Stargazing (The Walker Family Book 2) (13 page)

Susan set her phone on the counter and turned toward her. “It was like you weren’t even you yesterday. I was really scared when I couldn’t wake you up.”

“I’m sorry.”

Susan took a step toward her, gathered her hands in hers, and looked her right in the eye. “I know how your mother died, Bethany. Trust me. I checked you out before I let you move in.”

Bethany could feel the air in her lungs begin to gather and it felt as though she were being choked.

“I need to know,” Susan continued. “Are you taking drugs?”

The air released with a great force, causing her to suck in another breath, which she did choke on.

“You’re accusing me?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“I’m asking. I’ve never seen anyone not wake up when someone touches them.”

Bethany thought about that. She’d seen it—only when she’d touched her mother, she never, ever woke up.

“I had a restless night and I took a sleeping pill.”

“Sleeping pills? Bethany…”

“I know. That’s how she eventually died, but it’s not like that. I don’t take them every night. I don’t take too many and I don’t follow them down with vodka. It was only half of one too.”

Susan pulled her in and held her tightly. “Please tell me you don’t do that often. I’ll stay up with you if you need me too. I’m so worried.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” she said pulling back. “I’m fine. Sleep is hard for me. I have nightmares. I left a lot of crap back in California and then I come out here only to be attacked by my mother’s ex-lover. You don’t just get to move on from all of that.”

Tears rolled down Susan’s cheeks. “I didn’t think about all that. Douglas isn’t going to hurt you anymore.”

“I know that.”

“What happened in California?”

Bethany’s phone buzzed in her purse. She dug it out and looked at the text. “Dad is waiting for me.”

“Bethany…”

“We’ll talk later,” she said tucking her phone back into her purse. “Are we okay?”

“Of course we are. And you can have your job back. I shouldn’t have flown off the handle like that.”

“Thanks,” Bethany said with a smile. “I don’t hold it against you. I deserved it.” She turned to leave, but then turned back. “I guess, if I’m employed again, I’d better ask for some time off.”

“Why?”

“Kent asked me to travel with him next week.”

The tears had dried and Susan grinned. “So the two of you are really seeing each other?”

Bethany shrugged. “He took care of me last night and he didn’t seem put out.”

“He seems like a really genuine man.”

“I think he is.”

“Are you going with him then?”

“Should I?”

Susan laughed. “You’d better get going. Your dad is waiting.”

Bethany nodded and left with a small wave. Things had been mended between her and Susan, but she still didn’t have an answer as to whether she should go with Kent or not.

~*~

How come TV during the day was so lame, Kent wondered. He rested against the headboard, pillows stacked under him, and his computer on his lap.

The morning had been very productive when it came to getting some writing done. He’d plotted out the beginning of his next book, but he knew that was just clearing his mind. Even when he plotted out books, they never ended the way he’d planned. Characters had a way of telling the story themselves. He was just the channel they used to get their story told.

Now he was wasting time. The TV was usually never on when he worked, but today he wanted its distraction. He’d walked down to the coffee shop and ordered a pricey drink, which was now sitting on the table getting cold. Again, another attempt to avoid getting his writing done.

The truth was he wanted to call Bethany and check in on her. He wanted to see if she’d talked to Susan. He wondered how she was feeling. Simply put, he missed her.

Kent growled. He had a tendency to get a bit obsessive over things he found of interest. It started with a Rubik’s Cube years ago. Once he’d learned to solve them then he had to have every kind. Then it was speed and competing. Next it was gaming. How many hours had he spent looking at a stupid TV, some days never seeing sunlight? Then it was golf and finally writing, which he obsessed over more than anything else in his life—well, that was until the day he met Bethany Waterbury.

Okay, it was new. He enjoyed her company. Craved her kisses. Loved the scent of her—well everything about her.

Sure, last night was disappointing. No one wants their date to be throwing up after dinner. Sooner or later every relationship has that day where they see each other sick. One of them steps up and takes care of the other. So that was the second date—or what he was considering their second date.

