A Bride Worth Waiting For (3 page)

* * * * * *

Cole discreetly observed Bethany as she interacted with the guests during dinner. Her beautiful brown eyes lit up when she talked about nursing, it was obvious she loved her profession and working with people. She’d be a good nurse, he’d experienced a bit of her expertise on the plane and the guests related to her well.

“Bethany, since we don’t start working until next week, would you be free to go on a snowmobile ride with me tomorrow afternoon?” Cole asked softly.

“Thank you for the offer, Cole but I can’t tomorrow. I plan to spend the day getting unpacked and organized.”

“Okay, maybe later in the week then.” He smiled and reached for the bowl of food coming his way. The lodge served family style, so each dish was passed around. It was like having a home cooked meal in your own kitchen. He liked the idea it was a warm setting and gave everyone a chance to get to know each other.

Cole had the feeling Bethany was avoiding him. She obviously hadn’t recognized his name so that wasn’t the reason. He wondered if it was him or men in general. He’d bide his time and ask her out again; maybe she really was going to be tied up all day tomorrow.

He finished his dinner and picked up his fiddle. The Langston’s had asked him if he’d play a couple of numbers after dinner to entertain the guests. He unfastened the case and lifted his pride and joy from it. This fiddle had belonged to his grandfather; he gave it to Cole a year ago when Cole’s grandmother gave his grandfather the one he’d been eying, for Christmas. This was a beautiful fiddle and it meant the world to Cole that his grandfather had chosen to give Cole his prized possession.

* * * * * *

Bethany listened as Cole played the fiddle he wasn’t just good he was exceptional. It was obvious he loved to play, he felt the music, became a part of it. She really enjoyed hearing him play. The other guests did too if their applause was any indication. He came back and sat down next to her.

“That was incredible, Cole. I’ve heard a lot of fiddle players but never have I heard one play the way you just did. You’re very talented.” She didn’t want to be impressed, she wanted to get this man out of her head and forget about him. Fat chance there was in that when her heart seemed to beat twice as fast as it should every time she ran into him, which would now be on a daily basis. Well, she couldn’t be dishonest he was good so she’d given him a compliment and that was that.

“Thank you, Bethany. I enjoy it, but the talent comes from the Lord. I’m just the instrument he’s chosen to play His music.” He smiled and placed his fiddle back into its case carefully and snapped it closed. “I think I’m going to call it a night. I’ll see all of you in the morning. “

“Good night Cole,” Bethany watched as he walked toward the elevator. It sure would be easier to ignore him if he wasn’t such a nice person and the fact that he wasn’t hard to look at didn’t help either. She sighed. “Gram, Papa I think I’ll say goodnight too. I’ll see you in the morning. After she’d kissed them goodnight she headed to the elevator, it’d been a long day and she was ready to go to bed.

Chapter Four

The next morning Bethany got up early and headed down to the work out facility to walk the treadmill. As she stepped in the door she found Cole on the weight machine.
Great, just the person she wanted to see.
She smiled graciously as she stepped up on the treadmill.

“Good morning, I see you work out before starting your day too.” Cole raised the weight bar over his head and then lowered it down again.

“Yes, I read my Bible and devotional and work out every morning to start my day.” Bethany adjusted the speed and started to walk on the machine.

“Well then, it sounds like we have a similar routine.” Cole smiled.

Bethany tried to ignore the fact that Cole was in the room, not an easy feat. Her eyes kept drifting to him of their own accord as his muscles rippled when he lifted the weight bar over his head and then back down. How could one man be so attractive in every way? His personality, his looks, and his build were hard to get past. She had to continue to remind herself that she needed to focus on her career and not on Mr. Cole Beckman, but she was quickly losing the battle.

Cole must have been in the workout room a while before Bethany arrived because he placed the bar in the holder and picked up his bag a few minutes later. “I’ll see you at dinner this evening, hope you get all of your unpacking done.” He flashed that gorgeous smile that sent her heart into overtime, as he walked out the door.

“Thank you, I’m sure I will.” Bethany finished her work out an hour later and headed back to her room; she wouldn’t get her unpacking done if she didn’t get started on it.

Everywhere Bethany went the following week she seemed to run into Cole and every time she saw him he asked her do go snowmobiling with him. She’d make an excuse and he’d say well, maybe another time, smile and walk away. Then the next time she saw him he’d ask her again. The man just wouldn’t take no for an answer! Of course the thing she didn’t want to admit was that every time he asked would weaken her resolve. She found herself actually wanting to say yes. If he kept it up, one of these times he’d catch her at a weak moment and she’d agree to go. She couldn’t allow that to happen. She’d just have to try harder to avoid him. Gram had been no help at all when she’d talked to her about it. She said she didn’t understand why Bethany didn’t go out with Cole; after all he was a very nice Christian young man.

Saturday finally arrived and Bethany was excited her three friends were arriving today. She had talked to them on the phone, but she hadn’t seen them since they’d graduated from College together six months ago.

Bethany took the elevator downstairs, she was sure Melanie would be here by now. Bethany walked into the dining room and when she called Melanie’s name she turned around and rushed toward her. They embraced hugging each other and laughing.

“I’ve missed you so much! It’s so good to see you,” Bethany cried.

“I’ve missed you too, I’m glad to finally get here. This is so exciting; it’s even more beautiful than the brochure pictured it.”

Before Bethany could answer Cole stepped into the room. Melanie glanced at Bethany and she could easily read that look. Who is he she was asking.

“Cole, this is my friend Melanie Stevens. Melanie, Cole Beckman.”

Hi Cole, it’s nice to meet you.” Melanie smiled at him. And Bethany watched Melanie’s reaction when Cole flashed that attractive smile back at her. He laid his skis down and shook her hand.

