Christmas in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 1) Page 15

“How will I do that?” Lindsay appeared amenable but puzzled.

  “You’ll tell your sister that Dakota can live with you. But only after making it very clear that you really don’t have room and having a teenager in your home will put a serious crimp in your social life. Still, Cassie is family and you don’t want social services breathing down her neck and causing trouble.”

  Lindsay’s eyes lit up. “That might work.”

  “If it does, I can stay in Good Hope and graduate.” Dakota turned to Beck, and he saw tears shimmering in her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I—”

  “It’s going to work.” Ami, who’d been relatively silent, punctuated the pronouncement with a decisive nod.

  The look on Dakota’s face brought an odd tightness to Beck’s chest.

  “It might be a good idea for you to start looking for a part-time job after school.” Though Beck was also confident the plan would work, it didn’t hurt to have a backup. “If we end up needing to pursue emancipation, you’ll have some income we can report.”

  Dakota’s hopeful gaze shifted to Ami.

  “I’d like to help you, sweetie, but I’m full up on staff.” Ami turned to Beck. “Weren’t you talking about hiring an extra waitress for weekends?”

  The girl’s eager gaze shifted to Beck. “I’ve never waited tables before but I’m a quick learner.”

  Beck found himself smiling. “Once we’ve talked to your mother and you’ve moved in with Lindsay, we’ll get some hours scheduled.”

  Without any warning, Dakota propelled herself into Beck’s arms. “Thank you so much. I didn’t want to leave but—”

  Tears streamed down Dakota’s face and onto Beck’s shirt. He patted the girl’s back. As he murmured soothing words, his and Ami’s gazes connected.

  The look of admiration in her eyes made him feel like a hero. While Beck didn’t consider himself to be one, for the first time in his life he understood how good it felt to help someone truly in need.

  After Lindsay and Dakota left, Ami returned to the café to prepare for the evening rush while Beck remained at home. Once his Christmas tree was delivered, he would meet Lindsay at Cassie’s house.

  With Tom taking an additional night off to give his burned arm another day to heal, Ami and her assistant were kept so busy, her shift at the café was over before she could blink. She’d just finished closing down the kitchen when the bells on the front door jingled.

  Ami hurried into the dining room just as her father walked through the door. Relief surged when she saw Anita wasn’t with him.

  Wearing a stylish navy wool coat she hadn’t seen before, he strolled into the café. His lips creased into a smile the instant his gaze landed on her.

  “If you’re here for dinner, I’m afraid we just shut down the kitchen.” She returned his smile with a friendly one of her own. “But we have pie or—”

  Her father waved a gloved hand. “I didn’t come to eat, though I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee.”

  “How about we have a cup together.”

  “Do you have time?”

  She glanced sharply back at him, but it appeared to be just what it was: a simple question rather than a snide commentary on the fact she hadn’t called him in nearly ten days. Granted, their paths had crossed a couple of times when he’d been with Anita, but other than that, they hadn’t spoken.

  Ami answered the question in his eyes. “I always have time for you.”

  After filling two ceramic mugs, she placed them at a table by the window, well out of earshot of the last two customers lingering over dessert.

  Her father followed her, removing his gloves and coat as he walked. He pulled out her chair and took a seat opposite her, his hazel eyes solemn.

  “I thought you might be with Beck.” Steve glanced around the café. “Is he here tonight?”

  “He was, but he left about an hour ago. The Victorian home tour is next week and his house hasn’t yet embraced the Christmas spirit.” Ami took a sip of the coffee she didn’t really want. “I’m helping him decorate his tree this evening.”

  “It’s almost ten o’clock,” her father protested. “Much too late—”

  “Dad.” She reached over and covered his hand with hers, finding comfort in the touch. “It’s a weekend night. I’m a big girl. Will it make you feel better if I promise to be in bed by midnight?”

