Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts Series) (16 page)

“They’re absolutely beautiful.” Beth’s disappointment in not seeing Nick was slightly subdued when she saw the beautiful red vase full of white roses.

“If you can sign here.” Mary handed her a clipboard and pen.

She quickly signed her name, then exchanged the paperwork for the vase. “Thank you.”

“I hope you enjoy.”

Beth closed the door and went back to the kitchen. Placing the vase on the island, she read the card.

Thank you for dinner. I can’t wait to see you again.

He might not be thankful once he tasted it. She’d been so distracted making his favorite brownies that she’d cracked too many eggs and had to start over. The roast and potatoes in the oven were probably safe, but she might want to rethink her first attempt at homemade cornbread.

She smiled and headed to her room to unpack. Maybe they would just skip dinner.

It was eight o’clock by the time Nick arrived. Beth tried not to be irritated. She knew he had long days and a demanding job. But he hadn’t returned any of her calls and eight was late even by his standards.

Her annoyance evaporated when she opened the door and saw how tired he looked. She didn’t wait for him to come inside, just reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissing him with the anticipation she’d kept bottled all afternoon.

She must have caught him off guard, because he hesitated. When she leaned back, his face was pained with an anguish she didn’t understand. Before she could speak, he crushed her against him, taking her mouth with an urgency that had her struggling for breath.

She heard the door close as they moved into the living room, where he lifted her onto his lap. The frenzy softened as she relaxed into him. His tongue dipping into her mouth, one tender stroke after another.

Nick eventually drew back and cradled her head against his chest. Nestled within his arms, she was exactly where she’d ached to be all afternoon. She loved feeling the shear strength of his body. The cocoon that surrounded her so perfectly. Then she remembered the hurt in his eyes and the moment was tainted.

“Nick?” she asked.

“Just let me hold you.”

A chill ran up her spine as she waited for Nick to loosen his grip. Patience wasn’t one of her strongest virtues, so she forced herself to remain still until he relaxed and let out a long sigh.

Tilting her head back, she saw him staring into space. She reached up and stroked his cheek with her hand. “I missed you.”

When he didn’t respond, she tried again. “You probably didn’t expect me to tackle you at the front door.” Her feigned laugh broke the ice and his head turned.

“That’s one of the many things I love about you. I never know what to expect.” His eyes didn’t meet hers, and she could see the tightness in his jaw as he smiled.

She slowly slid off his lap to sit next to him as a wave of nausea rose up through her chest. Pacing always helped to clear her mind, but she remained seated, holding her hands together to stop the sudden trembling.

“I don’t know where to start.” Nick rose to his feet and ran a hand through his hair. He only took a few steps before turning back and sitting down again. Reaching for her hands, he held her gaze as his thumbs began a random caress of her knuckles. “You know I would never intentionally hurt you.”

She could only nod, trying to control the burning behind her eyes as she waited for him to continue.

“Lauren came by my house last night.”

She tried to jerk her hands away, but Nick held tight.

“It’s not what you think. I would never betray you.”

“Then what?” She could barely squeak out a whisper. Her lungs struggled to take in enough air. “Please, just tell me.”

“She’s pregnant.”

Beth could see Nick’s mouth continuing to move, but the beating in her chest drowned out the words.

She tugged at her hands and this time he let her go. She rose and crossed to the other side of the room. Turning her back on him, she stared at the ceiling, willing the tears not to fall as anger began to rise.

For the first time in her life, Beth wanted to hurt someone. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. After everything she’d been through in the past, how could life be so cruel?

She didn’t hear him approach, but felt his strong arms come around her. The gentle touch was her undoing. A storm of tears began to fall and she turned into him. She shouldn’t let him comfort her. She would pay for this later. Though, the situation couldn’t get any worse.

This was goodbye. The man she loved was no longer hers and neither one of them had a choice. A baby was the one thing Nick wouldn’t turn away from. It would tie him to Lauren for life. He would marry her and do whatever he had to to make things work.