Kent poised his fingers over the keys on his computer. Obsession would be if he started digging for information on her. She was an actress—a famous actress. The Internet had to be full of things about her.

He typed in her name on a Google search and then stopped before entering.

She’d tell him anything he’d ever want to know. He was sure of that. All he’d have to do was ask and engage her in conversation.

His finger twitched over the enter key.

She was part of the Walker family. He could look them up. What harm would that do? It sounded as though they were a big name in the area. And the Walkers, Eric specifically, was related to Lydia, so he could look into her too. She was fascinating. He loved women who were entrepreneurs. What about Bethany’s sister with the bridal store? He could look into her store.

Suddenly he had an entire day of Internet surfing planned and he didn’t even have to actually look up Bethany Waterbury.

~*~

Bethany walked into the restaurant and scanned the tables for her father. The sophisticated man sat at a corner table. He’d donned a sports jacket and the large watch on his wrist caught the sun. His hair was whiter than she’d remembered and hadn’t she only seen him a few weeks ago?

She realized she’d never really studied him, as she was doing now. He hadn’t been prominent in her life and she’d never cared to really take the time to get to know him.

Well, that’s what she was doing now. Getting to know him. Finding out who she was. Learning to be part of a family that embraced the very meaning. Falling in love.

That one caught her off guard as she let the words flow through her mind. Falling in love wasn’t in her plans and she’d only just met Kent. How could she even possibly have let that into her conscience?

Bethany shook off the thought as her father looked up from his phone and toward the door. When he saw her he stood and moved to her.

“I thought you’d changed your mind,” he said taking her hands and kissing both of her cheeks. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Sorry. I’ve had a crazy week. I’m a little out of sorts and running late everywhere.”

“You’re just fine and you look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. She was grateful for the opportunity to get to know the man whose blood coursed through her body.

“You look so much like your mother,” he added as he escorted them to the table. “She was so beautiful.”

“You still think of her that way,” she asked as he pulled a chair out for her and she sat down.

Her father took the seat next to her. “Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

“With all the things she did? Douglas Brant for one.”

Her father nodded slowly, picked up his water glass, and took a sip. “We all have our shortcomings. It’s very obvious I have my own.” He set the glass down and clasped his hands together. “What she did doesn’t belittle who you are. You are very beautiful. You are very talented. And I’m very happy you’re here so I can get to know you. I didn’t get the chance to do that before now.”

“You never came around,” she said bluntly as she picked up her own water and took a sip to soothe her throat. She was finding it hard to not be so curt with him.

“You’re right. I was asked not to. And once I learned what a lunatic Douglas was, I didn’t want you around either. For your own good. So much that did.”

“You couldn’t have known he’d attack me. Besides, Eric lost a lot more than I did. I didn’t get shot. I didn’t lose my business or my house.”

“I know. He didn’t deserve that.” He rested his hand on hers. “I want to start with a clean slate, you and me. I’ve heard that you’re staying in Georgia. Your sisters are enthusiastic about your plans.”

“I am staying. I think family is what I need right now.”

“Jake says you’re seeing someone?”

Bethany stared at her father. “How would he know that?”

He smiled. “You may be working your way into the family, but the rest of them are solidly entwined. Word gets around fast.”

She secured a solid smile and took a breath of courage. “I have gone out with Kent Black a few times.”

Her father’s eyes widened. “The author? They didn’t tell me that part.”

“He’s just a normal guy. There is nothing any more special about his career than mine.” She thought about that. “My old career that is.”

“You’re giving up acting?”

“I acted because it was expected from the daughter of Violet Waterbury. It’s time to make my own path.”

He patted her hand and then sat back in his chair. “I’m glad to hear that. I was as worried about you in California as I was having you come out here.”

