Meant to Be (RightMatch.com Trilogy) (19 page)

“This is above and beyond.”

“No, it’s not. But I’m going to ask one thing in return. If you find out what’s bothering Cole, encourage him to talk to me and Joe.”

“All right. I’m not too worried about it as long as you’re sure he wants to marry me.”

“Of course I’m sure. Positively.”

o0o

By Thursday, Cole was so sick to his stomach, he picked up his cell and punched in a number. He had to share what was happening to him and he knew one person who would help him look at this clearly and without judgment.

He met her at The Red Apple and when she entered the room—he’d already gotten a table—tears welled in his eyes. She reached him, wheeled up next to him and took his hand right away. “Tell me why you look like you’re going to burst into tears, Cole.”

“I’m so scared, Dana. I can’t contain it anymore.”

“Then I’m glad you called me.” She situated herself under the table. “Let’s get some coffee first.” Ludicrously, he noticed she ordered decaf, probably because she was still breastfeeding. He went for high test because he was hardly sleeping.

After the waiter provided drinks, she asked again, “All right, what’s going on?”

“Johanna Carlson called me Sunday and asked to meet me.”

“Why does that name sound familiar?”

“She’s Ellie’s birth mother.” Again his eyes welled. “Dana, she wants Ellie back.”

The spoon Dana was stirring her coffee with clattered to the table.
“What?”

“I know. It’s inconceivable to me, too. The guys are right about me—I’m so idealistic, so optimistic. After so many months, it never entered my mind she’d come back to claim Ellie. I wish I saw more of the bad in the world. I might have been better prepared.”

“Seeing the good in life is one of your best traits. But let’s ditch that. Did you talk to your lawyer?”

“Uh-huh.” He related the details of what Marcus had told him.

“Cole, that’s good news. He wouldn’t lie to you or give you false hope.”

“Like you said when Mikey came early, there are flukes in the world that change your life irrevocably.”

“And look how that worked out for me. But I can understand this would upset you. I’d freak if our roles were reversed.”

“It’s eating me alive inside.”

“What does Beth say?”

Cole just stared at her.

“Aw, no, don’t—You haven’t told her?”

He shook his head.

“Why?”

“Remember when we talked about her distancing Ellie?”

“Yeah, you said it was because she was afraid to get involved with the baby.”

“She loves Ellie now. I don’t want her to go into a tailspin over this and postpone the wedding.”

“Oh, Cole, you can’t marry her with this secret hanging between you.”

He felt the panic again. “I can and I will. I need her more than ever. If something went wrong about the custody…”

“Beth loves you. She’ll stick by you, no matter what.”

“I’m not telling her. My mind’s made up.”

“Cole, why did you call me? Confide in me?”

“Because I know I’m not seeing things clearly and I thought you could help.”

“Which supports my point. You’ve got to tell Beth before you’re married. She’ll never forgive you if you don’t.
That’s
what you’re not seeing clearly.”

o0o

Light, airy with a sea motif, the Beach Crescent Restaurant on one of the huge great lakes in Rockland had been chosen for a shower organized by Annie and Dana. The guests included Ava, Kara, Kaelyn, Hope, MJ, the Inn’s chef, their night manager and Carolyn, from the shelter. They’d all come together to celebrate Beth’s wedding to Cole in less than a week. The shower seemed foolish and unnecessary, but in truth, Beth appreciated having people she loved celebrate the joy of her upcoming nuptials.

Dana wheeled up behind her, where Beth stood staring out at the waves crashing and pounding against the dock. Winter on Lake Ontario was more fierce than her gentle Honey Lake. “Penny for your thoughts.”

Beth remembered Cole asking those exact words on the way to Ava’s that day she gave him such a hard time. Beth pivoted. “I was thinking about Cole. He seems distracted these days.”

“Since the christening, really. I agree.”

“I know he’s close to you Dana, and I’d never want to interfere with that, but I’m worried about him. I won’t ask you if he told you anything, but is he okay about the wedding?”

“Yes. More than okay. He’ll do anything to marry you.”

“Last night, he had a bad dream and woke up screaming. That’s not like him. He’s so…happy all the time.”

