A Turn in the Road - Debbie Macomber [70]
She instinctively recognized that he was a man who loved completely. Grant—well, he’d claimed to, but he’d deviated from his love, his vows, without caring how that affected her or their children.
After several minutes of silence, he said, “I know from what you told me that you had to find your way back to God after Grant left you.”
“Yes.” It’d been a small epiphany for her.
“You helped me see that I needed to do the same thing—make peace with Him.”
“Oh?”
“We’ve been at odds ever since I lost Katherine. My daughter lived longer than any of her doctors expected. It was bad enough losing her, but then Kate…” He hesitated. “Losing my wife was too much, and frankly I’ve ignored anything spiritual ever since. Then, at a time when I least expected it, you plowed your way into my life.”
“Plowed?” She raised her eyebrows. “Plowed?”
He laughed. “Okay, you appeared in my life. And for the first time since I buried Kate, I could feel. I could breathe without pain. I could face the future. I have to say it felt damn good and then…you were gone.”
She tightened her hand around his, unsure what to say.
“I had a choice,” Max went on. “I could get angry all over again or I could be thankful that you came when you did.”
“And?”
“I chose to be thankful. Don’t get me wrong, God and I aren’t back on speaking terms but I’m getting there.”
“Oh, Max.” Not caring who saw them, she turned her head so their lips could meet. Early in their relationship, Grant had always been the romantic one. He’d written her poems and sent her flowers on the flimsiest of excuses. And yet no one, not even Grant, had said anything more beautiful to her than this.
“Whatever happens, whatever you decide—” he continued, after breaking off the kiss. He paused, then kissed her again. “—I’ll accept it with gratitude.”
Bethanne felt as if she might weep.
Max kissed the top of her head. “This probably isn’t a good time for us to talk about serious matters.”
“Why not?”
“I’m too tired to filter what I say.”
“Tell me, anyway.”
“I didn’t think I could ever love again after I lost Kate. You’ve shown me it’s possible.”
She sighed, savoring his words, and snuggled closer. “I know what you mean. I thought it would be impossible to feel this way after Grant left me. I was sure I’d never be able to trust another man, let alone give him my heart.”
“Could you give me your heart, Bethanne?” he asked.
“Yes, and it scares me to death.”
He smiled. “It does me, too.” He kissed the side of her neck and his lips against her skin felt like a mild electric shock.
“I…think it might be best if we both went to our rooms. You’re tired, and I need time to sort all this out in my head.”
Walking hand in hand, they approached the elevator. Once inside—fortunately they were alone—Max punched their floor numbers. As soon as the door closed, he drew her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss was hot and urgent, and when he released her they were both breathless. His gaze held hers and she smiled at him.
He hugged her again and Bethanne stepped into the hallway that led to her room. Her mother-in-law and daughter were still out, to Bethanne’s rather guilty relief.
She undressed and climbed into bed and sat there, mulling over the conversation with Max.
After Grant moved out, Bethanne had dated Tiffany’s ex-husband. Paul was much younger. They’d bonded over the trauma of having loved an unfaithful spouse. Paul had since remarried and recently had a baby son. She was happy for him.
After Paul, Bethanne had dated off and on. Nothing had come of those relationships. And now she’d met Max… It seemed as though she’d been waiting for him all these years. Why now? Falling in love couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time.
Bethanne was still sitting up in bed, staring blankly at the wall, at about ten, when the door opened and the other two came in. Both were surprised to find her in the room.
“I thought you were with Max,” Annie said.
“I was. We had dinner and then he went up to his room.” She didn’t mention that he’d spent twenty