Page 63 of Beck and Call

He stood up. "Let me handle Beckett. Hopefully, you won't learn to swear like a sailor under her guidance."

I smiled sweetly, and with a purposefully thick twang I said, "Why, bless her heart." I dramatically placed my hand over the center of my chest. "I reckon she just don't know any better. I'll pray for her."

He shook his head and smiled. "That's the first time I saw your mother in you."

The jovial look fell off my face.

"It's a good thing," he told me. "I'd like to introduce you to the Jenny Holmes I knew. Would you take a trip with me this weekend after the party?"

"Where are we going?" I asked, afraid I knew the answer.

"Kentucky. I want to do something for your mom. I owe her so much more, but I can make sure she has a headstone."

He looked away, and I watched his throat bob up and down, likely trying not to cry. I didn't have any such aversion to the tears that flowed silently down my face. Perhaps it was time I forgave her. If I could let go of my anger for her, there was a chance I'd be able to forgive Beckett. Forgetting feeling abandoned though, that I might never be able to do.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Beckett

Ipulled at my bow tie and fought the urge to grab a glass of champagne off a tray every time a waiter passed by. It took most of the day to kill the hangover from hell I woke up with, but if she didn't show up soon I was going to drown myself in whiskey.

People were starting to give me pitying looks, as well they should. I was alone at my own engagement party. The ring she left on the counter was burning a hole in my pocket.

My mom promised me she would be coming to the party, but I was seriously starting to doubt it. Thirty minutes into the party and she finally breezed through the door, escorted by her father. It was going to be hard to think of him that way.

"Did the bride-to-be just enter the party on the arm of another man?" someone whispered behind me.

I grimaced. It was going to be interesting to explain to the guests. Not that I normally gave a shit what other people thought. This time though, I did need to consider how my cousins were perceiving everything, since fighting off their claim to the company was now something I had to be concerned with.

Jana entered immediately after they did and stepped forward to take Colter's other arm. He scowled down at her, which made her smile brighter. I'd have to remember to thank her, because it looked less like Evie was attending our party with another date.

Colter led both women straight to where I was awkwardly standing alone. "Beckett," Evie greeted stiffly.

"I'm glad you came," I admitted.

"Come on, gramps, dance with me," Jana said, pulling on the lapels of Colter's tux.

"Stop fucking calling me that," he seethed quietly.

She pouted. "Okay, daddy. Show me how it's done."

I scowled at them as she pulled him away. "What the hell is going on with them?"

Evie rolled her eyes. "They act like they hate each other."

"That's not hate. That's lust. Is it weird that your dad might hook up with your best friend?"

She shrugged. "It's still weird having a dad. Especially a really young one."

I took her hand and exhaled when she didn't pull it away. "How are you?"

"Do you really care?"

Still holding her hand, I led her out to the dance floor. I'd use any excuse to hold her in my arms again. "I really do. I owe you so many apologies. You never deserved the things I said. The pathetic thing is that I knew you hadn't cheated on me, but I was terrified."

"Of what? It isn't like you aren't an adult with the means to care for a child."

"That's the thing. I'm scared I'm not good enough for you, and now there's an innocent baby who will depend on us. What if I let you both down? I already have. I don't deserve you, but I want you."

---