom’s love life and talk about yours.” Spence speared Cole with a knowing look. “Why did you turn sheet white when Beth made her offer to take Ellie home? What’s going on?”

Cole asked, “Did Dana talk to you about it, Joe?”

“No. You know she doesn’t share your private discussions. If you weren’t my kid brother, I’d be jealous.”

“What’s going on now?” Spence said more vehemently. “I swear it’s like a soap opera with you two.”

Cole explained the situation, although the pain of it was diluted by her unselfish actions yesterday.

“Is that all? No big deal.” This from Joe. “She just needs time.”

“You really think that?”

“I do,” Spence added. “Hell, Cole, you want everything yesterday because you’re so used to being the star and center of everything. Give her a break.”

Cole flinched back. “Now who sounds jealous?”

“No, I’m not. Never have been. I just don’t want you to blow something good because you can’t wait for it. Beth has handled everything else, so give her a time on this one.” Spence’s eyes narrowed on something over Cole’s shoulder. “Huh, maybe it’s a moot point.”

Cole turned to find Beth in the doorway. She had Ellie in the stroller, all dressed up in a pretty velvet dress with leggings—the kind of thing Cole didn’t bother with much after the novelty of having a baby had worn off. Beth smiled, looking cute in what he recognized as one of his shirts and her jeans. Her hair was a little damp and her smile was warm. He rose and crossed to her. “Hey, love, how are you?”

“We’re great.” She sounded like she meant it.

He reached out and touched her hair. “Did you take a shower at my house? No, don’t tell me. I’ll just picture you there and it’ll drive me crazy.”

“Actually, no shower. Ellie and I took a bath together.”

“Jesus, that’s worse.”

He bent down and scooped Ellie out of the stroller. “Hey, princess, did you have a nice time with Beth?”

Ellie squealed, turned and reached her arms out to Beth, babbling, “Be…Be…Be.”

And despite the circumstances with his dad, joy filled Cole’s heart.

o0o

When they returned to the waiting room, Beth saw right away that Ellison Matheson was in tears. Cole’s grip on Beth’s hand tightened and she squeezed it. “Go talk to her.”

Cole rushed over and Beth scanned the area. The kids were gone—Annie must have taken them home because she was missing, too—but Dana sat across from Cole’s mom in the wheelchair. Dana’s back was to Beth, so she couldn’t see her reaction. Beth felt fear curl inside her.

She’s so strong, Beth. She lost one husband to divorce, one to death and now she’s in danger of losing another. But she’s holding it together and helping us all.

Now, though, Ellison wasn’t holding it together and Beth expected the worst. She saw Cole’s shoulders slump when Ellison stood and hugged him. Oh, no.

Finally he turned. But his face was alight. Facing Beth, he called out, “Come on over, honey. Dad’s out of the woods.”

Chapter 9

“Everybody loves when the leaves turn colors in upstate New York. That’s why we’re booked solid.” MJ looked up from her ledger and smiled at Beth, who was staring out the windows at the gold and red and green of fall. “Did you even hear me?”

Glancing her way, Beth said, “Yes, of course. Something about leaves.”

“I’m checking the reservations for the rest of the month. We’re fully booked.”

“That’s good. I met with the accountant yesterday. The Inn is doing well.”

“Should I ask for a raise?” MJ said with a grin.

Beth faced her friend. “Do you want one?”

“No, you pay me a fair wage, as you do the rest of the staff. That’s why they love working here.”

“Peter said it was the only way to run a business.”

A silence. “Do you still miss him terribly?”

She took her time to think about that. “There’ll always be a hollow spot in my heart because he’s gone, but honestly, this is the first fall since he died that I’ve felt so lighthearted.”

MJ stood and went to the stove to pour more coffee. “Things that good with Mr. Gorgeous?”

Beth couldn’t hide her joy. “Yep, they are.”

MJ wiggled her brows up and down. “Come on, give me some lascivious details.”

“It’s more than that, MJ. Though the sex is stellar.” She thought of Cole in bed, after his dad had recovered enough to go home. And after she’d warmed up to Ellie. Which was a total understatement.

MJ said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Anything.”

“Do you get sick of the demands of this place sometimes?”

“I don’t
do
that much, MJ, with you and the staff on board.”

“But in the end, you’re responsible for everything.”

For a minute, Beth thought about the question. “No, I don’t get sick of
that.”

“What do you get sick of?”

Beth took a seat at the table and MJ joined her. “Sometimes I feel like I’m wasting precious years here.”

“Honey, you do a big service to people by giving them a place to wind down and relax.”

