by Taylor Hart
She didn’t know why she suddenly wanted to cry. “Take me home, Beau.” It was a whisper, but it was insistent. “I can’t do this. I didn’t plan for this. Everything’s changing so quickly.” She felt lost.
“Sara.” He was beside her. “I’m sorry. I’ll take you back home. Let’s take the truck.”
They drove in silence. Sara didn’t know what she could say. She didn’t know what she wanted to say.
Her phone rang as they pulled up to her apartment. “Martha?”
“I didn’t know who else to call. They’re taking Larry to the hospital.”
“What? Martha—what is happening?” Fear gripped her chest and she put a hand on Beau’s arm.
“I need to go with him, Sara.” Martha’s voice broke off into a sob.
“I’m with Beau, we’ll come get you.”
Beau turned the truck around and sped down the street toward the Ivinson Home. “What happened?” He turned the radio off and kept his eyes on the road.
Panic surfaced in her chest. “I don’t know. Go faster.”
Beau looked at her sharply. He took her hand. “It’ll be okay. It’s okay.”
Sara took a deep breath. “You’re right.”
Martha was standing in front of the Ivinson home. Beau got out to help her into the truck.
“I’m sorry, kids.” Her hair was matted, and Sara noticed her normally done up face had no makeup. “I didn’t know who else to call?”
“You’re fine.” Sara linked her arm with Martha’s. “What happened?”
Chapter 24
“We were in his room watching one of our shows and I looked over and he was clutching his hand to his chest with a really weird expression on his face. I asked him if he was all right and he nodded but—when he didn’t move—I called 911. They said he’s had a heart attack.” Martha gripped the side of the truck door and closed her eyes. “He can’t die.”
Sara gave Beau a worried look and squeezed Martha to her. “It’ll be all right.” Thoughts of her dad came rushing in and she pushed them away. Now was not the time to have a breakdown about her dad.
At the hospital they waited for a few hours until the doctors finally came out to talk to them.
“Are you family?” He looked at Martha.
Martha didn’t hesitate. “I’m his fiancé.” She averted her eyes to Sara and Beau and then back to the doctor. “His son is coming from Denver right now. I called him. That’s all Larry has left in the world. Well,” she said, breaking off into tears. “And me. I sure love that man.”
Sara’s heart warmed.
The doctor nodded. “He’s all right, Ma'am. He just suffered a mild heart attack.”
Martha leaned into Sara with relief.
“I think he wants to see you—are you Martha?”
“Can we go in too?” Sara helped straighten Martha up.
The doctor smiled. “I think that would be all right. But not for very long.”
Before they walked into his room, Martha turned to them, whispering, “I just had to see him—we’re not engaged, okay.”
Sara nodded and pretended to lock up her lips.
When they walked into Larry’s room, Sara clutched Beau’s arm, having memories of her father assault her. Beau stepped closer and supported her.
“He’s fine.” Beau whispered in her ear.
Sara was surprised at how Martha pulled herself together so well and seemed to dance to Larry’s bedside. “Darling, we were so worried about you.” She took his hand, and he tried to smile.
“I guess the old ticker isn’t ready to give out yet.” Larry placed his hand over Martha's.
Martha beamed at him. "No, you're staying here. I need you."
Sara went to his bed and took his other hand. “You okay?” She couldn’t stop her tears.
Larry’s smile was soft. “I’m okay, Sweet Darling. But maybe we’ll have to hold up on the dance lessons for a while.”
Sara laughed and wiped her tears.
Larry’s voice was raspy and his green eyes watery. “Can you all pray with me?"
Sara glanced at Beau.
"Of course."
Larry sighed. "I don't know why God would help me now, I haven’t always lived the way I should.” His eyes filled with tears. “I know I've disappointed a lot of people in my life and done things that have hurt people."
Martha took his hand. "That doesn't matter. God loves you, Larry."
"That's right," Sara said. "And God is a forgiving God." Compassion for this man filled her. "God loves you no matter what, Larry."
Beau took Sara's hand. "Yes, he does."
Their eyes held and she felt hope. A hope she didn't realize she was looking for. Part of her had pushed Beau away because she didn't know if he wanted to walk with God. But now, it seemed like he might.
Martha leaned into Larry. "I'll pray."
Martha said a beautiful prayer.
Afterwards, Larry had tears running down his cheeks. "Thank you."
Martha gently kissed him.
The moment was so tender.
Martha turned to Beau and Sara. “Well, I’m afraid it’s probably time for you both to leave.” Martha fussed over Larry’s pillows. “I think he’s tired.”
“Can we take you back?” Beau offered Martha.
Martha scoffed. “I’m not going anywhere. Nope. I put my toothbrush in my purse and there’s an extra bed over there. If it’s okay with Larry.” She looked at him affectionately.
Larry’s soft voice croaked out. “If you can stand me, I would like that very much.” His cheeks reddened and Sara’s heart ached for him, but she was so happy to see this show of devotion on Martha’s part. Maybe now Larry would realize that he just needed to ask Martha to marry him and enjoy the time they had left together. It didn’t matter that they’d both loved other people. All that mattered was being able to love each other now.
