Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(74)
Rooster chuckled. “I couldn’t imagine anything I’d enjoy doing more at ninety years of age.”
They relaxed and finished their coffee before walking back to her condo. When she unlatched the door, Rooster surprised her by lifting her off her feet and carrying her over the threshold.
“Rooster,” she whispered, smiling up at her husband, “you’re far more traditional than I realized.”
“No, I’m not,” he countered. “I figured if Todd thinks I’m a Neanderthal, then I should play the part.”
Lauren tossed back her head and laughed. “Okay, okay, you can put me down now.”
“All in good time,” he said, and, using his foot, he kicked her front door closed and then, without a word, carried her directly into the bedroom.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Max wasn’t sure how this meeting with Annie would go. Still, he was determined to do everything within his power to remind Bethanne’s daughter how much her mother loved her. Before he talked to Annie, however, Max felt he needed Andrew’s input. Annie’s brother knew her far better than Max did and might be able to offer him valuable insight into Bethanne’s daughter.
The two men met over lunch Thursday at a local seafood restaurant on the Seattle waterfront close to Andrew’s office.
Max waited for the young man in the restaurant foyer and stood when Andrew joined him. They exchanged handshakes before being escorted to the table and sliding into a booth across from each other. Max had always liked Bethanne’s son. He was well grounded and mature for his age. After his father had left, Andrew had taken on the responsibility for the family, helping his mother and looking after his younger sister.
“I know I said it earlier, but I’m pleased and excited for you and Courtney about the baby. Bethanne’s thrilled at the prospect of her first grandchild.”
“We’re happy ourselves,” Andrew said, and briefly glanced at the menu. “They do a great salmon Caesar salad here, if that interests you.”
Actually, Max didn’t have much of an appetite. This matter with Annie had his stomach tied in knots.
“From what I hear, Annie’s being a brat,” Andrew said after the waitress had taken their drink orders. He set the menu aside, and Max did as well.
“It’s tearing your mother apart,” Max admitted. Bethanne had done her best to hide how miserable she was with the rift between her and Annie, but it was impossible. Max had held her in his arms while she wept, and it had nearly ripped his heart out to hear her pain from the way Annie had treated her.
“My sister can be a spoiled brat,” Andrew said, and his jaw tightened as if the thought of his immature sister deeply upset him. “I’ve tried to reason with her, but she’s convinced Mother has chosen you over her family.”
“But she hasn’t.”
“That’s what I tried to explain,” Andrew continued, “not that it’s done any good. Annie refuses to accept that Mom and you are together.”
The waitress delivered two tall glasses of iced tea with lemon and took their lunch orders. They each chose the salmon Caesar salad.
“The real problem is my father,” Andrew continued, holding on to the glass of iced tea with one hand. He didn’t make eye contact with Max.
Max had already guessed as much.
“Dad eggs Annie on by claiming he’ll never get over losing Mom and how his life is worth nothing without her.”
Max looked out over the green waters of Puget Sound and watched the Bremerton ferry glide toward the dock. “Do you think he’s sincere?” he asked, although it wouldn’t change the fact that he was married to Bethanne and had no intention of stepping aside. They were married and deeply committed to each other. His wife had made her choice, and as far as Max was concerned it was time for Grant to man up and accept his ex-wife’s decision.
“It’s hard to know my father’s motives,” Andrew said. “I think one of the biggest surprises of my dad’s life was watching my mother come into her own. He walked out, and she was left to find a way to support us and herself. Mom started this party business out of the basement.”
Max had heard the story of how everyone loved Bethanne’s parties. It was the one thing she felt she did well. From the very first, the business had thrived, until it had grown to the point that Bethanne had been approached about franchising her ideas, a proposal she had later rejected.
“Despite the fact that Mom was left with practically nothing,” Andrew continued, “she managed to turn her life around and became a successful businesswoman.”
“What did Grant expect her to do?” Max wondered out loud. Up until Grant had left the family, Bethanne had been a stay-at-home mother and a support to Grant. He hadn’t appreciated everything his wife had done for him and his career until it was too late. And now Bethanne was married to Max.
In response to his question, Andrew shrugged. “I think he would have felt better if she’d spent the rest of her life pining after him. My mother isn’t the kind of person who would allow bitterness to take over her life, although heaven knows she had reason enough. Dad treated her horribly.”
And from what Max knew, Grant’s attitude toward his two children hadn’t been much better, either, although Annie appeared to have conveniently forgotten that.