Silent Love(21)

Through the deck cracks she saw the door to the bottom porch open,  catching her dad's attention. His eyes widened with appreciation and  what Beth perceived as desire. Wow, did not want that vision imprinted  in her mind. Her mom stepped into view, wearing a one piece navy blue  swimsuit with white trim and an eye-hole opening at the front that tied.  At fifty-nine, her mom was regally beautiful. No wonder Dad still was  head over heels for her. Nothing sagged on her, no wrinkles, no extra  skin. She looked to be in her forties rather than about to turn sixty.

Smirking, her dad nodded an apparent question his wife asked.

In a way, their relationship reminded her of hers and Sean's. Her dad  was so much bigger than her mom that he engulfed her when he held her.  Her mom seemed to relish when his beefy arms wrapped around her petite  frame. Beth could relate. Whether in bed, at the movies, at the park, on  the sofa, or taking a stroll down the road, there was nothing better  than being in the protective arms of an overprotective man. She missed  it.

Mrs. Connors climbed into the pool while her husband put away the hose.  The late morning/early afternoon sun beat down on that side of the  house. Today was supposed to be in the nineties, so they decided to take  advantage of the pool before it became too warm to enjoy. Jill dove  under the water and swam to her husband. When she surfaced, he picked  her up and wrapped her toned legs around his waist. Beth watched her dad  lean down and gently kiss her mom. The private moment between them  screamed romance and adoration.

Tears stung Beth's eyes. Part of her knew she was being stubborn, a gift  from her father, but the other part wanted to jump in her car, drive  over to Sean's, and beg for him to take her back. He would. Every day  she received flowers, cards, or a chocolate gift that pleaded for her to  talk to him, give him a chance. Close to two months into their short  relationship, Beth had been happy for the first time in years, and Sean  had been the one to give that to her. Her inability to hear didn't  matter to him. He learned and adjusted. He catered to her as if she was  the most important person in his world, and she believed she was.  Actually there was no doubt she was. Thinking back to that horrible  dinner party, Sean had protected her by whisking her away from the onset  of trouble. He'd chosen her over his beloved cousin. Even Ryan took  guard over her, slipping into a big brother role. But how could they  ever truly be happy together when the elephant in the family was their  cousin, whose lifestyle destroyed her life? That wasn't something she  could easily get over, and every family gathering would be riddled with  awkwardness because Beth didn't have it in her to forgive the Murphy  family. Not only that, there was the untapped issue that Sean would want  children, soon, because of his age. After seeing him with his young  cousins, there was no doubt he would. Beth was positive she couldn't  raise babies in a safe environment. She barely took care of herself.  Plus their age difference had to play a part eventually. What did they  have in common really, except for both working in the medical field?  Ultimately he would have become frustrated with having to adapt to her  lack of hearing. Their time would have ended sooner rather than later.  Swiping the escaped tears from he cheeks, she determined the end of the  relationship now was for the best.

Flashing of the porch lights interrupted her wayward thoughts. Glancing  back at her parents, they were too involved with each other to hear or  bother with an intruder to their bubble. Beth crawled off the lounger  and went inside. She was shocked to find Ryan standing on the doorstep.

He smiled, relief crossing his handsome features. "Hi."

"Hi," she said softly.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

Shaking her head, she said, "Ryan, I think it's best if Sean and I end our relationship‒"

"I think you're wrong," he said. "But before we get into that, how are you?"         

     



 

Surprised at his concern, though she shouldn't have been, she answered, "Okay."

Grinning, his eyes grew affectionate. "Can I come in or are we gonna  have this discussion on the front step of your parents' home?"

Stepping aside, she waved him in, then showed him to the living room. "Please have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"

"No, thank you," he said. Sliding his big body on the sofa, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

She sat on the opposite side of the couch and waited for him to say his peace.

"Do you miss him as much as he misses you?" Ryan asked.

Frowning, she asked, "What?"

"He's devastated right now, Beth," he said. "Miserable. You must know he  would be, right? I mean, Sean doesn't tell women he loves them. There's  only been three women who've been given those three words‒our mom,  Courtney, and you."

That couldn't be correct. Sean had to have been in love before. Look at  him, a Greek god that was sensitive, caring, and intelligent. "That  can't be true."

Ryan silently chastised her with an arched brow. "It is."

"It doesn't matter, Ryan." She shook her head. "How could we possibly work out? How could‒"

"Who do you think Sean chose, Beth? He picked you. He tossed our cousin  out of his life, he's so furious with her. Do you have any comprehension  what that means to us? You're the one he wants to spend the rest of his  life with, grow old with, build a life with. You. No one else. There  was no hesitation on his part, he picked you. He'll always pick you,  even when you refuse his calls, his visits, his gifts," Ryan said. "Have  you been happy, because you look like you've been cryin'? Is it over  Sean?" He scooted closer and took her hands into his. "Just hear him  out. Give him a chance to fix this, Beth."

"Ryan, there's too much going against us," she argued.

He body went rigid. "Like what?"

"I don't want to hash it out." She sighed heavily, and her head fell forward. "It would have ended eventually."

His large hand lifted her chin to look him in the eyes. Searching hers,  he finally said, "Just listen to him. Meet with him one time, and if  that's still how you feel then I'll accept it."

"You?" she asked.

He snorted. "Surely you don't think I'll accept anything but a happy  reunion     ." He stood, kissed her hard on the top of her head, and left  the house.

That was it?

Not two minutes later, her cell phone beeped with a text message from Sean. Meet me at the new office. 5 pm tonite.

Great, now she had a date with a man she was trying to distance herself  from. But that annoying tiny voice in her head was screaming out in joy  that he was coming after her with gusto, even utilizing his brother. The  man didn't fight fair.





16





This had to work. Sean couldn't and wouldn't accept anything but  victory. Which meant, at the end of the evening, Beth would be back in  his life. Permanently.

Glancing at his watch, he nervously fiddled with the white linen  tablecloth placed precisely over the empty desk. Two lit tapered candles  created the centerpiece. Votive candles littered the packed office  space, creating a soothing ambiance. Two plated, fine dining dinners  with sterling silver covers sat perfectly between the polished  silverware. When he went to his mom's house earlier, she'd been more  than happy to help him pull out everything he needed to wine and dine  his girl.

After fixing the table for the umpteenth time, he wandered over to the  window to watch for her car to pull in. Leaning against the sill, he  felt his heart thrumming through his chest. What would he do if she  refused him? Could he handle it? Would he allow her to walk away so  easily? Hell no.

Shaking off his despondent thoughts, he focused on the here and now,  winning back his girl. After Ryan got home earlier this afternoon and  explained his discussion with Beth, they both concluded there was much  more going on than the dinner incident. Apparently his Beth believed  they weren't meant to be together. Well he'd put a halt to those errant  thoughts immediately. Whatever it took and whatever assurances she  needed, he'd give her.

A clearing of a throat interrupted him. Wheeling around, Beth stood at  the threshold of the office, looking beautiful in black slacks and a  sheer ivory short sleeve blouse.

Confused, he glanced outside then back at her. "How did you get here without me seeing you pull in?"

Smiling that adorable shy look, she shrugged. "Parked around back."         

     



 

It only took a few long strides to get to her. "You look beautiful," he  said softly. He took a lock of her silky strands between his fingers,  briefly toyed with it, then brushed her hair off her shoulder. That  attractive, endearing blush she had no control over made an appearance.  One of the many list of things he cherished about her.

"I thought we were only talking," she said softly.