Before Dana could respond, Annie called her away and Beth headed to the ladies’ room. She couldn’t shake the memory of Cole’s nightmare and it made her shiver.…

Beth had spent the night at his apartment after she’d gone to see Spence. Like everything else, she’d given in on staying with him when Ellie was in the house, but the notion didn’t make her angry. Actually, her hesitance seemed silly now. The baby slept soundly, and they’d made breathless love before falling into a deep slumber.

Around two a.m., Cole started moving restlessly enough to wake her. First, he kicked off the blankets. Then he turned over, making the bed move like a body of water. She tried to settle back down, but he began mumbling. “No…I won’t let you…she’s mine…go away…we’re fine.”

Beth had braced herself on her elbows to listen better. More of the same until he started yelling, “Joe, Joe, don’t.” It didn’t make sense unless he was worried about Joey. But everything was fine with him, Dana and the kids.

Finally she shook him. “Cole, honey, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.”

He awoke with a start, bolting up so fast he knocked her back on the mattress. When he realized what he did, he reached for her. “Oh, wow, Beth. I’m sorry.”

She scrambled to her knees. “Tell me what’s wrong. You had a terrible dream. You were calling Joey’s name but saying something about
she’s mine.
Were you fighting with Joe about me?”

“Um, maybe. It’s all fuzzy.”

Despite the late hour, Beth turned on the bedside lamp, throwing his room into stark relief. It was big for an apartment, with a huge bed and dressers. They weren’t going to live in his apartment, though. They’d decided to reside in the big yellow house next to the Inn, at least for a while. Cole had helped her past her qualms about living in the home she shared with Peter. “Cole, what’s bothering you? You’ve been preoccupied all week and sleeping fitfully.” She bit her lip. Despite Spence’s and Dana’s reassurances, she asked, “You aren’t, like, having second thoughts, are you?”

His brow furrowed. He was naked and his hair had gotten even longer, so he looked like a mussed hero on the cover of a romance novel. “Second thoughts about what?”

“Marrying me.”

Gently, he ran his knuckles down her cheek. “No, never. I love you. I want to spend my life with you.”

He’d spoken so vehemently, she’d been simultaneously relieved and a bit frightened…

“There you are.” The door to the ladies’ room had opened and Ava stood in the entranceway. “Mom, what are you doing just sitting here in the lounge?”

Beth hadn’t realized she had dropped down on the divan in the pretty peach-and-white outer area and was deep in thought. “Thinking about how my life’s going to change in a few days.”

Her daughter sat beside her. “You’re still sure you want to marry Cole, right?”

“Of course. And thanks for coming today.”

She donned an expression of Peter’s. “They’ve seduced me.”

“Who?”

“The whole family. They’re all so sweet, and I really admire Dana.”

“I’m glad you’re happy about the wedding.”

“How can I not be? You are, they are, the whole world seems filled with joy about these nuptials.” She squeezed Beth’s arm. “I still have some reservations about your age difference, Mom, but I’m working on them.”

“I know, honey.”

Now Ava sighed. “Mark thinks I’m jealous. I’ve had you to myself since I was nineteen and now I have to share you.”

“Oh, Ava, you’ll always be first in my heart. You and Rob. Cole knows that. He feels the same about Ellie.”

She brightened. “I’m excited about sitting for her when you’re in Jamaica.”

Of course Cole had picked the island to honeymoon. Beth would never forget their first weekend together. Soon they’d actually be in the exotic spot they’d fantasized about.

Ava stood. “Come on. They sent me to find you. It’s time for brunch.”

Banishing her negative thoughts—and smiling about Jamaica instead—Beth followed her daughter out to the dining area. Annie directed her to go first and she chose a fluffy Belgian waffle, scrambled eggs and her favorite, Canadian bacon. When she sat down, Annie set a glass of champagne in front of her. “Enjoy it for me, will you?”

“Of course. How are you feeling?”

“Anxious now that Dana’s had little Mikey. But I hope I don’t have this one until you’re back.”

“What a sweet thought, Annie.” Ava was right. Cole’s family was wonderful.

Brunch was fun, surrounded by all the people she loved. Beth was glad when Anabelle Brooke, her friend and the minister who would marry them, arrived and dropped down next to Beth in a chair Annie vacated.

“Beth, sorry I’m late. Hospital visit.” The woman was beautiful with pretty blond hair and snapping blue eyes. Though she didn’t go regularly, Beth attended the church where Anabelle gave thought-provoking sermons.

