29. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
LACHLAN
The next evening, Lachlan couldn’t shake off the uneasiness flowing through his veins. Working on a busy Friday night at Bayside should’ve been a perfect distraction, but instead, he’d dropped an expensive platter, overcooked a Sirloin, and messed up two orders within the first hour.
Kyle and Chris huddled in the corner of the kitchen, heads tilted together, having discussions. Kyle’s beady eyes flashed toward Lachlan and back. Chris nodded and flipped his cloth napkin over his shoulder and headed toward him. Lachlan swallowed. Here goes.
He grabbed a towel from the stainless-steel counter and wiped his hands. Kyle barked orders toward a junior at the sink. Rangehoods whirled, and steam rose from the main griller. All six staff worked flawlessly—all but him.
Chris approached with compassion in his eyes. He gripped Lachlan’s shoulder. “Dude, what’s going on?” His brown eyes bored into his. “Something up with you and Beth?”
Emotion clogged his throat. “How’d you guess?”
“Usually, you’ve got a love-struck grin on your face. Did you break up with her?”
He shook his head and scuffed the tiles with his boot. “We’re not even a thing. Nothing official.”
“You guys have a thing going on all right. Everyone can see it.” His brows drew together. “What happened?”
Lachlan shifted on his feet. “Nick sent her a letter.”
Chris’s eyes rounded. “What? After two months, he finally decides to contact her.” Chris clenched his jaw. “What did the mongrel want?”
Lachlan raised his hands. “Steady on. We don’t even know the guy.”
Chris’s neck reddened. “Anyone who abandons his fiancée in a country she doesn’t know is a flamin’ idiot. What’s in the letter?”
His chest tightened as he shrugged. “Beth hasn’t told me yet.” Why hadn’t she?
Chris bounced back an inch and frowned.
Marcus interrupted with a tap on Chris’s shoulder. “Chef, Jensen called in sick. Who do you want me to ask to replace him?”
“Um. See if Sam doesn’t mind coming in. If not, I’ll cover it.” Chris focused on Lachlan as Marcus strode through the swinging doors. “How come she hasn’t told you?”
“We were headed out to celebrate her upcoming article for the National . Then the receptionist handed her Nick’s letter. Beth didn’t want to ruin our lunch date, so she put the mail aside.” He scratched at the back of his hairnet. “Some celebration. We barely touched our food. When we got back, her Quokka story needed attention, and I had appointments all afternoon. Last night she led the study group at Youth Connect, but she didn’t call afterward. Every night we video call if we haven’t seen each other. No matter how late.”
Chris’s mouth lifted on one side. “Sweet.”
Lachlan let go of a smile. “Yeah, but—”
“But—you have nothing to worry about. She’s into you, man.” Chris leveled his gaze. “Nick’s in the past. You are her future.”
Lachlan rubbed the back of his neck. “Beth has a compassionate heart. What if Nick has asked for another chance? Promised her he’ll work on his issues. I don’t know how close they were. Maybe she really loved him and still does.”
“Buddy, why are we talking about this? Ask her. Put yourself out of your misery. Have the rest of the night off. Go see Beth.”
Lachlan shook his head. “You’re understaffed as it is. I can’t leave you in peak hour.”
“Bro, you’re breaking my best dishes and burning my premium cuts.” He chuckled. “I’ll save money. Go see your woman. Sort out your love life.”
Lachlan untied his apron and lifted it over his head. “Since you put it that way—I will.”
Once in his Barina, Lachlan sent Beth a text. Got off work early. Can I come see you?
He clicked his seatbelt and drove toward the outskirts of Fremantle. At the next traffic light, he tapped his phone. The message remained unread. Maybe she was talking to Nick? Had she been messaging him all last night? A sick sensation swelled in his belly. He glanced at his speedometer and took his foot off the pedal to slow down. Breathe. Beth isn’t going anywhere.
When he reached Beth’s front door, Melissa answered his knock. “Hey, there.” she blew her bangs from her eyes. “Beth’s not here.” Her Australian accent was strong.
Lachlan shoved his hands in his back pockets. “Do you know where she is?”
Melissa leaned against the doorway. “Said she was visiting her dad.” Melissa’s penciled eyebrows rose. “Are you okay? Your skin is a little patchy on your cheeks. Coming down with something?”
He rubbed his chin. “Maybe.” He stepped back. “I’ll give Beth a call. Sorry to disturb you.”
Melissa smirked. “All right. Take care, then.” She closed the door.
As he strode to his car, he whipped out his phone and speed dialed Beth.
She answered straight away. “Hi, Lachlan. Are you on break?”
He slowed his pace. “Haven’t seen my message?”
“I mustn’t have heard my phone ding.”
“I’ve got the night off. Wanna catch up?”
“Um. Hang on a sec.” Muffled voices came next. Winston and maybe her sister. “Okay. Let’s meet. Where do you want to go?”
“How about South Beach? We can go for a walk on the foreshore.”
“Argh—”
Was that uncertainty in her voice?
“All right. I can be there in ten minutes.”
