by Debby Mayne
She might have a point, Pete thought. He bobbed his head. “Maybe I’ll think about getting a few things to spruce it up a bit.”
Pamela gave him a placating smile. “Okay, you do that. In the meantime, I’ll leave the three of you to discuss plans for tonight.” She took a couple slow, wobbly steps toward the door before turning around. “Oh, by the way, I’ve already paid for lunch, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
Both Bethany and Gina thanked Pamela in unison. After she left, Pete saw a visible release in tension.
“Did you ladies have fun?” he asked.
Gina nodded. “Actually, we did.” She told him about their morning spent distributing flyers and then having lunch with Pamela to give a recap. “She wants to know every single last detail, but I think that’s probably good since she’s the president.”
Pete saw Bethany’s forced smile. He cleared his throat. “I need to run, but let me know if there’s anything I can do to help out with this festival.”
Bethany nodded, but Gina held up a finger. “Ya know, there is one thing you can do.” She leaned over and pulled a small stack of flyers from her tote. “You can have your workers hand these out during their service calls.” The firm tone of her voice showed she expected nothing less than agreement, so he took them. As he walked out of the Pink Geranium, he pondered the idea that Gina just might eventually give Pamela a run for her money one of these days. She came across softer and more gracious, but he detected a steely determination beneath the surface.
Chapter 18
Bethany and Pete had just found their seats in the high school auditorium when they spotted Pamela on the other side of the aisle waving.
“Over here,” Pamela said. “We saved seats.”
Pete looked puzzled. “I thought Pamela was watching Lacy.”
Bethany laughed. “She managed to get my mom to do it instead. I think she wanted to keep an eye on all of us here.”
Pete leaned down and whispered, “Do you want to go over there or not?”
Bethany thought for a moment and shrugged. “We might as well join them. No point in hurting anyone’s feelings.”
Pete made a mock sad-puppy face. “I don’t think it would hurt anyone’s feelings if we sat somewhere else.”
“But Gina and Jeremy are over there.” Bethany gave him an apologetic look. “They’re still sort of new to Bloomfield, and I don’t want them to think we’re not friendly.”
Pete tilted his head. “They know we’re friendly.”
“Yeah, but—”
A slow grin of understanding spread across his lips. “You really want to sit with them, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, let’s go.” Pete took her by the hand and led the way toward the large group from the church and garden club. “Looks like most of the gang’s here.”
Bethany appreciated the fact that Pete didn’t mind giving in and doing what she wanted without kicking up a fuss.
Once they were seated, Pamela straightened her shoulders and lifted her hands. “Let’s everyone say a prayer for the kids who’ll be performing tonight.” She glanced around. “You can say silent prayers, but be very specific that everyone remembers their parts.”
The fact that Pamela’s control never ceased, even for silent prayers, wasn’t lost on Bethany. She started to bow her head but opened one eye to see what Pete was doing. His wide grin and wink before he bowed his head made her smile.
As they watched the high school kids play the parts of people older than anyone on the stage or in the audience, Bethany relaxed and allowed herself to enjoy sitting with friends she’d known most of her life. They weren’t perfect, but they all cared about each other.
Every once in a while, Bethany leaned around to gauge Gina and Jeremy’s reaction to the play. Gina seemed to enjoy the production more than anyone else. The story of Arsenic and Old Lace obviously caught her off guard. She laughed so hard Bethany had to reach into her handbag for a tissue. Gina accepted it, dabbed at her eyes, and continued laughing. Jeremy kept shaking his head as the women plied the elderly men with tainted elderberry wine. By the time the play was over, Gina had little makeup left on her eyes and cheeks.
“That was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen,” Gina said. “The kids were great. How often do they put on a play?”
“They generally present a couple of plays a year,” Pamela said. “I try to show my support by attending.”
Gina nodded. “I fully intend to do that too. How do I buy season tickets?”
“Just ask me,” Pamela said with a wink. “I always have extras.”
Once they walked outside to the parking lot, Pamela gestured for everyone to listen. “Why don’t we all head on over to Sonic and get something yummy to drink?”
Andy shook his head. “You know we can’t do that. Murray’s been by himself too long as it is.”
Pamela opened her mouth, but before saying anything, clamped it shut. She issued a clipped nod and shrugged. Everyone understood she knew better than to argue when Murray was involved.
Pete walked Bethany to his truck. “We don’t have to worry about Murray, so would you like to go somewhere?”
Bethany wanted to, but shook her head. “I don’t think so. We have church in the morning, and I’m pretty tired from handing out all those flyers this morning.” More than anything, she needed some time alone to regroup, even though the temptation to prolong her date with Pete was tempting. All this social stuff wore her out.
“Maybe lunch after church then?” The hopeful look on his face touched her heart.
She smiled and nodded yes. “That sounds good.”
“Want me to pick you up for church? No point in taking two cars, since we’re going to . . . hang out afterward.”
