Love Inspired September 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: Her Montana Twins\Small-Town Billionaire\Stranded with the Rancher (51 page)

“You can tell by the smell?”

“Oh, yeah. And these are not your ordinary cookies. People come from all over for Patti Jo's cookies. The oatmeal cinnamon raisin are big and really soft, and frosted with a lemon icing.”

“Lemon?” Beth murmured the word and licked her lips. “I like lemon.”

“We could stop. Looks like we could get a window seat, too. During peach season you can't even get in the door. The lines are down the street for Patti Jo's peach pies and cobblers. And after all, Patti Jo's is a historical site.”

“How can that be?” Puzzled, Beth pointed to the print on the window. “It says established in 2005.”

“This is where Sara and Ben met.”

Beth laughed. “Oh, well then, yes. We had better stop.”

Dan pulled open the crimson front door, setting off the welcome tinkle of the shop's bells.

The bakery was wonderfully predictable. Up front, old-fashioned stainless steel and glass cases were filled with breads and pastries. Behind the counter were more shelves that held row after row of cookies.

A chalkboard on the wall declared, as Dan had predicted, oatmeal cinnamon raisin as the cookie of the day. A dozen for six dollars, which seemed a bit overpriced until Beth glanced at the cookies. Golden brown with a light yellow glaze, they were the size of saucers.

She followed him to a table with red vinyl stools set close to a window, which provided an unobstructed view of the park and the gazebo.

“How many?” he asked, with a nod toward the cases of treats.

“I'll take one,” Beth said.

“One? You must be kidding.”

She laughed. “I can't eat two. They're enormous.”

He raised his brows. “They're two for a dollar. Seems a waste to order one.”

“Get two for me and I'll take one back for Amy.”

“Good idea.” Dan grinned. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

“Black, right?”

She nodded.

He moved through the shop to the counter, greeting the few customers along the way. It was obvious he was liked and respected. No doubt he knew every single person in Paradise.

What would it be like to fit into a town like Paradise? To live here? To know everyone and be welcomed? Beth mulled over the idea, surprised that the more she thought about it, the more it appealed to her.

A young waitress followed him back to the table, setting a plastic tray with coffee and two bags of cookies down.

“Thanks, Carly.”

“No problem, Mr. Gallagher.”

“Ouch,” he murmured as he put a stack of napkins in the middle of the table. “She called me Mr. Gallagher.”

“That's how I feel when the grocery baggers call me ma'am,” Beth said.

He slid her coffee and a bag of cookies across the table. “Are we getting old?”

“I think we still have a few good years left,” she answered.

“How old are you?” Dan asked.

“Thirty-one. How old are you?”

“I'll be thirty-two next month.”

“Oh, well,” Beth said. “I had no idea you really were old, when I spoke.”

He nodded. “You're getting good with the zingers.”

“Thank you.” She pulled a cookie out of the bag and took a bite. “Uh-oh.”

Dan raised his brows.

“I think I might have a new addiction.”

He laughed. “Yep. They are that good.”

She gave a short nod as she took another bite and swallowed. “What's that statue in the middle of the park?”

“Founder's statue. The Paradise Ladies Auxiliary funded that. It's a bronzed relief map of Colorado, with a star to show Paradise and the date in 1871 when we were officially founded and added to the state map.”

“Of course.”

“That's not all. We have a Founder's Day celebration every spring, third weekend in June. Biggest event of the year.”

June. She'd be settled in New York by then.
One thousand nine hundred thirteen miles away.
She had checked the distance on her tablet computer last night.

Both Dan and Beth turned as a family with a toddler and an infant filled the booth next to them.

“What is it about babies?” Dan said. “They lull you into thinking you want a houseful.”

“Do you?” Beth asked. She took another bite of cookie and looked up at him.

“Yeah, I guess I do,” Dan said with a musing smile. “I mean, I sure don't want Amy to be an only child.” His gaze met Beth's. “What about you?”

“Oh, I've never really thought about it.”

“I don't buy that. Everybody thinks about it at some point or another.”