“I’ll come by tomorrow to check on you guys.” Sara hugged Martha and patted Larry’s arm.
Sara and Beau walked out together.
Beau held her hand all the way to his truck. When he opened the door for her, she smiled at him. "Thank you."
He gave her hand a squeeze, before releasing it. "Of course." He sighed. "And I meant what I said, I'll just be your kissing friend if you want."
It was stupid, but his words made her smile. She rolled her eyes. "Stop."
He laughed and shut the door.
She put her hand to her head. She didn't know what was happening between her and Beau, but she did know that she liked the man.
Way more than she should.
Chapter 25
Sara stood in front of her mirror, putting on mascara and finishing getting ready for the party Jonathon had asked her to attend with him.
The coach of the basketball team had asked him to come tonight and he'd asked Sara to go with him.
“It’s not like you’re engaged, is it?” Genova asked.
Putting down the mascara, Sara laughed. “I have no idea—well, technically he hasn’t done anything official. Let’s go out into the front room.” She hadn't been able to focus very well the past week.
She and Beau hadn't spoken since the night at his house. She'd tried to tell herself that it hadn't meant anything.
Genova sat next to Kevin on the couch. “You do look amazing."
“Thanks.” Sara smiled. Her dress was on loan from Genova. The red silk and velvet was form-fitting to the waist and then flared out just below the knee. It was perfect for dancing. "I'm looking forward to dancing."
Genova searched her face. "Are you looking forward to going with Jonathon?"
She shrugged. "I feel like I need to give all of this a chance, right? I mean, my father wanted me to marry him."
Genova froze. "You didn't tell me that."
So much guilt filled her. "Before my dad passed, he told me to marry Jonathon because he was a good, God-fearing man."
Genova sighed. "The plot thickens."
Sar
a heaved herself onto a chair dramatically. “I'm so confused."
“Your dad was right," Kevin said as he walked in from the kitchen.
Of course he and Genova knew all the details of her life.
Kevin stood next to Genova. "I definitely think you need to give yourself time to see if you and Jonathon can work out."
She sucked in a long breath, feeling stupid and dramatic about all of this. "Okay."
Genova patted her hand. “Just try to have a good time tonight.”
The party was held in one of the union ballrooms. Sara walked in and noticed that there was a red carpet set up and the tables were beautifully decorated in red and black.
“This is shwanky.” Jonathon looked around and nodded his head in approval. He stood taller than most of the people there and scanned the crowd for the basketball team, pointing to them.
“What is this event for?” Sara didn’t realize so many people would be here.
Jonathon started pulling her across the room. “It’s an alumni event with all the departments and different donors they are honoring. I’ll get to meet a lot of past players.” He glanced over at her. “Do you like that color of lip stick?”
Sara flinched a little. It felt like he was disapproving. “What do you mean?”
“It just seems a little bright, that’s all. But I really think you look great tonight. Did you say that’s Genova’s dress?"
"Yeah."
His face turned sour.
"What?"
He shrugged. "Nothing."
"What?" she was irritated.
He lightly touched her shoulder, feeling the fabric. "You look good, but the dress just doesn’t look like your style.” He squeezed her hand affectionately. "Ya know?"
"Sorry, I can't afford something my style." Her tone was irritated and that's how she felt.
He put his hands up. "Sorry," he said and leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. "One day, I'll buy you anything you want."
"Or I'll buy myself what I want."
He pulled back. "What is wrong with you?"
It felt like this was the first time they were having a real conversation. "Nothing, it just bugs me when you act like our life is all set."
"What?"
But they got interrupted by the coach walking up to them.
"Hey, Jonathon."
He smiled at the coach. "Hey, coach."
The coach gestured to a table. “Let me introduce you to some people."
She followed them.
The coach stopped at a table full of guys. Clearly, the basketball team. Sara wasn't into sports. She didn't know any of them and felt immediately awkward.
The coach put his hand on Jonathon's shoulder. "Hey guys, I want to introduce you to Jonathon Adler. He may be joining us after Christmas."
"What?" Jonathon grinned widely and laughed.
The coach winked at him. "It's not official yet, but I have a good feeling about it."
A couple of the players laughed and shouted out. "That's cool, man."
"Yeah, awesome."
Jonathon turned to her and put his arm around her, laughing. "Can you believe it? I got the scholarship."
Sara wanted to be as happy and excited for him as he was. "That's awesome."
“We’re not so bad, Jon.” One of the guys at the table called out. “Come sit."
Jonathon moved them to the chairs.
Sara really didn't want to sit by the whole team, but she took the seat next to Jonathon and plastered on a smile.
Jonathon immediately started talking to some of the guys.
Awkward. She wished she wouldn't have come and she really wished she could figure out a way to talk to Jonathon about how she was feeling.
“I think you’re in my entrepreneurship class.” One of the guys at the table leaned over to talk to Sara. “My name’s Sean.”
Sara squinted at him but didn’t think she recognized him. "Oh."
He waved a hand through the air. “I sit in the back and keep quiet. That guy is intense—amazing—but intense. I loved your wheelchair idea by the way. I think it sounds like it’ll work.”