For his child.

Beth gathered herself enough to step away.

“I wish you would talk to me,” he said.

She didn’t look at him. Couldn’t let herself even glance up until the quiver in her lip went away.

“I need a glass of water.” Beth left the living room and hurried toward the kitchen as if the stove was on fire. Grabbing a clean glass from the cabinet, she poured fresh cold water from the refrigerator door and took a drink.

“I love you,” he said.

So, it could get worse.

She tried to tell herself that his words didn’t matter. She had learned a long time ago that love wasn’t always enough.

“Please don’t say that,” she said.

“Why? Can you honestly say you don’t love me, too? I’ve seen it in your eyes. I feel it when you’re with me.”

She laid down the glass and turned to face him. “Don’t make this harder than it already is. Please.”

Nick’s attention suddenly shifted to the vase of roses and the card lying on the counter. “Lauren told me you had dinner with him last night. I didn’t believe her.”

Beth closed her eyes and tried to ignore the cold sweat that washed over her. She’d been so stupid. She had believed Troy when he’d apologized. Not just for the scene at the ball, but for everything. Their break up three years ago. His judgments about opening the salon.

She’d let herself relax at dinner. Accepted his story about being in town for business. It was a popular hotel—she’d run into people she knew before. There had been no reason to think he wasn’t serious about burying the past.

Now that she read the card in her mind again, she inwardly cursed for not realizing sooner.

When Beth opened her eyes, Nick was waiting. The lines on his face had grown harsh and his blank stare tore at her chest.

“It was nothing,” she said.

“The note would indicate otherwise.”

“I did go to dinner with him last night. At the hotel restaurant. He wanted to make amends. Call a truce.” Her voice broke as the tears began to fall again. “I was stupid to believe he was sorry for the way he treated me.” She motioned to the flowers. “I thought these were from you.”

She barely got the last few words out before Nick took her face in his hands. “I don’t know what kind of game he’s playing. He can’t have you.” He pressed his mouth to hers with a sensual caress that made the room spin.

Her body betrayed the reality her mind had already acknowledged and for a moment, she kissed him back. He was right. She couldn’t hide her true feelings. She wanted him. She loved him. But she couldn’t . . .

“Nick,” she murmured against his lips.

He wasn’t listening.

“Nick. Please stop.”

He did, without letting go.

“I love you, Beth. I don’t know what’s going to happen with all of this, but I need you.”

“You don’t need me.”

“When I think about getting married. Having a family. You’re the only one that I dream about. I
do
need you.” Beth felt as if an earthquake had shattered her heart. And every time Nick spoke, an aftershock ripped through her all over again.

“Lauren is the one you’re having a family with. You can’t change that.”

“I love
you
. You’re the one I want to be with.”

Beth raised her hands to his and slid them away from her face. Taking a deep breath, she looked him straight in the eyes and swallowed a lump of fear.

“I can’t have children, Nick. I can’t give you the family you want. I can’t be what you need.” Saying the words out loud should have been a relief, except Nick wasn’t listening. She could see the panic on his face.

“You
are
what I need, Beth. If I had to choose between you with no children and someone else with a dozen, I’d choose you.”

“You don’t have a choice. I know you could never be happy as a part-time father. Your child deserves a mom and a dad that come home every single night, not just every other weekend and alternating holidays. You could never be less than everything your child needed.”

Beth watched Nick’s face as her words sunk in and his determination slowly turned to resignation. He needed to realize they had no future. As much as she wanted to stand by him. To be with him. They’d be lying to themselves if they pretended it could work.

Nick’s hands fell to his sides and he took a step back.

“I don’t think I can marry Lauren.”

“You have a reason to try, though. Take some time and focus on the baby. You might change your mind.”

To her relief, Nick didn’t argue. He just stared at her with hollow eyes and nodded. She wanted so badly to wrap her arms around him and tell him they would figure out a solution. That they could still be together.

