Page 62 of Between Two Shores

“Lachie! Hands off until the guests arrive.”

“I am a guest.” He tore a piece of meat with his teeth.

“You’ll keep.”

That was where Beth had heard the saying. She caught it from Lachlan two years ago and adopted it as her own.

The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” Lachlan made his way to the front room.

Beth slipped the apron over her head and used her palm to smooth her hair back

“Don’t be nervous.” Mrs. Peters smiled. “They’ll adore you as I do. I’ll finish the apple pie. How about you put drinks on the table?”

The calming effect Lachlan had on people must come from his mother. Mr. Peters seemed super relaxed too.

Beth fetched the carafes from the double-door fridge. The kitchen gleamed under the downlights. White marble counters, glossy white cupboards, and stainless steel appliances told her that their real estate business was doing well. Beth carried the jugs to the walnut square dining table. A ten-seater. Leather padded the high-back chairs, adding to the opulence.

Girly giggles came from the entrance, and Lachlan put on a funny voice. He came limping into the dining room, a little blonde girl clinging to his leg and another hanging from his shoulder, squealing.

“I seem to have lost someone. Beth, have you seen a cute girl in pigtails anywhere?”

She played along. “No. Maybe she’s under the table.” She bent down and pretended to look intently. “No little girls here.”

Lachlan continued to limp toward the kitchen. “Kayla, where are you?”

The girl sitting on his shoe eyed Beth and mouthed “shh,” as if Lachlan remained oblivious to her whereabouts. Beth gave her a thumbs up and followed them.

Mrs. Peters gushed over the grandchildren, unwinding Kayla from Lachlan’s leg. Beth turned at a new voice. Kayla’s mother?

“They’ve been hyped up from the moment we got in the car.” The woman looked at Beth. “Hi.” She glanced at Lachlan, her eyes full of questions.

“Kayce, this is Beth. My friend from Australia.”

His sister’s green eyes widened. “G’day.” Kayce offered a hand.

Beth smiled as she shook it. “Y’all are so friendly—speaking my language.” She drawled her words. “I’ll have to come back here, right now.”

Kayce raised a brow and burst out laughing. “Nice try.”

“I’m better at British impersonations.”

“Lachlan met Beth on an island off Australia’s coast two years ago, and they kept in contact.” Mrs. Peters explained. “We offered for her to stay a few days while she’s visiting the States.”

Kayce’s blonde head nodded. “Mom’s an awesome host. She literally had to kick me out of here when I turned twenty-five. The cooking is that good.”

Mrs. Peters waved her hand and huffed. “I did not kick you out. But, yes, you needed to leave the nest.”

Kayce crossed her arms. “Mark stayed ’til twenty-seven.”

Mr. Peters walked into the room, tall and broad shouldered. “When will Mark and Lizzy arrive? Smells like dinner’s almost ready.”

“They’re on their way,” his wife answered.

The second blonde girl hid behind her grandmother, peeking at Beth. Lachlan seemed to notice and swung his niece onto his hip. “My friend won’t bite you, Sasha.” He winked at Beth. “She sounds kinda strange, but she’s really nice.”

Beth gave her sweetest smile to the girl. “Nice to meet you, Sasha. I’m from Australia. Do you know where that is?”

Sasha straightened her neck. “Where kangaroos come from?”

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