by Danni Rose
Then he proved how good a lover he'd become. After the third time they'd made love, their bodies collapsed into a tangle of sweat covered arms and legs. She snuggled into his side and they fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
The next morning, Jason hummed as Beth's fingers played over his skin. He rolled to his side and pulled her close. When she whimpered, he frowned. "Did I hurt you?"
"No." She blushed a sweet shade of pink. "It's…I ache."
He leaned over her. "It's been a while since you've made love?"
She lifted a shoulder. "I guess."
He lifted her face. "How long?"
Beth stared at his chin. "The night you left Serenity Bay."
"What? That's not possible." He frowned. "You were married. I don't understand."
She glanced at the clock. Six o'clock.
"I don't have time to explain now, or I'll be late for work."
"But you'll tell me the next time we talk?"
She nodded.
"Promise?"
Beth said, "I promise."
Jason ran his fingers over her cheek. "I'm sorry you're sore."
"I enjoyed everything we did. But now I have to dress. If we hurry, I'll have time to take you home and get to work a few minutes early."
"You get ready for work. I'll call Marco. He's an early riser which means he's been up for hours and will annoy me with his cheerfulness. The drive home will be the perfect time for him to give me a lecture and warn me about leading the 'nice senora' astray."
Her brows drew together in a frown. "Do you regret what happened?"
"Never. Last night was perfect. My only regret is that I fell asleep."
Beth smiled, leaned over, and kissed him. It started as a light kiss, but soon it turned hot and needy. She pulled away. "I have to get ready for work."
"I know. Will you have dinner with me?"
"I work until six tonight. Abbey has appointments and has to start later than usual. Let's have dinner at six-thirty at the University Club."
"Shall I pick you up at work?"
"No, I'll drive my car."
"I'll call to reserve a table. You will show up, won't you?"
She gave him a guilty smile. "I'll be there."
"Good. Now get moving. I don't want to start something you can't finish."
"You are breathtaking." At the Club, Jason held her chair. She wore a silk dress in a midnight blue that hugged the curves of her body. But it was her smile that made him hard and want to spend another night, or several, with her wrapped in his arms.
"Sorry I'm late, but the rain made the road slippery." Beth waved her hand. "So, the Wizard of Wall Street was able to reserve the private dining room?"
"It was available."
"Hmm." She asked, "Is Marco outside practicing his Swedish?"
"No, I drove myself."
Her face turned a light pink. "Um—did he say anything about—last night?"
Jason laughed. "He did. I got an earful about being a bad influence. He said you are a delicate rose, and I should take better care of you."
"That's sweet."
"Sweet for you. It was me he accused of leading you astray."
They laughed until a throat cleared. The sommelier said, "Good evening, Miss Kingsley. Mr. Richards, the wine you requested is ready. May I serve it?"
Jason asked, "Would you like a glass of wine?"
"Yes. Please."
"We'll both have a glass," he told the sommelier.
He waited, tapping a finger on the table, while the man poured their wine. Beth appeared more relaxed than she'd been since the first day he saw her in the council chambers. Maybe she'd trust him enough to answer his questions.
"To old friends." He lifted his glass and clinked it with hers. A minute later, the waiter arrived to take their dinner order. After he left, Jason said, "Tell me about Delectable Delights. What made you open a coffee shop?"
"I graduated from college not knowing what to do with my life. I wanted to do more than spend my time running from one charity to another. Serenity Bay is a tourist town. In the summer our population triples and in the winter it doubles. I thought a restaurant sounded like a good business idea, but there were two problems. I had no experience in business, and my ability to cook was non-existent."
"What did you do?"
"After I inherited Nana's estate, her attorney agreed to work with me. I invited Stephen to dinner, and we talked about my idea. We discussed the steps I'd have to take to open and run a business. It boggled my mind. He suggested that I start with a smaller business. The restaurant became a coffee shop with desserts."
"You're fortunate to have had a good attorney to advise you."
She nodded. "Stephen helped me put together a business plan. He helped me to decide to buy a building rather than lease a shop. Then I found a building in a great location and hired a contractor who made the changes I wanted. While the contractor worked on the renovations, I interviewed and hired a team of employees. Three months later, Delectable Delights opened."
"It's not easy to start a business. Although, the girl I knew would have been excited about the challenge."
"You're right. It was fun converting an empty warehouse into a thriving business." She shrugged. "I like to win too."
After they had their salads, Jason asked, "When did you expand your menu and add catering?"
Beth chuckled. "Erik said he wanted to make food to 'nurture the souls of the masses.' That's when we added sandwiches and salads. A few months after we opened, customers were calling in special orders. Erik suggested the change, I ran the numbers, and we were catering."
"What about a personal life? It takes a lot of time and effort to run a business."
She stared at her folded her hands. "I love the shop and the people who work with me are my family. We get together for dinner at least once a week. I'm on the city council and volunteer at the shelter. I'm content."
Content. She was too young, too full of life, to settle for contentment. She'd fought her father to experience life not hide in an ivory tower, and she deserved more. A life filled with love and happiness had been her dream, so why had she settled for less?
He took a drink of his wine then carefully set the glass on the table. "Why did you change your mind about leaving town with me?"
