Behind Closed Doors (23 page)

It seemed like the connection took forever, and then she got an answering machine and had to listen to a list of schedules. At the end, her only option was to leave a message. “Dammit.”

“They share the building with a pawnshop. Call them.”

She gave the station another try and someone picked up. Liberty had boarded a bus that had left fifteen minutes earlier. Beth had already figured out her niece would try to see her father. And knowing what Beth had recently learned from Candace, she felt sick about it. At any cost, she had to stop Lib before she got to the prison.

* * *

“
T
HERE SHE IS
,” Nathan said, nodding toward the tiny convenience store. Lib had just exited with a can of soda and was heading back to the bus. “Where should I park?”

“Close. I may need you.”

He shot her a puzzled look but only nodded.

It had been his idea to cut her off at the next stop. Beth was so strung out she probably would’ve had the bus company’s dispatcher call the driver, and that would have made things infinitely worse. Maybe she should’ve told him about Candace’s note, but she was still trying to figure out what to say to Liberty.

He pulled into the parking spot closest to the bus and she climbed out of the truck. Luckily, Liberty was busy chatting with a young mother and her toddler and didn’t see Beth approach.

“Hey, kiddo.”

Liberty spun around, regarded her with wide-eyed shock that slid into a glare. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to take you home,” Beth said in a low calm voice.

“No. I’m not ever going back there. And you can’t make me.”

“Actually, I can.”

Liberty’s defiant expression slipped for a moment, then resurged as she stared past Beth. “Is that why you brought him? So you can force me?”

Beth didn’t bother looking. She knew Nathan was standing close behind her, though she hadn’t meant for him to get out of the truck unless she signaled for him. “No one is going to force you,” Beth said calmly, aware of the interested onlookers. “But if it becomes necessary I’ll notify the sheriff and let him handle returning you to Blackfoot Falls. You are a minor.”

Liberty reared back as if she’d been slapped. “Bullshit. I’m going to see my dad, and he won’t let you.”

“Nice language.” Beth glanced at the toddler.

The girl turned red and mumbled an apology to the mother. “Aunt Beth, please, I know you don’t agree with Candace. You think I should be able to visit my dad. Let me see him. Please.”

She cleared her throat, hoping she had the strength to do this. Nathan touched her shoulder and she looked at him.

He drew her several feet back and spoke low in her ear. “I can drive you both to the prison. We’re only a few hours away.”

“No.” Damn him. This was already hard enough. “Thank you.” She turned back to Liberty and saw quite clearly that she’d heard Nathan. Beth straightened her spine. “The answer is still no.... You stole money from my purse, Liberty. Now, get in the truck.”

Shame tamed her anger. “I was going to pay you back.”

The bus driver walked out of the store and announced everyone had to board.

Beth refused to break eye contact. “Are you coming, or should I call the sheriff?”

Lib glared back. “I hate you,” she said, and shouldered past her. “You’re just like Candace.”

The return trip to Blackfoot Falls was silent and tense. Liberty used her earbuds to listen to her iPod. And though she had the volume loud enough to deafen a whole city, Beth didn’t dare have a conversation with Nathan. It was clear he was wondering why she’d refused to let Lib visit her father. Beth had told him she disagreed with Candace and thought Lib should be allowed to see him. What he didn’t know was that, for once in her life, Candace had done the right thing, the kind thing for her daughter.

Ray, the stupid prick, didn’t want to see Liberty. He’d suddenly decided she wasn’t his kid and threatened to tell her just that, then request a paternity test if he was forced to see her. Probably worried he’d be hit up for child support once he was out of prison. Candace had taken it on the chin rather than devastate Liberty. Beth would’ve had a new respect for her sister if she hadn’t turned around and done something equally selfish.

Nathan pulled into the driveway. Liberty jumped out and stormed into the house. Beth briefly wondered if she should board her bedroom window shut. She wasn’t looking forward to telling the girl about Candace, and God only knew how she’d react.

“Thank you,” she said, turning to Nathan. Alarmed when she saw he’d started to open his door, she laid a hand on his arm. “You were right. I was in no condition to drive and you were terrific. I’m sorry about Liberty’s behavior.”

He let go of the door handle and settled back, the sudden sadness in his face making her want to cry. Did he know this was it for them? He had to suspect. “Maybe it would help if I came in and talked to her.”