The more time Bethany spent with Pete, the more she could see herself in a relationship with him, but then his words about never settling down with one woman continued to ring through her head. Panic welled in Bethany’s chest, but she forced herself to accept his words at face value. After all, it wasn’t as though he expected her to commit to a long-term relationship. It was just lunch with an old friend—albeit a friend who kept chipping away at her heart.
The next morning, Bethany crawled out of bed before the alarm went off. She’d fallen asleep fairly easily, but she awoke at the crack of dawn with a smile on her face and a memory of Pete looking into her eyes as they stood on her doorstep. He looked like he wanted to kiss her but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate. So she’d done the only thing she could think of—stand on her tiptoes and plant a kiss on his cheek. She then turned around, unlocked her door, and waved good-bye as she closed it. She had stood silent as she listened for him to pull away.
Now she wondered what it would have been like to share a kiss that involved his lips on hers and his arms around her. She shuddered. Even the thought gave her a feeling of disloyalty to Charlie.
She’d just turned on the coffee pot when the phone rang. It was Naomi.
“Hey, Mom. What do you need?”
Naomi snickered. “So you think just because I called I need something?”
“Well, do you?”
A brief pause was all Bethany needed to know her answer. “There is one thing,” Naomi said. “My car wouldn’t start last night, so I wondered if you’d mind picking me up for church this morning. I figured I could have it towed to the mechanic first thing tomorrow.”
“I’ll need to call Pete and let him know,” Bethany said.
“Why do you have to do that?”
Bethany took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She really didn’t want her mother to assume anything that wasn’t there, but she didn’t exactly have a choice at the moment. “Pete offered to pick me up for church, because we’re going out for lunch afterward.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, but I�
�m sure he’ll understand if I call and change plans. He’s very understanding.”
“Yes, I know he is,” Naomi said. “I better run and get ready then.”
Bethany hung up, poured her coffee, and sat down at the table with it. She glanced up at the clock and figured it was a tad too early to call anyone, so she’d wait at least an hour or so to call Pete.
The next time her phone rang, she was surprised to hear her mother’s voice again. “Never mind picking me up. I’m riding over with some friends from the Village.”
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind.”
“And ruin your chance for . . . I mean . . . your plans with Pete? I don’t think so. Besides, I have some things to discuss with my friends.”
“Like what?”
“Normal stuff. You know, garden club business and the vegetable garden and the festival and a few other things.”
“Right.” Bethany smiled. “Okay, I’ll see you at church then.”
“But don’t feel like you and Pete have to sit with me.”
“Okay, I won’t.” Bethany hung up still smiling. Her mother was so obvious it was hilarious. And Bethany was reminded that Naomi didn’t miss a single opportunity to scheme.
Pete reached out to ring Bethany’s doorbell, but she yanked open the front door before he had a chance.
“I heard your truck in the driveway,” she explained.
“You look mighty happy.” Pete stood on Bethany’s porch, unable to take his eyes off of her. “I hope it has something to do with me.”
“Oh, trust me it does. You know I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with you.” Bethany stepped back to let him in. “Just wait until I tell you about my mother.”
As she relayed the information about how Naomi had called to ask for a ride but shifted gears after she found out Bethany was going to church with him, Pete’s heart sank. He realized Bethany was more amused about her mother’s behavior than she was happy to spend time with him.
“We can swing out to the Village and pick her up. I don’t mind.”
“I know you don’t,” Bethany said, as she looked up at him with her twinkling blue eyes. “But I know her well enough to know she wouldn’t even consider that as an option. She’s trying way too hard to get me out and about with my old friends.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Pete stopped and looked down at Bethany.
Her smile faded momentarily as she shook her head. “No, not at all. It’s just I don’t appreciate being manipulated by my mother.” She paused. “Do you?”
“No, of course not. At least not by my mother.”
“Or mine.” Bethany giggled. “So why don’t we behave totally scandalous and sit next to my mom in church?”
Pete couldn’t help but laugh. “Knowing Naomi, she just might get up and move.”
“Not if you sit next to her. She would never want to risk hurting your feelings.”
Bethany picked up her purse and strode toward the door. Pete followed right behind her, glancing around and noticing how much less clutter remained in the house. Bethany had obviously worked hard on clearing things out.
“You’re devious,” he said, as they slid into his truck.
“You like that about me, don’t you?” She cast a devilish smile in his direction, making him laugh again.
“Oh, yeah. The more you scheme, the more attractive you are.” He winked and started the engine.
“My mom and Pamela must be gorgeous if that’s the case.”
He thought about it and nodded. “You know, for women their age, they’re really pretty.”
Bethany thought about the difference between her mother’s and Pamela’s ages and realized that might have been part of the problem between the two older women. Naomi had always liked being in charge, and the only time Bethany had ever seen her defer to someone else was if the other person was her age or older. Pamela was a good twenty years younger than Naomi.
