Rise: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 2) (9 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Mason

Hours pass at a snail’s pace as we sit at Amy and Nate’s home. I feel helpless, unable to do anything to bring an ounce of comfort to Beth. She’s restless, sitting down and then standing up to pace the room.

“Beth,” I start, but lose the words I want to say. Nothing I can think of could possibly make her feel any better. Her little girl is gone and all we can do is sit around and wait.

Beth walks over to me, and I stand up from my seat in the chair I’ve occupied for the past several hours. I wrap my arms around her and pull her in tight.

“Mason, I…”

“I know. I know. They’ll find her. She’ll be home soon.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do.” I hate making her promises that are outside of my control to keep, but I can’t remind her that every passing second takes her daughter farther away from the chance of ever coming home. All I can do is lie and pull her tightly against me, kissing her head.

Amy walks in the den, coming down the stairs after putting Natey to bed early. As she steps over toward us, Nate enters the room and turns on the television. “Roman called. The Amber alert is finally online.”

We all turn toward the screen, watching as Nate turns to a local station. A picture of an angry looking man comes on the screen. He must be JR.

“Police are on the lookout for a man accused of kidnapping his daughter…” The voice of the reporter fades out of my mind as the picture of JR makes me sick to my stomach.

“I’ve seen him,” I say, suddenly irritated that I didn’t pay closer attention to the strange man watching me last weekend at Creamy’s. I remember the odd looks he gave me that morning and suddenly it all makes sense. He was checking me out and sizing me up. Must have seen me with Beth at some point.

“You have?” Beth turns to me with shock in her voice.

“He was in the bakery last weekend. The morning we went to lunch, actually.”

“Oh, god. He saw us together?”

“He’s been following us. Watching our every move.” A chill runs down my spine as Beth starts to shake again. “Waiting in the shadows and planning his move.”

The reporter’s voice comes back into focus. “If you have any information or have seen this man, please call the police hotline―”

Nate turns off the screen, cutting off the rest of the message. We sit in silence for the rest of the evening, all waiting for the same thing.

For a phone to ring with news that they’ve caught JR and Isla is safe.

~**~

I’m not sure when I fell asleep, but I awake with a blanket covering me on the couch and Beth nestled next to me.

Looking over to the nearby chair, Nate is sitting and reading the paper. “What time is it?” I whisper, trying not to wake Beth.

“Almost seven.” Nate folds the paper over and sets it on the side table. I carefully maneuver around Beth, leaving her laying on the couch. Streaks of leftover tears carve lines down her face. The last thing I recall is her falling asleep while crying in my arms.

Nate motions for me to follow him into the kitchen and he begins preparing a pot of coffee. “I can’t believe this, man.”

I look to Nate as he pulls two cups from the cabinet near the sink.

“Yeah. I know what you mean. I worked so hard to keep her safe.” There is an expression of sadness in his face that I’ve never seen before.

“You can’t blame yourself. None of us can. No one could have known that JR would show up and kidnap Isla.”

Nate shakes his head. “We knew. Beth kept having dreams about it. I should have been here. Shouldn’t have left Amy alone.”

“If I hadn’t taken Beth out… Well, I guess it’s really my fault.”

Nate plants both hands on the counter and drops his head. “No. You’re right. Blaming ourselves won’t fix the problem.”

I sigh, accepting the cup of coffee Nate eventually pours for me. “Have you heard anything else from Roman?”

“He sent a text around midnight. Was going to get some shut eye and promised to call first thing this morning when he gets more news.”

“I hope we hear from him soon. I don’t like seeing Beth like this. Isla’s her whole world. Watching her suffer… Well, I just want it to end.”

Nate looks at me from over his coffee mug as he sips the fresh brew. “I see one of the Collins girls has gotten under your skin too…” Nate’s voice drifts off in a chuckle.

I throw my hand up behind my head, running it through my hair and looking back toward the den where Beth is still sleeping. “Yeah, I don’t know what happened, but she just stole my heart.”

“I know what you mean, brother. I know what you mean.”

Nate walks over to the fridge, looking for something to make for breakfast. “Let me.” I move past him and grab the milk from the fridge. He nods, walking over to the other side of the island and taking a seat. I pull out the ingredient I need and whip up some pancakes for everyone.

When I’ve got the second batch cooking, Natey comes running into the kitchen followed by a sleepy looking Amy. Natey sits down at the table and I place a pancake on a plate and give it to him. He devours it quickly and holds out a plate for another.

With another batch on the griddle, I hand Amy a plate. She starts to turn it down, but I cock an eyebrow. “It’s for the baby.”

She smiles wearily and takes the plate from me. Nate moves over to her and helps her into a chair at the table.