She shook her head. “It’s about to get worse, I think,” she said, and regretted the worry she’d put in his eyes. “Maybe not. What do I know about teenage girls these days?”

He cupped a hand around the back of her neck, knowing exactly where to rub away the tension. Except this time she didn’t think it would work. “I’m going to ask you something and I don’t want you to say no right off. I’d like you to think about it.” He waited for her to nod, so she did, though she couldn’t imagine there was a magic solution for them. “I want you to come stay at the Lucky 7. For however long you want. Let your sister and Liberty work things out. You need to destress.”

Beth just stared at him. Was he out of his mind?

“Think about it. Liberty knows, so we aren’t hiding from her anymore. In a few days she’ll get over it, and she’s welcome to come over as much as she wants. She loves working with the horses—”

“Nathan. Stop. I can’t.” She swallowed. “Candace is gone. She left me a note. Liberty is solely my responsibility now.”

He looked stunned. She knew the feeling. Why hadn’t she seen this coming?

“Well, okay.” He stared at the house. Ran a hand through his hair. “Then you bring Liberty. You know I have plenty of room. Woody will keep her busy when she’s not in school—”

Beth smiled. “You brave, stupid man. She’s a teenager. I’m guessing she’ll hate us for more than a few days.” She meant it. He was brave. He hadn’t planned on adding a willful niece to his invitation, but he was trying to smooth the rough edges, and she admired him for that.

She admired him for so many things. He was a good man. This was her fault. Even if he didn’t understand how damaging it was to send the wrong message to Liberty. This was all Beth’s fault. And she would probably spend part of her life regretting having ruined things for them. She’d known better all along. Her mission had always been to protect Liberty. Now it was more important than ever that she step up. Repair the damage she’d done by sneaking around—and for what? Sex? Beth knew better. She should’ve kept them out of the bedroom.

“I have to go,” she said, her heart breaking into a hundred pieces.

Nathan looked shell-shocked. “Will you call?”

“Sure,” she said, and kissed him on the cheek.

* * *

A
WEEK LATER
Beth still hadn’t called. Frankly, Nathan hadn’t expected her to. He supposed he could’ve made the effort himself, but he’d been too steamed. While he hadn’t expected a parade down Main Street for helping her find Liberty, he sure as hell hadn’t deserved to be cut off. He wasn’t blaming her for making Liberty her priority, but did that mean they were supposed to stay away from each other forever? Pretend that they hadn’t gone and fallen in love?

Yeah, he was real clear on how he felt about her. And dammit, he was pretty sure she was feeling it, too. But knowing her, she was too wrapped in guilt to cut herself a break.

Even if the truth hadn’t made it past his thick skull, he had Woody and Clint reminding him. They were like two old women, nagging him to go see Beth and irritating him at every turn. He wasn’t all that surprised about Woody sticking his nose where it didn’t belong, but Clint shocked him. Fine time for Nathan to be easing his way back into the family. Maybe he should send the two busybodies to go work on Beth. It seemed she could use the convincing.

Sitting in his office, Nathan stared at the spreadsheets on his computer screen. He’d been trying to go over the books for two hours and hadn’t gotten a damn thing done. Of course, he kept thinking about Beth. Hearing about her childhood fear of getting their trailer towed away had really gotten to him. It had struck too close to home. His own family had almost lost Whispering Pines because of financial problems. Worrying that you could lose your home wasn’t something a person got over easily.

No question Beth wanted to protect Liberty. But he wondered how much of her desperation had to do with feeling like that helpless little girl who’d never seen her friend again.

And what about him? What role had his fear played in driving him to succeed? He’d sworn up and down he’d be a better businessman than his father. And he’d accomplished that goal. But had his single-minded focus cost him his marriage? His dad was probably the best husband and father Nathan knew. In that arena, Nathan had failed miserably.

Jesus, he couldn’t seem to turn off his brain.

He rubbed his tired eyes. Life sure had some funny twists and turns. Here he’d half expected the day would come when Beth tired of Blackfoot Falls and returned to her old job. Wouldn’t happen. She was dedicated to saving Liberty. That was the thing that could keep them apart. Maybe she’d figured out he’d end up disappointing the both of them.

