Page 89 of Beach Vibes

“That has to make you sad. Nothing about losing her is right or fair, and you’ve been doing such a good job taking care of your family.” She leaned closer. “I’m guessing you do more than you should.”

“Dad tells me to be a kid and that I’m not in charge, but I see things that need to be done.”

Her heart ached for the preteen. “I get that. Like I told you before, I’m the oldest, too. When my brother was little, I had to look out for him. It’s a lot of responsibility.”

Magnolia nodded.

“So here’s the thing.” Beth offered a smile. “I think we should just take it really slow. I’m dating your dad, and that’s weird for you three. I get that. It’s different for me, too. I mean, come on, three kids? Doesn’t that seem like a lot?”

The corners of Magnolia’s mouth turned up. “Four would be more.”

“Four would send me screaming into the night,” Beth joked. She let her smile fade. “Whatever happens between me and your dad won’t change how much he and your mom were in love. That will always be true. She will always be in your heart and your memories. She will always be in the stories you tell. That’s a good thing. As for your dad and me, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do like him a lot.”

More than a lot, she thought fiercely, knowing that all she had with Teddy was being threatened by her brother’s actions. Not that she would discuss that with Magnolia.

“I’ll never be your mom. No one can be her. She was unique and lovely, and it’s sad she’s gone.”

“It is,” Magnolia whispered.

“However it works out with me and your dad, I’m hoping you and Atlas and Orchid and I can be friends.”

“I think we could.”

“Thank you.” Beth pointed at the building. “Want to pick out some cookies to take home for a snack later?”

Magnolia grinned. “Are you kidding? We love cookies.”

18

It took another twenty-four hours for Rick to finally reachout. Beth lost count of the number of texts she’d sent and messages she’d left. She’d been about to stake out his condo when he finally answered. Although staring at his brief text, she thought maybe not hearing from him had been better.

Where’s the fire?

* * *

She stared at the three words, feeling her temper rise. “Where’s the fire?” she asked out loud. “Where’s the fire? You created it, Rick. You piled on the kindling and lit the match.”

She angrily stabbed out a reply.

Where do you think? I saw you with someone who isn’t Jana.That’s a big deal. We need to talk about what happened. I need to understand.

* * *

Over a minute passed before she saw the three dots that indicated he was typing his response.

I’ll be at your place about seven.

* * *

His assumption that she would simply be home, waiting, rankled, but she told herself that was the least of it. Finally she was going to get some answers. Only as she paced the living room while she waited, she found she wasn’t sure she wanted to know anything about his relationship with Galaxy. Whatever he said, it was going to be bad. Worse, once she knew the facts, she had decisions to make. Did she tell Jana? And assuming she did, then what? No one was going to be happy. For all she knew, Jana would blame her or assume she’d known from the beginning. And where Jana went, Teddy would follow, she thought grimly. She could lose both of them over this, and she hadn’t been the one screwing around.

She stopped in the middle of the living room and told herself to get a grip. Rick was on his way over, and they would talk. Once she understood the problem, they could work together to solve it.

She thought briefly of texting her aunt to ask her to come home from her dinner out with friends, but then decided against it. Rick and Agatha didn’t always get along, plus she could get her aunt’s advice later. Okay, first she would have to explain what she’d seen, because so far she hadn’t said a word to anyone. She hadn’t wanted to try to describe what she’d witnessed.

It had to be a mistake, she told herself as she resumed pacing. Maybe she’d misunderstood. Although they’d been sointimateand Galaxy had said something about “finally meeting her” or however she’d phrased it. That implied she and Rickhad known each other a while. Plus the kissing. And the perfume she’d smelled.

After what felt like forever, she heard his car in the driveway and hurried to the front door. She had it open before he reached the porch stairs.

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