by Jenna Mindel
“Nice to meet you.” His father-in-law shook Beth’s hand and shared a look with his wife. “Ellen, this is Beth.”
“Hello.”
Beth offered her hand to Ellen, who accepted it politely, but the two women sized each other up. Beth towered over his short and stout mother-in-law, but the women didn’t seem to notice differences in stature. Like a couple of cats squaring off, the two stared hard at each other.
Ellen broke eye contact first. “Come in, please.”
Corey had already raced into the house straight for the exotic saltwater aquarium.
As they followed his former in-laws inside, Nick hoped this didn’t turn out to be a bad idea, forcing Susan’s parents to meet the new woman in his life. Forcing anything never worked. He should know that by now.
Once inside, Ellen turned to Beth. “Would you like the tour? Corey’s got his own room here—for when he visits.”
“I’d like that.” Beth followed his mother-in-law up the stairs, but she glanced at him.
Nick gave her a nod of encouragement as he watched them go up the rest of the way. Following Greg into the kitchen, he asked, “Are they going to be okay up there?”
Greg chuckled. “Ellen looked forward to meeting Corey’s tutor. She won’t knock her out. Yet. Are you serious about this woman?”
His father-in-law didn’t mince words. Neither did Nick. “I am.”
“Hmm. And Corey likes her?”
Nick narrowed his gaze. “He does.”
“Kind of soon, don’t you think?”
“It’s been over a year now.” Nick had mourned enough.
Greg shook his head. “Not what I meant. You’ve known this woman how long?”
“Two months.”
Greg nodded but kept quiet.
Twice as long as he’d known Susan before they ran off and eloped. But he got the point. Loud and clear.
Corey joined them in the kitchen. “Hey, Dad, can I watch TV?”
Nick looked at his son. “Ask your grandfather.”
“For a few minutes. I need your help in the garden before dinner.” Greg looked at Nick. “Are you staying?”
Nick shook his head. “I was hoping to take Beth to dinner on our way back.”
He looked forward to alone time with her. Find out where he stood, where they were headed.
Susan’s parents were by no means old, only in their early sixties, but they were wise. Maybe Greg was right and it was too soon. Maybe Nick needed to relax and let the relationship develop on its own.
His former in-laws had Susan and then her brother later in life. Ellen had retired early in order to care for Corey after Susan’s death. She was a finicky woman, and that intrusion into their ordered and unhurried life had no doubt taken some getting used to. But Nick never doubted how much Susan’s parents loved Corey.
Greg opened the fridge. “How ’bout some iced tea while we wait for the women?”
“Sure.” Nick scratched his temple and looked up at the ceiling, hearing the creaks in the floor of the women walking around up there. How long was this tour going to take?
* * *
Beth followed Ellen into each room while she explained that they’d moved here after Susan married Nick and their son had joined the military. A quiet place to retire, Ellen had said. Beth was glad that Nick’s late wife hadn’t grown up here. Fewer painful memories for everyone. But Susan’s memory lingered like cloying perfume. Pictures were everywhere.
“This is Corey’s room.”
Beth stepped into the boyishly decorated bedroom with its race-car bed and NASCAR curtains. Corey wasn’t into NASCAR. He liked baseball and sailboats and puppies. “Did Nick tell you their dog had puppies?”
Ellen smiled with surprise. “He didn’t. How many?”
“Three girls and one boy. They haven’t named them yet. Can’t agree on what to call them.”
Ellen chuckled. “Corey loves animals, but I won’t deal with the mess. That’s why we have fish. They’re Greg’s hobby.”
Expensive hobby. Ellen’s home might be spotless, but Beth would rather have dog hair and PB&J fingerprints on the fridge. As an elementary teacher, Beth was used to her noisy, messy world. Bright and vibrant.
Her gaze caught on a picture resting atop a dresser. Like a marionette on a string, Beth stepped closer as if pulled. The family portrait was recent. Corey looked only a little younger, but Nick’s hair was long and wavy.
He’d worked undercover then and he looked like a dude with a ’tude in that picture. Nick’s arm was draped around a very thin blonde wearing a lot of makeup and poufed-up hair. Fussy. Susan looked high maintenance.
“That’s my daughter, Susan. You sort of resemble her.”
Beth backed up. That was a weird thing to say. She glanced at Ellen, looking for clues that weren’t there. “You think so?”
Ellen cocked her head. “No, maybe not.”
Beth studied the portrait harder, but only for seconds. They had the same coloring perhaps, but Beth wasn’t anywhere near as coiffed. Her features were not as perfectly chiseled, either.
She glanced at Ellen. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. It hasn’t been easy. Especially letting Corey go.”
Beth swallowed hard. What did she mean? “I’m sure. He’s a wonderful boy.”
“Nick told us how well you’ve tutored him. Greg and I appreciate all that you’ve done. Corey showed us his storybooks when we visited and mentioned a sailing trip?”
Beth nodded. “Friends of mine sail, and Corey earned the chance to go. Nick agreed that it’d be good for him to work toward a reward instead of against the threat of repeating second grade.”
“Will he?”
Beth cocked her head. “What?”
