Stargazing (The Walker Family Book 2)

by Bernadette Marie

It might be worth calling the front desk to ask if they had another room. Having her in his bed, half naked, was going to drive him absolutely mad.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bethany woke with a pounding headache. She sat up slowly and rested her head in her hands.

  She’d made a mess of everything yesterday, including her date with Kent.

  Kent.

  When she looked around, he wasn’t there. Had she scared him away? Forced him to leave his own hotel room?

  With that in her head, she looked around for her dress, which he’d hung up in the closet. She pulled it from the hanger, stripped out of the T-shirt, and slipped on the dress.

  After a quick glance in the mirror, she realized she looked as bad as she felt. Dark circles had formed under her sunken eyes. Her skin wasn’t a normal color either.

  A very deep seeded worry began to creep into her. She’d seen her mother’s transformation from vibrant to dead. How could she possibly look like her mother had?

  Turning on the water, she splashed her face to wash off the previous night. She swished water in her mouth to dilute the taste.

  With her fingers, she attempted to settle the curls, opting to braid her hair instead.

  One more look in the mirror and she realized nothing had helped. Who would want to cast her in any movie?

  No one—and that was why she was in Georgia in the first place.

  Bethany gathered her shoes in her hand and flung her purse over her shoulder just as the door opened and Kent walked through.

  “You’re up,” he said with a smile that quickly faded. “And you’re leaving.”

  “I thought I ran you off. I should just go home and get…”

  His eyes narrowed. “Why don’t you sit down for a few more minutes. I brought some coffee, some juice, bananas, muffins.” He nodded to the paper bag he had in his arms. “Let’s have some breakfast and then I’ll give you a ride home.”

  Her stomach clenched at the very thought of food. But she knew she needed to eat. If she was going to break the chain of destruction her mother had programmed her with, she needed to start now.

  Bethany set her purse down on the bed and followed Kent to the table where he set out a little buffet.

  “I didn’t know what you’d eat. I got a little of everything I thought would be okay for an upset stomach.”

  “I’m sorry about last night,” she said reaching for a banana. “I hadn’t eaten all day and I got carried away. And the wine…”

  “You don’t have to apologize to me.” He picked up a muffin and began to peel back the wrapper. “I called Susan last night to tell her you were sick and that I was taking care of you.”

  Bethany bit into the banana and chewed slowly. “Did she even care?”

  His brows narrowed together. “Of course she cared. Why wouldn’t she?”

  “I’m sorry,” she rested her elbow on the table and her head in her palm. “I’m used to people throwing you to the curb when you mess up. When you’re not perfect.”

  “I’ve never met a perfect person in my life.”

  “You didn’t grow up under the scrutiny of Hollywood.”

  “Thank God.” He set his muffin down. “Come on tour with me.”

  Bethany stared at him, the banana poised at her mouth for a bit. “Go with you?”

  “I have four stops next week. Come with me.”

  “I don’t…”

  “You don’t need to answer me right now. Well, by tomorrow you do.” He winked. “But get away from here for a few days. Let the dust settle between you and Susan.”

  She took another bite of the banana and thought about what he was asking.

  “You don’t know me,” she said.

  “I can’t think of a better way to get to know you.”

  Bethany sat back in the chair and studied him. His eyes were fixed on her—and she knew what she looked like. It didn’t seem to bother him that she could easily be mistaken for a zombie.

  Taking another bite of her banana, she thought about it.

  “If I’m not working—I don’t have anything. The Walkers might be well off enough, but I was never considered a…”

  “I have enough to see us through. You’d be my guest.” He reached across the table for her hand. “I can give Susan some money for the rent too. Whatever it would take to have you join me.”

  The tremble started from her toes and soon her entire body was shaking from nerves. This man wanted to spend time with her. He wanted to be alone with her and he had nothing to gain.

  “I’m meeting my father for lunch today,” she said as she remembered. “Would you mind if I gave you an answer tonight?”

  Kent eased back in his seat. “That would be fine.”

  He took the lid off his coffee cup and blew the steam away as she finished the banana.

  “And Bethany,” he said raising the cup to his lips. “I won’t be hurt if you say you won’t go with me. I’d still like to see you when I get back. I think we might have a little something between us.”

  She bit down on her lip. “You’d come back to Georgia?”

  “I’m finding I like it here quite a bit.”

  ~*~

  Susan wasn’t home when Bethany walked through the door. Perhaps it was best. She’d have some time to get ready for her lunch with her father. It would also give her time to work on the apology she needed to give to Susan.

  Bethany stepped into her shower and let the water wash off the night. It should have gone better than that, she thought. Kent shouldn’t have seen her at her lowest, but he had. The more amazing part was he didn’t seem put off by it.

  She lathered shampoo into her hair and worked it around.

  Thinking about his invitation, she realized no one had ever invited her to go away with them. She could still remember the look on her cousin Eric’s face when she asked to stay the night on his couch. She was use to her presence being a nuisance.