Beth stared at her plate. "I made a life for myself in Serenity Bay. I love my shop, my home."
"You didn't have the shop or your home when you were eighteen. What happened after I left town? Your letter said I was a fling. Was I a fool the princess used to entertain herself?" His pride demanded the truth.
"I never considered you a fling or a fool." She looked at him. "Jason, we can't change what happened. You wanted to be friends; can't we do that without rehashing the past?"
His voice rose. "I deserve to know the truth. I thought you loved me. You made me believe we had a future together until the day I got your letter. I want to let the past go, but first I deserve answers."
She held her hand out in supplication. "Please, let it go. Remembering only makes the pain and anger worse."
"What pain? Anger over what?" He rubbed his forehead. "You hated playing the society debutant and wanted to escape the future your father planned for you. But when you could leave, you changed your mind. Why?"
She pleaded, "Please…"
His eyes narrowed. "Your letters and calls stopped. Then I got that last letter. I didn't want to believe I was a fling. But when I went to see you, you repeated every word."
"What do you mean the last letter? I sent several, but they came back stamped Moved."
"You know which letter. The one that told me my life was a lie. Your message was short but memorable." He stared at her, but she didn't look away. Then he spoke the words that destroyed his dreams. "You were never more than a fling I used to amuse myself."
She pressed her hand to her heart. "I never said that."
Jason stared at her with eyes as cold as ice. "I could never be serio
us about a hoodlum and the son of the town drunk. Don't come back. It would embarrass me to be seen with you. Elizabeth Marie Kingsley."
The color drained from Beth's face. Her fork fell and clanged on the plate. Her mouth opened and closed before opening again. "I would never have written such awful lies."
The anguish in her voice almost convinced him. "You did. That's what you said when I went to your house. You told me never to bother you again." He took a deep breath to control his anger. It didn't work. His body shook as he exhaled. "I did what you asked. I stayed away. Until I got your letter a few months ago."
"I didn't write to you." Her back straightened like the sharp edge of a butcher's knife. "What did that letter say?"
"It came to my office, addressed to Jason Fischer. It was short and succinct. Mr. Fischer: Serenity Bay has many secrets. If you want to uncover the truth, you should talk to Elizabeth Kingsley. It was unsigned."
"With no signature, why do you think I sent it?"
"The postmark was Serenity Bay. Who else knew Jason Fischer?" He rubbed his hand over his chin. "Why did you want me to return? What secret have you kept from me?"
Beth's fingers folded together, and her knuckles were white. "I have no secrets."
"We have been given another chance, but first we need to make peace with the past. I need to know why you changed your mind. Tell me what secrets you're hiding."
Beth pulled her napkin off her lap and twisted it. Tension snaked through him, and his muscles stretched taut. He didn't want to ruin the relationship they were building, but he'd never buried his ghosts if she didn't tell him the truth. "Beth, make me understand."
"If you wanted to understand, why didn't you read my letters? When I needed your help, you abandoned me. Now I'm supposed to beg for forgiveness for something I didn't do."
What is she talking about? He ran a hand through his hair. "What letters? Your letters stopped coming until I got your kiss-off."
"You won't believe anything I tell you." Beth couldn't take much more. "You don't trust me. I told you, I didn't write those awful letters. I loved you and wanted to spend my life with you, but you don't believe me. Do you?"
"If that's true, why did you send me away?"
"I did what I had to do." Her lips quivered, but anger overcame her fear. "What about you? I needed you, but you ran."
"What? I don't understand?"
"There's nothing to understand. You didn't want me." The pain of his betrayal slashed into her heart.
He waved his hand. "Nothing you've said makes any sense."
"I don't want to discuss this. It hurts too much." She pressed a hand to her mouth.
"I need to know the truth." Jason slapped his hand on the table. "Tell me what happened!"
She jumped to her feet. "Leave me alone!"
Beth ran. Outside, rain drizzled over her face. She shivered. Jason's anger and bitterness battered her heart. But if he knew what she'd done, he would hate her. That she would never survive.
She raced to her car and tumbled into the driver's seat. When she pulled out of the parking lot, her car swerved and the tires squealed. She swallowed a sob. Last night he'd been gentle and caring, but tonight there was no softness in him.
At work today, Beth had caught herself humming. It had been years since she'd felt so much hope for the future. She'd imagined Jason as her friend, lover, maybe more.
But his bitterness and relentless hunt for answers killed her hopes and did a death dance on her dreams. For eight long years, nightmares and memories haunted her. Every day she struggled under the weight of the anguish she endured for the sins she committed, but his contempt would kill her soul.
Beth blinked her eyes as she tried to see the road, but tears clouded her vision. Her chokehold on the steering wheel kept her hands from shaking—almost. It wasn't smart to drive while upset, but she couldn't take any more of his accusations. Should she leave town? Her shoulders drooped. Jason would still be here when she returned.
The day she'd sent Jason away, she'd cried, cursed, and bargained with the angels, but nothing changed what she'd had to do. She'd sent an explanation, but the letter came back, and so did every letter she sent after it. Shattered and with no hope, she'd folded under her parents' pressure.
