A Bride Worth Waiting For

by Jeanie Smith Cash

  “He was getting antsy for you to get here you know how he worries, so I sent him to town to get the mail and to run a few errands. He’ll be back before dinner.

  “Yes, I know how protective he is and I love him for it. I can’t wait to see him. Are the other girls here yet?

  “No, I got a call from them yesterday. Melanie will be here Saturday morning, Carla and Michelle, Saturday evening.”

  “Well, I’m disappointed, but I guess I’ll have to wait a few more days. If you don’t need me for something and can point me in the right direction, I think I’ll go to my room and freshen up a bit before dinner.”

  “Sure honey, there isn’t anything you or Cole need to do, you can both relax and enjoy this week before you start working. Take the elevator there.” She indicated a set of doors at the opposite end of the entryway from where Bethany and Cole had entered the lodge. It’ll take you to the second floor and your room is to the right at the far end of the hall and Cole yours is to the left at the end. Dinner is at six o’clock in the main dining room.”

  “Thanks, Gram. I’ll be back in plenty of time.”

  Thank you, Mrs. Langston.”

  “Elizabeth, will be fine. We aren’t formal around here.” She smiled. “I’ll see you both at dinner.”

  Chapter Three

  Great! Bethany frowned. They were on the same floor. Cole interrupted her thoughts when he said, “after you my lady.” indicating with his hand that she should walk in ahead of him as the elevator doors opened.

  Bethany stepped in and rolled her suitcase to the back to make room for Cole’s luggage. She decided that she was going to go on as if she’d never met him and do what she had come here to do. The first thing on the agenda was to find her room, unpack and change clothes before dinner. Cole pushed the number two button and the elevator whisked them quickly and smoothly to the second floor. As soon as the doors opened he motioned again for her to step out ahead of him.

  “See you at dinner, Bethany.” Cole carried his bags and headed down the hall the opposite direction.

  Bethany pulled her suitcases behind her looking for the room number Gram had given her. How in the world was she going to avoid Cole when they would meet at the elevator and be at the same table during meals every day? When she found her room she slid the key card into the slot and opened the door. She stopped in awe of the large suite before her. It was gorgeous. A large rock fireplace graced the far wall with oak bookcases ceiling to floor on each side. To the left was a huge window overlooking the ski slopes, they’d be able to see it snow and enjoy a fire at the same time. Navy, forest green, ecru, and burgundy plaid curtains hung on the big picture window. A sofa, love seat, and three chairs in matching fabric were arranged in front of the huge fireplace. Oak end tables and green lamps with ecru shades, along with an oak coffee table completed the décor. She could just imagine in her mind, flames burning and flickering against several big logs in the fireplace. The room was warm and welcoming.

  Bethany walked down the short hall that led to four bedrooms each had a separate bath with shower. The only difference in the rooms was the color scheme. All four queen poster beds done in cherry wood had a beautiful quilted bedspread. Bethany knew by looking at them that her grandmother had made all four of them herself. A valence over mini blinds on the windows matched each quilt. An old fashioned armoire resided against one wall and a matching dresser with mirror sat on the opposite wall. Each room had a small dressing table with a chair. At the foot of each bed was a hope chest. Bethany chose the room done in tiny pink flowers with green leaves on a white background with a pink ruffle at the bottom of the spread. The other three rooms were done in the same print, one in yellow, one in purple, and the other one in turquoise. The rooms were lovely, warm and cozy. She took a minute to call her grandmother and thank her for the beautiful room before she unpacked.

  Once Bethany had everything unpacked and put away that she would need for tonight, she took a quick shower dressed and headed down stairs. She was getting hungry and dinner would be served soon. When she walked into the dining room she found her grandfather sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. He glanced up and smiled; as she walked over to him he stood and gave her a hug.

  “Hi, Sunshine how’s my girl?”

  Bethany hugged him. He was a big man, six foot two and weighed about two hundred pounds. She had to stand on her tip toes with him bending down for her to reach him. “Hi Papa, it’s so good to see you.”

