A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street #8)(68)

Bethanne laughed. “Guess so.”

They ate hot-off-the-grill cheeseburgers around three o’clock. Bethanne liked his friends. Al and Susie carried the conversation, regaling her with stories about their children. Sherry was the youngest of three, and their problem child, although she’d successfully gone through rehab and had now returned to school. In large part due to Max, as the couple were quick to remind Bethanne. Max scowled every time they mentioned his name.

Bethanne helped with the cleanup and Max suggested they leave close to five. The afternoon had been perfect in every way. Al and his wife both hugged her before she went out to join Max on the Harley.

“He needs you,” Susie whispered to her. “He’s a lost soul.”

Bethanne smiled and hugged the other woman back. “I’m so glad I met you and Al.”

“Me, too. I hope we’ll see you again.”

She put the helmet on and climbed onto the bike. As they took off, engine roaring, Bethanne slipped her arms around Max’s middle and relaxed against him. After a while she loosened her grip. Occasionally she even stretched her arms out at her sides, feeling free and unencumbered. She sensed that she was finally getting to know him—that they’d breached some barrier.

The return to Branson seemed to take far less time than the trip to the lake.

Annie was sitting in the lobby waiting for Bethanne. “Mom!” she cried. “Where did you go? Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“When did you call?” Her purse had been near her most of the day, but she hadn’t heard her cell.

“Half an hour ago.”

That explained it. “What did you need?”

“Everybody left me,” Annie complained.

Bethanne managed not to sigh—or say something sarcastic. “Where’s Grandma?”

“She’s still out with Rooster. They went to see the Oak Ridge Boys. At breakfast I said I didn’t want to go and Rooster jumped at the chance. I haven’t seen them since.”

Ruth had gone with Rooster. That was a shock. “You spent the entire day on your own?”

Annie nodded, then shrugged. “I had fun shopping, though.”

“That’s my girl.”

“So, where were you?”

Max stood beside her and they held hands. “I was with Max.”

“Hi, Annie,” he said, giving her a friendly smile.

“Well, duh, I figured that much,” she told her mother. “Hi,” she muttered grudgingly in Max’s direction.

“We went to see some friends of his.”

“Oh.”

“Maybe we could all go to dinner tonight,” Bethanne said.

Annie didn’t show much enthusiasm. “We’re leaving in the morning, right?”

“Yes, and according to your grandmother’s schedule, we’re headed for New Orleans.”

“That sounds great.”

“Max says it’s a real party town. Should be lots of fun.”

“More fun than Vegas?”

“A different kind of fun,” Max said. “I wish I could go, but I’m headed somewhere else.”

Annie didn’t look at all disappointed. She glanced at the doors and suddenly her face lit up. “Grandma!” she shouted, jumping to her feet.

Bethanne turned to see Ruth and Rooster walking into the hotel. “Rooster and I had the most wonderful day,” Ruth said, hurrying toward them.

“Two shows, one right after the other, and both of them exceptional.” Rooster looked delighted.

“I’m ready to get out of Missouri,” Annie announced to anyone who cared to listen.

“What about dinner?” Bethanne asked once again. “All of us together. Max and Rooster are leaving tomorrow, and so are we.”

“Count me out on dinner,” Ruth said. “I’m exhausted and we’ve got a full day coming up.”

“I’ll go with Grandma,” Annie said, as if she was glad of an excuse to escape. “We’ll just get room service.”

“You two are on your own,” Rooster said as the three of them strolled over to the elevator a few minutes later.

Max looked at Bethanne. “Maybe we should say our goodbyes now, as well.”

“How about a glass of wine?” she suggested instead.

He hesitated, then nodded slowly.

They found a vacant table in the lounge, and Bethanne studied the wine list. For the first time it felt awkward between them, as though they both feared what would happen next. In the morning they’d go their separate ways, and after that—she didn’t know.

They each ordered a glass of red wine, an Australian shiraz, which was promptly delivered.

Bethanne gazed down at her wine, hardly noticing its rich ruby color.

“I have to be in California next week. I don’t have a choice about that,” Max said.

“I know.”

Max’s hand closed over hers. “My brother’s handled the business ever since Kate died. It’s time I went back.”

“You’re really going home?”

Max gave her a lopsided grin. “Luke was beginning to think I was never going to return. A lot has changed in the past three years—in the business, in his life, in mine. I’m ready now, only I didn’t realize it until a few days ago. Until…you.”