Those Christmas Angels (Angels Everywhere #5)(109)

“What?” Beth couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Your father and I are willing to pay for it,” her mother put in.

There was no point in arguing. Beth could see they weren’t going to budge from their decision. “I don’t object to counseling,” she murmured. “In theory, that is. I just don’t think I need it.”

“You need it,” her mother said grimly.

“Can we talk about this after Christmas?” Beth asked, wanting to delay any further discussion until she’d had time to analyze her own reactions to the Peter/John confusion.

“Of course we can,” her sister assured her sympathetically.

So her sister was in on this, as well. That loving, compassionate look was a dead giveaway.

Beth left her parents’ home shortly after the brunch dishes had been washed and put away. As she drove back to her own place, she deliberated on what to say to Peter. Despite the fact that he was really John, she’d come to think of him as Peter—a new man. A different man.

Once home, she shed her coat and purse and logged on to the Internet. The moment she did, Peter sent her an instant message.

I wondered when you’d get here.

His comment indicated that he’d been waiting for her to come online.

I’m here now, she typed back. I want to talk to you about meeting later this week.

Are you having second thoughts?

She mulled over her answer. Yes. You see, I’ve already made one disastrous mistake in my life when it comes to relationships and I’m not eager to make another.

In other words, you’re gun-shy.

Frankly, yes.

This might surprise you, Peter wrote back, but I am, too.

Really? Then because she couldn’t resist, she asked, Was your marriage that horrible?

I guess not. We were both young and immature.

Beth couldn’t leave it at that. This was a perfect opportunity to discover exactly what Peter thought of her. Do you have any regrets?

He didn’t reply right away. Some.

Me, too, she told him. More than I realized.

Has your ex remarried? Peter typed.

This was a tricky question. I heard he did.

So you don’t keep tabs on him?

No. What about your ex-wife?

I have no idea. We went our separate ways. I don’t harbor any ill will toward her. I couldn’t tell you if she’s remarried or not.

Did you love her? For one long heartbeat, Beth’s finger was poised above the key that would submit her question. Her mind raced; she was afraid this was one she shouldn’t be asking. She sent it anyway.

His answer came in the form of another question. Did you love your ex?

Her reply was simple. Yes. I guess I still do in some ways. And you?

Yes. A short pause and then he added, Is that the real problem? Are you so in love with your ex that you aren’t ready to fall in love a second time?

Peter deserved the truth—but not yet. He admitted he’d loved her once, maybe still did, but preferred not to discuss her.

What Peter couldn’t know was that she had information he didn’t….

Listen, let’s put the matter of our former marriages to rest. His next words flashed across the screen. My wife and I behaved badly. We were both at fault and I’ve accepted that our problems were complex. I’ve moved on and apparently so has she. Although painful, the divorce was for the best.

The best? Beth read those words and her throat tightened.

I wish her well and I’m sure you don’t begrudge your ex-husband happiness. Am I right?

Yes, she typed back.

Good. Then let’s drop the subject. Agreed?

Beth read his words, then pressed her fingers to her lips as she wondered how to respond. Agreed…only I’m not sure the timing is right for the two of us.

In what way?

It’s Christmas, and I have enough family pressures without worrying about what will happen once we meet.

I know what you mean.

Shall we put this off? she asked.

For how long?

Why don’t we wait until after New Year’s.

Okay.

His clipped reply implied that he was disappointed. Well, she was, too, but she couldn’t spring the news on Peter like this, two days before the biggest holiday of the year.

You aren’t going to duck out on me again, are you? Peter asked.

Beth appreciated his directness. No, she typed. I’d just like a little more time.

Whatever you say. But I believe it’s important for both of us to put the past behind us.

“Behind us,” Beth repeated aloud. Little did Peter know how impossible that would be.

“After New Year’s?” Goodness gasped, leaning over Beth’s shoulder to read her messages.

“What’s wrong?” Mercy asked.

As far as Goodness was concerned, everything was wrong. Nothing was going the way she’d planned. She’d worked so hard, too, trying to bring these two lonely humans together.

“They have to meet before Christmas Eve,” she muttered.

Mercy nodded. “So what are you going to do about it?”

Goodness smiled; a plan was already taking shape in her mind. She didn’t want to intervene in human events; strictly speaking, that was against the rules. However, Beth and Peter weren’t giving her much of an alternative. Either she acted on their behalf or Gabriel would have to report that she’d failed. No one would blame her for a small intervention, least of all Gabriel, but so far her track record had been exceptional—if she did say so herself—and she wanted to keep it that way.