Page 70 of Between Two Shores

“Cool. I’ll be living in their backyard, so I’m sure I’ll get to know Cassie. Maybe the subject will come up.”

“She’s a great woman. Only ten years older than me, but she’s like a mother figure. Cassie was probably the only one who warned me about rushing things with Nick. And the first person I called when I was abandoned in L.A.”

“A good friend.”

“The best,” Beth said.

He gave a lop-sided grin. “And I was the second person you called.”

“The second best.” She sniggered.

“I hope to change that. Become first place.”

She gave a cautious smile. “That won’t be hard if you stick around long enough.”

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to.”

Her gaze searched his. “Do you mean that?”

He traced his finger down her cheek. “Actions speak louder than words, so I’ll have to show you. Then you’ll trust me.”

“I do want to trust you.”

“I know. It’s okay.” He grazed her chin. “I understand.”

Beth gave him an affectionate smile and let her eyes drift to a close.

“Sweet dreams,” he whispered.

Blurry vision, fuzzy teeth, and clammy armpits summarized his state of affairs twenty hours later. Lachlan got in line at customs and blinked in a daze. The Australian accents from airport staff told him he was the odd one out now.

The security personnel acted way friendlier than any airport staff he’d encountered before. Lachlan placed his backpack and cell in a tray. He glanced over his shoulder. Beth unloaded her laptop, half-asleep. Invasive artificial lights lit up every part of the open space. Shiny white tiles gleamed without a speck of dirt. Other than the beeps of the scanners and murmurs from staff, lack of a crowd left Perth airport particularly quiet.

They’d left San Diego around midnight, but due to travel and a fifteen-hour time difference, it was early morning, not bedtime. He would be asleep before noon.

They meandered the corridors, glass doors opening and closing behind them like a ‘Get Smart’ scenario with his sidekick, Ninety-Nine, behind him. The clomp of his boots and the click of Beth’s sandals bounced off the walls. He rounded the corner. Clusters of family members and partners waited to greet loved ones.

Lachlan scanned the faces. Chris! He wore a contagious smile on his tanned face. An older gentleman stood next to him—Beth’s father.

A boost of adrenaline increased Lachlan’s strides. His long-lost buddy, the man giving him another opportunity to win Beth. Boom. They knocked shoulders and fist-bumped, the high-school handshake they’d done a thousand times in a by-gone era.

Chris scuffed Lachlan’s hair. “Mate! Good to see ya.”

“You say, ‘mate,’ now? How long have you lived here, bro?”

Chris laughed. “You’ve gotta become like the natives.” He winked.

Beside them, Beth plunged a hug into her dad. Winston swayed her, cupping her head, whispering consolations in her ear. It warmed his heart to see they had a great relationship. Chris thinned his lips, shook his head, and whispered, “A shame.” Beth would likely get a lot of such reactions. Chris wouldn’t know the extent of Lachlan’s interest in Beth, but it wouldn’t take long for everyone to figure it out.

Tears shone in Beth’s eyes as she pulled back. “Dad, you remember Lachlan, don’t you?”

Winston clasped Lachlan’s hand and gripped his arm. “Thank you so much, and thanks to your family for looking after my girl.” Genuine appreciation emanated from his warm, hooded eyes.

“Our pleasure. My sisters and mother adore Beth, and I think your daughter had a fun week of distractions touring San Diego.” He winked at her. “Am I right?”

She gave a mischievous grin. “Yes, I had plenty to distract me.” She faced her father. “I’m so glad to be home. I love my simple life back here. Why did I get caught up in bigtime dreams and travel?” She shook her head. “I don’t know. That’s not even me.”

Winston rubbed his daughter’s shoulder. “That’s all behind you now. Left in the States. Today is a new day.”

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