Priceless(68)
Mack opened his arms to his aunt. “You didn’t have to come. I just wanted you to get in touch with Richard and Ben for me.”
“Of course I had to come,” Destiny insisted, reaching for Beth’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “I intend to be tested, too.”
“Destiny, no,” Beth protested.
“Why on earth not? Is there some reason I should be disqualified?” Destiny inquired.
“No, but no one would expect you to do this.”
“Then isn’t it a good thing that I expect it of myself,” Destiny said briskly. “Where do we need to go?”
Beth looked up at Mack, expecting him to protest, but he merely gave his aunt another fierce hug.
“Have I ever told you how much I admire you?” he asked her quietly.
“You’ve never had to say the words,” she told him. “None of you have. I know you think I’m impossible sometimes, that I’m annoying, that I’m a romantic meddler, but I also know that you love me.”
“This isn’t just about loving you,” Mack said. “That’s a given. Admiration and respect are something you’ve earned quite aside from that.”
“He’s right,” Ben said. “You’re a remarkable woman, Destiny.”
“Oh, stop it,” she said, clearly flustered. She grabbed one of Beth’s tissues and dabbed at her eyes. “See what you’ve gone and made me do? I’m crying.”
“And we know how you hate to spoil your makeup,” Richard teased.
“Especially in a place like this,” Destiny responded tartly. “With all these handsome doctors around, I want to look my best.”
Beth chuckled. “Shall I take you someplace to powder your nose on the way to the lab?” She leaned in to confide, “Peyton Lang is quite something and he’s single.”
Destiny’s eyes immediately brightened. “Really?” She winked at Mack. “See, darling, this isn’t nearly the unselfish act you were making it out to be.”
“You can’t fool me, Destiny,” he countered. “This is not about meeting a doctor. You already have half the available men in Washington falling at your feet and you never give most of them a second glance.”
“Politicians and bankers,” she said dismissively. “There is something so impressive about a man in a white coat, don’t you think so?” she asked, linking her arm through Beth’s. “It’s reassuring.”
To Beth’s amusement, Mack rolled his eyes.
“I think I’ll wait here,” Mack said. “I’m not sure I can bear to watch my aunt in there batting her eyelashes at Peyton.”
“Neither can I,” Ben said. “I’ll wait with Mack till they’re ready for me.” He glanced up at Richard. “And before you say one single word, big brother, no, I’m not trying to back out. I said I’d do this and I will.”
“Never doubted it,” Richard said. He turned to Mack. “Just in case, be prepared to escort him down there. You know how Ben is about needles.”
Ben feigned a horrified expression. “There are needles involved in this test?”
“Big ones,” Mack confirmed.
Beth laughed, despite the dire situation that had brought them all here. “Ben, don’t let them get to you. Mack’s acting all brave and superior now, but even he turned pea-green during the procedure.”
“Oh, that’s reassuring,” Ben said dryly, then squared his shoulders. “Hell, I might as well get this over with. Come on, Beth, lead the way. If a wuss like Mack can do this, then anybody can.”
“Hey, I’ll do just about anything for a lollipop and one of Beth’s kisses,” Mack said. “The rest of you will have to content yourselves with the candy.”
Beth grinned at him. “Not necessarily. Right now I’m in the mood to dispense a lot of very grateful kisses.”
Mack shook his head. “Then isn’t it a damn good thing that most of the team has come and gone?” he grumbled.
“Jealous, bro?” Ben taunted.
“Damn straight,” Mack shot back without hesitation.
Beth’s heart filled with unexpected joy. Life was an amazing thing, she concluded. Just when you were very near the depths of despair, it could turn around.
Maybe they would find a match from today’s testing or maybe not, but she doubted she would ever forget the astonishing parade of people who had come here at Mack’s request. Only an incredible man could garner such an outpouring of generosity with a few phone calls.
Whatever happened with Tony, however heartbreaking the outcome might be, she would always think of this as the precise moment when she’d realized that she could never let Mack go, not without a fight.