Chapter 47
Dave found Beth at the edge of the parking lot with her shoes dangling from one hand.
The sight stopped him in his tracks.
In all the time he’d known her, he’d never seen her barefoot, and there was something unexpectedly endearing about watching her cautiously test the cool grass with her toes.
Her pale blue dress moved around her calves in the evening breeze, and several strands of hair had escaped whatever arrangement had held them in place for most of the day.
He walked toward her. “Lose something?”
Beth turned, and her face brightened when she saw him. “No. I found my common sense.” She lifted the shoes by their straps. “Whoever invented high heels had a grudge against women.”
“You could have worn comfortable shoes.”
Beth grinned. “I wanted to look nice.”
“You did.” The words came out before Dave had time to consider them, but he had no reason to take them back.
Beth’s smile softened. “Thank you.”
Behind them, lights glowed through the windows of the Lakeside Grill. Most of the guests had already left, and Kayla and Tyler had driven away twenty minutes earlier amid hugs, laughter, and enough advice about married life to keep them confused for years.
Dave nodded toward the lake. “Do you feel like taking a walk before we head home?”
Beth glanced at her bare feet. “Like this?”
“I promise not to report you.”
“Then lead the way,” she said.
They crossed the lawn toward the water. The day had been warm, and although the temperature was beginning to fall, the evening still held the softness of late spring. Small waves moved against the shore, while farther out, the lake reflected the last light in the sky.
For a while, they walked without speaking.
Dave had always appreciated that about Beth. Silence with her never felt awkward. They could walk side by side without either of them searching for something to say, and somehow he still felt as though they were sharing the moment.
Beth eventually released a contented sigh. “What a wonderful day. I still can’t believe everything went according to plan.”
Dave glanced at her. “You sound surprised.”
“I’ve organized enough events to know that getting through one without something happening is a miracle.”
“Well, Kayla and Tyler’s wedding was perfect.” Dave remembered standing in the church as Beth appeared beside Kayla and Ryan. He’d expected the bride to look beautiful, but he hadn’t been prepared for the sight of Beth walking beside her daughter.
There had been pride and happiness on her face, along with something deeper that Dave had understood without needing anyone to explain it.
“You looked pretty special walking down the aisle with Kayla,” he said.
Beth glanced at him. “I was concentrating on not crying.”
“You couldn’t tell,” Dave said, falling into step beside her.
Her laughter carried across the quiet lawn.
They reached a wooden bench overlooking the lake. Beth left her shoes beneath it before wandering closer to the narrow strip of sand.
Dave watched her lift the hem of her dress. “You’re not planning on going in there, are you?”
“Maybe.”
“It’s May,” Dave reminded her. “The water will still be freezing.”
Beth glanced over her shoulder, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I’m only putting my feet in.” She stepped forward just as a small wave rolled onto the shore.
Her squeal made Dave laugh. “I did warn you.”
Beth had jumped away from the water. “You weren’t convincing enough.”
“I’ll work on my delivery.”
Beth came toward him, and something inside Dave shifted.
Maybe it was the wedding or the peaceful evening after a day filled with people and celebration.
Or perhaps it was simply the sight of Beth standing barefoot beside Flathead Lake, looking happier and more carefree than he’d seen her in a long time.
Whatever the reason, he wanted more moments like this. Not special occasions or carefully arranged plans. He simply wanted more time with her.
Beth’s smile faded as she studied him. “What are you thinking about?”
Dave considered giving her an easy answer, but he’d never been particularly good at dressing up the truth. At sixty-five, he saw even less reason to start. “I was thinking about how much I like being with you.”
Her expression changed.
Dave moved a little closer. “Not because we’re working on something or because there’s somewhere we need to be. I like being with you when there’s absolutely nothing happening.”
Beth looked toward the lake before turning back to him. “I like that, too. Do you know what I kept thinking during the service?”
Dave shook his head.
“Kayla wasn’t afraid. She was nervous, but that wasn’t the same thing. She knew exactly what she wanted.”
Dave heard the wistfulness in her voice. “You envy that?”
“A little.” Beth gave him a rueful smile. “Certainty seems easier when you’re young.”
Dave sighed. “I’m not sure it is. When you’re young, you think you’ve got forever to fix a bad decision. At our age, we’ve learned that decisions matter.”
Beth gave him a doubtful look. “That isn’t especially comforting.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be.”
She laughed and gave his arm a playful nudge.
Dave caught her hand before she could move away, holding it gently against his chest. “I don’t need you to be certain about everything,” he said.
Beth’s amusement disappeared as she held his gaze. “What do you need?”
He considered the question before answering. “The truth.”
Beth stepped closer, resting her free hand against his shoulder. “I can give you that.”
Dave waited.
“I missed you today,” Beth whispered.
That wasn’t what he’d expected to hear. A puzzled smile tugged at his mouth. “I was there.”
“I know, and that’s what makes it ridiculous.” Beth laughed softly. “Every time something happened, I wanted to find you and tell you about it. Then I’d remember you’d seen it, too.”
Dave liked hearing that more than he could say. “I think that’s my favorite truth so far.”
A faint flush appeared in her cheeks. “I thought you might.”
There was more. He could tell. “What else?” he asked.
Beth glanced toward the restaurant before meeting his gaze again. “I kept wondering when we’d have a minute alone.”
Dave didn’t need anything more than that. He slid an arm around her waist and drew her closer. Beth came willingly, her hands settling against his chest as he lowered his head.
Their lips met gently at first. Then Beth leaned into him, and the kiss deepened.
Dave held her closer as her hands moved to his shoulders. There was none of the uncertainty that had accompanied their first kisses, no sense that either of them was wondering whether they should stop.
For those few moments, the rest of the evening disappeared. When they finally drew apart, Beth remained in his arms.
Dave rested his forehead lightly against hers and smiled. “You’ve affected my vocabulary. I can’t think of anything intelligent to say.”
“That would explain the silence.”
He laughed and kissed the corner of her mouth. Beth turned her head and caught his lips again, surprising another laugh from him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this happy simply being with someone.
Eventually, Beth eased back and glanced toward the restaurant. “As much as I’d like to stay here, I think they’re getting ready to lock us out.”
Dave followed her gaze. Several of the lights had already been switched off. “That might be a problem,” he said. “Especially since you left your purse and phone inside.”
Beth walked over to the bench and retrieved her shoes. “At least I remembered where I left these.”
“Good thing one of us is responsible.”
She straightened and gave him a pointed look. “And where did you leave your jacket?”
Dave opened his mouth to answer, then stopped. His jacket was still draped over the back of his chair inside the restaurant.
Beth’s smile widened. “That’s what I thought.”
She slipped her hand into his. “Come on. We’d better rescue our things before they lock the doors.”
Dave laughed and fell into step beside her.
As they crossed the lawn, he looked down at their joined hands. A few months ago, he couldn’t have imagined Beth becoming such an important part of his life. Now, having her beside him felt surprisingly natural.
He didn’t know exactly where their relationship was taking them, and for once, he didn’t need to.
Beth squeezed his hand and smiled up at him.
Dave smiled back. Whatever came next, he was looking forward to finding out with her.