Stargazing (The Walker Family Book 2)

by Bernadette Marie

  She shook them. Thought about a full night sleep. Set them down. Cursed her life. Picked them back up, opened them, and took one. Just one good night sleep was all she was asking for. One night where she didn’t think about the rejection Hollywood had bestowed on her—or the men who promised her the world just to feed their own needs—or the night Douglas Brant put his hands around her neck and she’d almost blacked out.

  Bethany swallowed down the pill and it was sharp on her raw throat. She pulled the blanket up around her and closed her eyes. One—night—of—sleep, she repeated until she drifted away.

  Chapter Eight

  The phone didn’t ring all night. Okay, except for Kent’s sister calling so he could read a bedtime story to his niece. Then his mother called and told him about his grandmother’s cat’s new food. Lydia had called with the address and time for dinner. His father texted him and told him he liked the chapter he’d sent him—but Bethany hadn’t called.

  He looked at the list of recent activity on his phone and wondered if she’d gotten the book he’d sent her. She had said it was a good book, meaning she had read it. Maybe it had been a stupid thought to send her a book when obviously she already had one.

  There were dark circles under his eyes because he hadn’t slept well. He’d noticed them when he’d looked in the mirror that morning, before his first pot of coffee from room service. She was on his mind and he couldn’t shake it.

  He’d even gotten out of bed at one in the morning and searched Netflix for one of her movies just so he could see her. He watched her get killed in two movies before four in the morning.

  This was a bad obsession. He had a tendency to do that. He’d meet some nice girl and get all wrapped up in her only to find that she only had been being nice to him, but was seriously not interested. Now what was he doing? He was chasing a woman who didn’t even like to be recognized in public.

  Okay, he wasn’t chasing her. She’d simply been where he was. And the part about her having been at a bridal store should have set him a very loud signal. She was probably taken. That, and she didn’t seem to have an interest in him at all. In fact, she looked at him the few times she had talked to him as if she wondered if he were going to stop talking.

  God, he even rambled in his own head, he thought as he put down his phone and opened his computer.

  He’d put out the DO NOT DISTURB sign so that the housekeeper wouldn’t walk in on him in his boxers. He had another chapter to get written by the end of the day. If he planned on dinner with Lydia and her family, he needed to get it done.

  He was just about to introduce a new character and her image was seared into his mind. The redheaded beauty, Princess Carlotta of the Vela Centauri galaxy.

  ~*~

  It was nearly ten o’clock when Bethany stumbled from her bed. She was certainly hung over, but she’d accomplished exactly what she’d wanted to—she’d slept all night without dreaming of anything.

  It had been a few weeks since she’d opened that bottle of pills. It was justified then, she thought as she placed her feet on the floor. Nightmares had consumed her. They’d started after the night Douglas had attacked her. Then it only led to parts of her life she’d rather forget playing out in her sleep. The first time she’d swallowed a pill not to dream was after she’d awakened to her mother’s dead body—just as she’d found her before Christmas.

  Bethany squeezed her eyes closed tight. She shouldn’t have touched them. In fact, when her mother died, she should have thrown all the bottles away, but she hadn’t. She wasn’t her mother. There would be no taking too many pills. Bethany had her life under control. One night of rest here and there wasn’t a problem. In fact, she’d throw them away, when she thought of it next.

  For now, she was going to go for a run. She needed to work off that chocolate she and Pearl had eaten. She’d only had a few pieces, but that was enough to make her stomach pooch out just a bit, she decided as she stood and looked in the mirror. And if she was dining with family, she’d need quite a few miles and a nice long yoga session.

  It was a good day for it. There were no catering events scheduled. She could have a carefree day.

  Susan was seated at her computer when Bethany jogged down the stairs.

  “Are you just getting back?” Susan asked as she turned to look at her.

  “No. I got a really late start. I’m headed out. You want to join me?”

  Susan laughed and lifted her coffee mug. “No way. My parents used to take ridiculous ten hour hikes. I think my rebellion as an adult is to not go outside and sweat. But you have a great time.”

  “I will.”

  “Oh, and dinner tonight is at seven.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Why don’t we just ride together? It’s some new place Lydia invested in, I guess. Pearl wants to check it out to see how the wedding reception venue would be.”

  “Funny how this entire family can work anything into a business deal.”

  Susan chuckled as she sipped her coffee. “Speaking of which, I have a luncheon in two weeks. A bridal shower. Pearl set me up. Are you interested in doing centerpieces? You’re super talented at it.”

  Bethany tightened the ponytail on the back of her head. “You’re buying the supplies?”

  “Of course. It would be part of the bid.”

  She gave her a nod. “I’d try my hand at it.” She thought about it a little more. That might just be the calm she needed. No acting. No public show. Just her and a table full of flowers. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

  “Few hours? Isn’t a run around the block enough?”

  “Not for these thighs,” she hollered back as she headed out the front door, shutting it behind her.

  Bethany’s run had been perfect and she followed it up with an hour of yoga. A long soak in the jetted tub in her room, and she was back to normal. There would be no need for sleeping pills tonight, she thought.

