“Istill miss your mom too, Beckett. Only the good die young, and God had otherplans for her. Never knew she had a heart defect until she died.”
“Butdidn’t the stress over money bring it on?”
“No,son. The doctors said it was a miracle she lived as long as she did. That shelived through childbirth. Little did we know she’d been on borrowed time.”
“Wait—ifmoney hadn’t been tight, she’d have died anyway?”
“Yes,son. We weren’t rich, but what makes you think money was tight?”
“Icould swear Mom used to cry over bills.”
Dadpulled in a breath. “For a time, your mom took care of her mother’s estate—paidbills and such—and it made her sad. It reminded her of her mom’s passing. Butit didn’t go on forever.”
Becketthad pulled into the underground garage and stopped, engine running andheadlights on, in the middle of the aisle. “I never knew, Dad. I’ve alwaysthought it was my fault Mom died.”
“SweetJesus, son! Why? No. God, no! It wasn’t your fault. Never. It was nobody’sfault.”
Beckettsat in stunned silence.
“MyGod, you’ve been carrying this around all this time?” Dad rasped. “Whydidn’t you say something? I’d have set you straight.” He made a choking noise,then cleared his throat. “Beckett. Listen to me. Your mom lived as long as shedid because she wanted to be with you boys. She loved you so much.” A pausefollowed by a deep breath. “She was a good woman, your mom. We were blessed tohave her in our lives for that short time. Wouldn’t have had it any other way.”Another pause. “You there, son?”
Thelump in Beckett’s throat hardened, making it hard to talk. “Yeah, Dad. I’mhere.”
“So,uh, did your mom ever tell you I dogged her for a year?” Beckett knew what hisdad was doing, and he was grateful for the change in direction. “I had to askher three times to marry me. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer, but shesure made me work for it. She finally gave in just so’s I’d leave her alone.” Arumbling laugh came from the other end.
“Ididn’t know.”
“Iguess I didn’t want to admit I wasn’t such a hotshot. Especially to my sons. Iwas the high school quarterback, and I thought my stuff didn’t stink. Your momlet me know right quick mine stinks same as everyone else’s.”
Lightsflashed behind Beckett, and he gave an apologetic wave and pulled into hisparking space, killing the engine.
“Yeah,I guess that’s something we all figure out—some of us later than others.”Beckett closed his eyes in that darkened garage.
“I’veknown two good women, son. They don’t come along very often, and I count myblessings every day. And my kids? I couldn’t ask for two better young men. I’mnot gonna lie, Beckett. I was worried about you for a long time, but you’vegrown into a good man. I saw it when we got together in Denver.” Dad’s breathhitched. “Maybe it was your girl that brought it out; maybe it’s because you’regetting older. Either way, it’s there. And don’t you forget it.”
Beckettswept moisture from his cheeks. “It was her, Dad. And I want her back, butshe’s so damn stubborn.”
“Son,you’ve never been one to ask for advice, but can you stand a little from yourold man now?”
“Yeah,Dad. I’d really like that.” The words caught in Beckett’s sticky throat.
“Don’tgive up,” Dad said. “You’re no quitter—not when you set your sights onsomething. You have to be more mule-headed than she is. When she says no nexttime, and she will, come at her a different way. You need a woman like her inorder to be your best, so keep at it. Otherwise, you’ll be lost like I was.”
.~ * * * ~.
The next morning, Beckett’s smartphone chimed with a reminder.April third. He drew in a cleansing breath, then two more, and tapped a textwith birthday-themed emojis. Happy birthday, Andie. Nothing flashy,nothing pushy. Just a text from a friend.
Hedidn’t expect a reply right away—she’d barely responded to him in the lastmonth—so he was taken by surprise when a text chirped.
Thanks.Need 2 talk. When’s a good time?
Shewants to talk to me? Hethought he knew why.
Now. He hit send and stared at hisphone, holding it so tight his hand cramped. His heart pounded. Finally, herpretty face lit up his screen.
“Hey,pixie.”
“Hi,Beck,” came her small voice.
“It’s,ah, been a long time.” He paused to cough. “How are you?”
“I’mokay. Look, I wanted to talk about this money your attorney’s trying to giveme.”
Bingo.“Yeah? Heexplained about that, right? I’m just following up on my promise to pay youback the commission I owe. Did he also say he negotiated a nice settlementagainst Yamila? She’ll never bother you or me again. The eighty grand I owedyou didn’t put a dent in that payoff, by the way.” Not exactly true, but Andiedidn’t have to know.
“Beckett,I didn’t want—”
“I knowwhat you didn’t want, but I want this off my conscience. Always did. Nowwe’re square.” Before she could argue, he switched gears. “So how have youbeen?”
A longsigh. “Well, that’s the other reason I wanted to talk to you.”
Becketttried to keep the alarm from his voice. He wasn’t successful. “What’s going on,pixie?”
“I, ah… Oh God. This is hard.”
Ohshit, oh shit, oh shit.
“Andie,are you okay? The baby?” What did he have to do today? Could he squeeze in aflight to Denver?
Hisheart about broke when she sobbed on the other end. “I lost it, Beck. A fewdays ago. I’ve been, um, recuperating, or I’d have told you sooner. I’m sosorry.”
Hot tearsflushed his eyes. “Why are you sorry?” he choked out. “I’m theone who’s sorry. I should’ve been there. I should’ve taken you in when thetrouble started. Maybe they could’ve sav—”
“No.The doctor says there was nothing to be done. I started cramping, and it justhappened. All at once.”
Hewiped his nose on his T-shirt. “So what are your chances … Does this affect youhaving kids someday?”
“Shesays I’ll be fine once my body recovers.”
Hisstomach felt like the pit Indiana Jones didn’t want to climb into—the oneslithering with snakes. “What can I do? Is Katie there? Is someone lookingafter you?”
“Katie’sworking from home for a few days, but I don’t need looking after. I’m fine.Just worn out. There’s
