Beth and the Bachelor

by Susan Mallery

  Todd looked Matt straight in the eye, as if they were equals. Perhaps in this they were. ‘‘I appreciate your honesty,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s a good quality in a man.’’

  Matt straightened at the words. His shoulders went back and his chest swelled. ‘‘Yeah, well, I wanted you to know.’’

  ‘‘I’m going to be just as honest with you. I don’t want to hurt your mother. I know that she’s still dealing with her loss. But I like her. She’s very unique and I’d like to get to know her and you and your sister a little better.’’

  ‘‘So you’re dating?’’

  Todd wanted to say yes, but he wasn’t sure. ‘‘It’s more like special friends.’’

  Matt thought that over. ‘‘She needs more friends in her life. She still misses my dad.’’ He glanced behind him as if checking to make sure they were still alone. ‘‘Sometimes, at night, she still cries. She thinks Jodi and I don’t know, but we do.’’

  Todd found himself wishing Matt hadn’t told him that piece of information. He didn’t want to know that Beth still mourned her late husband. He was left with a feeling of disquiet. He’d never known anyone like her before—someone who actually cared for another human being in a genuine way. He could accept parents loving children. He’d seen it demonstrated many times even if he’d never experienced it firsthand. But he didn’t know that adults could love each other completely. He didn’t even believe romantic love existed.

  But why else would Beth miss her husband so much? They must have had a kind of connection he didn’t know about.

  He started to ask Matt about their marriage, but the front door open and Beth reappeared. ‘‘Sorry,’’ she said as she joined them. ‘‘It was the magazine.’’

  ‘‘What magazine?’’ Todd asked.

  Beth knelt down between him and Matt. ‘‘I work parttime for a local magazine. I write some articles, do editing, just to get me out of the house a few times a week. They were checking on some work that’s due in a couple of weeks. One of the feature articles fell through and they wanted to know if I could fill the empty space.’’

  ‘‘Can you?’’

  Her smile hit him in the gut like a sucker punch. If he hadn’t already been on the ground, he might have gone down on one knee. ‘‘Of course.’’

  He ignored his reaction to her smile and focused on what she’d said. If she worked parttime to, as she’d put it, ‘‘get out of the house’’ then money wasn’t a big problem for her. Relief settled over him. He’d been trying to think of ways to help her financially and hadn’t come up with a single scenario that didn’t end with her calling him names and showing him the door.

  ‘‘I gotta get ready for the game,’’ Matt said, and stood up.

  Todd looked at him. ‘‘I’m looking forward to seeing you play,’’ he told the kid.

  Matt gave him an appraising gaze, then nodded. ‘‘I’m glad you’re going to be there.’’

  With that he was gone.

  Todd felt as if he’d been handed the key to the city. Matt had warned him about his mother and he’d responded in a way that let the young man trust him.

  ‘‘So, what did you two talk about while I was gone?’’ Beth asked. ‘‘I could see you from the window and it looked very intense.’’

  ‘‘Guy stuff.’’

  ‘‘Could you be more specific?’’

  Todd winked. ‘‘Sorry, no can do. If I were to tell you, I’d be sharing male secrets. There are two possible punishments for that. Either I’d have to kill you, or I’d be thrown out of all male society. No more sporting events, no more beer in front of the television, no more swimsuit calendars. It’s a fate worse than death.’’

  ‘‘I can tell. So you’d be forced to kill me.’’

  ‘‘Exactly.’’

  ‘‘You wouldn’t like prison.’’

  He shuddered. ‘‘I don’t think I’d make many friends there. So I’m going to keep my mouth shut instead.’’

  ‘‘Probably the best idea.’’

  Beth continued to look at him. Todd knew he was going to have to tell her something.

  ‘‘It really was just guy stuff,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s a good kid. I like him.’’

  ‘‘He has a lot of his father in him.’’

  Todd didn’t like hearing that, either, but there was no way to tell her. If Matt was like Darren, then he—Todd— would have probably liked Darren, as well. More unsettling news. Who could have predicted that a couple of hours in the suburbs would rattle his nearly perfect world?

