Page 38 of Between Two Shores

“I’m willing to give up anything to achieve my goals. I’ll be rewarded with family and children in the future.” He squeezed Beth’s hand. “By following me to America and Jerusalem, you’re giving up your family too. But you’ll see the rewards for both of us in time.”

She nodded slowly.

“You wanted to talk to me. Are there other questions?”

Beth waved a fly away from her face. “If you don’t mind.” She connected her gaze with his. “I do trust you, Nick. I only want to understand you more and what’s made you the man you are today.”

Nick began to relax. That sounded fair. Her motivation didn’t stem from suspicion, only genuine interest. “Ask away, then.”

“On one of our dates in Fremantle, we talked about our past. I told you about Braydon and you did mention one serious relationship you had.” Beth offered a small smile. “Can I ask more about why it didn’t work out?”

“To be fair on Tracy, you’re only going to hear my point of view. She may have other reasons of why we didn’t stick together.” Nick let go of Beth’s hand and swung his behind his back. Another uncomfortable conversation that needed discussion. “Mom and Tracy became very chummy. She even called her Mamma Sue—the caring mother she never had.” He sighed. He wouldn’t let Beth get too close to his mom. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. “But Mom placed a lot of doubts in Tracy’s head. She doubted my leadership and direction. Tracy broke it off and crushed my heart at the same time. More like she stomped on my heart, squished it into the dirt, wiped off anything to do with me, and cut me off completely.”

Beth collected his hand and stopped their walking. “That’s her loss, Nick.” Her expression conveyed sincerity. “I would never crush your heart.”

He placed her palm on his chest. “I trust you. And you aren’t like Tracy. Your dad has raised you to be dedicated to serving others. We’re on the same page. That’s why our relationship will work.”

She closed the distance between them and rested her head against him. He folded her into his arms and held her tight. Finally, he’d found a woman who would go the journey with him—one who’d trust his lead and partner with him. His soul mate.

Chapter Fifteen

BETH

After two weeks of jam-packed adventure, Beth needed a holiday from her holiday. Nick had loads of energy, able to handle a morning of intense training at the Navy base, then take her sightseeing all day, and beach walks in the evenings.

Beth placed the last of her dirty laundry in the washing machine, pressed the save water option, and start. She enjoyed her time in Exmouth, but it was nice to be back home. She collected her cane basket from the floor. Well, home for now. She wanted more detail on where they’d live in Los Angeles. Nick had been vague—his friend had a house they could use until they set out for travel. And when would that happen? She preferred to have a set plan.

It was a struggle to completely relax in Exmouth, knowing she had a mission to accomplish in organizing a last-minute wedding. She’d cut the time with Nick to get home sooner. The passport had been paid for on the day after the proposal, but no wedding dress picked out as yet. She glanced at her PJs. The next task on her long list once she got changed. She headed to her bedroom.

Beth guessed that life with Nick would always be an adventure. Amazingly, he convinced her to go swimming with the whale sharks. Her stomach dipped at the memory. Oh, when that shark opened the widest oval-shaped mouth she’d ever seen, she nearly had a heart attack. Of course, they were at a reasonably safe distance. A school of mini silvered fish entered its mouth, quite gracefully, so she had nothing to worry about. Still, she had a few disturbing dreams since then, where it didn’t end up so well.

Beth shook the image from her mind and scanned her unusually disorganized room. Two of her luggage cases laid open, covering most of the shaggy carpet. Her thick doona with swirly patterns of pinks and purples remained rumpled to one side of her double bed. She hadn’t even tidied her room since seven a.m. when Nick woke her with a video call. He found it amusing that she could barely string a sentence together without her morning coffee.

She crawled over her bed and straightened the cover, starting from the far side. Pink wouldn’t be appropriate once she shared a bed with Nick. Her stomach dropped. How would their wedding night go? Nick had kissed her on their beach walks and at the end of each night. There were no sparks, but it was nice enough. Comfortable.

Her mother often told her that the fireworks were just in the beginning, and marriage wasn’t all about that. The foundation should be friendship. Cassie disagreed. On the phone last week, she said in the engagement they needed to build on the friendship, but a strong attraction was a healthy sign of compatibility, or why not just stay friends? Cassie believed marriage with a mutual attraction was important. At the end of the call, they agreed to disagree. There were arranged marriages, so not everyone in history had the privilege of choosing someone they desired. Hopefully, she’d grow in that attraction to Nick as time went on, and she wasn’t so distracted by the many things she had to accomplish.

She fluffed her mauve throw pillows and stood back, admiring her presentation. Much better. Now, time to get dressed and meet her sisters at the bridal shop.

“How about this one, Beth?” Shanae lowered the ivory silk gown from the display rack. “Simple but elegant.”

The material shined from the chandeliers above. Thin straps attached to a gathered bodice, leading into a length of silk to the floor. Shanae held it up to her chin, then glanced at Beth for approval.

“It’s gorgeous.” Beth took it from her sister and studied it closer. “After the wedding, I could have it shortened for an evening dress for special occasions, since it has a cream shade to it, it could pass as a formal dress.” Beth pulled out the price tag. Under four hundred dollars—within her small budget. “Let’s hope it fits, so I don’t need to wait for adjustments.”

Trudy clapped her hands in delight and let out a small squeal. “This is so exciting.” She ran her fingers over the other dresses on the rack. “I should pick one out for myself. Although, Michael and I haven’t settled on a wedding date. We aren’t fast movers like some.” She winked at Beth.

“In normal circumstances, neither would I be in a rush.” Beth placed a hand on her hip. “But I’m not young anymore. Thirty-three—its time.”

“Wasn’t Jesus crucified at that age?” Trudy grinned.

“Not funny.” Beth feigned a scowl. “I’m sure marriage will include plenty of dying to self. But a lot of great things too.”

“Like . . . the act of marriage.” Trudy laughed. She quoted the book title that Dad had bought as an engagement gift. Michael’s face was plain awkward. Trudy had coughed on her spit and had to leave the room to get a drink. Classic moment.

Shanae added, “You should loan Beth the book. Think she needs some tips.”

Amy giggled. They were having a lot of fun at her expense. Should she tell them how nervous she was about it all? Beth shook her head and walked to the fitting corner of the private room. The classical sounds of a piano played through the speakers above.

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