“I'm not everybody.” She sighed. “Besides, I'm really not very experienced with kids.”

“Amy really likes you.”

“I really like Amy.”

“No. I mean she
really
likes you.”

“Oh, she's just clingy because she misses her grandmother.”

Dan looked at Beth over the rim of his coffee cup. “I've said this before, but you're awfully hard on yourself.”

“I like to think I'm realistic.”

“Realistic. What does that mean?”

She played with the napkin “It means that I am aware that I come with a lot of baggage.”

“A lot of baggage you keep locked in the attic. Have you considered tossing everything away and starting over?”

“What do you mean?”

“Ever see that bumper sticker? It's Never Too Late to Have a Happy Childhood.”

“Easy to say. You
had
a happy childhood.”

“Yeah, and so can you. You started to have fun and let it all go here in Paradise. Don't stop now. Give yourself permission to be a kid.”

“You don't understand. I've spent so much of my life living one day at a time....” She swallowed, unable to continue.

“You don't have to live like that anymore.” He took her hands.

Beth stiffened for a moment before relaxing. This was Dan. She could trust Dan.

“What are you afraid of?” he asked quietly.

“I'm not afraid.”

“Sure you are. You're terrified. What happened?”

“Happened?”

“Is there something you haven't told me?”

She couldn't meet his eyes; instead, she slipped her hands from his and began to twist the napkin into a rope. “I wasn't completely truthful with you about my mother.”

“Go ahead. It's okay.”

“I did talk to her. Face-to-face. I'm sorry I didn't mention it. But you know, I didn't think we'd become...well, you know...”

“Friends?”

“Yes.” Beth nodded. She took a deep breath. “My mother told me I was a mistake. She begged me not to tell her new family.” Beth blinked and looked down at the table. She hadn't cried since she was twelve. She wasn't going to start now. “My own mother didn't even want to acknowledge me, outside of telling me to never contact her again.”

Dan's jaw tightened. “I'm sorry. Sorry for her loss. But remember that there are plenty of people who care for you. Unconditionally.”

Her eyes widened.

“Ben, Sara, Amy, my mother. Me.”

Unconvinced, Beth couldn't help but frown.

“Beth, you need to understand that what your mother did is not a reflection on you as a person. You are no less amazing in my eyes and, more important, in the Lord's.”

She sat very still, overwhelmed by his words.

“Eventually you'll get to the place where you can forgive your mother and move on.”

“That seems unlikely.”

“Letting go isn't easy, but it sure makes life a lot more enjoyable.”

Wordless, Beth could only stare at Dan. His soft gray eyes told her he was sincere, but she couldn't wrap her mind around what he was saying.

“Always remember that your past is just that. You should learn from your past, not live there.”

“That's pretty deep.”

“I'm quoting the Bible.”

Beth cocked her head. “That's in the Bible?”

“Yeah. Philippians 3:13. ‘Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before.'”

“You memorized the verse?”

His ears reddened. “Paraphrased. That's sort of my personal mantra. I generally fall short of living up to the words. But you know...” he shrugged “...I try.”

As he made the admission, Beth realized that she was falling in love with the man across the table from her. A small gasp slipped from her lips.

“You okay?” He peered into her face.

“Yes. Yes, I'm fine.” She smiled and shook her head.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

Beth nodded.

“Did Ben show you the memorial gardens at the clinic?”

“No. We didn't have enough time,” she said.

“It's an amazing place. Ben and Sara were married there. We'll stop there next.”

“We're really seeing everything, aren't we?” Beth asked.

“I want you to see all you'll be leaving behind.”

“Oh, I know exactly what I'll be leaving behind,” she murmured, her heart overflowing. She wasn't sure if she should be happy or sad at the revelation that she'd fallen in love with Daniel Gallagher.

Chapter Twelve

“H
ey, Beth, the Ladies Auxiliary is gone. Come on in here. Mom is going to tell us about her adventures in hospital-land.”

Beth hurried into the kitchen and sat down in the empty chair on the other side of Elsie. Both Dan and Joe had come in from their chores to greet their newly returned mother and eat lunch.