  ‘‘Good luck,’’ Beth called as her son gathered his gear and ran off to join his teammates.

  Todd glanced around at the crowd. ‘‘There are a lot of people here.’’

  Beth nodded glumly. ‘‘The baseball games are very popular. Todd’s a freshman at Clements High School. This is Texas and we take all high school sports very seriously. You should see the crowd at football games.’’

  Todd said something else, but she wasn’t listening to him. As she stepped onto the ground and reached back for her purse, she wondered, for the thousandth time, what on earth she’d been thinking when she invited Todd to share her world for a day. Especially here!

  She knew practically all the parents of Matt’s teammates. She had brought a strange man to what was considered a family event. It wasn’t just that she would be fielding dozens of questions today, it was that come Monday morning, her phone would be ringing off the hook. Word was going to spread like kudzu and she didn’t have a clue as to what she was going to say to anyone.

  ‘‘You said something about concessions,’’ Todd said as he came around the rear of the vehicle to join her.

  ‘‘The coordinator is right over there.’’ She pointed to her right and started in that direction.

  She thought about giving Todd an out. If she worked and he simply went up in the stands to watch the game, no one would know whom he was with. But she doubted he would agree to that, and she wasn’t about to explain why it was a great idea. He wouldn’t understand, she would look foolish and—why on earth hadn’t she thought this through?

  It was a warm, sunny day. The temperature would hit the high eighties, with humidity to match. She fingered her hair and knew that by the middle of the afternoon, it would be completely flat. She would get flushed in the heat, her T-shirt would droop in a most unattractive way. If nothing else, she would probably scare Todd into abandoning her.

  A small child ran between them, followed by her mother. Beth sidestepped to let them past. Todd glanced at them over his shoulder.

  ‘‘This is a dangerous place,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t want to lose you.’’ With that, he took her hand in his.

  He might have continued talking. Beth wasn’t sure. She was too busy screaming inside her head. Ohmigosh! Another man is holding my hand!

  Another man was really touching her hand. She could feel Todd’s warm flesh against hers, the way his fingers cupped her hand, the feel of his palm. She could feel herself hyperventilating as heat spread through her body. Embarrassment heat, not oh-I-love-what-you’redoing heat. They were walking through the parking lot, holding hands.

  She couldn’t do this. In some circles, the whole dating-hand holding thing was no big deal. But this wasn’t those circles, this was her very small life. She’d only ever held hands with Darren. After nearly twenty years with his fingers lacing with hers, this felt too strange. It was too sudden, and what if someone noticed?

  ‘‘Are those the concession stands?’’ Todd asked.

  Beth could only nod mutely. She wished she could die. She wished she could run back to her car and never be seen in public again. She wished—

  The change in heat caught her attention first and broke through her thoughts. Heat that climbed from that hand up her arm. Heat as in, maybe this wasn’t so bad. She wouldn’t go so far as to say she liked it, but the contact wasn’t hideous. She ignored the faint sense of being disloyal and focused on the warmth, the way Todd’s arm brushe
d against hers. A part of her was pleased to be half of a couple again, if only for a few minutes.

  When they reached the main concession stand, Todd released her. Instead of relief, Beth felt a sense of loss. She wanted him to touch her again. She’d been so caught up in the shock of what was happening that she felt as if she’d lost the opportunity to absorb the good stuff.

  ‘‘Hi, Sharon,’’ she said, and smiled at the harried-looking blonde setting up the popcorn machine.

  ‘‘Beth, you’re early. Thank you for being so diligent. I’m desperate. The Morrisons’ got called out of town so I’m short a couple of bodies.’’

  ‘‘It just so happens I brought an extra one with me. Todd, this is Sharon. She’s the head of the concession committee.’’

  Sharon glanced up briefly, got an eyeful of Todd, then abandoned the popcorn machine to give him her full attention. ‘‘Hi. You must be…’’

  Todd held out his hand. ‘‘A friend of the family. Nice to meet you.’’