“Great. See you soon.” He popped his trunk and grabbed his suede jacket. Spatters of grease covered his pants, but there was no time to change now. Inside his car, he rattled the contents of his glove compartment, searching for deodorant. Where was it? Papers fell to the floor along with other junk. He really needed to clean out his car. Life was busy with working at the restaurant a few nights and counseling during the day. He sniffed his armpit. Not bad. Next, he angled the mirror and fixed his hair. If he got it cut, he wouldn’t need a hairnet at work. But he enjoyed having it a touch longer for once. With the same style for five years in the Navy, it was a welcome change.
He turned the key, and the engine hummed as he exited Beth’s driveway. How would tonight go? Should he tell her he was in love with her? Beg her not to go back to Nick? Mints. Peppermint candy should be here somewhere. Wrappers crunched under his fingers as he patted near the gear stick. He found Extra chewing gum and popped one in his mouth, just in case. If he confessed his love tonight, he didn’t want to turn her off with garlic bread breath.
Lachlan spotted Beth at the water’s edge looking out to the deep blues of the ocean. The rhythmic pounding of waves on the shore didn’t soothe his soul as usual. The salty air brushed his face, the temperature slightly cool. A slight glow from the sunken sun remained on the horizon, but the parking lot lights lit the sand and the shoreline.
“Hello.” His voice echoed across the beach.
She twirled, and his heart missed a beat as he made his way down the sandbank. One day without hearing from her and he was a wreck.
The wind flapped a creased paper in her hand. He sucked in a breath. The letter.
Vivid blue eyes implored him, so he stepped closer. It was hard to read her expression. Reluctance? Was she going to announce she’d take Nick back?
“How are you?” His voice came out breathless.
“A little frazzled. A hectic couple of days.”
He scratched at his beard and stared at the paper. “Nick’s letter?”
A tear stained streak glistened on the side of her cheek as she nodded.
“Can you read it to me?”
Beth’s gaze shot to the ocean and she hugged the letter to her chest.
She was going to read it to him, wasn’t she? Beth owed him that much. Hadn’t he picked up the pieces of her shattered heart and escorted her back to Australia. Put his life on hold, waiting for her to fall in love with him. All for her to go back to—what? What had Nick promised?
“Can we sit?” Her whisper was barely audible over the crashing waves. The breeze played with her long hair. Beth’s heavy eyelids showed she clearly hadn’t slept. That made two of them.
He sat with his forearms resting on bent knees.
Beth nestled into the sand and angled toward him. “Nick didn’t make it to Jerusalem.”
Lachlan’s eyes widened. “Is he okay?”
“I’ll read you the letter.” She cleared her throat and held out the crinkled paper. “My Darling, Beth.”
Oh, he could puke right now. Surely, she hadn’t fallen for this.
“Last week, I finally got out of hospital, so please, forgive me for not contacting you sooner. I’m so sorry for leaving you that night. The biggest mistake of my life. I misunderstood you, but my mind is clearer now.
After I left the apartment, I stayed on the streets and tried to convince addicts to get off drugs. On the second night, a homeless guy stabbed me in the leg, and I ended up in hospital. The staff recognized that I wasn’t doing well mentally, and finally, I permitted them to call my mom.”
“Whoa. That’s terrible he got stabbed. But good Nick ended up in a hospital, and the red flags were raised.”
“Yeah.” She sighed.
“Sorry, go on.” He waved his hand.
“They transferred me to the mental health unit, but the mania was out of control by the time I made it to Emergency.”
Wow. He admitted he had mania.
“After some treatment, my mom visited me at the clinic. My heart broke when she said you returned the ring. Everyone in my life abandons me when things get tough.”
Hold on. Nick abandoned her. How had Nick twisted this around to be all about him?
She continued reading. “Beth, I need you. I will listen to the doctors this time and stay on the medicine. Destiny brought us together. You must believe it too because you promised to marry me. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
Lachlan’s fists clenched and his jaw hardened. How could Nick hold her to a promise when he’d left out vital details about his past?
Beth swallowed. “Tell me what I need to do for you to give me another chance. We can take things slow. It was wrong of me to rush you before. I can show you I’ve changed. Please forgive me and we can start over. Yours truly, Nick.”
Lachlan whistled through his teeth. “Wow. He sure laid it on thick and heavy.”
Beth glanced at him with unshed tears.
No—she’d fallen for it. His gut turned in knots. Surely her dad was opposed to this. Wasn’t Beth confiding in him tonight?
He was scared to ask, but he had to. “So, is that it? You’re going back to him?”
With narrowed eyes, she tilted her head “Lachlan . . . I made up my mind before I even opened the envelope.”
Of course, she had. Beth would feel obliged to keep her promise to Nick.
“Right back when we met his mother.” She touched his leg. “I’m not the one to rescue him. As you said—I was caught up in someone else’s dream. One that wasn’t real. I belong here.” A tear trickled down her cheek. She wiped it away. “This whole thing has helped me see the deepest part of my motivations. Sad to say—it wasn’t pretty.”
Lachlan faced her completely. She had his undivided attention.
“Exposing my flaws to you isn’t easy. But I’ve had the a-hah moment.”