Sara felt like a million bricks had been lifted from her shoulders. “Right. Thank you.”
“Oh yeah. I was wondering what companies you’ve looked into for mass producing them? My father works for a medical supplies retailer and I bet he could help you with some figures.”
Sara fell into easy conversation with Sean over dinner about the business plans both of them were trying to write.
Jonathon talked basketball with the players and the coach swooped Jonathon away to introduce him to alumni after the big program.
Sean put his hand out to her. “Want to dance?”
Sara nodded, appreciating the fact she had someone next to her. “I would love to.”
Sean was a little jerky with the steps, but Sara laughed with him and discovered she also had Accounting II with him.
Sara tried to keep from getting stepped on. “How come I’ve never met you before?”
Sean nudged his head to the side and smiled. “Because I’m a dumb jock and you’re a serious student.” He rolled his eyes. "Not to mention you're kind of beautiful and I've never had the guts to introduce myself."
Compassion filled her for this gentle, shy man. "You're sweet." She refocused the conversation. "Tell me more about your business plan."
They talked for a couple of minutes, then the song changed.
"Want to keep dancing?" Sean asked.
She couldn’t even see Jonathon anywhere. "Sure."
He leaned closer to her and peered deeply into her eyes. “I wanted to sit by you, but you always rush in and out of class like you have a million things on your mind. I’ve watched you before.”
Okay, things had just gone from feeling compassionate for a guy to feeling like he was a bit weird. "Ha. Really?"
She scanned for someone she knew she could go talk to.
Then she saw him.
Beau.
Her stomach flip flopped. Why was the man everywhere she was?
He wore a fancy suit with boots. His hair was in the same, spiky male model fashion. Their eyes met and she felt the heat between them.
Sean pulled her closer and she felt his hand go from her waist to her butt.
Okay, time to go. “You know,” she said, patting Sean on the shoulder, “I see Professor Hennings and I think I’m going to go ask him a question about my business plan.” She dashed away.
Beau watched her moving toward him and put his hand out to her.
It was impossible not to take his hand.
“You couldn’t stay away from me?”
She tugged him away from the dance floor. “Could we walk to the other side of the room for a minute and pretend like you’re my professor and I’m asking you a question?”
The side of his mouth curved into a smile and he followed her. “I am your professor.”
Sara let her breath out quickly and took her hand out of his. “You said you’re not a real professor.”
“True.” Beau looked at Sean and then turned back to her. “I was noticing that Sean seems to have taken an interest in you this evening.” He glanced quickly at another part of the room. “It seems like sainted Jon is occupied tonight. What is he doing here, by the way?"
They stopped next to a table filled with all sorts of desserts. she didn't want to discuss Jonathon with Beau, but … it felt inevitable. “He came down for a try out with the team and it seems like he's made it. The coach even said he's probably got a scholarship."
Beau lifted his brows. "Hmm."
"Hmm," she said, mimicking his tone.
Beau fiddled with his red silk tie that hung loosely around his neck. He looked like a student himself. “So, the five year plan is beginning."
She didn't respond.
He let out a light laugh. "I guess you'll tell me next that the plan is to get married at Christmas?”
She rolled her eyes. "No." He hadn't even a
sked and she didn't even know what she would do or … she didn't know anything.
"You look good tonight."
His compliment felt like something she shouldn't be so happy about. "Thank you."
Beau sighed. "You look amazing in that dress."
She hated that all the familiar butterflies were back. "Beau, you shouldn't…" She couldn't do this. "I should go back to Jonathon."
His hand was on her forearm, his fingers grazed down to her hand. "Let's dance."
She was confused. "Look, I know you're technically not a professor or whatever, but do you think you should dance with me?"
Beau held her gaze. The intensity that had been between them the other night was back. “Sara, if you didn’t notice—I don’t need this job.” He yanked her to him, then spun her out. "Plus, I think Martha and Larry would be disappointed if we didn't dance."
She couldn't help but laugh and then she found herself falling into the steps with him.
Expertly, Beau spun her and she found herself delighted when he did the cha cha with her. It was even funnier because the song was a country music one.
Beau laughed, too.
The song changed to an eighties song and Beau started doing the electric slide.
She laughed and fell into step with him.
Before too long, the whole dance floor joined them.
She and Beau laughed and she started playing with different versions of the dance.
"Yes," Beau said, as he tried the other versions.
She was so lost in having fun with him, she didn't even notice Jonathon until he was right next to her.
She stopped dancing, feeling like she'd been caught doing something wrong. "Hey."
“Hey.” Jonathon looked at Sara then to Beau.
Sara didn’t even know what to say.
Beau smiled stretching out his hand. “Beau Hennings. You must be the infamous Jonathon Sara has told everyone about."
Sara gave Beau a sharp look, feeling completely out of control.
Jonathon smiled, looking satisfied. “Hey." He laughed. "Yep, I guess everyone’s heard about me?” He pushed his chest out.
Totally cocky and annoying, Sara thought.
Jonathon beamed at Sara like he’d just won a trophy.