  Sharon shot Beth a look that warned her she would be getting a phone call next week. ‘‘The cotton candy machine takes a little getting used to so I’m going to need Beth to handle that for me. I can give you a choice between hot dogs and ices.’’

  ‘‘Ices sound fun.’’

  Beth thought about warning him that ices came in various flavors, which meant working with syrups that were not only sticky but that stained hands. Then she decided he would figure it out himself, like the other parents had.

  Sharon gave them trays with singles and coins for making change, then sent them to their respective booths.

  ‘‘I’ll see you in a couple of hours,’’ he said, making it sound like he was really going to miss her. Boy, was he ever good.

  ‘‘Have fun. I’ll be right across from you, so yell if you need anything.’’

  Beth walked over to the small cart she would be manning. The father there gave her a grateful smile. From the wisps of spun sugar clinging to everything, this was his first time.

  ‘‘The trick,’’ Beth told him, ‘‘is to not let it get away from you. Keep turning it at a steady pace.’’

  The man grinned. ‘‘The trick is to take hot dogs next time, or be out of town.’’

  Beth laughed. She glanced up and saw Todd watching her. He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad, she told herself. At least the view was terrific.

  An hour later, she knew her first instincts had been right. Bringing Todd to the game had been a terrible error in judgment.

  ‘‘How’s it going?’’

  Beth finished making change with a family she’d just served, then turned and found Cindy leaning against a corner of the cart.

  ‘‘If this thing had a wall, I’d be beating my head against it,’’ Beth told her.

  ‘‘A lot of questions?’’

  ‘‘People I barely know are coming up and asking about Todd. I feel like I’m on display at the zoo. ‘Come see the newest exhibit. A widowed mother of two and a single man.’’’

  Cindy smiled. ‘‘Now you know what I went through when Mike was first staying with me. You’re just dating. I had a wounded bodyguard living in my house.’’

  Beth thought about that time in Cindy’s life and winced as she remembered her own teasing comments. ‘‘Did I ever apologize for some of the things I said?’’ she asked.

  ‘‘Nope.’’

  ‘‘Is it too late to do that now?’’

  ‘‘Absolutely. I don’t want an apology, I want my pound of flesh. I plan to torment you at least twice as much.’’

  ‘‘Great.’’

  Cindy touched her arm. ‘‘Don’t take it so hard. Todd looks like he’s having a good time.’’

  Beth followed her gaze and saw the man in question chatting with some older boys. They were probably on the varsity team and wouldn’t play until later. As if he felt her attention, he glanced up and gave her a quick smile. It wasn’t as shocking as when he’d held her hand, but it still sent heat through her…all the way down to her knees, which threatened to knock together.

  ‘‘He’s too good-looking,’’ she said. ‘‘This entire situation would be easier if he was ugly.’’

  ‘‘I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear that.’’

  Beth shook her head. ‘‘I’m not kidding. Look at him. He’s got those ruggedly handsome good looks. He’s tall, with an amazing body.’’

  ‘‘All the better to see him naked.’’

  Beth grimaced. ‘‘Perish the thought. I couldn’t take my clothes off in front of him. If I ever have sex again I want it to be with a nearsighted sailor from the merchant marines, or maybe a guy in a submarine. Some male who hasn’t been close to a woman in three or four years. That way he’ll be so grateful, he won’t care what I look like.’’

  ‘‘Wouldn’t it be easier to work on your self-esteem?’’ Cindy asked.

  ‘‘It took me thirty-eight years to get this messed up. You think I can fix it in time to interest Todd?’’

  ‘‘Are you going to let him get away because you’re afraid to flash your stretch marks?’’

  ‘‘If you’re going to be logical, I’m not going to be your friend.’’

  Cindy leaned toward her. ‘‘I’m pointing out that we don’t always get to pick who we fall in love with.’’

  ‘‘Love?’’ Beth took a step back. ‘‘I don’t even know if I like the man. We’re not dating. He’s just in my world for a day. Then he’ll be gone.’’

  ‘‘And if he isn’t?’’

  Beth didn’t have an answer for that. Todd had to leave. She couldn’t exist in his world and she wasn’t prepared to have him in hers.

