A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street #8)(88)

“Monterey, California. At the house where Kate and I lived.”

“Are you okay?”

Funny how that was the first question everyone seemed to have.

“So far. What about you?”

“I’m fine. Everything’s good. Annie, Grant and I threw prom night for Ruth and Royce yesterday evening—they’re out with friends right now. We fly home next Sunday, after the reunion.”

“Prom night?” He frowned. “You arranged a prom night for your ex-mother-in-law and her high school boyfriend?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll explain later.”

So there’d be a later for them. Or at least it sounded that way. “Bethanne, listen, there are things I need to tell you, things I should’ve told you before.”

“Please don’t say anything—it isn’t necessary.”

A chill went through him. “Are you telling me you’ve made a decision and you and Grant are getting back together?” That seemed the only logical explanation.

“Yes…no. I don’t know… He’s been so wonderful and…well, I didn’t think it was possible, but after the past few days I’m wondering if maybe we should give it a shot.”

Max couldn’t blame her, although his disappointment was devastating. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“No…no. Oh, Max, the minute I heard your voice my heart went crazy. Grant’s here and everything seems idyllic. But I’m afraid this won’t last.” She sighed. “Try as I might, I can’t get you out of my mind.”

He relaxed a little. “I can’t get you out of mine, either.” He couldn’t lose her so soon after he’d found her. “There’s no need to decide anything now,” he said. “You have time.”

“Andrew and Courtney’s wedding. I have to get through my son’s wedding.” Her voice was frantic. “I have to—”

“Bethanne.” He murmured her name. “Stop. Take a deep breath and listen to me.”

“Okay.”

He heard her soft intake of air. “Everything’s going to work out. I’m not going to pressure you one way or the other. This is up to you, and if you want to reconcile with Grant, then I’ll abide by your decision and get out of your life.”

“You’d do that? You’d walk away without a word?”

He would. He hated the thought of it, but he would. “Yes. I’d respect your wishes.”

“But…” She sounded hurt, confused.

“Bethanne,” he said. “That’s what people do when they love the other person. Your happiness is paramount to me.”

“Do you love me, Max? Is it possible to love someone after such a short time?”

These weren’t questions Max felt qualified to answer. “I don’t know.” Anything less than total honesty would be wrong. “What I do know is that I feel alive when I’m with you. You inspire me to open my eyes and accept the past and not worry about the future.”

“Oh, Max.”

“If that’s love, then that’s what I feel. If you think Grant’s the man who’ll make you happy, then I’ll remove myself from the equation.”

“Max, hold on a minute.”

She’d lowered the phone, but Max could still hear. “Tell everyone I’ll be back in a minute.” Someone else spoke, although Max couldn’t tell who it was. “I’m not being rude. I’ll be inside when I’m finished.”

This wasn’t a good time. He shouldn’t have phoned.

“I’m back now. I’m sorry,” Bethanne said.

“It’s all right—I understand. I’ll let you return to your meal.” If he’d been smart enough to remember the three-hour time difference, he would’ve realized it was the dinner hour.

“I…want to see you,” she whispered as though it was a weakness of character. “I know I’m being completely unfair and that you deserve so much more than to be left hanging. I’ll be able to think more clearly once I’m back in Seattle and Andrew and Courtney are married. I…apologize that I can’t be more definite than that.”

At this point Max was willing to take whatever she was willing to offer. “Get through your son’s wedding and then we’ll talk. I’ll fly up to Seattle and we can meet face-to-face.”

“Does this mean we won’t talk until after the wedding?” she asked.

“I’ll leave that up to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean it would be better if you phoned me instead of the other way around.”

“Okay.” She seemed uncertain. “Do you want to hear from me?”

That was an understatement. “Yes, very much.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll wait for your call.”

“All right.”

“Now go back inside that restaurant and enjoy your dinner.”

“I will. Bye, Max.”

“Bye.” He didn’t want the conversation to end, didn’t want to break the connection. So he continued to hold the cell phone against his ear. He heard the click and knew she’d terminated the call.