  On her way home, she’d stopped by the organic grocery store and bought a salad. The thought of eating out was weighing heavy on her mind. She wondered what kind of food they would have. Certainly, they would have salads, but she was such a sucker for a big hunk of meat and dessert if it were presented.

  Her willpower was horrible, which was why she was so worried about the meal at all. Would anyone notice if she didn’t go? She’d been very social and really, she deserved to not be. People had hovered over her for the past two months. Would they really think anything about it if she didn’t go to dinner one night?

  Then again, she really did want to go. She loved Susan and Lydia. Any time she spent with Pearl was a delight. Of course Eric was more of a big brother than he was a cousin. She didn’t want to miss dinner.

  It would also give her a chance to be with Pearl in a social situation and prove to her that the breakdown she had at her store yesterday was a momentary lapse. She was fine. And because of that breakdown, she knew Pearl would have a scrutinizing eye on her. She’d eat her meal, just to prove that she could. Of course she could.

  Bethany pulled the towel from her hair and raked her fingers through the wet curls. She’d be just fine.

  With another thought, she opened the medicine cabinet behind the mirror and looked at the array of bottles she kept there. Maybe she’d take an appetite suppressant just in case.

  ~*~

  “Does this look better?” Kent did a spin in front of his laptop which was balanced on the bed.

  “You look fine. Have you never gone out to dinner with people before?” His sister laughed on the screen, her daughter cradled in her arms, asleep.

  “I like it here and people have asked me to be social with them. I want to make a good impression.”

  “Who’s the woman you’re trying to impress?”

  Kent loosened the tie around his neck. “No woman. Well, I mean I met one. She’s totally not into me.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Bachelorette Massacre, remember that movie?”

&nb
sp; His sister winced. “Yes. Horrible movie.”

  He shrugged. “The redhead who was the last one to die.”

  “The one in that horrible yellow dress?”

  “Yeah, her. I met her.”

  “No way. Is she the one who’s not into you?”

  “Yep,” he said picking up the computer and setting it on the desk. He pulled out the chair and sat down. “She works for one of the women I’m going to dinner with tonight, who is engaged to her cousin. And the cousin of the cousin is the one who invited me to dinner.” He let out a groan. “Did any of that make sense?”

  “Big family. I’m following.”

  “Yeah.” He scratched his head wondering if he actually understood it all. “Anyway, she kinda gave me the cold shoulder. She might be getting married too. I’m not really clear on that. She was at a bridal shop.”

  “Maybe it was because of the cousin that’s getting married.”

  He let out a breath. “Hadn’t actually considered that.”

  “Yeah, I’m guessing she was already messing with your head. Which character is she going to be?” she laughed and then quieted when the baby stirred.

  “You’re not so smart you know.”

  “Which one?”

  He let his shoulders drop. “The princess.”

  “I knew it.” She looked at him from the screen. He was very thankful for Skype. “You look good. Maybe you’ll find a place to land one of these days. At least you’re making friends. Mom is worried you’re just sitting in hotel rooms in your boxers.”

  He waved that off as if it weren’t what he was actually doing. “I have to go.”

  “Okay, call me tomorrow. I want to know how it goes. Is she going to dinner too?”

  “I didn’t ask.”

  “Hmmm, yep, you’re finally fitting in then. Look at you making friends.”

  “Goodbye, sis.”

  “Goodbye.”

  He closed the screen of his computer and smiled. Family was a good thing even when you weren’t right there with them.

  Chapter Nine

  The restaurant was quaint. Bethany noticed that they did a high tea, which she hadn’t done in years. It was something she and her mother would do for her mother’s birthday. The thought filled her with a moment of sadness, but then she thought of the joy it would bring to start a tradition with her sisters and her new friends.

  Lydia was showing Pearl the private room at the back of the restaurant. She sat down with Eric and Susan and ordered a glass of wine.

  “I love that they have a lot of vegetarian choices,” Susan said as she scanned the menu.

  “I’m eyeballing that enormous steak,” Eric added.

  “You would,” Susan said on a sigh as she reached for his hand. “I think your groom’s cake should be a cow.”

  “Now that would be awesome,” he said leaning in and kissing her gently.

  A man’s hand rested on Bethany’s shoulder and she flinched as she turned to see Lydia’s brother Tyson standing behind her.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” He gave her a wink and sat down in the seat next to her. “Where is my sister?”

  “Showing Pearl around.”

  “My mom seems to have worn off on her. Now she wants to invest in everything.”

  “This is lovely,” Susan said. “She has a good eye for properties.”

  “It’ll be good for her. She needs to prove to my grandfather that she’s as successful as she is strong willed. He still seems to be a bit of a chauvinist, even though I think she’s already proved that she is a woman that can do anything she wants.”

  Pearl and Lydia hurried toward the table.

  “This place is wonderful. And did you see that they do a high tea?” Pearl said enthusiastically as she pulled out the chair between Tyson and Susan. “Brides will eat that up for bridal showers.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping,” Lydia said taking the chair next to Eric. “In fact, I think we girls should do tea next week. Invite your sister Audrey,” she said directly to Pearl. “And, Susan, you should invite Glenda,” she mentioned Eric’s step-mother.

