Page 73 of Beach Vibes

Beth remembered the shock of being called out of class to meet her aunt and uncle. When she’d seen them, there’d been no sense of recognition, and she’d been more than a little nervous about going home with strangers. Then Agatha had mentioned they were going to get Rick as well and they would be living together. That was all Beth had needed to hear to happily collect her things and join them. After nearly eighteen months apart, she and Rick had been reunited, and they’d started new lives with Agatha and Dale.

Agatha had done all she could to make the two frightened children comfortable. She’d been caring and warm, while Dale had been a quiet and stern man. He’d made the rules clear. Although he’d never completely warmed to having her and Rick around, he’d appreciated her eagerness to work in the store. While her friends had spent their job money on pretty clothesor makeup, she’d saved so she would know she could always take care of herself and her brother—should disaster strike.

Over time that need had eased, but had never gone away. It was why to this day, she looked out for her brother, and he looked out for her. Sure, they were capable of taking care of themselves, no matter the circumstances, but some lessons could never be unlearned.

Still, the four of them had become a family, and losing Dale had been devastating for all of them.

“You rescued us,” she told her aunt. “I would be stepping in to replace a beloved mother. It’s different.”

“You wouldn’t be replacing her. No one can do that. And didn’t you say the younger two barely remember her? They wouldn’t judge.”

That was something Beth hadn’t thought of. With them, there wouldn’t be any comparisons. Magnolia was older, though, and she would have all the memories and with them, expectations.

“I wouldn’t want to mess up,” she said, then added, “I’m not a naturally warm person.”

Her aunt smiled. “You are very loving and giving. Don’t worry about that. Just meet them and see how it goes. If it turns out there’s a problem, we can work to fix it. But what if—and here’s an unexpected thought—what if it goes well? What if they like you and everything is fine?”

Something Beth hadn’t considered. “My luck isn’t that good.”

“Are you sure? It seems to me that since meeting Teddy, your luck has taken a turn for the very good.”

15

Jana sat on Rick’s leather sofa wearing his oversize plushbathrobe and nothing else. Several open cartons of Chinese food were on the coffee table in front of them. The evening was cool and a little foggy, so the gas fireplace was on, and soft jazz played from hidden speakers.

She used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of General Tso’s chicken and thought to herself how she could get used to living like this. A great condo with a view of the water, sex with a very nice man who was intent on pleasing her in and out of bed, and delicious food.

Rick had pulled on jeans and a T-shirt after they’d made love and ordered in dinner. Now he smiled at her.

“You’re so beautiful.”

She laughed. “Thanks. I’m a little mussed, but I feel good.”She raised her eyebrows. “I’m trying to decide if your skill in bed is about your doctor training or it was just something you were born with.”

He ducked his head a little. “I like making you happy.”

“You do a good job of it.”

He leaned forward and lightly kissed her. “I’m sorry work’s been so busy. I’ve missed seeing you. I also want to get our weekend away planned. I just need a few more days to pull together my schedule.”

“Of course.” While she wanted to go away with him, she was willing to wait until the time was right. Now that she’d gotten into nursing school, she was feeling very mellow about everything.

As they chatted, she thought about how much she liked him. She wasn’t in love with him—unlike her brother, she needed more than fifteen minutes to feel she’d found “the one”—but she thought maybe she and Rick had possibilities. She wanted to keep seeing him for sure, and if things worked out…

“Do you want to meet Linnie?” she blurted.

Rick looked at her in surprise. “Your daughter? Of course.” He brightened. “Are you ready for that? I wouldn’t want to rush either of you.”

“I’ve been thinking about it,” she admitted.

“I like kids. I don’t have a lot to do with them, but I’d like to get to know her.”

“I’m glad. Teddy and I were talking about maybe a family get-together. Something low-key. A barbecue one afternoon.”

“I’m in.”

“Good. So it would be you, me and Linnie, Teddy and his three, Beth, Dex and whomever Dex is currently seeing. How does that sound?”

He set down his plate and chopsticks. “Why would Beth be there?”

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