“That’s right. Eat.” He pats her on the shoulder.

Nate’s phone rings and he answers it. The whole kitchen goes silent as we listen to Nate’s end of the conversation.

After several moments he closes his eyes and throws his head back. “They’ve got her.”

Amy makes a sobbing sound and he rushes to her side, wrapping an arm around her. He meets my questioning gaze. “They’ve got her. Roman’s on his way here with Isla now.”

I flip the burner off and race into the den, where Beth is still resting. “Beth.” I give her shoulder a small nudge. “Beth.”

“JR… No.” She wakes from her dream with a look of fright.

“Beth, it’s me.” It takes a moment for her to focus on me and when she does, a brief look of relief crosses her face. It doesn’t last long before her mouth begins to tremble with the remembrance of yesterday’s events.  “They found her.”

Beth’s widening eyes brim with tears. “They…”

“She’s okay. Roman’s bringing her here now.”

Beth throws her arms around me, and I pull her into a standing position. “Oh, thank god.” Tears continue to flow, but these are tears of joy.

Pulling her lips to mine, I give her a kiss. “I’m so glad she’s okay.”

“Mason, you didn’t have to stay.”

“I wouldn’t leave you when you were going through all this.”

“But none of this is your problem and―”

I don’t let Beth finish her statement. “Beth, I care about you.”

Her features soften as she looks at me. “You do?”

“I’m falling in love with you.”

Beth’s mouth drops open at my admission. “I think I’m falling in love with you too.” I press my lips on hers again and pull her close.

“Now go freshen up.” I kiss her forehead and pull back. “Your baby will be here soon.”

Beth’s beautiful smile beams at me as she races upstairs to get changed.

Beth comes back down just as Roman is pulling up in the drive. He comes to the front door, holding Isla’s little hand in his.

“Mommy!” She releases Roman’s hand and runs up the steps to the front door and into Beth’s arms. Beth falls to her knees and pulls her daughter to her.

“Isla. Oh, baby.” I step up behind them as she holds Isla tight. My heart swells seeing them reunited. “Are you okay, baby?”

“I’m okay.” Isla steps back from her mom and hugs my legs. “Hi, Mr. Mason.”

“Hey, sweet girl.” I pick her up and hold her against my chest then pull Beth to me as well. I grip these two girls as though finding my whole world at my fingertips.

“We have to go,” Beth says. “He’ll be coming back for her.” The look of fear in her eyes makes my heart drop.

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Roman looks at Beth and then me. “Maybe Amy could take the kids in the other room for just a moment?”

Beth grips me and Isla tighter, but I give her words of comfort as Roman meets my gaze. “I think you want to hear this, Beth. Amy will take good care of them.”

She nods slightly before releasing me and letting Amy pull Isla into her arms. “Hey, sweetheart,” she says as Isla gives Amy a big hug. They walk into the kitchen where I hear Amy ask Isla if she wants some pancakes for breakfast.

Roman clears his throat. “So the capture wasn’t without incident. We found JR and Isla stopped at a hotel on the state border. We assume he stopped for the night and was waiting to meet up with someone who would get them across undetected. Luckily, the hotel clerk called in a tip and officers were able to find them.”

“Is he in custody?” I ask, grasping Beth’s hand in mine.

“No.”

Roman’s response causes Beth to gasp.

“He was killed trying to escape. He pulled a gun on the officers in pursuit and they returned fire. He didn’t make it.”

Beth’s voice is strangled when she finally speaks. “You mean… It’s over.”

“Yes.” Roman offers a slight smile. “You don’t have to worry about him bothering you or Isla again.”

Beth breaks down in my arms, sobbing in relief.

~**~

That night, Beth lets me help her tuck Isla into bed. After taking her bath, we lay down on each side of her and Beth pulls out a storybook she removed from a small shelf across the room.

“I want Mr. Mason to read it.”

Beth looks up to me, and I nod my head.

“Of course, sweet girl.” I open up the pages and begin reading the story of a mouse going on an adventure. Beth lays back, looking at me as I read to Isla. It’s not long before Isla falls asleep and the two of us are sitting on either side of her in silence.

“Thank you, again,” Beth says.

“I should be thanking you.”

Beth arches an eyebrow. “Why?”

“For letting me be a part of your family.”

“I’m sure it’s not what you thought it would be like. Especially with all the extra drama and criminal activity.”

“It’s not anything like I expected,” I say softly. “It’s much better.”

Beth smiles as she settles next to Isla, holding her tight, scared to let her go. But if one thing is for certain, I’ll never let anything happen to either of the special women in my life again.