  The quick flash of his smile warmed her like one of the thermal blankets he’d covered her with as a child. Her father turned his hand over and held hers for several seconds. “I love you, Amaryllis. I don’t tell you that nearly often enough. I’m sorry for what happened last week at the house. I should never have expected you—”

  “I’m sorry, too, Dad.” She swiped at tears that appeared out of nowhere to slip down her cheeks.

  His hand tightened around hers. “Don’t cry, honey.”

  “I don’t like us being angry at each other.” Ami sniffled. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You don’t have to ever worry about that.” He handed her a thin paper napkin. “We’re family. Family sticks together.”

  Ami dabbed at her eyes and thought of Anita. “No matter what?”

  “No matter what,” her dad said firmly.

  The tension that had sat like a leaden weight on Ami’s shoulders since that night at his house began to ease.

  “When your mom was alive, she always knew the right thing to say and do. After three years without her, well, I’m still finding my way. And I have to admit this dating thing”—he paused, then shook his head in bewilderment—“has me all discombobulated. I guess what I’m saying is, don’t give up on me, Ami.”

  Ami thought of the unwavering support she’d received from her entire family, not only the night of her accident but every night before and since. If she had one regret, it was that she didn’t often say what was in her heart.

  “You never gave up on me.” She covered her father’s hand with hers and gazed into his hazel eyes. “I’ll never give up on you.”

  Ami held the promise tight to her heart on the walk to Beck’s home. While he had the lights, ornaments, and garland out in readiness, they never got around to decorating the tree. The second she walked through the door, Beck enfolded her in his arms.

  He kissed her as if it had been years, instead of only hours, since he’d last seen her. Now, two hours later, she was snuggled against him in his four-poster bed under a mountain of blankets while the wind whistled outside. Ami smiled against his shoulder as her father’s words flooded back.

  “What’s so amusing?” Beck’s voice was warm and smooth as a glass of honeyed tea.

  She shifted so she could look into his face. “My father stopped by the café.”

  “You settled your differences?”

  “Anita is really our only difference,” Ami said wryly. “And we didn’t speak of her. But we cleared the air and everything is good between us now.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “I know how much your father means to you.”

  “That wasn’t the reason I smiled.”

  He cocked his head.

  “I think he’s worried I’m not getting enough sleep. I promised to be in bed by midnight.” Ami’s fingers took a stroll down his bare chest.

  “Well, it is midnight and you are in bed . . . just not your own.” He gave a deep chuckle. “And you never promised you’d be sleeping.”

  “You, sir, are so perceptive.” She planted a kiss on his warm chest. “It’s just one of the things I admire about you.”

  “Thank you, darlin’.” He tightened his hold and tugged her even closer.

  Ami emitted a sigh of pleasure. “I’m glad your meeting with Clint and Cassie went so well.”

  They’d spoken only briefly about his visit to the Lohmeier home that afternoon. When he’d arrived at the café, she’d been swamped with the supper rush. Then, when she’d arrived at his door . . . well, her
current position told that story.

  “It went well.” He propped himself up on one elbow. “Clint was there when Lindsay and I arrived. Thankfully, Dakota’s brothers weren’t around.”

  “That’s good.” Ami’s gaze searched his. “Did it play out the way you planned?”

  “Other than I thought Clint was going to punch me when I mentioned I was ready to file the emancipation papers.” Beck gave a little laugh. “The man could benefit from some anger-control classes.”

  Concern flooded Ami. “But he didn’t hurt you?”

  Beck brushed his palm against her silky hair. “No. As you saw tonight, I’m unharmed.”

  She wasn’t sure who was more surprised when she flung herself at him, knocking him backward, her body plastered against his.

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Her voice shook as her body trembled.

  “Shhh. Nothing happened.” He spoke in a soothing whisper, then chuckled. “Though when I mentioned the possible social services involvement, it was as if I’d struck a match to a powder keg. Both of them exploded. But Lindsay, well, she timed it perfectly. She heaved this melodramatic sigh worthy of any Hollywood actor. When she reluctantly said she’d take Dakota, they immediately calmed down and agreed.”