After the meal, Beth was set up in a chair in front of the wide expanse of windows so everyone could watch her. At her feet were Joe’s girls and Hope, who would fetch the gifts for her to open.

Shy little Kaelyn gave her the first one. “This is from me and Kara.”

“Thanks, honey.” Before she opened it, Beth looked down at the package. “Oh, Kaelyn, did you draw this?”

“Yep. I looked up pictures of Jamaica on the internet. That’s what it looks like.”

“You are so talented.” Careful not to rip the wrapping, she eased it off and found a big box with a smaller envelope inside. It was a card, which read, “Ten free babysitting nights. At Dad’s and Dana’s.”

Kara said, “Dana told us keeping Ellie at our house would be a good gift, so you and Uncle Cole could keep celebrating your wedding.”

She caught Dana’s gaze and smiled knowingly.

Dana winked at her. “You can return the favor anytime.”

Beth laughed. “I’d love to have Mikey and the girls, so you can, um, celebrate, too.”

Annie’s present was next. As she took off the top of a prettily wrapped box, she saw bright colors. Lifting out the clothes, she found a sarong bathing suit cover-up and a sexy bikini with big flowers on it. “Oh, Lord. I haven’t worn a bikini in years.”

“You’ve got a great figure,” Annie told her. “And Cole will love this.”

Beth smiled with the warmth and thoughtfulness of the other gifts: a couples’ massage at the resort where’d they stay; beauty products, which Hope contended she didn’t need: “You’re so pretty already, Aunt Beth.”

For a minute, she was startled by the nomenclature. “Thanks, sweetie.”

MJ, who was all smiles today, gave her a sexy nightgown.

By the time the shower ended, the dark thoughts that had plagued her earlier were gone. She had a new family, a wedding and honeymoon to look forward to and a wonderful life ahead of her. She’d concentrate on that.

o0o

On Thanksgiving morning, Cole felt better than he had in two weeks. For one thing, he hadn’t heard from Johanna since the christening day. He’d tried to phone her on his cell, where her number was stored from her call to him, but there was no answer on her end and no machine to leave a message. If he tried really hard, he could almost pretend her visit and her threats hadn’t happened.

So as he stood at the front of the small church on Honey Lake, he promised himself he’d enjoy today—his first and only wedding.

Joe and Spence flanked him, dressed in dark suits. Cole had bought a navy blue one that Beth said brought out the color of his eyes. Neither had wanted the formalwear of tuxes. Both his brothers were joking with him before the processional started.

“You’re one lucky stiff,” Joe whispered as Ava appeared in the back of the chapel, wearing a long-sleeved, deep red dress.

“And you don’t deserve her,” Spence added.

“Gimme a break. If you deserve the women you got, I deserve Beth."

Ava reached the altar and Cole saw she was sniffling. He caught her eye and winked. She gave him a watery smile. Thank God she’d given up her crusade against their marriage.

The guests quieted when Beth, on Rob’s arm, appeared in the back of the church. Cole’s jaw dropped at the vision she presented in a pink dress, which flowed around her calves when she started down the aisle. Behind her ear, he saw a deep pink hibiscus, which made him grin. She was also beaming. No tears for either of them today. Cole thanked God he’d found this lovely woman. His bride!

When Beth reached the altar, he felt only joy and optimism. He was getting exactly what he wanted, other than Ellie, more than anything else in the world.

Beth turned to her son, kissed his cheek, and Rob gave her hand to Cole with a brilliant smile of his own. “Take care of her buddy, or I’ll have to break your legs, no matter how much I like you.”

Those on the altar chuckled, including Ava. Cole linked Beth’s arm with his and said, “Ready, sweetheart?”

“Yes, love.”

They took their places in front of Reverend Anabelle, who nodded to them and to the small group in the pews. “Welcome to this special day for Cole and Beth.”

Anabelle spoke of love and partnership, of the joy of joining your life with someone who’s your soul mate, and then asked the simple words that would bind Cole and Beth together.

“Do you, Beth Montgomery, willingly give your life, your love and your full support to this man, Cole Matheson?”

“I do,” Beth said solemnly. Still no tears.

“Do you, Cole Matheson, take this woman, Beth Montgomery, as your partner through the joys and tribulations of your future?”

“Oh, I do. I do. Very much.”

A rumble went through the crowd at his exuberance, but he couldn’t help himself.

“Then exchange rings.”