“Pass second grade.”
Beth had to remember to stay in teacher mode, but it was tough. She was the grandmother, and Beth wasn’t sure how much Nick had shared with the woman.
But under this grandmother’s scrutiny, Beth believed blunt honesty was best. “He’s borderline considering his reading level. Nick wouldn’t agree to hold him back.”
Ellen’s direct gaze pierced her. “What do you think?”
“I think Corey’s not done. He needs to work hard this summer to prepare for third grade and the testing he’ll face. What made you pull him out of school?”
Ellen’s expression clouded over. “I wasn’t very good at homeschooling, but I couldn’t leave him in that school where he’d been so lost and alone. He cried every day.”
Beth’s heart twisted, remembering what Diane had said. Poor kid. He missed his mother and wanted a new one. He wanted a whole family. He’d been so withdrawn when he first came, but with Thomas and Gracie and her mother he’d blossomed. Why hadn’t they looked for a different school? One that could better meet Corey’s needs? But then, they were grieving, too. Maybe having Corey home was a way to hold on to their daughter’s memory a little longer.
“He needed us,” Ellen added. “He still needs us.”
Beth nodded, feeling a little lost herself. “Of course. You were there for him when he needed you most.”
Ellen gave her a curt nod.
Stupid thing to say to a grandparent. Of course they’d been there. They’d always be there, too. Especially if Nick wasn’t. Ellen made that perfectly clear.
Beth glanced back at the picture. She thought about Susan breaking those plates and Corey’s reaction when Beth had roughly set her mom’s table. They did look a little bit alike in a relative sort of way. Weird. Was that why Corey had been at ease with her that first day in school?
Ellen’s smile was tight. “I loved my daughter, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that she put Nick through a lot. Put us all through a lot.”
&
nbsp; “I’m so sorry.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed Nick had he left Susan, but he didn’t. Not with Corey so young.” Ellen gave her a pointed look. “Nick came from a broken home.”
Beth hadn’t known that. There was a lot about Nick she didn’t know, but she knew what kind of man he was. A man with a mother-in-law who defended him. “He’s a good father.”
Ellen nodded. “Corey needs him now more than ever. My grandson needs stability in his life.”
Beth agreed.
Ellen wasn’t only stating the obvious here. She sent a message. One Beth didn’t have much trouble deciphering. Ellen might not welcome another woman stepping in to raise her grandson, but she wouldn’t stand for her grandson or Nick being jerked around. Or hurt.
“We’re here if anything happens to threaten that stability.”
“Of course.” Beth swallowed.
Would Susan’s parents fight for Corey if something ever happened to Nick? They were the boy’s flesh and blood. They seemed like good people, solid and respectable. But anything was possible when it came to a question of custody.
Beth followed Ellen back downstairs, where Nick waited for her on the deck with an empty glass in his hand. Exiting through the sliding glass door, she spotted Corey helping his grandfather in the garden. They stuck fat wooden markers into the soil, labeling the seeds and seedlings planted in neat rows.
Would Corey be lonely growing up here? He’d made friends at school and had a dog with puppies. Would Ellen take Peanut along with the boy?
The knot in Beth’s stomach pulled tighter.
“We better get going.” Nick called out to Corey. “We’re leaving, bud.”
The boy waved, unfazed. “See you later.”
Nick smiled.
“Corey, you should give your father a hug.” Ellen stood next to Nick.
“It’s okay.”
Beth bit her lip. She agreed with Ellen but didn’t say a word. It wasn’t her place.
Corey trotted up onto the deck and Nick gave his son a bear hug, squeezing tight until Corey squirmed and squealed with laughter. “Bye, Dad.”
“See you in a couple days.”
Corey nodded and then launched himself at her. “Bye, Miss Ryken.”
Beth hesitated before returning the little boy’s embrace. She hugged him tight and fought the urge to kiss his forehead. “Bye, Corey. Have fun, okay?”
“Yup.” He broke away and ran to join his grandfather back in the garden.
She glanced at Ellen. The woman’s gaze was cool, but Beth reached out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Ellen took it for a brief shake, her smile polite. “You, too.”
She felt Nick’s hand at the small of her back.
“Let’s go. Thanks, Ellen. I’ll call you when I leave to pick up Corey.”
“Perfect, we’ll meet you halfway.”
“Sounds good.”
Beth didn’t think Ellen was a meet-halfway kind of woman. She got her way or worked hard until she did. Maybe Susan had rebelled against that. Had she married Nick to spite her staid parents?
Beth couldn’t wait to get out of there.
* * *
Nick glanced at Beth in the passenger seat. She sat quietly straight with her hands in her lap. A quiet Beth was a troubled one.
“Okay, spill it.”
She looked at him with wide eyes. “Spill what?”
“What’s on your mind. You haven’t said a word since we left.”
“Do I remind you of your first wife?”
Where had that question come from?
“No, not really. There’s a slight similarity with your blond hair and blue eyes, but that’s where it ends. You’re nothing like Susan. For one, you’re quiet when you’re upset.”
She nodded. That was true. Beth liked even-keeled.