As Beth drove into a sharp curve in the road, she glanced at the speedometer. In that moment of distraction, she lost control of the car. It fishtailed across the wet pavement. Her muscles stiffened, and she fought to stay on the road. She pulled on the steering wheel, but the car swung too far to the left. Her leg shook when she slammed on the brake.
The car skidded into the ditch. Her body strained against the seat belt as the car flipped once, twice before it crashed to a stop jerking her body. The airbag and seatbelt kept her from flying through the windshield, but her head bounced off the side window. Pain. The wail of a baby pierced the pain before her world went black.
CHAPTER SIX
Jason rubbed his forehead. "Damn." Why had he pushed so hard? They'd gotten along so well. They talked and laughed the way they had when they were teenagers. Last night, their loving had been much more than he'd hoped for. He'd begun to think they could have a life together.
Beth had looked devastated when she ran out, and she'd been crying. The roads were slippery and soaked with rain. Not a good combination for someone who was distraught to have to cope with. He paid the check and rushed after her. He might be frustrated, but he wanted her safe.
Jason tapped his foot while he waited for the valet to get his car. He pulled out of the driveway, and his tires slid across the pavement. The road was slick and treacherous from the oil mixing with the rain. The curves were dangerous for anyone driving too fast. His hands gripped the steering wheel.
He didn't know this road well and kept the car moving at a steady pace, although lower than the speed posted. His jaw clenched as he pressed on the gas and drove too fast through a sharp turn. The car skidded. He eased his foot off the gas pedal to get the car under control.
As he pulled out of the turn, his headlights reflected off something. He slowed the car and squinted as he tried to see what was in the ditch. Could it be—? His chest tightened until it hurt to breathe. "No!"
Beth's car lay, twisted and mangled, at the bottom of the gully.
He pulled his car to the side of the road but was careful to park it on the pavement. If he drove onto the shoulder, he'd get stuck in the mud. With his car's headlights pointed into the ditch, he looked for Beth but saw no movement.
Jason pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed the emergency number. The dispatcher answered, and he told her what he could. She asked him to stay on the line. "I can't. I have to get to her." He shoved the phone into his pocket.
He grabbed the flashlight from the glove compartment and stepped out into the cold rain. When he reached the edge of the steep incline, he flashed the light over the ditch. It was muddy and filling with water. It didn't matter, he needed to get to Beth.
He slid more than he walked down the side of the ravine and trudged through slimy pools of rain. With each step, Jason whispered the prayers he learned from his mother before she left and hoped they worked better now than they had when he was a young boy. Nothing had stopped his biological father from pounding his anger out on his face until the day he'd gotten big enough to defend himself.
He slid the last few feet to the bottom of the ditch. His wet clothes stuck to his skin, and his mud-covered shoes were cold on his feet. The flashlight dimmed. He shook it and the light brightened. He slogged through the thick, cold mire as he made his way to Beth's car.
The driver's side was wedged into a Norway pine. It would be impossible to reach her from that side. He ran to the passenger door. The car was off the ground. If he tried to get in, his weight might make it shift or drop to the ground. Beth could be injured.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck. Desperate to get her out, he prayed, Please let her be alive. He opened the door. "Beth? Can you hear me?" No rep
ly. No sound.
He had to get to her, so he sat on the seat. The car wobbled but didn't fall. One slow inch at a time he slid across to her. "Beth? Talk to me."
She didn't move. Then he heard a soft whimper and waves of relief rushed through him. Her breathing, raspy and erratic, was the sweetest sound he could hear. He finally found her pulse—weak. Where is the ambulance?
He focused his flashlight on Beth. Maybe he could drag her across the seat? A stream of blood dripped from her forehead, and her lip bled. He flashed the light on the inside of the car. A cracked door panel cut into her left side. He didn't know how deep the metal dug into her body. If he tried to pull her from the vehicle, the panel could go deeper. He couldn't risk hurting her more.
Damn. He closed his eyes for a moment. He'd never considered himself a selfish man, but his stubborn pride caused this tragedy. While he waited for help to arrive, he held Beth's limp hand and begged, "Angel, squeeze my hand. Please."
No response.
"I've called for help. They'll be here soon." He rubbed his forehead. "Don't leave me."
Jason didn't know how long he'd talked, but from a distance came the wail of sirens, and relief flowed through him. Headlights reflected across the ditch and a rescue truck pulled to the side of the road. An ambulance parked behind it.
"The emergency team is here. Soon they'll get you out of the car and to the hospital."
The sheriff and paramedics gathered at the top of the gully. They talked, walked around, and pointed. Jason heaved a sigh of relief when the group split up and got busy. The sheriff talked into a radio while another officer ran back to his vehicle. The paramedics sloshed through rain and mud, then slid into the ditch.
"Angel, can you hear me?" He caressed her cheek. "I never wanted—"
"Who's the driver?"
Jason turned his head. "Wh—what?"
A rain-soaked deputy, with 'Davis' sewn on his jacket, leaned into the car. "What's the driver's name?"
"Elizabeth Kingsley."
"Beth?" The man's eyebrows lifted, and his eyes widened. "What happened?"