A Turn in the Road - Debbie Macomber [58]
“Okay, well, I hear you were gone until three.”
Bethanne neither confirmed nor denied the report. Let Grant think whatever he wanted. She didn’t owe him an explanation or an excuse.
“Did you have a good time?”
“The best.” And she meant it. The night with Max was one she would long cherish. He made her feel more alive, more feminine, and he’d brought back the thrill of newly discovered passion. Yet he hadn’t done anything other than kiss her and hold her. The desire was there; the need had felt urgent.
“You sound like you’re falling for this guy.”
“Do I?” She turned the question around, wanting him to form his own opinion.
“Yes.” The amusement was gone from his voice. “We’ve already had one rather unpleasant discussion about this man. I’d hate to have a repeat of that.”
“So would I.” She had no intention of defending herself to Grant.
“Do you plan on seeing him again?”
She didn’t answer.
“Bethanne?”
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business,” she said. “I don’t mean to be rude, Grant, but my relationship with Max has nothing to do with you.”
His silence spoke volumes. “True, but you have to know I’m working as hard as I can to rebuild our relationship. It doesn’t help that every time I turn around, I hear about you and this biker.”
“His name is Max.”
“I don’t care what his name is.”
Bethanne sighed, unwilling to get into an argument with her ex-husband over a man she’d dated once. Arguing put her on the defensive and she wasn’t going to allow that.
She heard Grant exhale as though struggling with himself. “I imagine women are easily enthralled with that kind of guy.”
“You mean the way middle-age men fall for younger women?” That small dig apparently went right over Grant’s head.
“True enough,” he agreed, and his voice was back to that cajoling tone she knew so well. “On a completely different subject, how’s my mother holding up?”
Bethanne was grateful to talk about something other than Max. “She’s doing great.”
“And you?”
“Annie and I are fine.”
“Good. Listen, I have some news I thought I’d pass along.”
“What is it?”
“I found out there’s a real estate conference in Orlando the same week as Mom’s class reunion.”
“Oh.” She already knew what Grant was going to say. “You’ve decided to go.”
“What could be more perfect?” Grant asked.
Indeed, Bethanne mused. What could be more perfect?
Fifteen
They spent the night in Flagstaff, Arizona, and were up early Monday morning, waking to sunshine. By seven, Annie had dragged the suitcases out to the car, while Bethanne dealt with the hotel.
“I’ll drive so you can knit,” Ruth volunteered.
Bethanne let her take the wheel, sitting beside her, while Annie climbed into the backseat. A little more than two hours later, they were in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They stopped for breakfast at a restaurant just off Interstate 40.
They were seated in a booth and reading over the menus when Annie said, “Dad told me he called while we were at the Grand Canyon.” The comment was directed at Bethanne.
“He did,” she confirmed without adding any details.
Annie set her menu aside. “Did he say anything about the Realtors’ convention?”
In response, Bethanne looked at Ruth. “Grant will be in Orlando next weekend, the same time as your reunion.”
“How far is Vero Beach from Orlando?” Annie asked.
Bethanne referred the question to her mother-in-law, who was far more familiar with Florida than she was. Ruth glanced over her menu. “About two hours, I think—but it’s been a long time since I made the drive.”
“So Dad will be only two hours away,” Annie said, sounding downright gleeful.
“Do you think he’ll come to Vero Beach?” Ruth asked hopefully.
“I’m sure he will.” Bethanne kept her feelings well under control. Actually, she’d be happy to see Grant. Maybe she could finally come to some conclusion, some decision; maybe she could finally say yes to a reconciliation. She’d been giving their situation a great deal of thought. Grant had been persistent, determined to regain her love and trust.