“Whatcha thinkin’?” Pete asked as he drove toward the church.
Bethany fidgeted with her purse strap. “I’m trying to sort out a few things.”
“I noticed how much work you’ve done in your house.”
She stilled and looked at him. “What do you think?”
He wasn’t sure how to answer, so he simply smiled and said, “Looks good. So how do you feel?”
“Much better.”
“I thought you might.”
She nodded. “Maybe that’s how it works. Clear away the physical clutter, and the mental clutter fades away.”
“Could be.” He pulled up to a stoplight and turned to face her. “If that’s the case, I should be in good shape mentally.”
“Why?”
“My apartment has absolutely no clutter.”
“How do you do that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t have much stuff.”
After he turned his attention back to driving, he noticed her studying him in his peripheral vision.
“Is that because you don’t like stuff, or is it to keep your place neat and tidy?”
“I never put all that much thought into it. I have the basics—a couch, a TV, and an end table in the living room. My bedroom has a bed, a nightstand, and a dresser.”
“Is that all?”
“Yup. That’s it for the furniture. Add a few dishes, some clothes, and a couple pairs of shoes, and that’s all I own. I don’t need anything else.”
“How about pictures?”
He pointed to his head. “I have all the pictures I need in here.”
“No wonder you think my place is a mess.”
“C’mon, Bethany, I never said that.” He pulled into the church parking lot. “I just—”
Bethany lifted her hand. “Okay, let’s end this discussion. I didn’t mean to put you on the defensive, but I’m afraid I have.” She opened her own door before turning to look at him. “Are you ready to face my mom and her coconspirator?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go.”
The church was packed when they arrived, so there were few places left for them to sit. Naomi generally sat toward the front, so Bethany led Pete down the aisle. When she spotted her mother, she pointed. “They’re over there. You go first so it won’t be so obvious.”
He took her by the hand and led the way toward the pew. Naomi glanced up first, and then Pamela turned to face them. “You barely made it on time,” Naomi said.
Pete waited for Bethany to sit before he eased down beside her. Naomi leaned over, grinned, and waved.
“Hi, Mom.”
“It’s about time you two got here,” Pamela said, as she leaned around Naomi. Andy visibly elbowed her in the side, so she turned and scowled at him before plastering a smile back on her face. “But why would you want to sit with us old folks?”
Pete leaned over. “You’re not that much older than us, Pamela, so watch what you say.”
Pamela started to respond, but Andy took hold of her shoulders and turned her around to face the front. Naomi pretended not to notice, but Bethany was fully aware her mother didn’t miss a thing. She never did.
Throughout the service, Bethany felt the current flowing between her and Pete as their elbows touched. Since there were so many people in the sanctuary, they shared a hymnal, obviously to Naomi’s delight. Occasionally, Bethany caught her mother openly observing them and looking satisfied.
After the benediction, Naomi whispered something into Pete’s ear, and his face instantly turned bright red. Bethany didn’t want to embarrass him further, so she decided to wait until they were safely in his truck before asking what her mother had said.
Chapter 19
Why did you keep jabbing me in the ribs?” Pamela folded her arms and glared at Andy as they stood by his car in the church parking lot.
Andy shrugged. “I thought it might be
best to keep quiet and let things happen on their own for a change.”
“Oh, yeah?” She tipped her head to one side, holding his gaze. “So you think things just happen on their own?”
He nodded. “If you let them.”
“What if nothing happens?” She glared at him, tipped her head, and folded her arms in a challenging stance.
He broke his gaze to unlock the car door and let Pamela slide in. “Then it’s not meant to be.” Before she had a chance to respond, he closed the door and went around to his side.
She wanted so badly to give Bethany and Pete a little prod in the right direction, but Andy’s constant elbow nudges kept her from doing what she did best. He obviously didn’t understand how relationships worked. Romance between two people who were eager to fall in love was easy. However, when one was shy and the other afraid, the whole game changed.
“By the way, we’re having some firefighters come over to the fire hall from other stations in the region, so I wondered if you could take Murray for the afternoon,” Andy said as he pulled up in front of Pamela’s house. “But I’ll understand if you can’t.” He sighed. “I just wish people would try to get to know him.”
“Stop trying to make people feel sorry for you and him.” She sighed as she turned toward Andy. “For how long?” She didn’t mind parrot-sitting Murray for a few hours, but the bird’s constant demands wore on her after a while.
“Someone can come pick him up before dinner.”
“Want me to take him to the fire hall later?” That way, she could make sure she wasn’t stuck longer than planned.
“If you don’t mind. That sure would make things easier. So you’ll do it?”
She nodded. “Of course. You know I will.”
“Good. I’ll drop him off on the way to work.” He started to walk away but stopped and turned to face Pamela. “You’re an amazing woman, which is why I appreciate you so much, but there are times when . . .” He glanced around before looking back at her. “I’m not so sure you know when to stop.”