  Then she thought of Susan. She hadn’t been a nuisance to her. She’d invited her to live with her having only known her for a few hours. They’d worked very well together until Bethany blew that.

  She rinsed the shampoo from her hair, finished her shower, and stepped out. Wrapping the towel around her, she felt the hard reality of guilt land solidly in her stomach. It was a horrible feeling.

  As she took another towel to wrap around her head, she noticed the bottles of pills still in her trash can from when she’d thrown them all there.

  She wrapped the towel around her hair and looked down at them. They needed to stay there. She needed to carry them out to the trash can and say goodbye to them, but it was like seeing a part of her mother lay there in the trash.

  Later. She’d deal with it later.

  Right now she needed to get dressed for lunch with her father. If Susan happened to arrive before she left, she’d be ready to grovel.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bethany felt right in her dress, pearls, heels, and makeup. Her hair flowed over her shoulders and the scent of her perfume lightened her mood. A little chain strap to the cute clutch hung over her shoulder. One thing she’d always enjoy, no matter if she were in Georgia or California, was a little glamour.

  She could hear noise from the kitchen as she descended the staircase. It was calm noise, she decided. Not like the sound of pots and pans from the previous morning.

  With care, Bethany slowly walked into the kitchen where Susan stood steeping a cup of tea as she scrolled through Facebook on her iPhone.

  “Hello,” she said softly and Susan raised her head and smiled.

  “Hello. How are you feeling? Kent said you were sick.”

  Bethany forced her shoulders to ease, releasing the tension in her neck from her nerves.

  “I was worked up. Too much wine. Too much pasta. I’m fine now.”

  “Good.”

  Bethany walked further into the kitchen. “I want to apologize for yesterday. I was a mess and I know I cost you more jobs and probably a great deal
of money, which I can’t make up either. You’re very important to me and I’m sick over it all.”

  Susan set her phone on the counter and turned toward her. “It was like you weren’t even you yesterday. I was really scared when I couldn’t wake you up.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Susan took a step toward her, gathered her hands in hers, and looked her right in the eye. “I know how your mother died, Bethany. Trust me. I checked you out before I let you move in.”

  Bethany could feel the air in her lungs begin to gather and it felt as though she were being choked.

  “I need to know,” Susan continued. “Are you taking drugs?”

  The air released with a great force, causing her to suck in another breath, which she did choke on.

  “You’re accusing me?” she asked, her voice cracking.

  “I’m asking. I’ve never seen anyone not wake up when someone touches them.”

  Bethany thought about that. She’d seen it—only when she’d touched her mother, she never, ever woke up.

  “I had a restless night and I took a sleeping pill.”

  “Sleeping pills? Bethany…”

  “I know. That’s how she eventually died, but it’s not like that. I don’t take them every night. I don’t take too many and I don’t follow them down with vodka. It was only half of one too.”

  Susan pulled her in and held her tightly. “Please tell me you don’t do that often. I’ll stay up with you if you need me too. I’m so worried.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about,” she said pulling back. “I’m fine. Sleep is hard for me. I have nightmares. I left a lot of crap back in California and then I come out here only to be attacked by my mother’s ex-lover. You don’t just get to move on from all of that.”

  Tears rolled down Susan’s cheeks. “I didn’t think about all that. Douglas isn’t going to hurt you anymore.”

  “I know that.”

  “What happened in California?”

  Bethany’s phone buzzed in her purse. She dug it out and looked at the text. “Dad is waiting for me.”

  “Bethany…”

  “We’ll talk later,” she said tucking her phone back into her purse. “Are we okay?”

  “Of course we are. And you can have your job back. I shouldn’t have flown off the handle like that.”

  “Thanks,” Bethany said with a smile. “I don’t hold it against you. I deserved it.” She turned to leave, but then turned back. “I guess, if I’m employed again, I’d better ask for some time off.”

  “Why?”

  “Kent asked me to travel with him next week.”

  The tears had dried and Susan grinned. “So the two of you are really seeing each other?”

  Bethany shrugged. “He took care of me last night and he didn’t seem put out.”

  “He seems like a really genuine man.”

  “I think he is.”

  “Are you going with him then?”

  “Should I?”

  Susan laughed. “You’d better get going. Your dad is waiting.”

  Bethany nodded and left with a small wave. Things had been mended between her and Susan, but she still didn’t have an answer as to whether she should go with Kent or not.

  ~*~

  How come TV during the day was so lame, Kent wondered. He rested against the headboard, pillows stacked under him, and his computer on his lap.

  The morning had been very productive when it came to getting some writing done. He’d plotted out the beginning of his next book, but he knew that was just clearing his mind. Even when he plotted out books, they never ended the way he’d planned. Characters had a way of telling the story themselves. He was just the channel they used to get their story told.

  Now he was wasting time. The TV was usually never on when he worked, but today he wanted its distraction. He’d walked down to the coffee shop and ordered a pricey drink, which was now sitting on the table getting cold. Again, another attempt to avoid getting his writing done.