Bethany crossed her arms over her chest. “You worried about me. I’m sure you’ll understand if I’m a bit defensive about that. Receiving a check on my birthday and Christmas wasn’t really like having you around.”

That got to him, she saw the flash of it in his eyes.

The waitress approached the table and took their order. Knowing she didn’t care what was on her plate, Bethany ordered whatever her father had ordered.

When the waitress left, he looked up at her with his sad eyes. “I don’t want that between us anymore. I’m here for you now.”

Realizing it probably took a lot of effort for him to tell her that, she figured she should cut him some slack. After all, he’d invited her to lunch. He’d wanted to try to be part of her life.

“I’m sorry. I’d like to work on this relationship as well as the ones I’m starting with my sisters and my brothers. They all seem a little better equipped than I am at handling family matters. But I’ll learn.”

The worry faded from his eyes and a smile formed. “I’m very sorry about your mother’s passing too. I should have reached out to you then.”

He should have, but she was going to take the high road. “It was very sudden. I’m sure it would have been hard for you to get away.”

Okay, she thought, that wasn’t as nice as she’d have liked, but they were working on this relationship. One lunch was not going to fix it.

“I didn’t realize she wasn’t healthy,” he said as he picked up his water again and sipped.

“When did you ever think she was?”

His eyes narrowed and focused on her. “I don’t understand.”

“You loved her enough to have a child with her. You’d have thought you’d have gotten to know her better.”

“She was ill?”

Bethany’s therapist said she’d go through different stages of mourning. One stage was anger and sitting there with her father she felt that stage erupt.

“She was a drug abuser, Dad,” she said calling him ‘Dad’ for nearly the first time ever to his face. “Diet pills. Anti-depressant pills. Sleeping pills. You name it, she had a prescription for it. She drank vodka in a water bottle. She’d stay up for days and sleep for days. She threw up every meal she ever ate and went home with nearly every man who made any kind of pass at her. Yes, she was ill.” Bethany picked up her water to take a sip and noticed how her hands shook. She set the water back down and clasped them in her lap as the waitress delivered their food. Too much of that hit too close to home.

“I didn’t know,” her father said weakly, looking down at his plate. “She always told me she had things under control.”

“She lied—that was another thing she was good at. Nothing was under control.”

Bethany wanted to eat, but she couldn’t make herself. She pushed away her plate.

“You’re not going to eat?” Her father looked up at her.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll take it home. I seem to be a little worked up.”

He nodded and sat silent for a moment. “I didn’t mean to bring this all out. I wanted some quality time with you.”

She could argue with him or she could accept his gesture. “I think this all needs to be worked out. I’ve been here nearly three months and I’ve seen you a few times. You need to know how I grew up or my time here is as wasted as it was in California.”

Her father took a bite of his lunch, wiped his mouth, and set his napkin back on his lap. When he looked at her she knew he was serious about wanting to be part of her life. There was a way about him that said he’d take it all back if he could. Whe
ther he said it or not, she believed that he might.

“How is your living arrangement with Eric’s fiancée?”

“Susan? She’s very nice. Though she’ll be leaving as soon as Eric’s house is finished.”

“It’s almost done,” he confirmed. “What will you do then?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to her about her plans with the townhouse. I suppose I could rent it. Take over her lease. I’d need a roommate.”

“What about one of your sisters or brothers?”

She chuckled. “They have places to live.” She gave it some thought. “I could ask Lydia. Something tells me if she had a place to go she wouldn’t stay at her grandfather’s anymore.”

That made her father laugh. “I’m very surprised those two never bolted.”

She knew the blood between the families was strained, but she’d leave that for another day.

Her father took another bite of his lunch. “What about the author? Do you think things are serious?”

She shrugged and pulled a french fry from her plate and ate it. “I don’t know. He’s very intriguing. I’d like to think he genuinely likes me.”

“You doubt him?”

“He knew me from my movies.”

“You think he has a fascination that isn’t real?”

She reached for another fry. “Maybe.”