Page 58 of Between Two Shores

“I might be able to now. Bye, Lachlan. See you tomorrow.”

“Look forward to seeing you again.” He sighed. “Although I wish it were in better circumstances. Night.”

LACHLAN

The next morning, Lachlan woke early, had a light breakfast, and jumped into his exercise routine. He hadn’t rested well after the phone call. He’d gone into counselor mode while she’d explained all that had happened. Emergency response. But it did pain him to know she’d fallen in love with someone else. Got engaged! And it could’ve been him. If he’d kept in contact and built on their friendship over the last two years, he would be the one organizing a wedding with her right now.

He paused his sit-ups and took a swig from a water bottle. His stomach ached from pushing himself hard—he wanted to punish his stupidity. In the Navy, he’d justified brushing Beth off because every time she made contact, he’d think about her continuously until he replied a day or two later. A polite, quick answer seemed to keep her at a distance. Eventually, he’d resorted to adding her to his group email list. She must’ve got the hint, and then what happened? Nick.

He stood, strode to the press machine, and adjusted the weights. He nestled onto the padded seat and held the bars. Taking even breaths, he counted in his mind, blocking the taunt of his regrets.

When he finished, he hopped in the shower. At this rate, he could get to Beth an hour earlier. What would it be like to see her again? He had squashed all feelings for her the last two years, and he’d need to do it again. The circumstances weren’t right for Beth to consider him more than a friend. And he needed to get over the thought of her wanting another serious relationship. Casual ones weren’t ever his style—he was all in or not at all.

Although she’d only been in the apartment with Nick a couple of nights, it made him wonder what level of intimacy they’d shared. The first day he’d met Beth, she seemed the modest type. As if that would turn him off—it’d had the opposite effect and made her more attractive.

Lachlan moved about on autopilot—dressed, shaved, and switched on the coffee machine. Beth’s situation turned circles around his head. He smacked the old coffee grinds into the bin and scooped in a fresh batch. He needed to wake up to reality. He cringed at the memory of the last words he’d said on the beachside in Fremantle. “Beth, if we meet again, I promise you, I’ll kiss you like there’s no tomorrow.” He jammed the coffee holder into place. Argh. He hoped Beth didn’t remember those words. Boyish dreams that a woman would wait two years for him, while he served in the Navy. It hadn’t worked before. And he guessed this wasn’t too far from the same feeling he’d experienced when Laura broke up with him to date someone else.

The smell of Italian coffee licked his senses as the brown crema filled the bottom of his mug. Well, at least he and Beth could be friends. She’d make a good friend, and Beth needed him. He wanted to help her and would do everything he could to get her through this terrible time.

Lachlan worked up a smile as Beth swung open the door. Her eyes widened, and she flung herself at him. “Lachlan, you’re here.”

He stiffened and patted her back. Completely opposite the feeling he’d experienced the last time he’d held her. “I said I’d come.” He mumbled into her hair. No coconut scent this time. Why did he remember what she used to smell like? He stepped back.

“Come in, come in.” Beth swooshed her hand and welcomed him into . . . a box.

He scanned the dull surroundings. The place lacked color. Lacked floor space. “You’re going to appreciate my folk’s home. Much cheerier.”

She laughed. “I know, right. More like a prison than a—” Her voice trailed off as she flapped her arms, circling the living room. A sadness shadowed her expression. “I don’t want to stay here a minute longer than I need to. I’m all packed. Hadn’t unpacked in the first place.”

Lachlan flicked a glance to the mattress against the wall, then looked back to Beth, hoping she didn’t notice.

She stuttered. “I didn’t share a bed with him, by the way.”

His cheeks heated at his wrong assumptions. But relief flooded him at the same time. “That’s none of my business.”

“Just for the record, nothing happened between Nick and I.” Her ponytail flicked in the air as she spun and strode to the kitchen.

Beth’s indignation and sassy ways were still as strong as ever.

She collected her phone and handbag. “All the luggage is in the bedroom. There’s a lot of bags.” She turned and gave a magnificent smile—one that warmed his heart. Man. Helping Beth wasn’t going to be easy.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Beth

Beth climbed into Lachlan’s Ford Ranger and released a long exhale. The click of the back door signaled he’d finished cramming all her luggage. Good thing he had a four-wheel-drive.

She clicked her seatbelt and waited as Lachlan hopped into the driver’s seat. “You don’t know how much this means to me—not having to face this alone.” She offered a smile, and he returned a compassionate glance.

She bit her thumbnail. “When we meet Nick’s mother, I’ll let you start the conversation.”

“First, we need to locate her.” The engine roared to life. Lachlan flicked on the turn signal, and pulled into the narrow street. “If we can’t, we’ll stop at a police station and ask them to contact her. If Mrs. DeHann wants to speak with us, she can call.”

Lachlan merged into a highway bearing five lanes of lined-up cars. Busy for a Saturday.

“I remembered her name this morning—Nick’s mother. He had a girlfriend who called her Mamma Sue.”

Lachlan gave a solemn nod. “Susan DeHann.”

---