Elsie patted Beth's hand. “The house looks immaculate. Thank you. My friends were so impressed.”

“I put Amy in charge.” Beth shrugged. “It was actually fun.”

Dan leaned over to his mother. “Beth has some strange ideas about fun, but we're working on her.”

“Tell us about the hospital, GG,” Amy said as she dumped out her crayon box on the table.

“Oh, my, let me think. This has been quite a week, hasn't it?” She looked at Dan. “What day is it, anyhow?”

“It's Friday. Do I need to do a neuro exam on you, Mom?”

“No, smarty, I've just lost track of the days from being out of my usual routine, that's all.” She grinned. “Paradise Hospital is very nice. Everyone is so polite. They have flat-screen televisions in all the rooms.” She turned to Beth. “Oh, and the staff wear such cute scrubs. You'd love working there.”

Beth chewed her lip. She'd never spent so much time trying not to laugh. Today Elsie wore the shirt Dan and Beth had purchased yesterday, the flashy, sequined, I Put the B in Subtle one. She looked like herself again. Her color was back and she glowed in the presence of her adoring family.

Beth had to admit that she, too, adored Elsie, certainly more than her real mother.

“Did you happen to see Sara's uncle Henry?” Dan asked with a wiggle of his brows.

“Uncle Henry?” Beth asked, looking from Dan to Elsie.

“Dr. Rhoades,” Dan said. “Didn't you meet him when you toured the hospital with Ben?”

“Yes. You're trying to hook your mother up with Sara's uncle?”

Dan looked pointedly at Beth. “Maybe you should be wearing Mom's shirt.”

“What?” she asked.

“That was
subtle,
Beth.” He paused. “Not.”

“Oh, you,” Elsie said. “Do you suppose a big-shot doctor has time to visit every patient?”

“Did he come by?” Dan prodded.

“As a matter of fact, he did.” She blushed. “He was very gentlemanly, and he has a nice smile.”

“Ahh, Mom. See? I told you. Dr. Rhoades has a crush on you,” Dan said.

“Oh, pooh, I don't believe it for a minute. He was being nice because of Ben.”

“Mom,” Joe said, his face expressing his impatience. “Could we cut to the chase? What did the doctor say when you were discharged?”

“It was a
mild
heart attack,” Elsie said, as she glanced around the kitchen table at her family. “Actually, I feel better than I have in a long time. Apparently, oxygen is much more important than I realized.” She shrugged.

Dan shook his head in dismay.
“Apparently?”

“They said with medication and a modified diet along with exercise, I should be just fine.”

“What exactly is a modified diet?” Joe asked.

Elsie shuddered. “I don't even want to think about that right now. As long as it doesn't include those nasty cherry gelatin cubes the hospital serves, I'm sure it will be fine.”

Dan chuckled. “Joe, I hate to break it to you, but modified diet means less red meat.”

Horror was clearly evident on Joe's face. “Not seriously? That's crazy. Gallaghers have been raising beef for nearly fifty years.”

“Dan, don't tease your brother,” Beth said. She turned to Joe. “A modified diet means lean protein choices along with more grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes.”

“Thank you, Beth,” Joe said. “She can eat lean beef.”

Amy looked up from her coloring. “What's a lagoon?”

“Legume.
L-E-G-U-M-E,
” Dan said. “A good word to remember for our word game.” He winked at Beth.

“Legume,” Amy drawled. “But what is it?”

“A legume would be a bean or a nut or a pea,” Beth explained. “In fact, I thought I'd cook some legumes tonight for Elsie's homecoming dinner. Along with some nice tofu burgers.”

There was silence around the table.

“You're kidding, right?” Dan asked.

“Yes. I am,” Beth answered flatly.

He laughed and pointed a finger at her. “
That was good.
You got me.”

She smiled. “I did, didn't I?”

“Very good, Beth.” Dan began to clap, and Joe and Elsie chimed in.

Beth struggled to keep a straight face, eventually bursting out with a laugh. Life at the Gallaghers' was fun. Maybe she was falling in love with the whole family and not just Dan.