But it wasn’t true. A child needed two full-time parents. She had to let go. If she didn’t, Nick would eventually regret not trying and resent her. She would always wonder if he was really meant to be with Lauren and their child. He would, too.

As soon as Beth heard the front door close, her knees went weak. She sat down on the cold kitchen tile and let the tears flow.

“Hello?”

“Jenny?” Beth said.

“Hi. How was your trip?”

“Good. I have two new employees starting January second.” She tried to add some pep to her voice, despite her throat feeling like sandpaper.

“You don’t sound very excited about them. Is everything all right?”

“Listen, Jenny. I was wondering if you were going to Lexington this weekend?” She would end up telling her friend everything, but right now wasn’t the right time.

“I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good. I didn’t know what your plans were since Christmas is next weekend.” When she’d woken up with swollen eyes this morning, she’d thought about Jenny and hoped she would be visiting her mother. Getting out of town would be a great weekend diversion. Her only other choice would be to sit at home and cry some more. She couldn’t let herself give in to the temptation.

“Would you like some company? And maybe we could call Sara and have dinner tomorrow night. She didn’t sound good last time I talked to her.”

“You’re not sounding very good yourself,” Jenny said. “What’s going on?”

“I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep well.”

“I don’t believe you, but I’m stepping into a meeting with Nick and Brandon. Can I call you back this afternoon? Or better yet, why don’t we all meet at Margaret’s tonight?”

Beth swallowed the lump in her throat. If she could just get to the salon and bury herself in work. Block her mind from everything else. She had to get through today without falling apart again.

“I’ll need to work late if I’m going to Lexington. I’ll just meet you at your house tomorrow around noon.”

“If you say so. I won’t push.”

“Thanks, Jenny.”

“I wonder if they give tours,” Beth said as they drove past Castle Post on the outskirts of Lexington the following day. The landmark was one of her favorites, and she hoped Jenny would gracefully allow her to change the subject.

She had to give her friend credit. They’d spent the first two hours talking about her new employees, their plans for Christmas, their friend Sara’s divorce, and constant dodging of their dinner invitations. She hadn’t asked about Nick until just a few minutes ago.

“I’m sure they do. We should check it out before leaving on Sunday,” Jenny said. “You know, Nick missed our meeting yesterday afternoon. Brandon said he’s been either locked in his office or not there at all since Wednesday.”

So, she wasn’t going to let her off the hook.

“Did he say why?”

“No. Just that he’s been in a foul mood and bit his head off about some contract they were working on.”

She wasn’t sure what to say. Didn’t know if she could talk about the breakup without falling apart. Thursday had been tough, and today felt even worse. She missed Nick. Knowing she wouldn’t be seeing him, couldn’t see him, made her miss him even more.

“He said that Lauren called four times yesterday,” Jenny prodded.

“You know. It’s probably best. Nick and I come from different worlds. I knew I’d never fit in.”

“That’s not what you said after the Christmas ball.”

True. She’d told Jenny all about their last weekend together. With the exception of Troy’s mishap, Saturday evening had been magical.

“I was wrong.” Beth turned toward the window so Jenny wouldn’t see her swipe a tear that had escaped. “Lauren’s pregnant,” she whispered.

Beth kept staring out the window, seeing nothing. Saying the words aloud released the tight hold she’d had on her emotions. She would have preferred to keep the agony wrapped up in a neat little package and buried. Why had she thought she could escape for a few days just by leaving town?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Who would have guessed that the queen bee was holding an ace. The only card Nick would never turn his back on.” She didn’t care that her voice dripped with sarcasm. She hated what was happening. Hated the pain that swept through her chest every time she thought about Nick and how much she loved him.

“Do you think they’ll get married?”

“I don’t know. I told him he needed to try to work things out with her.”

“Awfully noble of you.”

