CHAPTER 22
The atmosphere was a little tense over dinner. Amanda had been polite to Beth, but she was
wary of her … not pleased at all about the trouble she'd brought to her friends. Several times
during the meal Beth felt her eyes on her. At first she didn't feel up to dealing with it so she
pretended not to notice … but as the evening went on she finally met Amanda's strong gaze with
one of her own.
"I'm sorry … is there something you want to say?" Beth could tell Amanda was the get to the
point type, and she didn't feel like playing games.
Amanda was a bit surprised and Duncan put a hand under the table and gripped her knee …
willing her to keep it to herself.
Adam cleared his throat nervously and Joe suddenly thought of a few places he needed to be.
"Now that you mention it … yes, I do have something I'd like to ask." Amanda swiped Duncan's
hand away as he increased the pressure of his grip.
Beth pushed her bowl aside and leaned her elbows on the table, waiting for what she knew was
going to be Amanda's disapproval.
"You seem like a nice person. And it's really unfortunate what has happened … but do you think
it's fair to pull everyone else into this mess? Wouldn't it have made more sense to have just laid
low ... and tried to deal with this more … quietly?" Amanda asked.
Beth waived Adam off when he started to tell Amanda it wasn't any of her concern. She weighed
her words carefully before answering the woman's challenge. She knew why Amanda was
asking this … and she didn't really blame her. She was their friend and Beth would probably be
disappointed if she hadn't been concerned.
"I know what you're saying Amanda … and believe me … I didn't mean to cause trouble for
anyone else. My life is in ruins and the last thing I want is to make someone else miserable by
forcing them into it." Beth began, her voice calm and her eyes steadily holding the flashing blue
one's across the table. "I came to Seacouver because that is where the Witness Protection
Program put me. I opened this bakery because they only give you start up money … and I
needed a way to support myself … and my child."
Amanda nodded that she understood that much.
"Except for Adam … who probably would have shown up on my doorstep looking for his old room,
I would never have met Richie or Joe or Duncan except by accident … They found my dog and I
was grateful and made them dinner. Yes I was glad to have their friendship, but I didn't ask any
of them to search out police reports or hire detectives or whatever else they've done to involve
themselves." Beth looked around the table and none of them disagreed. "They stepped into this
with their eyes open … and I would guess that you of all people know what boy scouts they are
…"
Amanda couldn't help but smirk at that remark … Adam however bristled a little … he'd called
Macleod a boy scout on several occasions, but him? Never.
"They see a lost dog … they rescue it … kitten in a tree … they are up on the highest branch
without a second thought …"
"And damsel in distress … yep … that's our boys …" Amanda shook her head as she laughed.
Beth was relieved and laughed with her. The men were completely baffled by the way the
conversation had turned from confrontational between the two women to sharing some private
joke at their expense.
"I get it … and no … you couldn't talk them out of it once they decided to make you their project."
Amanda reluctantly agreed as she pushed away from the table. "Can I help you with these?" she
asked, hoping to have some time alone to get to know Beth a little better. As long as she was
going to be in town, that made her a part of it … and she wanted to know as much as she could.
Beth accepted the help, sending the men into the living room to finish their coffee and hopefully
find something to occupy themselves.
After they'd put away the dinner dishes, Beth gave Amanda a tour of the shop and showed her
the renovation she'd begun on the house. They discussed wall coverings and the best way to
restore the luster to the marble foyer … and they talked about her plans for the baby. Beth
showed her the room that connected with hers that she had begun preparing.
"You must be excited." Amanda stated, feeling a twinge of envy.
"It's all I can think about." Beth admitted. "Most days it's the only reason I can think of to get up
in the morning. I miss Craig so much … and I know he would have been a great father. I just
hope he'd be proud of the way I handle this … it seems so weird without him."
Amanda knew much of the heartache Beth spoke of. She'd loved and lost more times than she
cared to count … she wondered what it might have been like if there had been a little piece of
those loves that remained …
When they came back downstairs only Adam and Duncan were there. Joe had to get back to the
club and was secretly hoping Richie would show up later.
Amanda snuggled into the deep sofa next to Duncan and tried for the life of her to figure out why
he was so captivated by men swinging bats and running around bases.
"It's not an ordinary game … It's the World Series Amanda." Duncan tried to impress on her the
importance … but it wasn't getting through.
Beth curled up in one of the overstuffed leather chairs, noticing how comfortable Barkley was
lying on the floor in front of the fireplace near Adam. In between innings she found herself
watching the two … Barkley lay on his back, begging for a belly rub and Adam, propped up
against the bottom of the other chair, his legs bent slightly, seemed happy to oblige. Glancing up
at the empty chair, she couldn't help but think about Richie … she missed him being there … but
maybe it was for the best. She hadn't wanted to hurt him, and maybe now at least the damage
would be minimal.
She was lost in thought and didn't hear Amanda when she first mentioned Claudia Jardine's
opening the coming week. "I'm sorry …" Beth replied, turning when she heard her name being
called for the second or third time.
"I was just asking what you were going to wear to the opening." Amanda repeated.
Beth had no idea what she meant.