  ‘‘I’m not ready to start dating,’’ she said.

  ‘‘Too late. You already are.’’

  Chapter Seven

  Todd stretched back on the lounge chair and took a deep breath. ‘‘I hate to admit it, but you’re right.’’

  Beth sat on a matching chair to his right. Light spilled out from the kitchen and family room windows and there were a few floodlights in the plants surrounding the pool, but most of the area was in semidarkness. He thought about looking at his watch to check the time, but that would involve raising his wrist and he was way too tired. He guessed it was around seven-thirty in the evening.

  ‘‘About dinner?’’ she asked.

  ‘‘About everything. I’ve had a great time today, but I’m worn-out.’’

  ‘‘Gee, and here I’d had my heart set on dancing.’’

  He looked at her. ‘‘I didn’t know you still wanted to go out. I brought a suit. I can be ready in about ten minutes.’’

  She waved a hand at him. ‘‘Down, soldier, I was kidding. I’m as tired as you are. Right now I just want to lay here and relax. If only I had servants. One of them could come rub my feet.’’

  ‘‘I don’t mind doing that for you.’’

  He’d known the comment would embarrass her, but he couldn’t resist making it. Beth was an odd combination of a grown-up his own age and an innocent young woman. She had wit and intelligence, but he could make her blush without any effort.

  ‘‘Yes, well, isn’t that nice of you to offer.’’ She cleared her throat. ‘‘Maybe next time.’’

  ‘‘I’ll remember that.’’

  He heard a faint, strangled sound and smiled in the darkness. Another direct hit, although the best one had been when he’d taken her hand earlier that day. His action had been instinctive, but Beth had reacted as if he’d suddenly stripped off all his clothes and danced around naked. She’d tried to hide her shock, but her wide-eyed gaze and blushing cheeks had given her away. Her insecurities only made him like her more. He wanted to stay close enough to protect her from the dangerous men out there. Unfortunately, most people would say he then had to protect her from himself.

  ‘‘I don’t think you’d enjoy being seen with me tonight,’’ he said, returning to a safer topic of conversation. ‘‘What with me turning into a S
murf and all.’’ He glanced down at his stained fingers. So far, three thorough washings hadn’t made the color fade in the least.

  She laughed. ‘‘I thought about warning you that the ice flavors stained, but I didn’t.’’

  ‘‘Thanks. So my choices were the hot dog stand and sweating in the heat, or blue hands.’’

  ‘‘They look cute.’’

  ‘‘I’m sure my entire staff will share your opinion, and they won’t bother to keep it to themselves.’’

  ‘‘Do you want another drink?’’ she asked.

  ‘‘No thanks. I’m fine.’’

  He was, too. The day had left him pleasantly tired. ‘‘I had a good time,’’ he told her. ‘‘The gardening was interesting. I might have to get a couple of plants for my patio. I enjoyed the baseball game, but next time I want to watch Matt play more.’’

  He’d been relieved for a couple of innings, long enough to see Matt hit in the winning run. Despite his short acquaintance with the boy, he’d felt a swell of pride, as if he’d had something to do with the kid’s success.

  ‘‘The pool party was a shock,’’ Beth said.

  ‘‘It was loud,’’ he admitted. Matt and his friends had yelled and shouted as they dive-bombed each other in the cool water. ‘‘Next time I’ll bring a suit so I can join them.’’

  ‘‘Oh, you should.’’

  He glanced to his right. Beth’s voice had sounded a little strange. ‘‘You all right?’’

  ‘‘Oh, fine. Perfectly fine.’’ She cleared her throat. ‘‘I could order take-out. There’s pizza or Chinese. They both deliver.’’

  He sat up and faced her. After leaning forward, he grabbed her lounge chair and tugged until it was close to his, then he stretched out again. He slipped his hand down next to hers and laced their fingers together. ‘‘Better,’’ he said. ‘‘Now what was your question?’’

  ‘‘T-take-out,’’ she stuttered.

  He grinned. ‘‘I’m not hungry. I ate too many bagels while the guys were swimming. But we can order something for you if you’d like.’’