27. Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Six
Beth
Beth poised at the edge of her seat, spine stiff, and hung on Cassie’s every word.
“As humble as this may be, teens can learn from our mistakes. We are mentors, but it doesn’t mean we never fail or stumble. They will feel encouraged by your story if you turn it into a life lesson.” Cassie gave a gracious smile. “You’ll seem more human. They place mentors on pedestals sometimes, and that’s not healthy either.”
Beth took a sharp breath. “Maybe you should explain the situation. Your words have more weight.”
Cassie gathered papers on her desk and placed them to one side. “I think you’re old enough to handle this one on your own. Their hearts are like sponges. They aren’t like some judgemental adults.” Cassie winked.
“Lachlan’s going to stand by me on Saturday when I first face the team at Harbor of Hope, and answer any tough questions.”
Cassie gave a wistful sigh. “Oh, he’s so—what’s the word I’m looking for?—endearing and romantic—following you to Australia.”
Beth settled into the vinyl office chair and swiveled. “He’d already planned to come work on a working holiday. That was before I even spoke to him about my situation.”
Cassie’s hazel eyes widened. “Is that what you think? That’s not what Chris told me.”
Beth halted her chair’s rotation and perked her chin high. “What does Chris know that I don’t?”
Cassie playfully jiggled her necklace. “We’re not one hundred percent certain, but we worked out the timing of when Lachlan first contacted Chris about sponsoring him. Chris hadn’t heard from him in two years. From what you told me about the Facebook friend request, it happened around the same time. When you called me to say Nick had left you, Lachlan called Chris an hour later, and made firm arrangements for the visa application.”
Beth’s pulse quickened. Could Cassie be right?
“He’s here for you, Beth.” Her grin slid up her cheeks. “Not a holiday.”
“Lachlan has hinted that he’s interested in something more.” Like on the dance floor when her legs nearly gave way from the intensity of chemistry between them. And when he held her tighter as the words of the song washed over them.
Cassie gave a sideways grin. “What happened in San Diego? You’re reminiscing, aren’t you? Did you kiss him?”
“No!” But she might have if he’d tried. “Lachlan wouldn’t bust a move on me after I’d just been dumped. He’s very self-controlled, but the attraction between us is the same as two years ago. Undeniable—excruciating.” She’d get hot flushes just thinking about it.
Beth flinched at the sound of tapping on Cassie’s glass door. Lachlan waved from the other side. Had he just heard any of that? Beth covered her mouth and turned toward Cassie. They exchanged a bug-eyed look and burst out laughing. Lachlan lowered his arm, his cheeks turning pink. Cassie rushed to the door. “Oh, sorry, Lachlan. You just caught us in a moment.” She tugged on his wrist. “Come in, please.”
He shuffled inside, filling the space of the small office.
Beth touched her neck. “It’s okay. We weren’t laughing at you, we’re laughing because Cassie was gushing at how kind you’ve been by escorting me back home. We would only say good things behind your back.” She winked.
Lachlan stood taller and let out a whistled breath. “I’m glad about that.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his lop-sided grin melting her heart. “You sure know how to make a guy nervous.”
Cassie swung her hands behind her back. “So, are you here for the tour, or to take Beth to lunch?”
Lachlan looked between them, still a little unsure. “Whatever suits you.”
Cassie bit back a smile, and Beth suppressed a giggle. Lachlan usually seemed so confident. His uneasiness around women made him even more attractive right now.
“How about you tour with Cassie first. I need to chat with my students about why I’m back already.”
His forehead lined. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“Cassie said I should handle this one alone. They’ll respect me more.”
Lachlan nodded. “Okay. Come and get me when you’re done, and we’ll grab a bite to eat.”
“Sounds great.”
Beth left them to it and headed down the hallway. As she approached the main workstations, animated conversations became louder. She poked her head around the corner, and one by one, they stopped gas bagging, jaws falling open.
“Hi.” Beth gritted her teeth and waved. “I’m back,” she said in a singsong voice.
“Get out of town.” Chelsea slapped her ripped jeans and jumped to her feet. “You’re back, miss?”
If that meant Chelsea was happy to see her, Beth would take it. “I am.”
Nigel stood, his chair swinging in his absence. “I have sushi in the fridge.”
She chuckled. Oh, she loved these kids. “Group hug.” She opened her arms wide and rushed toward them. “I’m back for good. I missed you guys.”
Gothic Luke, Sanguine Ruth, Sushi Nigel, and Sassy Chelsea engulfed her in devotion. Why had she feared their response? They would never judge—only love on her, and she adored them right back.
BETH
The grumble of trucks and cars swooshed past as Beth and Lachlan approached the Dome café. Western Australia didn’t have Starbucks, and in Beth’s opinion, Dome had the better décor and atmosphere.
Lachlan put his hand to her lower back as she stepped up the stairs and entered the building. She savored every touch from him. Although they remained at friend status, Lachlan’s affection hinted they’d be more one day. And from what Cassie had confirmed, it wasn’t just Beth’s imagination.