Weary and disgusted, he closed the spreadsheet. No use sitting and staring. His gaze swept the bookcase on the back wall and caught on the bookends Anne had given him for his birthday. They were silly. Two bronze figures—he didn’t know why he hadn’t gotten rid of them. God, Anne and Beth were so different. Going to all those estate sales had shown him Beth’s taste. More sentimental than he’d imagined, but not silly. Huh.

He paused before he turned off his computer. Beth wasn’t Anne, and he wasn’t the same young firebrand who’d married Anne. So he’d failed once at a relationship. Did that mean he had to give up on something even better? Or did he want to fight for Beth? Prove that they were meant for each other?

* * *

B
ETH LOOKED UP
and smiled when Liberty entered the office. “Hey you, how was school?”

Liberty shrugged as she dumped her backpack on the spare chair before grabbing a soda. “Melissa asked me to go have lunch at the diner. Can I go?”

Beth looked at the time and wanted to weep. Only 12:30 p.m.? She’d forgotten that school got out early today. The morning had dragged by, just like every other morning for the past ten days. Dammit, she missed Nathan.

She knew it was too soon for Lib to have gotten over the betrayals in her life. Bad enough her aunt had “stolen” her crush, but Candace had broken her heart. Beth just hoped it could be mended in time.

At least Lib was talking to her again. They’d even had a few good heart-to-heart discussions, and Beth was grateful for the new closeness between them. Missing Nathan so desperately wasn’t helping, though.

Lib was staring at her.

Beth blinked. Lunch. They’d been talking about lunch.

“Okay, look. I know you want to call him. So call him. I don’t care. Just, can I go with Melissa or not?”

Beth tried to swallow. This was the first time Liberty had brought up Nathan. And she seemed so calm. “You mean that?”

“That I want to go to lunch? Yeah.”

“Don’t be like that. We promised, no more lies.”

“I wasn’t lying. I was trying to avoid this conversation. Yes. I meant it. I don’t care. Okay?”

Beth jumped to her feet.

Liberty eyed her warily. “Oh, man, you’re going to hug me, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am. Get over it.” Beth threw her arms around Liberty and almost lifted her off the chair. “No one is more important than you. Do you hear me?”

“Well, yeah, you’re yelling in my ear.”

Beth laughed. “No one can ever take your place in my heart. No one. I will never abandon you, kiddo. Never. I love you.” She leaned back. “That doesn’t mean I won’t have relationships with other people,” she said gently. “But you never have to feel threatened or be afraid that you’ll be replaced.”

They heard a knock and turned toward the door.

Liberty blushed and lowered her head.

“Hey, Nathan,” Beth said casually, even though her pulse was stuck on overdrive. “We were just talking about you. Is Woody here, too?”

“Nope.” He glanced cautiously at Lib, then back to Beth. “He’s at the ranch. Doesn’t school let out later?”

Beth winked at Liberty, who didn’t seem so embarrassed anymore. “She got time off for good behavior.”

She grinned at Liberty’s snort.

“I gotta meet my friend for lunch,” Lib said, but she waited until she got Beth’s nod. Then she made a move for the door.

“Wait,” Nathan said. “I wanted to ask you both something. Thanksgiving is next week and I’d like you to go with me to my folks’ house. Think it over. No pressure.”

Beth couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d walked in without a shirt. Of course, her mind would have to go
there.
For God’s sake.

Lib seemed even more stunned. She stared at Nathan, looking totally confused.

“There’ll be plenty of pumpkin pie,” he said, his voice gentle. “And horses. Lots of horses.”

The blush returned, but it must have been too much to expect her to respond. Liberty left. At least she didn’t slam the door.

Beth took a deep breath before meeting Nathan’s eyes. He’d been studying her.

“How’ve you been?” he asked.

“Busy. You know, with Liberty, the renovation. You?”

“Yep, I’ve been busy, too.”

“I imagine the Arabians are taking up a lot of your time.”

“Somewhat. Though Clint’s been working with me.”

“Really?” She didn’t understand why that pleased her so much. “I’m glad.”

“Look,” he said, motioning with his chin toward the door. “I didn’t expect Liberty to be here. But when she didn’t throw any daggers at me, I figured it was okay to bring up Thanksgiving.”