"I forgot to tell her … " Duncan interrupted, moving to the edge of the sofa. "I think I've
mentioned Claudia before …"
"The concert pianist?"
Duncan nodded. "She's starting a two week engagement at the Opera House on Thursday night,
and we'd like for you to come with us. I think you'll enjoy it."
"You don't have to invite me Duncan … I wouldn't want to intrude." Beth replied.
"Nonsense. Claudia is counting on me to bring a big group … and as these two will tell you … I
really will never hear the end of it if I don't deliver." Duncan admitted and a quick glance from
Amanda to Adam confirmed for Beth the truth of this statement.
"Temperamental musician?" she guessed.
"Temperamental doesn't even begin to define Claudia Jardine." Adam added, sitting up straight
against the bottom of the chair.
"Are you going?" Beth asked pointedly.
"He's going." Duncan answered and Adam threw up his hands in defeat.
"Uhm … I suppose you invited Richie? … Duncan I don't want to make him uncomfortable … or
be the reason he declines your invitation."
"Beth, Richie will go or not go … it's his decision. But you can't make your decisions based on
whether or not you are going to make him uncomfortable. He's our friend … and so are you …
and sooner or later the two of you will have to come to terms with whatever is going on." Duncan
told her directly.
"Duncan's right." Amanda added. "And leave Richie to me … I have my ways of convincing him."
Groans escaped from both Adam and Duncan at the thought and Amanda dropped the subject.
"So it's decided … it's formal … so you will need to dress to the 9's." Amanda's excitement over
having an occasion was evident.
"I'm afraid that aside from a couple of simple dresses … I don't have anything close to
appropriate." Beth admitted. She spent most of the time in jeans and practical shirts and
sweaters … there hadn't been any reason for much else since she'd had to start her wardrobe
almost from scratch when she left home.
"Wonderful. I wanted an excuse to go shopping in San Francisco … we'll go tomorrow." Amanda
was practically delirious.
"I have to work tomorrow … until noon." Beth replied.
"Perfect … We'll be here at 12:30 then."
"We?" Duncan asked.
"Unless you are going to let me borrow your car." Amanda batted her eyes.
Beth laughed at the look on Duncan's face. It was obvious the last thing he wanted to do was go
on a shopping spree with two women … but he was NOT going to let Amanda drive his car.
"We'll take mine." Beth came to his rescue. "Maybe Adam wants to drive?" she laughed, not
resisting the temptation to tease him a little too.
"I think we should have kept these two apart." Mac noted.
"Far apart." Adam agreed, stretching as he stood up. "Anyone want a beer?"
The atmosphere was a little tense over dinner. Amanda had been polite to Beth, but she was
wary of her … not pleased at all about the trouble she'd brought to her friends. Several times
during the meal Beth felt her eyes on her. At first she didn't feel up to dealing with it so she
pretended not to notice … but as the evening went on she finally met Amanda's strong gaze with
one of her own.
"I'm sorry … is there something you want to say?" Beth could tell Amanda was the get to the
point type, and she didn't feel like playing games.
Amanda was a bit surprised and Duncan put a hand under the table and gripped her knee …
willing her to keep it to herself.
Adam cleared his throat nervously and Joe suddenly thought of a few places he needed to be.
"Now that you mention it … yes, I do have something I'd like to ask." Amanda swiped Duncan's
hand away as he increased the pressure of his grip.
Beth pushed her bowl aside and leaned her elbows on the table, waiting for what she knew was
going to be Amanda's disapproval.
"You seem like a nice person. And it's really unfortunate what has happened … but do you think
it's fair to pull everyone else into this mess? Wouldn't it have made more sense to have just laid
low ... and tried to deal with this more … quietly?" Amanda asked.
Beth waived Adam off when he started to tell Amanda it wasn't any of her concern. She weighed
her words carefully before answering the woman's challenge. She knew why Amanda was
asking this … and she didn't really blame her. She was their friend and Beth would probably be
disappointed if she hadn't been concerned.
"I know what you're saying Amanda … and believe me … I didn't mean to cause trouble for
anyone else. My life is in ruins and the last thing I want is to make someone else miserable by
forcing them into it." Beth began, her voice calm and her eyes steadily holding the flashing blue
one's across the table. "I came to Seacouver because that is where the Witness Protection
Program put me. I opened this bakery because they only give you start up money … and I
needed a way to support myself … and my child."
Amanda nodded that she understood that much.
"Except for Adam … who probably would have shown up on my doorstep looking for his old room,
I would never have met Richie or Joe or Duncan except by accident … They found my dog and I
was grateful and made them dinner. Yes I was glad to have their friendship, but I didn't ask any
of them to search out police reports or hire detectives or whatever else they've done to involve
themselves." Beth looked around the table and none of them disagreed. "They stepped into this
with their eyes open … and I would guess that you of all people know what boy scouts they are
…"
Amanda couldn't help but smirk at that remark … Adam however bristled a little … he'd called
Macleod a boy scout on several occasions, but him? Never.
"They see a lost dog … they rescue it … kitten in a tree … they are up on the highest branch
without a second thought …"
"And damsel in distress … yep … that's our boys …" Amanda shook her head as she laughed.