“Not really. I was just thinking about the baby.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I can’t wait to see how Lauren’s lifestyle changes. Unless Daddy’s pockets remain open, her checkbook is going to have shrinking pains.”

“What do you mean? Nick’s grandfather could run circles around the Parker family.” She wouldn’t be surprised if Lauren hadn’t orchestrated the whole thing for that very reason. Few men could give her the lifestyle she was accustomed to.

“Nick’s grandfather, yes. Nick himself, no.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Well, eventually he’ll inherit the entire fortune, but for now he’s not accepting anything.”

Beth straightened in her seat and turned to question her friend. “How do you know?”

“Brandon told me. He and Nick were roommates, even after college, and they saved almost every dime they made until they had enough money and experience to start their own firm.”

“Neither one of them had help?” She felt guilty for assuming.

“No, when they finally started Chester and Dorsey four years ago, they used their savings. Refused to take out loans or accept family money.”

“Wow!” She sighed. “I had the same ideals at one point, but when Dad offered to give me the down payment for La Bella Vita, I didn’t hesitate. Not for a single moment.”

“So, what? He didn’t pay for the whole thing and hand you a business that you pretend to run. You work hard and you write a big check to the bank at the end of each month.”

“True. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Except how she’d judged Nick from the beginning. She’d stereotyped him, just like she had his friends.

“You know how private Nick is. I doubt Lauren knows that she hasn’t trapped the money with the man.”

Jenny continued to talk about the mismatch, then turned on the radio. Loud enough to sing along. Loud enough to inhibit any further discussion. It was one of the things Beth loved most about her friend—she knew when to push and when to let go.

As Beth considered the last few weeks, she realized just how wrong she’d been. Maybe she hadn’t deserved Nick. She’d judged everyone in his circle as if they were just like Lauren and Troy. Hadn’t given any consideration to time and maturity. They weren’t in high school anymore. Nothing could change the pain of losing Nick, but maybe it was time to get the chip off her shoulder.

As Nick turned into the parking lot, his phone rang. His grandfather. The one person he always answered, except this afternoon. If he heard one more time what a good man he was, he would scream.

If he was a good man, why had there been disappointment on his grandfather’s face when he told him about Lauren’s pregnancy?

A good man wouldn’t have hurt Beth the way he had. His chest squeezed at the memory, choking off his breath as he laid his head against the steering wheel.

No matter what he’d done for the past two days, he couldn’t get the image out of his mind. She’d been strong, putting on a resilient front as she always did. But the pain in her eyes haunted him.

And why had he mentioned Troy? He knew there was nothing between them, regardless of what Lauren had said. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from asking. A good man would have.

I thought these were from you.

The alarm on his phone went off, alerting him that he had five minutes before Lauren’s appointment.

When Nick entered the waiting room, he found her sitting with a clipboard, filling out her insurance information. As he sat down next to her, he noticed a television on the far wall. Two very pregnant ladies sitting across from them chatted softly. The scene was surreal.

Lauren lowered her pen and turned to him, taking one of his hands. “I told you this was just a preliminary visit. You didn’t need to come.”

“I wanted to.” He squeezed her hand, not knowing if he was reassuring her or himself. Probably both.

“All they’re going to do is ask me a bunch of questions and take some blood. I bought this for you.” Lauren handed him
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
. “The book will probably be more helpful than coming to my appointments.”

“Lauren Parker,” a nurse announced from the waiting room door.

“You don’t have to come back with me.”

“I’m coming.” He checked himself and tried to ignore the rising impatience. He didn’t know much about this whole process, but he’d had enough friends go through it to understand that women’s hormones were like a tornado when they were pregnant.

The nurse led them back to a patient room, where Lauren took a seat on the exam table and Nick sat in a nearby chair. The nurse took Lauren’s temperature and blood pressure. Everything was perfect.

