Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(12)

Max would have felt better if she’d told her ex that Annie could deliver the sunglasses. Knowing Grant, he’d purposely left them behind as an excuse to stop by the house yet again.

After a pause, she picked up the phone. “I’m back.”

“Do you need any further proof?” he demanded. “Sunglasses?”

She paused, and once again Max heard her set the phone aside. “Yes, Grant,” she grumbled impatiently. “What is it now?”

“Let me know about dinner this weekend.”

“I will. Would you mind closing the door when you leave the office? Thank you.”

Fuming now, Max heard the door close. He didn’t wait for Bethanne to reconnect. “That says it all, doesn’t it?”

“Max, listen—”

“I think it might be best if we continue this conversation at another time,” Max said, afraid their discussion was about to escalate to the point he might say something he’d later regret. “Goodbye, Bethanne.” Then, without giving her an opportunity to respond, he disconnected the line.

Silence vibrated through his office while he shuffled through his emotions.

“Well,” Rooster said after a moment, “that didn’t sound good. Grant again?”

“Who else?”

“Do you trust Bethanne?”

“Of course.” And he did. What he wanted was for her to confirm that she was aware of Grant’s game plan.

“Then don’t you think you’re playing right into Grant’s hands?”

Max was too unnerved to consider that. “He’s planning a family dinner to celebrate Andrew and Courtney’s news.”

“And Bethanne wanted you to be there?”

“Yes. You know that isn’t going to work. We’re having dinner with the executives from Kendall-Jackson.” It’d already been delayed once, and Max wasn’t willing to put it off a second time.

“They’ll understand,” Rooster insisted. “They are the ones who canceled the dinner the first time, and this is for family.”

Max rubbed his hand over his eyes. “Let me sleep on it.”

They left the office and walked through the warehouse. Rooster headed for his motorcycle, and Max toward his car. He’d met Bethanne while riding his bike. She’d fallen in love with him on the back of his bike. Maybe what she needed was a reminder of that. He stood outside his vehicle, thinking.

“Something wrong?” Rooster asked.

Max didn’t realize he was so readable. This matter with Bethanne had his gut twisted in knots. He loved his wife, and while he had every reassurance she loved him, too, he wanted more.

“You have plans this weekend?” Max asked his friend.

“Dinner with you and the good folks from Kendall-Jackson.”

“You up for a ride?”

Rooster chuckled. “To Seattle?”

“Seattle,” Max confirmed.

“I’ll head back to the house, get my leather jacket and chaps, and pack my saddlebags. We’ll hit the road early tomorrow morning.” It was a good twelve- to fifteen-hour ride, if not longer. Naturally, they’d need occasional stops along the way, which would add additional time to the trip.

“How soon can you be ready?” Max asked.

“Any time you say.”

“Thanks.” Max was sincere. He appreciated what a good friend Rooster was. Before he left, he’d connect with the winery and rearrange dinner. Then he’d eat and get a few hours’ rest. He was eager to hit the road. He would be available for Bethanne, show her that she and her children were important to him. If nothing else, this would prove he was willing to bend.

“You going to let Bethanne know you’re on your way?” Rooster asked.

“No. I want to surprise her.” He would make sure their reunion was one neither of them would soon forget.

Chapter Five

When knitting for a loved one, put a kiss in every stitch!

—Nicky Epstein,

designer and author

Thursday afternoon, Lauren arrived a few minutes after five at A Good Yarn. She was anxious to get started on the baby blanket for her sister and for this final dinner with Todd to be over. Breaking up was never easy, and this was sure to be hard on Todd’s ego. The truth was, this wasn’t something she wanted, either, but she was convinced it was necessary.

Ambition was one of the qualities she’d put down on her husband list, but Todd’s insistence that he become the prime-time anchor went beyond ambition and bordered on obsession. As far as Lauren could tell, Todd linked his self-worth to his ability to step into the lead newscaster slot. Everything hinged on that. It was as if the rest of his life was on hold until he got what he wanted most. And unfortunately, that wasn’t building a life with her. Todd was a great catch, but she was releasing him.

Lauren was looking for more than ambition in a husband. Much, much more. Her list wasn’t long, though. She had a few basic prerequisites—qualities she should be able to identify within short order. One thing was certain. She was completely unwilling to wait for the perfect match to come along. She was on the prowl.

The yarn store was busy when Lauren came in. Margaret was helping one customer while several mulled around, checking out the knitted samples. Lydia was at the cash register, helping another woman purchase the same yarn Lauren intended to buy. The other woman looked vaguely familiar. It took Lauren a moment to remember. This was Bethanne Scranton. She’d been by John Michael Jewelers recently.