“Actually, the Ladies Auxiliary brought over a lot of food,” Elsie said. “I may not have to cook ever again.”

“I saw what Bitsy and the gang brought. Not heart healthy,” Dan observed. “Joe and I might be forced to bite the bullet and take it off your hands. Right, Joe?”

“Sacrifice for dear old Mom.”

“I am not old.”

“No, but you are
dear,
” Joe said. He stood and placed his dish in the sink, and then leaned down to squeeze his mother's shoulders.

Elsie reached up and patted his arm. “Such a good boy, Joseph.”

“What about me?” Dan protested.

“I think we can all concur that you are the troublemaker,” Joe said.

“I'm Mom's favorite,” Dan said with smile.

“Yes. That's true. You are my favorite youngest son.”

“Point for Elsie,” Beth murmured.

“Okay, come on, Dan. We've got to move that herd to the south pasture. Snow's starting to melt there. You ready?”

“Sure.” Dan pushed back his chair and stood. He, too, put his dish in the sink, before grabbing his hat from the back of his chair. “Hey, how was your date yesterday, Joe?”

Joe's head popped up, panic in his eyes. “It wasn't a date, and I don't want to talk about it.” He glared at Dan as he shoved his ball cap on his head. “I told you he was a troublemaker,” he muttered.

Dan only chuckled. “Ladies, I guess we'll see you tonight for the performance of our star, Miss Amy Pumpkin Gallagher.” He bowed, sweeping the air in front of him with his Stetson.

“Dad-dy!”

He flipped Amy's braids over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head before he headed down the hall.

“May I play piano, GG?”

“Yes, you may, sweetheart.”

The front door closed and Elsie turned to Beth, her eyes crinkled with amusement. “Now we can talk. How was your trip to town yesterday? Did you have fun?”

“It was very nice.”

Elsie frowned. She had obviously hoped for more than simply “nice.”

“I, um, especially enjoyed Patti Jo's Café and the memorial garden at the clinic,” Beth offered.

“Did you know that Sara and Ben had their wedding in that garden? Several members of the Auxiliary were bridesmaids.”

“Really? I love that! I'll have to get Ben to show me the pictures.”

“When Ben first came here he was a city boy himself. Good grief, rumor has it that he came with a suitcase and his espresso machine.” Elsie looked intently at Beth. “Didn't take him long to fall in love with Paradise.”

“That's funny because Ben was raised in the country, and ended up a city kid, like me. But I can understand why he fell in love with Paradise.”

“Can you? Paradise really is a wonderful town.”

Beth glanced out the window at the white scenery. “I bet it's even more beautiful in the summer.”

Elsie's smile got wider. “Why, yes. Paradise really is amazing in the summer months. It doesn't get as hot as Denver, and the nights are still cool. We get lots of tourists and there are so many events going on.” She paused and looked at her intently. “Have you thought any more about staying?”

“I have,” Beth admitted. “More than once.”

“That's a start.” Elsie brightened for a moment. “But you're still leaving tomorrow?”

“That's the plan. I hope I don't regret it.”

“My mother used to say that regrets are like wishes. Neither one keeps you warm at night.”

As she spoke, Elsie's head swayed rhythmically to the sound of the simple melody floating in from the living room. “Goodness, Amy certainly has improved since you arrived. I used to get a headache after she'd finished giving her dolls lessons, but I couldn't bear to tell her she couldn't play. Now it sounds like real music.”

“She's a quick learner and she loves to practice. Maybe you could ask Dan about private lessons.”

“Wonderful idea. I'll do that.”

The music stopped and Amy came back into the kitchen, carrying her doll. She slipped her arms around her grandmother's waist and rested her head against her shoulder. “I'm so glad you're back, GG.”

“Thank you, Amy.” Elsie stroked her granddaughter's hair. “I heard you had a fun day yesterday.”

“Uncle Joe took me to the movies and we had dinner. A cheeseburger and a milkshake.”

“Did you meet Uncle Joe's friends?”

