Page 43 of Between Two Shores

“Chris?” Lachlan frowned. “Oh, Chris Evanson. Yeah. He looks like one happy guy. Got it made.”

“He has now, but remember when his first wife cheated on him? Devastated. He didn’t date for years. Traveled the globe. Then he met the Aussie girl.”

“Cassie.”

Mark’s forehead lined. “You know her?”

“No, but Beth sees her as a mentor. She volunteers at the youth center. Well, she did when I knew her. Don’t know what she’s up to now. Beth was trying to get into journalism.” He shrugged. “Maybe she’s the one traveling now.”

A dog barked from the neighbor’s yard. Were they talking too loudly for others to hear? The houses were close in this street.

“You won’t know unless you contact her.”

“She’s probably with someone by now.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Two years is a long time.” But Beth hadn’t mentioned anything in her emails.

Mark guzzled from his eco water bottle, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Chris has a restaurant. You could go on a working holiday.”

A smile started at the corner of his mouth. “He did make me an offer.”

Mark jumped in his seat and pointed at him. “There you go! What are you waiting for? You loathe bathroom renovations, and you have plenty of cash. Why not treat yourself to a trip to Australia?”

“It does sound tempting.” And seeing Beth again was even more so. Why was his heart racing?

Mark slapped the table, sending vibrations across the glass. “Do it, man. Live life. Travel while you can. Before you’re tied down with kids.”

“Tied down?” Lachlan shook his head. “You love being a dad.”

“It’s the best. But if I didn’t have ’em, I’d be making the most of my freedom.”

He nodded. “If I don’t get a qualified position soon, I might give Chris a call.”

Mark scraped his chair back and stood. “Chris would be an awesome boss. Love that guy.” He collected his lunch box. “We need to get back to work. Gotta set that new bathtub.”

“I finished lunch ten minutes ago.” He patted his empty stomach. But Lachlan felt full—full of anticipation for possibilities.

BETH

The airport’s intercom echoed flight numbers through the sterile white corridors. The hum of conversation filled the open space. Beth leaned down to her niece and engulfed her in a bear hug. “I’m going to miss you, sweetie. My favorite niece in the whole wide world.”

Talicia circled her thin arms around Beth’s neck, nearly choking her. “When will you come back?”

Beth pulled away a little and smiled, determined to shed no tears. “I hope to visit next Christmas.”

Amy rubbed the little girl’s back. “Come on, Talicia. Aunty Beth needs to get on the plane.”

The little girl turned sad eyes away from Beth. She leaped into her mother’s arms and buried her head in Amy’s golden locks. Beth’s heart tightened. She didn’t want to leave her family. The skin under her eyes remained puffy from last night’s crying session with her pillow. She wouldn’t admit that to anyone. They saw her as the oldest and bravest, and she didn’t want them to think any different of her.

Simon and Jacob hugged her next. She planted kisses on their cheeks, and they gave her awkward pats on the back. Typical of her brothers. But Trudy lunged toward Beth and clung like a koala. A laugh bubbled in her throat, but a clog of mixed emotions stifled any sound.

“Can you fit me in your suitcase?” Trudy said.

Michael tugged on Trudy’s ponytail. “Hey, you’re not going anywhere, baby.” He wrapped his arm around his fiancée, and kissed Beth on the cheek. “And you make sure you return for our wedding.”

“Whenever that is.” Beth tossed her head.

The couple smiled and stood back so the next person could say goodbye. Dad. Beth touched her mouth. Tears stung the back of her eyes. Dad edged forward, dressed in gray suit pants and a buttoned-up shirt. He lifted his palms to her. Daddy’s girl. His brown eyes shone, the overhead lights reflecting off unshed tears. She rushed forward, gave him a fierce hug, and nuzzled into his chest. Her lower lip trembled as she resisted a sob. A familiar place where she’d cried many a tear. When boys had broken her heart. As she’d shared frustrations and disappointments. And when people misunderstood her and spoke behind her back. Dad had been her rock to lean on.

Dad stroked her hair. “I’m proud of you, Beth.” His voice crackled. “Thank you for serving your family and all your hardwork at Habor Hope.” He pulled back and cupped her shoulders, meeting her eyes. “Now, it's your turn to live out your dreams. Spread your wings and fly.”

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