  The truth was he wanted to call Bethany and check in on her. He wanted to see if she’d talked to Susan. He wondered how she was feeling. Simply put, he missed her.

  Kent growled. He had a tendency to get a bit obsessive over things he found of interest. It started with a Rubik’s Cube years ago. Once he’d learned to solve them then he had to have every kind. Then it was speed and competing. Next it was gaming. How many hours had he spent looking at a stupid TV, some days never seeing sunlight? Then it was golf and finally writing, which he obsessed over more than anything else in his life—well, that was until the day he met Bethany Waterbury.

  Okay, it was new. He enjoyed her company. Craved her kisses. Loved the scent of her—well everything about her.

  Sure, last night was disappointing. No one wants their date to be throwing up after dinner. Sooner or later every relationship has that day where they see each other sick. One of them steps up and takes care of the other. So that was the second date—or what he was considering their second date.

  Kent poised his fingers over the keys on his computer. Obsession would be if he started digging for information on her. She was an actress—a famous actress. The Internet had to be full of things about her.

  He typed in her name on a Google search and then stopped before entering.

  She’d tell him anything he’d ever want to know. He was sure of that. All he’d have to do was ask and engage her in conversation.

  His finger twitched over the enter key.

  She was part of the Walker family. He could look them up. What harm would that do? It sounded as though they were a big name in the area. And the Walkers, Eric specifically, was related to Lydia, so he could look into her too. She was fascinating. He loved women who were entrepreneurs. What about Bethany’s sister with the bridal store? He could look into her store.

  Suddenly he had an entire day of Internet surfing planned and he didn’t even have to actually look up Bethany Waterbury.

  ~*~

  Bethany walked into the restaurant and scanned the tables for her father. The sophisticated man sat at a corner table. He’d donned a sports jacket and the large watch on his wrist caught the sun. His hair was whiter than she’d remembered and hadn’t she only seen him a few weeks ago?

  She realized she’d never really studied him, as she was doing now. He hadn’t been prominent in her life and she’d never cared to really take the time to get to know him.

  Well, that’s what she was doing now. Getting to know him. Finding out who she was. Learning to be part of a family that embraced the very meaning. Falling in love.

  That one caught her off guard as she let the words flow through her mind. Falling in love wasn’t in her plans and she’d only just met Kent. How could she even possibly have let that into her conscience?

  Bethany shook off the thought as her father looked up from his phone and toward the door. When he saw her he stood and moved to her.

  “I thought you’d changed your mind,” he said taking her hands and kissing both of her cheeks. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Sorry. I’ve had a crazy week. I’m a little out of sorts and running late everywhere.”

  “You’re just fine and you look beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she replied with a smile. She was grateful for the opportunity to get to know the man whose blood coursed through her body.

  “You look so much like your mother,” he added as he escorted them to the table. “She was so beautiful.”

  “You still think of her that way,” she asked as he pulled a chair out for her and she sat down.

  Her father took the seat next to her. “Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “With all the things she did? Douglas Brant for one.”

  Her father nodded slowly, picked up his water glass, and took a sip. “We all have our shortcomings. It’s very obvious I have my own.” He set the glass down and clasped his hands together. “What she did doesn’t belittle who you are. You are very beautiful. You
are very talented. And I’m very happy you’re here so I can get to know you. I didn’t get the chance to do that before now.”

  “You never came around,” she said bluntly as she picked up her own water and took a sip to soothe her throat. She was finding it hard to not be so curt with him.

  “You’re right. I was asked not to. And once I learned what a lunatic Douglas was, I didn’t want you around either. For your own good. So much that did.”

  “You couldn’t have known he’d attack me. Besides, Eric lost a lot more than I did. I didn’t get shot. I didn’t lose my business or my house.”

  “I know. He didn’t deserve that.” He rested his hand on hers. “I want to start with a clean slate, you and me. I’ve heard that you’re staying in Georgia. Your sisters are enthusiastic about your plans.”

  “I am staying. I think family is what I need right now.”

  “Jake says you’re seeing someone?”

  Bethany stared at her father. “How would he know that?”

  He smiled. “You may be working your way into the family, but the rest of them are solidly entwined. Word gets around fast.”

  She secured a solid smile and took a breath of courage. “I have gone out with Kent Black a few times.”

  Her father’s eyes widened. “The author? They didn’t tell me that part.”

  “He’s just a normal guy. There is nothing any more special about his career than mine.” She thought about that. “My old career that is.”

  “You’re giving up acting?”

  “I acted because it was expected from the daughter of Violet Waterbury. It’s time to make my own path.”

  He patted her hand and then sat back in his chair. “I’m glad to hear that. I was as worried about you in California as I was having you come out here.”

  Bethany crossed her arms over her chest. “You worried about me. I’m sure you’ll understand if I’m a bit defensive about that. Receiving a check on my birthday and Christmas wasn’t really like having you around.”

  That got to him, she saw the flash of it in his eyes.

  The waitress approached the table and took their order. Knowing she didn’t care what was on her plate, Bethany ordered whatever her father had ordered.