“I’m going to let you give me a urine sample so we can check your sugar and protein levels. The bathroom is right across the hall. When you return, take off everything from the waist down. The doctor will be in in a few minutes to do a quick pelvic exam.” The nurse handed Lauren a large paper blanket and left the room.

Suddenly, Nick realized why Lauren hadn’t wanted him to come. He stood to help her down from the table. “I’ll step outside the room before the doctor does his exam. I didn’t know.”

Confusion crossed her face, quickly replaced with a half-smile. “Thank you. I should have been more specific.”

He followed her into the hall and took a seat next to the exam room door. He felt about two inches tall. Maybe he shouldn’t have come and given her the privacy of the first visit the way she’d asked him.

But this was his baby, too. He had questions. Not many, he was still in too much shock. Yet he wanted to be a part of everything connected to bringing this little life into the world. All or nothing. Beth had been right. He couldn’t do part-time.

The nurse returned with an older gentleman wearing a white coat that read DR. STEWART a few moments after Lauren came back from the restroom. He could barely hear their voices as he sat in his chair and wondered about their future.

Lauren would be a handful, assuming she agreed to marry him. Even his grandfather had reluctantly agreed that they needed to make the best of the situation. She would have reservations, just as he did. But their baby didn’t have a choice. Therefore, they owed him or her the chance to have a normal home. One with two full-time parents.

The door opened, jolting him from his thoughts.

“Mr. Chester, you can come in now. I’ll be right back with the ultrasound equipment.”

Ultrasound? Returning to the exam room, he held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you Dr. Stewart. I’m Nick Chester.”

“Congratulations, Nick. Everything checks out great. Lauren’s taking good care of herself and she’s coming along perfectly well.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Your nurse mentioned an ultrasound?”

“Yes,” Dr. Stewart said. “I’d like to get a peek at the fetus and narrow down a preliminary due date. Nothing to worry about.”

The thought of seeing their baby for the first time was a little startling. No more illusions or hoping to wake up and have this all been a bad dream. This was real.

Lauren lay down on the table as the nurse pushed a portable ultrasound machine into the room. Before Nick could ask any of his questions, the nurse lowered the paper blanket a few inches below her belly button and squeezed a gel-like substance onto her skin.

“We’ll have an image in just a minute.” The doctor picked up a flat wand and laid it against Lauren’s stomach, just as the nurse turned the monitor for them both to see.

“Lauren, you mentioned that your morning sickness has already faded. How is the fatigue?” Dr. Stewart asked.

“Much better. I don’t fall asleep after lunch anymore. I try to go to bed early and sleep in when I can.”

Nick’s eyes didn’t leave the monitor. Even through the fuzzy reception, he could see a tiny image slowly coming into focus.

“Here we go. Can you hear that?”

Nick stared at the doctor, unable to believe his ears. “Is that the heartbeat?”

“Yes and no. We’ve come a long way. With a stethoscope, I could hear the heartbeat at around twenty weeks. But with today’s technology, we can pick up the sound of blood flowing through the umbilical cord much sooner. The pulse of the flow mimics the heartbeat, telling us everything is developing on schedule.”

He was speechless. Nothing could have prepared him for this. Seeing his baby—it actually looked like a little peanut—was a miracle. Listening to the heartbeat was more than he could put into words.

Strong and fast. His own heart began to race. This was all happening so quickly. He couldn’t deny the exhilaration of knowing he’d been a part of creating something so amazing. So magical.

Magic
. Nick turned away from the monitor and glanced down at Lauren, longing for her to be Beth, instead. He wished he could feel differently and wondered how this relationship would ever work when his heart belonged to someone else.

“. . . second trimester.”

He didn’t know what the doctor was saying, but he quickly focused and turned his attention back to the monitor.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Nick asked.

The doctor laughed. “I know it’s a lot to take in all at once. I was saying that the baby is about fourteen weeks along.”

The picture on the monitor stilled. “See here. During the early months of pregnancy, all babies fit a pretty rigid rule of thumb.”