  Beck continued to stroke her bare back. She hoped she wouldn’t have to move anytime soon. “It was satisfying to use my legal knowledge for good. Though I believe it was the social service mention that sealed the deal.”

  “Cassie is so desperate to have a man in her life that she refuses to see the guy is a predator.” Ami sighed. “It’s a darn shame.”

  “It’s more than that.” Beck’s voice took on a hard edge. “It’s unforgivable.”

  Ami’s heart skipped several beats.

  “Do you really believe that some actions are unforgivable?” She forced the words past suddenly frozen lips.

  Beck didn’t appear to hear the question. He was too busy planting kisses along her collarbone while one hand curved around her breast.

  The shivers of need urged her to simply enjoy the moment, the closeness. But Ami couldn’t let the topic drop. This was too important.

  “You said her actions are unforgivable.”

  He lifted his head, his passion-filled eyes now puzzled. “What’s this about?”

  “Well, I-I’ve always liked Cassie. I know that she hasn’t made good choices in her life, but she’s not a bad person.”

  She thought Beck might say something, but the scrutiny in his eyes only deepened, and Ami was seized with an almost overwhelming desire to confess all. She bet he’d been very successful in the courtroom.

  “Let’s say Cassie finally comes to her senses. She looks back on this time and realizes what a mistake she made in not seeing Clint for what he really was and she’s sorry. Very sorry. Are her actions—or lack of action in this case—really unforgivable?”

  “Nothing happened because Dakota looked out for herself.” Beck narrowed his gaze. “What if Clint had raped Dakota? If that had happened, would you be so willing to overlook, to forgive?”

  His voice rose with each word. His chest, already hard as granite beneath her fingertips, flexed and tensed.

  Before Ami could respond, Beck continued, like a locomotive picking up steam. “Do you really believe that a person only has to say they’re sorry for all to be forgiven?”

  Ami opened her mouth, closed it without speaking.

  Beck swore. “The way I see it, people who act irresponsibly don’t deserve forgiveness. They sure as heck aren’t getting mine.”

  His chest heaved as if he’d just run a long race. His eyes weren’t brown anymore but a hard, glassy obsidian.

  Ami’s insides vibrated. Beck wasn’t the only one having difficulty catching his breath.

  “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered once she found her voice. “It just makes me sad to see how far Cassie has fallen. I remember her as Lindsay’s big sister, one who never complained about us tagging after her, the girl who once went down into the storm sewer after my kitten.”

  After closing his eyes for a second, Beck appeared to regain control. “I don’t know why I went off like that, other than to say you hit a nerve. I’m sure that fact was obvious.”

  Ami smiled wanly. “Being a defense attorney, you probably handled a lot of cases where people did hurtful things, then walked away, free of punishment.”

  Beck gave a humorless laugh. “Even worse, I was the one who got them off. I sent them back on their merry way to decimate other people’s lives.”

  “You couldn’t have known . . .”

  “Couldn’t I?” He rubbed his temples.

  “Enough of this talk.” Although she wanted to weep, Ami forced a light tone.

  She tried to tell herself Beck was tired and that’s likely what had caused him to react so strongly. But something told her it was more than just fatigue. It could be that the intensity of his reaction had something to do with his wife’s accident.

  Or perhaps his mood had been fueled by a recent uproar in the local media about two teenage boys who’d been given probation. After shoplifting some cigarettes, they’d knocked down an older man in their rush to get out of the store. The octogenarian had sustained a broken hip and was now using a walker.

  The boys had each apologized to the man at their sentencing hearing and the judge had taken their remorse into consideration.

  “You’re right.” Beck buried his face in her hair while his fingers teased her nipple. “We have much better things to do than talk.”

  As he enfolded her in his arms, Ami shoved aside her fears and gazed into Beck’s dark eyes. “Are you referring to sleep?”