  He pulled out a chair next to him. “Sit down and chat with your old grand pappy for a few minutes.” Her grandfather sat back in his chair and took a sip of his coffee.

  Bethany fixed herself a cup of hot chocolate from the buffet and sat down next to him.

  “Did you have a good trip?”

  “It was fine. I was just glad to get here as you know flying isn’t my favorite thing.”

  “Yes, I remember. I’m glad you’re here safe.” Her grandfather stood up and smiled. Bethany glanced behind her to see who had come into the room. It was Cole; he walked up behind her to shake her grandfather’s hand before he sat in a chair across from them. Great, she groaned silently. She knew he’d be at dinner but she hadn’t counted on him being here this early. She had hoped for a few minutes alone with her Grandfather, but obviously that wasn’t going to happen.

  “I think I’ll go see if your grandmother needs any help.” Bethany’s grandfather slid his chair against the table.

  “Why don’t you let me go and help Gram?” Bethany started to stand up.

  “Not this time, Sunshine; you’re on vacation. Next week will be soon enough for you to start working, you need to relax and enjoy yourself until then. Stay and keep Cole here company, the rest of the guests will be coming in soon and we’ll be serving dinner shortly.”

  “Did you get all settled in?” Cole asked after her grandfather left the room. Bethany didn’t want to spend time with Cole. She didn’t like the attraction she was feeling toward him and the less time spent in his company the better. In order to keep from being rude she had no choice but to talk to him.

  “No, but enough to get me by for now.” She reached into her purse and opened one of her bags of Peanut M&M’s. She held the bag out to Cole. “Would you like some?”

  “Uh, no thanks. It’s almost dinner time are you going to eat M&M’s now?” He looked at her kind of funny and Bethany knew he wouldn’t understand her fetish for Peanut M&M’s when she was nervous and he definitely made her nervous. He’d probably just think she was strange.

  “Just a couple.” She smiled. Before Cole had a chance to say anything more the guests started arriving. There were quite a few guests already checked in Bethany noticed. She was surprised at the number that would be staying through Thanksgiving. When she had talked to Gram earlier, she had told Bethany that several more families with children would be checking in this weekend. From the looks of things every room would be filled. This was their first winter season and she was thrilled for her grandparents that the lodge was doing so well.

  * * * * * *

  Cole discreetly observed Bethany as she interacted with the guests during dinner. Her beautiful brown eyes lit up when she talked about nursing, it was obvious she loved her profession and working with people. She’d be a good nurse, he’d experienced a bit of her expertise on the plane and the guests related to her well.

  “Bethany, since we don’t start working until next week, would you be free to go on a snowmobile ride with me tomorrow afternoon?” Cole asked softly.

  “Thank you for the offer, Cole but I can’t tomorrow. I plan to spend the day getting unpacked and organized.”

  “Okay, maybe later in the week then.” He smiled and reached for the bowl of food coming his way. The lodge served family style, so each dish was passed around. It was like having a home cooked meal in your own kitchen. He liked the idea it was a warm setting and gave everyone a chance to get to know each other.

  Cole had the feeling Bethany was avoidi
ng him. She obviously hadn’t recognized his name so that wasn’t the reason. He wondered if it was him or men in general. He’d bide his time and ask her out again; maybe she really was going to be tied up all day tomorrow.

  He finished his dinner and picked up his fiddle. The Langston’s had asked him if he’d play a couple of numbers after dinner to entertain the guests. He unfastened the case and lifted his pride and joy from it. This fiddle had belonged to his grandfather; he gave it to Cole a year ago when Cole’s grandmother gave his grandfather the one he’d been eying, for Christmas. This was a beautiful fiddle and it meant the world to Cole that his grandfather had chosen to give Cole his prized possession.

  * * * * * *

  Bethany listened as Cole played the fiddle he wasn’t just good he was exceptional. It was obvious he loved to play, he felt the music, became a part of it. She really enjoyed hearing him play. The other guests did too if their applause was any indication. He came back and sat down next to her.

