Page 41 of The Beach Cottage
The girl sighed. “I suppose I have to face her.”
“I think you should. If you don’t try to make amends now, this rift between you could get worse. And I know you don’t want that.”
Grace nodded, then went back to staring over the water in silence. Bea leaned her back against a rock to wait. When Grace was ready, they’d drive home. She only hoped the dinner went well that evening, for Aiden’s sake as well as Grace’s.
Eighteen
The drive back to Aidan’s was a brief one. Since Grace didn’t have a driver’s licence, Bea drove carefully behind her to make sure she was okay. She’d clearly been taught the basics and knew how to navigate the road, although no doubt Aidan would have a serious conversation with her about boundaries and respect for himself and for the law.
Aiden’s house at Prospect Point appeared more homely than the last time Bea had visited. The garden of spiky dry-weather plants was better established, and when they walked inside, she saw he’d bought some warmer pieces of decor to make the place more welcoming such as a wall of family photographs, cushions, throw rugs and an upright piano.
The walls were white, and the house was made up of various levels with high, sloping ceilings accented by natural timber beams and far too many windows for Bea’s liking. It was almost like walking through a fish tank. Long, plush curtains hung beside each window so he could at least gain some privacy at night. But the place suited Aidan — modern, sleek, impressive while her cottage seemed to reflect herself — small, squat and homely. She smiled at her own observation — the two of them were so different. Perhaps that was one of the reasons it hadn’t worked out between them.
Aidan was relieved to see Grace, but didn’t make a big deal out of it to her face. He hugged her warmly then asked her if she was okay.
“I’m fine,” she said.
“I’m sorry we fought,” he replied, “and later we’ll have to talk about what you did…”
“I know. I’m sorry too. I’m going to get changed.” Grace jogged up the stairs to her room.
Aidan faced Bea with arched eyebrows. “I have no idea how you found her so quickly, but thank you.”
“It’s our little secret,” Bea said, mimicking locking her mouth and tossing aside the key.
He laughed. “Thank goodness. I was really worried.”
“She’s anxious, that’s all. When teens get anxious, they don’t always recognise that’s what’s going on and they often don’t have the tools to manage it.”
“Kelly will be here in an hour. I’ve put together an appetiser platter, and the drinks are chilling.”
“Perfect,” Bea said. “I’ll take my things to the kitchen and get started on dinner.”
“Did I tell you how much I appreciate this?”
“Only a dozen times,” she replied.
“Then I’ll say it again. Thank you. I’ve been so busy with the development I’m working on and taking care of Grace, I haven’t had a moment to think about tonight. I know you’re busy as well, but you’re such a great cook…”
“I’m happy to do it. There’s nothing I like more than to cook good food for people. And I’m pretty fond of you as well.” She grinned. “I want tonight to go well. I don’t know what Kelly is like, or what she’s coming here to do, but I hope she and Grace find reconciliation and that you’re not caught in the middle of anything.”
He sighed. “I have to confess, I have no idea what to expect either.”
“Whatever it is, I’m here for you, and you’ll get through it.”
He raised a hand to cup her cheek. His touch warmed her. His hand was gone again as quickly, his cheeks pink. “I’m going to take a shower.”
She bustled outside, letting the door fall shut quietly behind her. She leaned against the frame and let her eyes drift shut. It hurt to be so close to him, to share these moments of life with him when she couldn’t touch him, when he couldn’t hold her close. It’d been the most natural thing in the world that they were together, and now that they’d been pulled apart, it hurt more than she’d ever thought possible after such a short reunion.
The truth was, it’d brought to the surface all the feelings she’d repressed years ago when Aidan ended things. Only this time, she knew he hadn’t rejected her—he was doing his best to cope with a stressful and unexpected situation. Just like his daughter, he needed time to cool down.
With a measured intake of breath, she walked to the car to get her things. Then she hurried back to the kitchen to get started.
When Kelly arrived at Aidan’s house, Bea was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on her mushroom and truffle pasta with garlic bread and a tossed garden salad. The meal was simple but delicious, and she hoped it would be well received by the others.
She heard Aidan answer the door and took off her apron to go out to meet Grace’s mother. She looked a little uncomfortable, but Aidan was charming and welcoming, and she visibly relaxed after he introduced Beatrice. They all chatted for a while together out on the deck.
Kelly was tall and glamorous, with long, thick brown hair that hung halfway down her back. She had hazel eyes bordered by dark lashes. Her figure was curvaceous and her lips impossibly full. She didn’t have lines around her eyes like Bea did. How old was she? Clearly old enough for a fifteen-year-old daughter. She was polite but standoffish, and didn’t smile when introduced to Beatrice.