Bethany didn’t like the way Melanie was looking at Cole. But why should that bother her? Melanie glanced at her and she could read that look too. Hands off? Are you interested in him?

Was she interested? She didn’t want to be, but if she were honest with herself she couldn’t deny he made her heart do flips every time he came into the room. Was this a case of she didn’t want him, but she didn’t want anyone else to have him?
Come on Bethany get a grip. You need to be concentrating on your new job that will be starting in two more days, not on Cole Beckman
.
How many times are you going to have to give yourself this lecture before it sinks in?
But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself that she wasn’t interested she knew it wasn’t true. Cole had gotten under her skin. Well, she’d just have to try harder. She reached into her pocket for her bag of Peanut M&M’s. She offered Cole and Melanie some. Melanie looked at the bag and raised her eyebrows at Bethany.

Cole glanced at Melanie and then back at Bethany and she could see that he clearly realized something was going on that he wasn’t privy to, but she was thankful he didn’t ask. “No, thanks, I think I’m going to go out and try the slopes for awhile.”

“It was nice to meet you, Cole. Melanie smiled.

“It was my pleasure, Melanie. I’ll see you both at dinner this evening.” Cole picked up his skis and headed out the door.

“Okay, Bethany. What’s up with Cole Beckman?” Melanie looked her right in the eye.

“He’s the ski instructor for the lodge,” Bethany said.

“Don’t give me that, I know you too well. You’re trying very hard not to show it but you’re attracted to him. No one else might see it, but I can read you like a book.”

“There’s nothing going on, Steph. I don’t have time for anything right now but getting my career off the ground. I’m not looking for a relationship with anyone.”

“Okay, he obviously makes you nervous because you and I both know that’s the only time you scarf Peanut M&M’s! But if that’s what you want to try to convince yourself of, then we’ll play it your way for now. Show me to our gorgeous rooms you emailed me about I can’t wait to see them.

Bethany was relieved that Melanie let it drop. She probably knew Bethany better than anyone and she wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings from her for long.

They went up the elevator and into the suite. Melanie was just as excited about their rooms as she had been.

“Oh, wow! Bethany, I’ve never stayed anywhere as beautiful as this.”

“It is lovely isn’t it? I took the pink room.” Bethany grinned.

“I figured you’d want the turquoise one.”

“You figured right, I love this room and we already know Carla will choose the purple one and Michelle will want the yellow one.”

“You’re right so we’ll all be happy. Gram did a good job choosing colors since she didn’t know what you three would like.”

“Yes, she did. It was so good to see her and your grandfather again. I always enjoyed it when they came to visit us at college.”

“Bethany glanced at her watch. “Oh, goodness speaking of Gram and Papa, we’d better head downstairs it’s almost time for lunch.”

Bethany wondered about Cole when he didn’t return for lunch, she hoped he was alright. She knew she shouldn’t even be thinking about him much less worrying about him. He’d said just before he left that he’d see them at dinner so obviously he hadn’t planned to return for the lunch hour. This was ridiculous. She’d just been fretting about seeing him and now she was fretting about not seeing him. She had to get a grip on her emotions.

Bethany and Melanie could hardly wait to get downstairs that evening. Carla and Michelle were supposed to arrive just in time to have dinner with them.

“Do I look alright Bethany?” Melanie came out of her room wearing a navy blue dress with red accessories.

“You look wonderful as usual now we’d better go or we’ll be late.” Bethany was dressed just the opposite in a red dress with navy blue accessories.

They made it to the dining room just as the guests were being seated. Bethany grabbed Melanie by the arm and said, “There’s Carla and Michelle.” They made their way across the room and exchanged hugs with the other two young women who were dressed in similar fashion. “Where are your suitcases?’ Bethany asked.

“Sean, the shuttle driver, checked them in at the
Concierg
e
desk for us until after dinner.” Michelle smiled. “It’s so good to see all of you.”

“Yes, it is,” Carla said. I couldn’t wait to get here.”

After dinner Bethany introduced Carla and Michelle to Cole. When he’d walked in this evening she had been relieved to see that he was back safe. After the introductions were completed they were tired so they all went up to their suite. Just as Bethany and Melanie had guessed, Carla chose the purple room and Michelle the yellow one.

Sunday morning dawned cold and blustery. Bethany listened to the weather forecast as the other three girls finished getting ready to go to Church. “The weatherman said the roads wouldn’t be bad before evening. We should be able to make it to service and back without too much trouble.” Bethany shut the TV off and grabbed her coat and purse. “I’m ready if you guys are.”

“Well, Carla and I are. “ Melanie slipped her coat on. “Michelle how much longer before you’re ready, we need to leave?”

“Here I am. I’m ready.”

“Okay, let’s go. Bethany opened the door and when everyone was out of the room she closed and locked it. They took the elevator down to the lobby and as the doors opened they saw Cole standing with Bethany’s grandparents. Bethany had a moment of displeasure as her heart reacted to seeing him, but she chided herself. That wasn’t a very Christian response. She should be happy that he was going to church. If she were honest with herself she had to admit she
was
glad he was going, she just didn’t want to be and that’s what was causing her displeasure.
I’m sorry, Lord for my first reaction I am glad that Cole is going to Church, please forgive me.

They all greeted each other and went out to get into her grandparents Cadillac Escalade which had all wheel drive. It should get them to town and back without any trouble.

Papa pulled into the parking lot and found a space fairly close to the door. The ground wasn’t icy yet it just had a light cover of snow across it. They made their way carefully to the door in case it was slick. Cole was the first one to reach the door and he held it open for everyone. Bethany waited in the foyer until everyone else was inside and they all went into the auditorium together. The Minister, Brother Adam Chatman, greeted them as they walked in.

“Good morning Mack, Elizabeth, I see you have company this morning.” The minister smiled.