  “That was incredible, Cole. I’ve heard a lot of fiddle players but never have I heard one play the way you just did. You’re very talented.” She didn’t want to be impressed, she wanted to get this man out of her head and forget about him. Fat chance there was in that when her heart seemed to beat twice as fast as it should every time she ran into him, which would now be on a daily basis. Well, she couldn’t be dishonest he was good so she’d given him a compliment and that was that.

  “Thank you, Bethany. I enjoy it, but the talent comes from the Lord. I’m just the instrument he’s chosen to play His music.” He smiled and placed his fiddle back into its case carefully and snapped it closed. “I think I’m going to call it a night. I’ll see all of you in the morning. “

  “Good night Cole,” Bethany watched as he walked toward the elevator. It sure would be easier to ignore him if he wasn’t such a nice person and the fact that he wasn’t hard to look at didn’t help either. She sighed. “Gram, Papa I think I’ll say goodnight too. I’ll see you in the morning. After she’d kissed them goodnight she headed to the elevator, it’d been a long day and she was ready to go to bed.

  Chapter Four

  The next morning Bethany got up early and headed down to the work out facility to walk the treadmill. As she stepped in the door she found Cole on the weight machine. Great, just the person she wanted to see. She smiled graciously as she stepped up on the treadmill.

  “Good morning, I see you work out before starting your day too.” Cole raised the weight bar over his head and then lowered it down again.

  “Yes, I read my Bible and devotional and work out every morning to start my day.” Bethany adjusted the speed and started to walk on the machine.

  “Well then, it sounds like we have a similar routine.” Cole smiled.

  Bethany tried to ignore the fact that Cole was in the room, not an easy feat. Her eyes kept drifting to him of their own accord as his muscles rippled when he lifted the weight bar over his head and then back down. How could one man be so attractive in every way? His personality, his looks, and his build were hard to get past. She had to continue to remind herself that she needed to focus on her career and not on Mr. Cole Beckman, but she was quickly losing the battle.

  Cole must have been in the workout room a while before Bethany arrived because he placed the bar in the holder and picked up his bag a few minutes later. “I’ll see you at dinner this evening, hope you get all of your unpacking done.” He flashed that gorgeous smile that sent her heart into overtime, as he walked out the door.

  “Thank you, I’m sure I will.” Bethany finished her work out an hour later and headed back to her room; she wouldn’t get her unpacking done if she didn’t get started on it.

  Everywhere Bethany went the following week she seemed to run into Cole and every time she saw him he asked her do go snowmobiling with him. She’d make an excuse and he’d say well, maybe another time, smile and walk away. Then the next time she saw him he’d ask her again. The man just wouldn’t take no for an answer! Of course the thing she didn’t want to admit was that every time he asked would weaken her resolve. She found herself actually wanting to say yes. If he kept it up, one of these times he’d catch her at a weak moment and she’d agree to go. She couldn’t allow that to happen. She’d just have to try harder to avoid him. Gram had been no help at all when she’d talked to her about it. She said she didn’t understand why Bethany didn’t go out with Cole; after all he was a very nice Christian young man.

  Saturday finally arrived and Bethany was excited her three friends were arriving today. She had talked to them on the phone, but she hadn’t seen them since they’d graduated from College together six months ago.

  Bethany took the elevator downstairs, she was sure Melanie would be here by now. Bethany walked into the dining room and when she called Melanie’s name she turned around and rushed toward her. They embraced hugging each other and laughing.

  “I’ve missed you so much! It’s so good to see you,” Bethany cried.

  “I’ve missed you too, I’m glad to finally get here. This is so exciting; it’s even more beautiful than the brochure pictured it.”

  Before Bethany could answer Cole stepped into the room. Melanie glanced at Bethany and she could easily read that look. Who is he she was asking.

  “Cole, this is my friend Melanie Stevens. Melanie, Cole Beckman.”

  Hi Cole, it’s nice to meet you.” Melanie smiled at him. And Bethany watched Melanie’s reaction when Cole flashed that attractive smile back at her. He laid his skis down and shook her hand.