  “Hardly.” Beck offered a wicked laugh and gave her nipple a little pinch.

  Heat shot straight to her core.

  Just for tonight, Ami told herself. Just for tonight she’d forget her worries and enjoy being with the man she loved.

  As his lips closed over hers and his tongue slipped into her mouth, Ami kissed him with all the love in her heart, knowing that one day at a time was all she was guaranteed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Instead of immediately hopping out of bed the next morning, Beck propped himself up on one elbow and let his gaze linger on the woman sleeping beside him. How had Ami become so important to him? When he’d left Georgia to build a new life for himself in Door County, the last thing on his mind had been forging a new relationship.

  After losing his wife, Beck was determined that hard work would be his only love. But he hadn’t counted on meeting Ami Bloom.

  The talented baker didn’t gaze at him in that sympathetic, pitying way that had become so difficult to endure back home. Instead she brightened his days with her smile and sunny attitude.

  She’d made his transition to this unfamiliar part of the country easy. Now she’d trusted him with her body. He knew Ami well enough to know she didn’t hop into bed easily. Even though her capacity to give and receive pleasure astounded him, it was obvious it had been a long time since she’d been with a man.

  Beck would cut off his right hand rather than hurt her. Which meant he needed to proceed carefully and figure out where they went from here. The knowledge that he had come to care so deeply for someone other than Lisette still troubled him. But it was becoming increasingly difficult to imagine his life without Ami in it.

  He brushed a kiss across her cheek, then pulled the comforter up so she wouldn’t get cold. With utmost stealth he tugged on jeans and an old Vandy sweatshirt, then headed down the hall to the bedroom he’d turned into an office.

  He had some accounts to settle, and this seemed as good a time as any to get them out of the way.

  While Beck waited for his computer to power up, his gaze dropped to the unopened letter that had come in the mail yesterday. He didn’t need to look at the name and return address on the pale yellow envelope to know who it was from and what he’d find in it.

  The instant he’d seen the envelope in his batch of mai
l, he’d almost tossed it unopened into the trash. But he’d set it aside, knowing that in the end he’d read the enclosed letter, just as he had the other three. The first had arrived shortly before Nina Holbrook’s sentencing on vehicular manslaughter charges. The others had shown up every six months since.

  Beck gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached as he recalled the sentence the marketing executive had received. Probation.

  Two years probation for two lives forever lost.

  This woman actually expected him to forgive her?

  Just seeing her handwriting had put him on edge and brought all the feelings of anger and loss bubbling up. He knew that was part of the reason he’d been more abrupt with Ami than he should have last night when she’d brought up forgiveness.

  Thankfully, her good, pure heart had melted his anger.

  But Beck felt his rage build again as he tore open the envelope and pulled out the single sheet of paper. His lips tightened as he read the words. She’d now been sober eighteen months. Her last drink had been at lunch on the day of the crash.

  Though her blood alcohol hadn’t been above the legal limit on the day she’d killed Lisette, the fact that it was one point below impaired at two o’clock in the afternoon told him Nina had a problem. Especially when coupled with her previous DUI charge.

  His gaze dropped once again to the letter.

  Forgive me, she pleaded in her perfect penmanship. The missive ended as it always did, with I’m so very sorry for the loss of your wife and son.

  Beck ended the reading as he always did, by wadding up the thin sheet of vellum and tossing it into the trash.

  On Sunday, the draw of the Christmas Stroll and Holiday Market, coupled with mild weather, brought residents and visitors out in droves. All businesses stayed open late and served special goodies and treats.

  After handling the dinner rush, Ami left Muddy Boots to check in at the bakery, only to discover Hadley and Karin had everything under control. She was deciding how to spend the rest of the evening when Lindsay walked through the door.

  Her friend had stopped by to see if she was interested in checking out some of the shops before they closed. In the past, Ami had always declined Lindsay’s friendly overtures.