Page 49 of Between Two Shores

Her enthusiasm warmed his soul. He let out a breath. “With you by my side, I’d go anywhere. To the ends of the earth and back. I love you.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I’m thankful every day that you’ve come into my life.”

She smiled sweetly. “I love you too.”

BETH

The weather wasn’t too different from Perth. Although winter, a nice afternoon sun came through the clouds. The wind whipped hair around her face as she stood gazing at the famous Hollywood sign.

Nick had known the quickest way to get a decent view from Lake Hollywood Park. She’d taken a few snaps with her iPhone but it didn’t look impressive on the small screen. Maybe she could buy a postcard somewhere and send it to Melissa. She’d be the only one interested. The Michaels family didn’t care much for Hollywood.

“Beth, see how the ‘D’ looks farther apart from the other letters?”

She squinted. “Yeah. Why is that?”

“Apparently they are evenly spaced. But it doesn’t appear that way. Not everything is what it seems.” Nick became silent as he stared at the sign.

Her fiancé was the philosophical sort. A deep thinker.

He spoke again. “I believe that Hollywood will continue to unravel. With the internet making megastars out of ordinary people like YouTubers, and social media dominating screen time, the traditional ways will fall away.” He stared at Beth with great intensity. “Ordinary people like you and me will not be limited by a single location. We can run our own online charity. Help millions of people.” He gripped her hand. “Do you see it, Beth?”

She blinked. See what? Nick and Beth becoming YouTubers? “Do you still want to go to Jerusalem?” Wasn’t Israel the plan?

“No limits, Beth.” He spread his arms wide. “No limits. Signs. They’re everywhere, confirming I’m on the right path.”

She raised her brows. “You are on the path or ‘we?’”

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist and swung her in a circle. She giggled like a girl. Nick loved to kid around and made her feel young. Sometimes she felt older too, because she acted much more serious. She was a practical person. Nick was the total opposite. A dreamer. The optimist.

He held her close and pressed his lips firmly against hers. Then he rested his hands on her hips, and his eyes searched hers. “Let’s book in a time and day at the marriage office. We’ll have the ceremony in their hired registry room. We need to get married. Now.” He kissed her passionately. The most he’d ever had before. It surprised her. She responded, liking the change in his affection. She wanted him to desire her, not only as an organization partner.

He stood back. “There’s more where that came from.” He grabbed her hand and nearly yanked her toward the car.

This was a Nick she hadn’t known before. Who was she kidding? Did she even know him at all? But it excited her to become caught up in his vision, Nick leading the way, and taking her places she’d never dreamed she would go.

Chapter Nineteen

BETH

That evening, Beth made her signature dish, Sri Lankan Chicken Curry. They sat in the small dining room, listening to a podcast from Israel while they ate. Nick gobbled his food in minutes. She dipped the large metal spoon into the casserole dish, and scooped more of the bubbly, buttery sauce along with a drumstick and cubed potato. Waves of steam drifted in the air, as she poured it into his bowl. The whole room emanated cumin, cardamom, and paprika spices.

The podcast finished, and an Israeli song came next. Fascinating cultural music, but she had to bite back a smile when the singer pronounced her r’s with a throat-curdling spitting sound. Nick was getting into the moment, and the likelihood that he would find her amusement disrespectful, made it difficult to resist turning into a giggly schoolgirl. In science class, she’d gotten into trouble when her friend had made some silly joke about Mr. Hennrison always wearing brown. How had she kept a straight face when she’d asked him, “Is your favorite color brown, sir?” They’d been shocked when he’d said nothing and just grinned.

Nick turned down the music. “What’s making you smile?”

She blinked. “Oh, my mind was drifting to outerspace. Nothing. It’s nothing.” She lifted another spoonful to her mouth.

He touched her hand. “Well, I’m glad you’re happy—whatever it is that makes you smile.”

She picked up a paper napkin and wiped her mouth. “Nick, when am I going to meet your mother? On the day of the ceremony?”

He leaned back and patted his belly. “That was an amazing meal, hon. Another talent of my beautiful wife-to-be.”

She smiled.

His forehead wrinkled. “It’s a long way for Mom to drive, so I assume she’ll come the afternoon of the ceremony. I booked it for four-thirty p.m., the last slot before closing, which is seven-thirty a.m. for your family.”

“Oh, that’s why you made it so late. When you’ve got the links ready, I’ll send it to my family’s group chat.”

“Beth, I haven’t been in Los Angeles much the last couple of years and lost touch with most people.” He rubbed his cheek. “I used to live in Oceanside near my mom. So, I’m not going to invite anyone to the ceremony. I’ll post a link to a select group of friends on Facebook who want to watch the live video.”

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