“I saw a picture of her, and Ellen thinks I resemble her.”
Nick blew out his breath. Nice. What woman wanted to be told something like that? “Ellen’s a little hard around the edges but soft once you get to know her.”
Beth didn’t look as if she believed him. “Do they still work?”
“They’re both lawyers. Greg practices part-time, and Ellen retired after Susan died.”
“I see.” Beth closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
“Give them time. Right now they’re afraid of you.”
“Afraid of me?” She bolted upright and stared at him. “Why?”
Nick chuckled. “Because they don’t know you yet.”
He couldn’t point out the obvious. His in-laws knew Corey was nuts about her. And now they knew he was, too. Beth wasn’t a threat to their place in Corey’s life but a welcome addition. Susan’s parents would see that, too. Eventually.
“Where do you want to go for dinner?”
“Doesn’t matter. You choose.”
Great. This wasn’t turning into the date he’d hoped for. Not with Beth practically hugging the passenger-side door as if she wanted to jump out. Obviously, a romantic dinner wasn’t going to happen.
“We’ll be okay, Beth. We’re going to make this work.”
She gave him a teasing smile, but it didn’t cover the worry in her eyes. “I don’t know. You come with a lot of baggage.”
He chuckled again. “We both do, honey. We both do.”
* * *
“Beth,” a deep voice intruded.
She opened her eyes and stared into gray eyes that were awfully close to her own. “Yeah?”
“We’re home.”
She sat up and yawned. She’d fallen asleep after dinner, a very quiet dinner, while Nick drove home. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. You’re pretty when you sleep.”
Beth laughed. “Yeah, right. Did I snore?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Silence settled heavy in the car.
Would Nick kiss her good-night? Should she let him?
After meeting Corey’s grandparents, there were other things to consider before moving forward. Her mom had said to follow her heart, but how could she when it was silent? Too many other variables to consider with a relationship with Nick. Namely what might happen to Corey if Nick died. If she was only a stepmom, would that mean anything in a court of law?
“Thanks for going with me tonight.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad I went.” Her eyes had been opened wider.
Nick leaned toward her. “I guess we should say good-night, then.”
Beth didn’t want to get out of the car. She didn’t want Nick to leave, either. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Will you call me when you’re done with your shift tomorrow?”
Nick smiled. “At seven on a Sunday morning?”
Beth nodded.
“You got it.” He softly ran his finger down her cheek. “Maybe we can do dinner next week. Someplace nice.”
“Not good. That’s the last full week of school and a final push for Corey.” She didn’t ask for a rain check.
He narrowed his gaze. “You’re not still considering holding him back?”
“No. Honestly, that wouldn’t be good for him now. Not when there’s been so much improvement. But he’s still not near a third-grade reading level.”
Nick looked at her with hope in his eyes. “You could work with him over the summer.”
Beth hesitated. “We’ll see.”
Nick sighed. “We’ll talk more next week, then. While we’re sailing.”
“Yes.”
“Beth...” Nick stopped and then leaned back in his seat. “Good night.”
She tamped down her disappointment. He wasn’t going to k
iss her. A good thing, too, considering Beth’s state of mind. The only whispers she heard from her heart told her to get out now before she got in too deep and drowned.
“Good night, Nick.”
Chapter Thirteen
Beth held Corey’s hand as they walked down the dock toward Gerry’s boat. Nick held his son’s other hand. She loved the strength that had developed between father and son. They were fine. They’d be fine, too. She’d done her job helping Corey read. And that was a good thing, even if it hurt to think about them without her.
Today she’d pretend they were any ordinary couple. She wouldn’t ruin the day thinking about the what-ifs and what-she-should-dos. She’d simply enjoy her last outing with the Grey men and call it good.
“Wow. Is that it?” Corey pulled against Nick’s other hand.
But Nick didn’t let go. “Stay with me, bud.”
Gerry’s beautiful white sailboat rocked gently against a wave left behind by a motorboat. Beth nodded. “That’s it.”
Nick gave her a sharp look. “The Showoff? Does this guy have something to prove?”
Beth shook her head. “No, no. He’s fine, really. Julie has always called Gerry a show-off, so when they got the boat, it was a natural choice for a name.”
Nick looked skeptical.
Beth scanned the marina that was already bustling with activity. Boaters headed for town and breakfast and others prepped their sailboats and motorboats for a day on Lake Michigan. And what a day it promised to be. Not a cloud in the sky and temperatures climbing but with a steady breeze.
Perfect for sailing. Perfect for hitting the beach on South Manitou Island. And perfect for falling in love.... Wait, she’d already done that against her better judgment.
She glanced at Nick. Of all the guys she’d ever wanted, why’d she have to fall for this one? Nick had the potential to break her heart forever. And if anything happened to Nick, she might lose Corey, too.
That was a double whammy she didn’t want to risk taking. Better to get out now. But after today. She wanted to enjoy today. She wasn’t supposed to think about those nasty what-ifs.
“Morning!” Julie popped up out of the sailboat’s cabin. “Have you guys had breakfast? We’ve got leftover fruit salad and sweet rolls.”