She cupped some sand and let the granules seep through her fingers. “I’ve always lived in Dad’s shadow. Even at conferences, other leaders referred to me as Winston’s daughter—not the co-director at Harbor of Hope. I grew up in this one community and never left. I’ve been a bridesmaid three times, never the bride. But I had responsibilities and no time to partner. Simon needed help with his homework in the evenings. I ironed uniforms, packed lunches, and motivated the kids to do their chores. I was the mum.” Beth gave a small smile. “When things got easier, I helped with charity admin and fundraising events.”
“It’s one of the things that drew me to you, Beth. On the island, I was amazed how much you sacrificed for your family and the community. None of that was wasted. Your brothers and sisters are great people. You were the glue that held your family together.”
“I love my family. I have no regrets. I even enjoyed running the household. But it cost me. One day, I looked around, and all the good guys had been married off. It was too late. By the time I was free, no one was interested.” Her fingers drew in the sand, and she mumbled, “There was Braydon but he—wasn’t who I’d expected.” She shook her head. “Would say one thing but didn’t follow through on the integrity part.”
Beth tucked her knees under her chin. “When Nick came along, I allowed my vulnerability to open the door for irrational behavior. No way would I accept a proposal in two weeks when in my twenties.” She glanced at Lachlan and smiled. “I was Mrs. Responsible. How far had I slipped? Totally desperate.”
He touched her arm. “You’re being way too hard on yourself. Nick presented that he had it all. You thought you hit the jackpot. There’re studies that show people around someone who’s elevating get caught in the excitement. Even the silliness and joking are contagious until something doesn’t seem right, and before they know it becomes scary. That happened to you. Things didn’t add up in L.A. It could have happened to anyone, Beth.”
She wiped another tear away. “You’re too kind, Lachlan. Thanks for believing the best of me.”
He took her hands. “You are the best. I—love—being with you. My rare treasure. The one I want to protect and make sure you don’t get hurt again.”
“I won’t get hurt again. Or even consider giving Nick another chance.”
“So, what did you decide to say to him?”
“I thought you could help me word it with sensitivity. Can we go for that walk?
“Sure.” He stood first and helped Beth up. Then he brushed the sand off his pants. Lachlan shivered and rubbed his shoulder. Beth had a blue cardigan on, but it looked thin. “It’s starting to get cold. Do you want my jacket?”
“I’m okay.”
Lachlan circled her back briefly with his palm. “If you say so.” He dropped his hand, and they headed toward the yacht club. He let out a loud sigh. “Man, I was so worried about you.”
“Sorry I didn’t call you last night. Study finished later than expected. Then I was on a long call to Cassie.”
“She’s still number one for a go-to.”
Beth grabbed his hand and stopped him. “Hey. You’re my best friend, Lachlan. But you’ve got to admit—you’d be biased in this situation.”
He smirked. “Is that so?”
Beth raised a brow but said nothing.
“I drafted a reply to Nick.” She dug into her cardigan pocket, retrieved her iPhone, and opened the app. “Let me know if it comes across too harsh.” Beth wriggled her nose and walked as she read.
“Dear Nick,
Thank you for reaching out to apologize. I’m glad to hear you’re getting help. I was concerned about your safety. I assume you didn’t tell me about your diagnosis before because you didn’t agree with the doctors in the past. But you chose to leave out the details that you had married Tracy and why she really left you. How can I trust you after that?
In L.A., you weren’t open to receiving good counsel and advice from the pastor. If you’d allowed doctors, counselors, and your mother to help you, we might have had a chance to make things work. But, it's not my place to make sure you take your meds and worry about you taking off impulsively. I tried to speak with you about your decisions, but you dismissed my concerns. If you’re going to treat your illness seriously, you need to listen to those around you. Sometimes you won’t be aware that you are going off track. Like this time.
I’m sorry, but I can’t take you back, Nick. Not only because I would need to see long term change, but I realize that the life you want is not what I want. Living in my small hometown and serving my local community fulfills me. I don’t need a title or a spotlight on my name. It's clear you want to help people. Creating wealth to support international charities might be what you’re made for, but it’s not my vision. I’m okay with being a hidden team player, simply loving on people.
I hope you continue to seek professional help and become the stable person that your future wife needs. The perfect woman is out there for you. You’re a great guy. I don’t regret what happened because it revealed so much of myself.
All is forgiven. Our family continues to hope the best for you. You have a good heart and can have a successful life with the right support around you.
Take care,
Beth.”
Lachlan raked his fingers through his hair. “That must’ve been a tough one to write. It’s good. You need to tell him the truth. No use pretending. He needs to stick to his medicine and receive professional help. He could’ve been stabbed in a vital organ.”
“True.”
He shook out the cold from his arms. “Want to head back to the cars?”
“Yeah. I need to turn in early. I’m zonked.”
“I’ll be able to sleep tonight too. I shouldn’t have worried, but I was afraid I would lose you.”
She bumped her shoulder into his. “I’m not going anywhere, Lachlan”
He dipped his head and held her gaze. “Neither am I.”