Priceless(49)
Richard grinned. “Actually we were invited for dessert.”
“Really?” Mack said, frowning at his aunt. “Which part of just the three of us did you not understand, Destiny?”
“It’s my home,” she chided. “I’m entitled to include your brother and his wife, if I so choose. I thought it was time they had a chance to meet Beth.”
Mack gave her a wry look. “Then Richard didn’t mention that he’d taken the bait you tossed out weeks ago? He came scurrying right over to the hospital to meet her. I would have thought he’d give you a full report long before now.”
Destiny looked genuinely surprised. “Really? What brought that on? Surely not some casual remark I might have made.”
“He came to gloat,” Mack said before his brother could speak. “Seems he’d figured out you were up to your eyeballs in planning my life and wanted to see for himself how it was working out.”
Beth turned to Melanie. “Was it this bad with you?”
“Worse,” Melanie said with heartfelt sincerity. “Richard was the first part of Destiny’s grand scheme. She really had something to prove with us.”
Beth buried her face in her hands. She’d had no idea things were going to spin this far out of control so quickly. She finally drew in a deep breath and looked up. “I think it’s time for me to get back to the hospital.”
“I agree,” Mack said at once, practically knocking over his chair in his eagerness.
“You don’t need to come,” she told him. “I have my own car, remember?”
“It’s got a spare tire on, probably one of those little doughnut things. At the very least, you need to let me follow you to make sure you don’t have another problem.”
Beth’s chin set stubbornly. “It’s not necessary.”
Mack’s set just as firmly. “Yes, it is.”
She realized he wasn’t going to bend on this, either out of a real sense of protectiveness toward her or out of desperation to make his own escape. She might as well give in gracefully.
“Fine, then,” she relented. She faced Destiny. “Thanks so much for a lovely dinner. And I apologize again for being so late. I’ll get your clothes back to you.”
“I still think you should keep them,” Destiny said. “They’re very becoming.”
Beth shook her head. She wasn’t about to owe this clever woman for another thing. “I couldn’t.”
“Your decision, of course,” Destiny said, giving in. “I do wish you wouldn’t run off, though. I made something chocolate for dessert. I understand you’re partial to it.”
“So am I,” Melanie said, then added eagerly, “I’ll eat her share.”
“And probably Mack’s as well,” Richard said, regarding her indulgently. “Before you two leave, you should know that Melanie and I have an announcement to make.”
Everyone turned to stare at them expectantly.
Eyes shining, Melanie said, “We’re going to have a baby.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Mack said, grabbing his brother and enthusiastically slapping him on the back. “Congratulations!”
Tears spilled down Destiny’s cheeks as she embraced first Melanie and then her nephew.
Melanie winked at Beth. “There, that should take the heat off you for a bit. Run now, while you have the chance.”
“Not until we drink a toast,” Destiny insisted. “Let me get some sparkling cider for Melanie and the rest of us can have champagne.”
Not willing to spoil Melanie and Richard’s moment, Beth nodded. “We can wait just a minute, but make mine sparkling cider as well, since I’m heading back to work.”
“What the heck,” Mack told his aunt. “Make it sparkling cider all around. I’m getting behind the wheel, so it’s best if I don’t have anything more to drink.”
“Richard, darling, why don’t you come into the kitchen with me?” Destiny suggested. “You can help me carry the glasses. And, Mack, you can clear the table and bring in dessert.” She glanced toward Beth. “You might as well have that chocolate mousse now, too, don’t you think?”
The temptation was too great to resist. Beth nodded. “Sure.”
Destiny beamed. “I knew you could be tempted.”
After they’d all disappeared into the kitchen, Melanie turned to Beth. “So, tell me, just how pressured are you feeling?”
Beth thought about it. She’d really only experienced one panicky moment earlier. “Actually it’s not so bad. Mack and I are in the same place, I think. He’s no more interested in marriage than I am.”