“Uh-huh. Miss Claire, she's a therapist, and her daughter. She's little, though. Only four years old.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“It was good.” Amy cocked her head. “Can we get dressed for my program now?”

“Oh, not much longer. You can go and set out clean underwear for your bath.” Elsie looked at the brass clock on the kitchen wall. “Look at the time. Beth, will you excuse me? I need to make a few calls about that bake sale next week.”

“Sure.” Beth put a hand on Elsie's arm and met her gaze. “Promise me that you'll take it easy and maybe have a nap before tonight?”

“Yes, dear, I'll try. It's awfully nice having my own doctor at the house.” She reached out and covered Beth's hand. “Thank you,” she said. Her eyes were moist and her words heartfelt.

“For what?” Beth asked.

“Dear, you saved my life.”

“No—”

Elsie shook her head adamantly. “I know you aren't one to draw much attention to yourself, but you did. It's okay to just say ‘you're welcome.' God gave you a gift. So many gifts. We've been so blessed by your presence.”

Beth's nose tingled with emotion. She swallowed and turned her head. Outside, in the distance, Joe and Dan sat tall in the saddles of their horses, herding the cattle, with the black-and-white dogs running alongside.

She turned back to Elsie. “You're welcome.”

* * *

“Pretty exciting, isn't it?” Dan commented to his mother as they found seats in the elementary school auditorium on Friday night. The room was abuzz with the excited chatter of family members waiting for the choral program to begin.

Dan and Joe stood as the ladies took their seats. When they were settled, Joe leaned over to Dan. “Did you tell Beth how nice she looks?” he whispered as he flipped through the pages of his program.

“What are you, my mother?”

“You didn't, did you?” Joe shook his head. “I can only do so much, Dan. You're going to have to start picking up the slack.”

The lights dimmed and Elsie leaned forward. “Shh, boys.”

The evening began with introductions by the staff, and then each class performed a song for the audience. When they got to Amy's class the Gallagher family went crazy with applause and cheers.

Dan's whistles could be heard above the crowd. He couldn't help himself.
Proud
didn't begin to describe how he felt as Amy beamed from the stage, her little hands covering her mouth while she tried not to giggle. Finally, she shot a little wave in his direction.

His daughter.

Amy's music teacher, Mrs. Harlan, walked up to the microphone and spoke clearly, with perfect enunciation. “Could you please hold your applause until after the performance? Thank you.”

A titter of laughter rippled across the auditorium and several of the Gallaghers' neighbors looked over at Dan.

“Think she's talking to us?” he whispered to Beth.

“No. I think she's talking to you.” She laughed quietly.

“No? I...” He turned to her and paused. Tonight Beth's caramel hair was pulled back in a fancy updo, and tiny red stones glittered on her ears. There was something almost ethereal about her beauty in the dim glow of the aisle lights.

Dan forgot what he was about to say. Flustered, he turned his head to watch his daughter.

* * *

“You looked beautiful up there, Pumpkin,” Dan said.

“Could you see my necklace?” Amy asked. She held up the silver chain with a tiny heart charm.

“Where did you get that, dear?” Elsie asked.

Amy grinned with pride. “Dr. Beth gave it to me.”

“Oh, Beth, that necklace is simply lovely. How sweet of you,” Elsie said.

Beth smiled, her cheeks pink at the praise. She turned to pull the tulip-shaped glass sundae dishes out of the cupboard for Elsie.

“Want some help with that?” Dan asked her.

“I've got them. Thanks.”

“You're kind of amazing,” he said, his voice low.

“Me?” she asked as she set the last two ice cream dishes on the counter.

“Yeah. How'd you know that was just the perfect thing to give Amy?”

“I pretended I was a little girl who had a mother who cared.”

“Beth.” The word whooshed from his lips as the painful truth of her words reached him.

She raised a brow.

“Like I said. You're amazing.”

“Okay,” Elsie said. “I have vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream and chocolate, marshmallow and caramel topping.” She glanced around. “Joe, can you grab the whipped cream can from the fridge? And Dan, the sprinkles and nuts in the cupboard, too, if you could get them, please?”