Chapter Sixteen

Becca

Can I make the right decision? I’ve gone over and over the thoughts that have plagued my mind for the last several days. Never would I have thought I would be faced with picking between two great men. After spending time with both Joe and Cody, the decision was even more difficult.

What if I choose incorrectly? What if things don’t work out and I ruin a relationship that could have been?

The doorbell rings, and I let Lisa in.

“Hey, sweetie.” She gives me a hug then holds up a bottle of tequila in one hand and margarita mix in the other. “I felt like this was called for tonight.”

“Good call.” I usher her in and pull her toward the kitchen. While I set up the blender, Lisa grabs ice from the freezer. After mixing up the first batch, we retiring to the back porch with a full pitcher of margaritas and a bag of chips.

“So, what’s going on with you?” Lisa asks.

“Besides trying to decide who I want to date and who I want to break up with?”

“Damn, girl. I can’t believe you’ve got two boys pining after you. I’m jealous.”

“Don’t be.” I shake my head between gulps of the sweet and sour drink. “It’s not as much fun as it sounds.”

“So what’s the problem? Don’t know who to screw next?”

“Lisa!” I smack her on the leg.

“Hey.” She shrugs and licks some salt from the rim of her glass. “Both are hot. No judgments here...”

I pour us each another glass. “You know me. I can barely handle chewing gum and walking at the same time, let alone dating two guys.”

“So choose one.”

“That’s my problem.” I sigh, leaning back into the patio chair and looking out at my small backyard. “I don’t know who to pick.”

“Well, how do you feel about them? Does one seem to fit with you better?”

“Well, I’ve dated Cody before and things were definitely hot between us. But when he broke things off… Ugh. It really got to me, you know?”

“I remember. You were devastated. I’m surprised Mason didn’t fire you after you ran Cody off from Creamy’s”

I chuckle in response. “Mason loves me too much. Besides, he can’t find anyone with my talent to replace me.”

“Truth.” She tilts her glass to mine. We both take another long chug. The icy drink refreshes my taste buds while the liquor warms my blood.

“Now that Cody’s back, it’s brought up all the feelings I used to have. But he’s changed some too. Grown up, I think.”

Lisa grabs the pitcher off the table and tops off our glasses. I take a sip off the top before continuing. “But Joe…”

“Hottie with the bar,” Lisa adds.

“Yes,” I say with a laugh. “He’s so sweet and sexy. I really have had a great time getting to know him over the past few months and he’s just so adorable. He’s such a gentleman. And that southern drawl.”

“Almost too perfect,” Lisa says with a knowing smile.

“Yes, but it’s all part of his charm and the reason I’m so attracted to him.”

“Well,” Lisa pauses to take a drink, “if you’re going to choose one, is there one between the two that you could see yourself spending the rest of your life with?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Then there you go. You should pick that one.”

“But what if it doesn’t work out?” A frown pulls at the corners of my mouth. “What if he’s the wrong one?”

“But what if he’s not?” Lisa points out. “Don’t you owe it to yourself to find out?”

“Yeah, I guess.” After pondering her question for a moment, my decision seems clear. “Yes, I do.”

~**~

After Lisa heads home for the night, using an Uber driver to pick her up, I head to my bedroom and take a shower. Once I’m changed for bed, I lay around for an hour, thinking about the choice I’ve made.

Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I dial his number, hoping he’ll pick up even though it’s nearly midnight.

“Becca?” His quiet voice is barely a whisper in the phone.

“Hey,” I say with a bit of a slur and then laugh at myself. “Did I wake you?”

“No, I was just reading. What’s up?”

“Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. How about dinner tomorrow night? I’ll swing by around seven.”

I smile in response and hug the phone tighter to my ear. “Seven will be perfect. See you tomorrow night.”

I lay in bed looking up at the ceiling, feeling confident in my choice. Just hearing his voice makes my insides melt and confirms I’m not choosing wrong.

Although I don’t know what the future may hold for us, he’s definitely the one I want to spend time with and share my life.

Seven o’clock can’t come fast enough. Work keeps me busy, which helps the day pass but still not fast enough. When Mason comes in and tells Aaron and me about his crazy weekend and the kidnaping, I almost feel bad for thinking my life was messed up. I can’t imagine what Beth must have gone through.

When I get off work around five, I head home and get ready for my date. I know I’ll have to break up with the other one, which will be difficult for me to do. But ultimately, it’s the right decision for me and that’s what I have to go with.

When the doorbell rings, I’ve just finished putting on a coat of lip gloss over my tinted lips. Walking to the front door, I take a quick peek at myself in the hall mirror. After adjusting a strand of hair behind my ear, I open the door.

“Hi, beautiful,” he says.

“Hey, Cody. I’m so glad you’re here.”