  “She would adore that,” Susan sighed.

  Bethany looked around the table and noted the empty chair next to her. “Are you expecting someone else?”

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” a voice came from behind her.

  She turned to meet the equally as surprised glance of Kent Black looking at her.

  “Hi,” he said directly to her.

  She wasn’t sure if she’d even replied. It had never crossed her mind that he’d be joining them. And just as quickly, she remembered, that it didn’t matter. He hadn’t been the one to make her uncomfortable that afternoon.

  She smiled and he pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.

  “Kent, I’m so glad you could join us,” Lydia lit up as she spoke. “You know Susan. This is my cousin and her fiancé Eric. My brother Tyson. Bethany’s sister Pearl. And you know Bethany.”

  He was looking at her. “I do.” He broke his gaze. “It’s nice to meet you all. Thanks for having me join you for dinner. I’ve eaten everything on the menu at the diner next to my hotel. This will be a treat.”

  “How long are you in town?” Susan asked.

  “As long as it takes. Or as long as I want. Right now I’m luckily homeless,” he said as he crinkled up his face.

  “Luckily?”

  “Looking for that right place to call home. A perk of my job, I suppose. I can do it anywhere.”

  Pearl picked up the glass of wine in front of her and toasted him. “I like that idea.”

  The conversation continued about Kent’s job and him in general. Quickly Bethany found herself easing back in her seat, enjoying family, a meal, and learning about the man to her side.

  He was normal.

  Kent was eagerly telling Susan about his sister’s children. “Cole is five. He thinks he’s Thor.” That got a chuckle from the beauty next to him, but he didn’t acknowledge her with a glance. He was keeping his cool. “Sara is two and also has an identity crisis. She thinks she’s Elsa.”

  “Who is Elsa?” Tyson asked and looked around the table as if he were the only one not knowing. However, Kent thought Eric’s look of confusion equally matched Tyson’s.

  “She’s from Frozen.” No recognition. “Disney Princess movie.”

  They both gave a nod, obviously accepting the fate that they had no clue or cared about.

  “And her youngest is only fourteen months. Alyssa. So far she seems to know just who she is,” he joked and Bethany laughed again.

  This time he gave her a glance and a smile, which she returned.

  It stopped his heart for a moment. She was exquisite. He couldn’t help himself but want to get to know her better. This was the start to that opportunity. If he didn’t somehow gum it up, that was.

  “Do you see them often?” Susan asked.

  “Every night.”

  “They live here?”

  He smiled and shook his head. “Texas. We Skype every day. I read the kids bedtime stories. She helped me pick out my outfit before I left to come here.”

  Pearl sighed. “That is a very special relationship. You’re very lucky.”

  “Don’t I know it,” he said softly and noticed that Pearl and Bethany exchanged what he’d consider an uneasy look, but the conversation Tyson and Eric started about oil wells quickly diverted any awkwardness.

  Bethany had been around her family for nearly three months. She watched them all banter as she sipped her wine. They were easy to love and she had never regretted leaving California and staying in Georgia. Her only regret now was Pearl’s glances toward her as she pushed the food around on her plate.

  “Not a fan of green beans?” Kent leaned in close enough she could smell the hint of his cologne. “I’m not a fan of them either.”

  She let a chuckle escape. “I’m just a slow eater.”

  “My sister is too. Some nights we sat at the kitchen
table for nearly two hours. The rule was no one left until everyone was finished.”

  “And yet you don’t hate her?”

  “Oh, I suppose I did for an hour and half, but otherwise, she’s decent enough.”

  The smile that tightened her cheeks was genuine. “I missed that with my family. I’m glad you cherish it.”

  He was looking at her now as if there were no one else at the table. She looked at the others. Each of them were engaged in other conversations and she was, she supposed, engaged in one with him.

  It wasn’t so bad. If she’d loosen up just a little, perhaps she’d enjoy his company.

  Bethany sat back in her chair, picked up her wine, and looked at him. “Who’s older? You or your sister?”

  “My sister is by fourteen months.”

  She’d lifted her glass to her lips, but lowered it. “That’s not a lot.”

  “As kids it was great. She was only a year ahead of me in school. She’s short, so my first growth spurt put me nearly four inches taller than her, which gave me the upper hand—or so I thought.”

  “Your mom must have been a saint.”

  “Still is. The most amazing woman I’ve ever known.”

  Bethany took that sip of wine now to ease herself. She wanted what this man had. All of it. She looked around the table and appreciated what the moment really meant.

  She was getting a little bit of that normal that Kent Black knew all his life. It was just coming in pieces. So she wouldn’t have childhood memories, but she’d have the ones from that moment on.

  He continued to talk about his family and Bethany was captivated. She sipped her wine and he ordered another beer. When Susan got her attention to say they were leaving she realized that she and Kent had moved in so closely as they talked their foreheads nearly touched.

  The expression on Pearl’s face said she had noticed.

  Bethany eased back and set her empty wine glass on the table.

  They all pushed back from the table. Kent quickly maneuvered from his seat and stood behind hers, pulling it out.