The delicious aroma of coffee beans and oven-baked pizza stimulated her appetite. They could share a large vegetarian. A pizza date. A pizza-friendship-date. She smiled to herself.
After they ordered at the counter, they slid into an emerald leather booth, and faced each other. She wanted to reach out and hold his hands, but it was too soon. Slow down, girl.
Chips of amber sparkled in Lachlan’s eyes from the light coming through the window beside them. “I missed you these last few days.”
Her stomach flipped at his words. Lachlan sure wasn’t afraid of showing his feelings.
But she tried her best not to reciprocate too soon. Even though he seemed the real deal and she’d met his family. His sister, Kayce, couldn’t stop singing his praises when she’d hosted Beth for a day. Still, more time was wise. She’d played the fool and wouldn’t again. “I’ve been so busy. It’s as if nothing got done while I was away. Volunteers are great and all, but paying for admin equals performance in my experience.”
“I’d offer my help, but you’re right. I’d just goof around and distract you.”
Beth had become very aware of his distracting capabilities of late.
“How’s Bayside Manna? Busy?”
“Chris is transitioning me into the workload. He’s a great boss. My brother is jealous that I’m spending so much time with his old buddy. He and Mark hung out in the old days. I was the annoying little brother, always trying to keep up. I think Chris and I will be great friends.”
“That’s great. Cassie’s always bragging about him. He’s a doting father to Johannah.”
“Oh, she’s a little sweetie. I hear her playing on the swing set next to the granny flat each morning, singing made-up songs. ‘I love my family. Love daddy and mommy.’ Too much cuteness.”
Her ovaries swelled. “You like kids, then?”
“Hope to have a bunch, one day.” He flashed a smile that quickly gave way to seriousness. “You?”
“Definitely. Not six, like my parents. Too exhausting. Plus, my time is running out.”
He wrinkled his brow. “You’re thirty-three. Plenty of time.”
“Not for six children. I don’t want to be over forty and pregnant.”
“Cassie managed.”
“There’s a story behind that.”
His eyes widened. “Oh.”
She leaned back into the padded booth. “How many kids do you want?” She bit inside her cheek. Too late, she’d asked.
“Depends on my wife, I guess. I don’t have to give birth to them. Three would be nice.”
She smiled, satisfied with his answer. Three would be perfect.
He gave a lop-sided grin. “What?” The word stretched with his accent.
Oh, she couldn’t hide the smile playing about her lips. She didn’t want to talk about kids with Lachlan, but it was nice to know they were on the same page—just in case.
She fluttered her lashes in jest and gave a cheesy grin. “Nothing.”
“Something.”
“None of your business.” She wobbled her head.
“You sure?” He paused, but she wouldn’t give in to answering. “Women.” He huffed, his playful smile growing. “Who understands them?”
“We don’t understand ourselves, Lachlan. So, you have no chance.” She laughed. Flirting with Lachlan was so much fun. And she felt safe to do so. He respected boundaries and respected her.
A waitress in a black Dome apron gracefully placed their half-vegetarian, half-meat-lovers pizza between them.
They agreed on the number of children, but not pizza toppings. No deal breaker.
The lady collected their table number flag and left them to devour the goodness before them.
She held a slice high and let it come into a landing, not allowing any melted mozzarella cheese to drip over her chin. Cooked mushrooms and tangy pineapple ignited her tastebuds. The combination of barbeque sauce, avocado, and oregano added to the decadence.
“Hungry, are you?”
“This is so good.” She covered her mouth as she spoke. “How’s yours?”
“It’s meat-lovers. Can’t go wrong.”
How he liked pepperoni, she didn’t know. “To each their own. Wanna bite of mine and see how it is possible to enjoy a pizza without meat?”
“Absurd.” He mocked her. “But being hand-fed from you somehow sounds delicious.” He gave a cheeky grin.
Her face warmed. Lachlan mastered the flirting game. She stretched across the table and let him take a bite.
He nodded. “Not bad. So-so. Could use some bacon, then it would be perfecto.” He pinched his finger to his thumb.
She dramatically rolled her eyes.
They finished their pizzas in comfortable silence. Lachlan wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “Chris wants me to work Friday night. Lots of reservations. Can you pick me up for Harbor of Hope on Saturday morning?”
“Sure. It’ll be around seven, as I need to help set up the hall.”
He straightened. “I can help you.”
“That’ll be nice. Thanks.”
Lachlan edged forward. “Are you nervous about facing the team?”
“Word gets out pretty quickly. I’ve had a few sympathy calls. Mrs. Morrison brought over a lasagna. Sweet old lady.”
Lachlan leaned into his palm. “Well, that’s good, isn’t it?”
“Most of them will show understanding. I’m very loved. I’ll get a few strange looks. Ones of pity. Maybe a scolding from Nan Betty. Oh, and Tina—she’s fifty-two—she’ll give her unwelcome opinion. She does that about everything.” She covered her mouth. “Ooh. I shouldn’t say that about our volunteers. But if you stick around long enough, you’ll see what I mean.”
He raised his brows. “Oh, I plan to stick around.”
“So, you keep telling me.” She couldn’t hold back her wide smile.