  Bethany didn’t like the way Melanie was looking at Cole. But why should that bother her? Melanie glanced at her and she could read that look too. Hands off? Are you interested in him?

  Was she interested? She didn’t want to be, but if she were honest with herself she couldn’t deny he made her heart do flips every time he came into the room. Was this a case of she didn’t want him, but she didn’t want anyone else to have him? Come on Bethany get a grip. You need to be concentrating on your new job that will be starting in two more days, not on Cole Beckman. How many times are you going to have to give yourself this lecture before it sinks in? But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself that she wasn’t interested she knew it wasn’t true. Cole had gotten under her skin. Well, she’d just have to try harder. She reached into her pocket for her bag of Peanut M&M’s. She offered Cole and Melanie some. Melanie looked at the bag and raised her eyebrows at Bethany.

  Cole glanced at Melanie and then back at Bethany and she could see that he clearly realized something was going on that he wasn’t privy to, but she was thankful he didn’t ask. “No, thanks, I think I’m going to go out and try the slopes for awhile.”

  “It was nice to meet you, Cole. Melanie smiled.

  “It was my pleasure, Melanie. I’ll see you both at dinner this evening.” Cole picked up his skis and headed out the door.

  “Okay, Bethany. What’s up with Cole Beckman?” Melanie looked her right in the eye.

  “He’s the ski instructor for the lodge,” Bethany said.

  “Don’t give me that, I know you too well. You’re trying very hard not to show it but you’re attracted to him. No one else might see it, but I can read you like a book.”

  “There’s nothing going on, Steph. I don’t have time for anything right now but getting my career off the ground. I’m not looking for a relationship with anyone.”

  “Okay, he obviously makes you nervous because you and I both know that’s the only time you scarf Peanut M&M’s! But if that’s what you want to try to convince yourself of, then we’ll play it your way for now. Show me to our gorgeous rooms you emailed me about I can’t wait to see them.

  Bethany was relieved that Melanie let it drop. She probably knew Bethany better than anyone and she wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings from her for long.

  They went up the elevator and into the suite. Melanie was just as excited about their rooms as she had been.

  “Oh, wow! Bet
hany, I’ve never stayed anywhere as beautiful as this.”

  “It is lovely isn’t it? I took the pink room.” Bethany grinned.

  “I figured you’d want the turquoise one.”

  “You figured right, I love this room and we already know Carla will choose the purple one and Michelle will want the yellow one.”

  “You’re right so we’ll all be happy. Gram did a good job choosing colors since she didn’t know what you three would like.”

  “Yes, she did. It was so good to see her and your grandfather again. I always enjoyed it when they came to visit us at college.”

  “Bethany glanced at her watch. “Oh, goodness speaking of Gram and Papa, we’d better head downstairs it’s almost time for lunch.”

  Bethany wondered about Cole when he didn’t return for lunch, she hoped he was alright. She knew she shouldn’t even be thinking about him much less worrying about him. He’d said just before he left that he’d see them at dinner so obviously he hadn’t planned to return for the lunch hour. This was ridiculous. She’d just been fretting about seeing him and now she was fretting about not seeing him. She had to get a grip on her emotions.

  Bethany and Melanie could hardly wait to get downstairs that evening. Carla and Michelle were supposed to arrive just in time to have dinner with them.

  “Do I look alright Bethany?” Melanie came out of her room wearing a navy blue dress with red accessories.

  “You look wonderful as usual now we’d better go or we’ll be late.” Bethany was dressed just the opposite in a red dress with navy blue accessories.

  They made it to the dining room just as the guests were being seated. Bethany grabbed Melanie by the arm and said, “There’s Carla and Michelle.” They made their way across the room and exchanged hugs with the other two young women who were dressed in similar fashion. “Where are your suitcases?’ Bethany asked.

  “Sean, the shuttle driver, checked them in at the Concierge desk for us until after dinner.” Michelle smiled. “It’s so good to see all of you.”