Beth was relieved and laughed with her. The men were completely baffled by the way the
conversation had turned from confrontational between the two women to sharing some private
joke at their expense.
"I get it … and no … you couldn't talk them out of it once they decided to make you their project."
Amanda reluctantly agreed as she pushed away from the table. "Can I help you with these?" she
asked, hoping to have some time alone to get to know Beth a little better. As long as she was
going to be in town, that made her a part of it … and she wanted to know as much as she could.
Beth accepted the help, sending the men into the living room to finish their coffee and hopefully
find something to occupy themselves.
After they'd put away the dinner dishes, Beth gave Amanda a tour of the shop and showed her
the renovation she'd begun on the house. They discussed wall coverings and the best way to
restore the luster to the marble foyer … and they talked about her plans for the baby. Beth
showed her the room that connected with hers that she had begun preparing.
"You must be excited." Amanda stated, feeling a twinge of envy.
"It's all I can think about." Beth admitted. "Most days it's the only reason I can think of to get up
in the morning. I miss Craig so much … and I know he would have been a great father. I just
hope he'd be proud of the way I handle this … it seems so weird without him."
Amanda knew much of the heartache Beth spoke of. She'd loved and lost more times than she
cared to count … she wondered what it might have been like if there had been a little piece of
those loves that remained …
When they came back downstairs only Adam and Duncan were there. Joe had to get back to the
club and was secretly hoping Richie would show up later.
Amanda snuggled into the deep sofa next to Duncan and tried for the life of her to figure out why
he was so captivated by men swinging bats and running around bases.
"It's not an ordinary game … It's the World Series Amanda." Duncan tried to impress on her the
importance … but it wasn't getting through.
Beth curled up in one of the overstuffed leather chairs, noticing how comfortable Barkley was
lying on the floor in front of the fireplace near Adam. In between innings she found herself
watching the two … Barkley lay on his back, begging for a belly rub and Adam, propped up
against the bottom of the other chair, his legs bent slightly, seemed happy to oblige. Glancing up
at the empty chair, she couldn't help but think about Richie … she missed him being there … but
maybe it was for the best. She hadn't wanted to hurt him, and maybe now at least the damage
would be minimal.
She was lost in thought and didn't hear Amanda when she first mentioned Claudia Jardine's
opening the coming week. "I'm sorry …" Beth replied, turning when she heard her name being
called for the second or third time.
"I was just asking what you were going to wear to the opening." Amanda repeated.
Beth had no idea what she meant.
"I forgot to tell her … " Duncan interrupted, moving to the edge of the sofa. "I think I've
mentioned Claudia before …"
"The concert pianist?"
Duncan nodded. "She's starting a two week engagement at the Opera House on Thursday night,
and we'd like for you to come with us. I think you'll enjoy it."
"You don't have to invite me Duncan … I wouldn't want to intrude." Beth replied.
"Nonsense. Claudia is counting on me to bring a big group … and as these two will tell you … I
really will never hear the end of it if I don't deliver." Duncan admitted and a quick glance from
Amanda to Adam confirmed for Beth the truth of this statement.
"Temperamental musician?" she guessed.
"Temperamental doesn't even begin to define Claudia Jardine." Adam added, sitting up straight
against the bottom of the chair.
"Are you going?" Beth asked pointedly.
"He's going." Duncan answered and Adam threw up his hands in defeat.
"Uhm … I suppose you invited Richie? … Duncan I don't want to make him uncomfortable … or
be the reason he declines your invitation."
"Beth, Richie will go or not go … it's his decision. But you can't make your decisions based on
whether or not you are going to make him uncomfortable. He's our friend … and so are you …
and sooner or later the two of you will have to come to terms with whatever is going on." Duncan
told her directly.
"Duncan's right." Amanda added. "And leave Richie to me … I have my ways of convincing him."
Groans escaped from both Adam and Duncan at the thought and Amanda dropped the subject.
"So it's decided … it's formal … so you will need to dress to the 9's." Amanda's excitement over
having an occasion was evident.
"I'm afraid that aside from a couple of simple dresses … I don't have anything close to
appropriate." Beth admitted. She spent most of the time in jeans and practical shirts and
sweaters … there hadn't been any reason for much else since she'd had to start her wardrobe
almost from scratch when she left home.
"Wonderful. I wanted an excuse to go shopping in San Francisco … we'll go tomorrow." Amanda
was practically delirious.
"I have to work tomorrow … until noon." Beth replied.
"Perfect … We'll be here at 12:30 then."
"We?" Duncan asked.
"Unless you are going to let me borrow your car." Amanda batted her eyes.
Beth laughed at the look on Duncan's face. It was obvious the last thing he wanted to do was go
on a shopping spree with two women … but he was NOT going to let Amanda drive his car.
"We'll take mine." Beth came to his rescue. "Maybe Adam wants to drive?" she laughed, not
resisting the temptation to tease him a little too.
"I think we should have kept these two apart." Mac noted.
"Far apart." Adam agreed, stretching as he stood up. "Anyone want a beer?"