A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street #8)(58)

“Whatever happens, whatever you decide—” he continued, after breaking off the kiss. He paused, then kissed her again. “—I’ll accept it with gratitude.”

Bethanne felt as if she might weep.

Max kissed the top of her head. “This probably isn’t a good time for us to talk about serious matters.”

“Why not?”

“I’m too tired to filter what I say.”

“Tell me, anyway.”

“I didn’t think I could ever love again after I lost Kate. You’ve shown me it’s possible.”

She sighed, savoring his words, and snuggled closer. “I know what you mean. I thought it would be impossible to feel this way after Grant left me. I was sure I’d never be able to trust another man, let alone give him my heart.”

“Could you give me your heart, Bethanne?” he asked.

“Yes, and it scares me to death.”

He smiled. “It does me, too.” He kissed the side of her neck and his lips against her skin felt like a mild electric shock.

“I…think it might be best if we both went to our rooms. You’re tired, and I need time to sort all this out in my head.”

Walking hand in hand, they approached the elevator. Once inside—fortunately they were alone—Max punched their floor numbers. As soon as the door closed, he drew her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss was hot and urgent, and when he released her they were both breathless. His gaze held hers and she smiled at him.

He hugged her again and Bethanne stepped into the hallway that led to her room. Her mother-in-law and daughter were still out, to Bethanne’s rather guilty relief.

She undressed and climbed into bed and sat there, mulling over the conversation with Max.

After Grant moved out, Bethanne had dated Tiffany’s ex-husband. Paul was much younger. They’d bonded over the trauma of having loved an unfaithful spouse. Paul had since remarried and recently had a baby son. She was happy for him.

After Paul, Bethanne had dated off and on. Nothing had come of those relationships. And now she’d met Max… It seemed as though she’d been waiting for him all these years. Why now? Falling in love couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time.

Bethanne was still sitting up in bed, staring blankly at the wall, at about ten, when the door opened and the other two came in. Both were surprised to find her in the room.

“I thought you were with Max,” Annie said.

“I was. We had dinner and then he went up to his room.” She didn’t mention that he’d spent twenty hours on his bike, riding through four states in order to meet her.

“Did you have a disagreement?” Ruth asked, sounding hopeful.

“No. He was tired and so was I.” Preferring not to discuss Max, she asked, “How was the show?”

“Incredible,” Ruth said on the end of a dreamy sigh. “I could fall in love with Andy Williams all over again. Oh, my, that boy can sing.”

“He’s hardly a boy, Grandma.”

“Was it as dreadful as you feared?” Bethanne asked her daughter.

Annie set her purse on the dresser. “You know, it wasn’t bad.”

“Told you.” Ruth couldn’t keep from chortling.

“He isn’t someone I’d purposely see again,” Annie added, “but I have to admit he does have a decent singing voice. Even at his age.”

“What about the songs?”

“They were all right.” Annie shrugged as if to say she could take them or leave them.

“All right?” Ruth muttered. “‘Moon River’ is all right? It’s brilliant!” After a moment she started to undress for bed.

Annie sat beside Bethanne, then tucked her feet up and rested her chin on her bent knees. “Dad and I had a long talk.”

“Oh.” No doubt she and Max were the main topic of that conversation.

“I told Dad how strange you’ve been acting.” She grinned as she said it.

“I’m sure he had a lot to say.” Bethanne let the acting-strange comment go unchallenged.

“I told Grant he should be more concerned than he is, but I’m afraid my son gave up listening to my advice a long time ago,” Ruth said as she smoothed hand lotion over her upper arms and vigorously rubbed it in.

“Dad said we should leave you and Max alone,” Annie astonished her by saying.

“He did?” That hardly sounded like the Grant she remembered.

“Yes. I know he’s right.” She looked steadily at Bethanne. “He also said he might’ve already lost you, and if so, it’s what he deserved.”

Grant said that?

“Dad told me you’d have to make up your own mind.”

“Personally, I think my son has lost his,” Ruth murmured as she capped the lotion. “The least he could do is show a little gumption and fight for you.”

Unable to resist, Bethanne smiled. Ruth made it sound like the two men should choose their weapons and face off at dawn.

“This is Grant’s business and yours,” Ruth went on. “So I’ll butt out. Besides, I have news.”

Annie bounced on the bed. “You called Royce!”

As though embarrassed, Ruth lowered her head and nodded.

“When?”