“You think so?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I guess I do, too, but every time I volunteer at Second Chances, I feel like I should be helping less-privileged people. I, um, talked to Cole about going back to school for social work.”

Deliberately, MJ set down her mug. “Beth, if that’s what you want, you can certainly do it now. We can get more help for the days you cover.”

“No, I’m not ready for school again.”

“Would you ever want to sell the Inn?”

“I don’t think I could do that to Peter’s dream.”

“It’s your dream that counts. And if you’re thinking about me, and your staff, there are rumors of a new B&B going up in town—based on our success, I would guess—that will be hiring people next year. We all could get jobs elsewhere or new owners here might keep us on.”

“Thanks for saying that, but no, it’s not what I want. Maybe someday, but not now.”

“Okay,” MJ said. “Then tell me some of those sexy details.”

o0o

“Thanks for coming with me.” In an auditorium of Hochstein Music School, where he’d taken lessons during his childhood, Cole leaned over and kissed Beth’s nose.

“Are you kidding? Everyone in your family talks about what a talented dancer Kara is. And now that I know your nieces and nephew better, I’m glad to be here.”

Cole’s blue eyes twinkled. “Dana says she reminds her of herself at that age.”

“That’s quite a compliment. I was glued to the CDs of Dana dancing that we watched.”

The compliment rolled off Beth’s lips easily. Since the hospital, when Beth had unselfishly taken Ellie home, Dana had been friendlier to Beth.

Cole was distracted as Annie, Spence, Alex and Hope sidled into the aisle. Annie eased herself down into the seat next to Beth. “Hey, guys.”

“Hi, beautiful.” Cole leaned over Beth to touch Annie’s stomach. “Feeling good?”

“I’m feeling like a complete blimp. I’d forgotten about the difference between the sixth and seventh months.”

“Ah, when everything pops right out.” Beth grinned. “I remember those days. The stronger kicks and the thrill of how real the baby had become.”

Spence said, “I’ll bet you looked pretty during pregnancy, Beth.”

Cole joined in on the compliment and Beth flushed.

Annie glanced down at Beth’s lap. “How nice of you to get those for Kara.” Beth had chosen red roses for Cole’s niece.

“Hope picked ours out.” Spence spoke affectionately of the little girl sitting beside him in a cute, yellow dress with sparkles in her hair. She’d transferred to Dana’s school, too, but this recital was only for the older girls. “Dancing is more sacred to her than church.”

“Not quite,” Annie put in. “But close.”

Beth asked, “Isn’t it early in the year for a dance recital?”

“Devlin Dance does a lot of things differently, and one of them is having a recital for the students who participated in the summer workshops.” Cole pointed to the program. “There’s only ten numbers, a solo for each girl.”

“Too bad Ellison can’t be here,” Annie commented.

“She didn’t want to leave Dad. He loves Kara’s performances, too. She says they’ll watch the recording of it together.”

The auditorium darkened and Cole saw Joey and Jeremy sneak into the aisle. They’d been backstage helping Dana and Ruth.

The first dance was lovely. The girl floated like mist around the stage. The second was more dramatic. The costume was unusual for ballet, then Cole realized the number was a segment from Tchaikovsky’s controversial piece
The Rites of Spring.
Cole was entranced by the music as much as the dance. When the orchestra started another song, he startled a bit. “What is it?” Beth asked.

“This is Cole Porter’s ‘Night and Day.’”

“Your namesake. That is so cool.”

Kara was the last dancer featured. She was performing a segment from
Swan Lake
. Oh, Lord. That was the ballet Dana had danced the night she’d gotten hurt. Honestly, that woman was something—to coach her new daughter in a performance that had to remind her of bad things.

Though he’d seen Kara dance many times before, Cole was still openmouthed. Her movements were so fluid, every step was lighter than air and the graceful turn of her head rivaled any ballerina Cole had ever seen. The crowd roared to their feet as she did a series of turns—fifteen of them. When she finished, the ovation lasted for minutes.

Cole slid his arm around Beth and he saw her eyes glimmer with tears. God, he loved this woman, more and more every day. Sometimes he couldn’t believe how happy she made him. Since she’d made her peace with Ellie, nothing had gone wrong for them except Ava’s stubborn insistence that he was too young for her mother.

When the show ended, Cole told his brother, “We’ll meet you back at the house?”

Beth cocked her head. “We’re going to Joe’s?”

“Uh-huh. Dana’s having all the girls and their parents over to her home to celebrate.”

“Oh, Joe. She shouldn’t be doing that kind of entertaining. The recital probably sapped all her energy.”

“She’s hired caterers for the party. Joe wouldn’t let her do it any other way.” He kissed her nose. “But thanks for caring.”