Page 84 of Between Two Shores

Thank you for reaching out to apologize. I’m glad to hear you’re getting help. I was concerned about your safety. I assume you didn’t tell me about your diagnosis before because you didn’t agree with the doctors in the past. But you chose to leave out the details that you had married Tracy and why she really left you. How can I trust you after that?

In L.A., you weren’t open to receiving good counsel and advice from the pastor. If you’d allowed doctors, counselors, and your mother to help you, we might have had a chance to make things work. But, it's not my place to make sure you take your meds and worry about you taking off impulsively. I tried to speak with you about your decisions, but you dismissed my concerns. If you’re going to treat your illness seriously, you need to listen to those around you. Sometimes you won’t be aware that you are going off track. Like this time.

I’m sorry, but I can’t take you back, Nick. Not only because I would need to see long term change, but I realize that the life you want is not what I want. Living in my small hometown and serving my local community fulfills me. I don’t need a title or a spotlight on my name. It's clear you want to help people. Creating wealth to support international charities might be what you’re made for, but it’s not my vision. I’m okay with being a hidden team player, simply loving on people.

I hope you continue to seek professional help and become the stable person that your future wife needs. The perfect woman is out there for you. You’re a great guy. I don’t regret what happened because it revealed so much of myself.

All is forgiven. Our family continues to hope the best for you. You have a good heart and can have a successful life with the right support around you.

Take care,

Beth.”

Lachlan raked his fingers through his hair. “That must’ve been a tough one to write. It’s good. You need to tell him the truth. No use pretending. He needs to stick to his medicine and receive professional help. He could’ve been stabbed in a vital organ.”

“True.”

He shook out the cold from his arms. “Want to head back to the cars?”

“Yeah. I need to turn in early. I’m zonked.”

“I’ll be able to sleep tonight too. I shouldn’t have worried, but I was afraid I would lose you.”

She bumped her shoulder into his. “I’m not going anywhere, Lachlan”

He dipped his head and held her gaze. “Neither am I.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

LACHLAN

Finally, a night off work, both of them free from any commitments. Lachlan planned to up the romance factor and treat Beth to a night in Perth city—candlelit dinner for two at Coco’s restaurant, a night stroll by the Swan River, and ice cream.

He pulled into Beth’s driveway and hopped out of the Holden Barina he’d purchased three months ago when he’d first arrived in Australia. The click of his Cap Toe Oxfords echoed on the pavement. He shrugged his dress jacket into place and held a single-stemmed rose behind his back. That would set the mood for the type of evening he intended. So much more than friends.

A neighbor’s dog barked as he approached Beth’s door. Rap-a-tap-tap. He stood back in the spotlight of the bulb above.

Lachlan held his breath. The Tasmanian oak door opened, and Beth flashed a radiant smile.

“Hi,” he managed to croak out.

Beth gave a little laugh that tossed her unbound curls about her slender shoulders. “Just hi?”

He cleared his throat as his gaze dipped to her vibrant red dress and black heels. “You look elegant tonight.”

“And you look very smart. Even shaved. Must be an important announcement you’re making.” She raised a brow. “Do I have to wait until dinner’s served to find out what we’re celebrating?”

He took a step back. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Beth wouldn’t jump to conclusions that he’d make a surprise marriage proposal. Not after the loud statement at Trudy’s last week how she wouldn’t accept one until she dated the guy for a year first. Then she repeated it to make sure he’d heard, no doubt. He had no problem waiting. He was a turtle when it came to relationships. Slow and steady wins the race. He just wanted to press start to the dating timer she’d set. Tonight.

Oh, the rose. Smooth Romeo. “And I brought you this.” To symbolize my love for you? Too cheesy. Come on, relax, man.

“Aw, thank you.” Her silver bangles jingled as she smelled the flower, then placed it with her iPhone. “Let’s go. I’m starved.”

He grinned at his gorgeous best friend, soon-to-be-girlfriend, by the end of this night. A man could dream, and his dreams were often of her.

Lachlan opened her car door. As she brushed past him, the mingled scent of jasmine, vanilla, and musk heightened his senses. Beth smelled and looked incredible. She’d taken it seriously when he said, ‘dress to kill.’ The deep red satin dress wasn’t as seductive as mom’s man-bait choice, but the color against her skin gave Beth an angelic glow. Whatever she wore, he found her irresistible.

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