He expected much the same this time when his phone sounded with an all-too-familiar ping. This time, he wasn’t disappointed in the target content.
“I saw Bethany Truitt go into a church in Dallas earlier. Check it out!” The accompanying photo left no doubt about it.
There was Bethany, a playful smile on her face, just before entering the church. Thankfully, the name of the church was prominently displayed on the glass door she was about to walk through.
Jeb’s heart raced as he did a search for the church online. Barely taking time to pull the hotel room door closed behind him, he flew down the stairs and hopped into his car.
If he was going to catch her, he had to get moving. Who knew why she was at the church or how long she’d be there. He couldn’t risk missing this opportunity to finally see her again.
~*~
Lynn couldn’t have been more surprised than when Nathan took her hand in his in front of his family. There was something about standing out there with everyone, waving goodbye to Chess and Brooke, and feeling as though she belonged with him and Mia. It was an entirely new experience, and one she was certain she could quickly get used to.
The guests thinned out after that. Before long, it was time to head home. Anna volunteered to hold Mia so that Nathan could walk Lynn to her car. Once there, she unlocked the door then turned to face him.
“I think that was successful. Mia did so well, too. She’s such a sweetheart.”
Nathan smiled, his eyes never leaving Lynn’s face. “Yeah, she did. Mostly thanks to you.” He leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to her cheek near the corner of her mouth. “I’ve got plans with Joel and Anna this afternoon and tomorrow. I’m sure you could join us.”
Lynn shook her head. “I wish I could, but you should be with your family. Besides, I really do want to have the chance to talk.” The thought of telling him everything had her stomach in knots.
“Of course. I’ll talk to Anna and Joel and see if they can keep Mia one evening this week so I can take you to dinner or something.” He smiled. “What do you say, Lynn Crosby. Will you go out with me?”
“I’d love to.”
Lynn enjoyed the feel of Nathan’s arms around her as he kissed her gently. It wasn’t until they’d finally stepped apart and she climbed into her car that the nerves started building.
Would he continue calling her Lynn after she told him about her past? Or Bethany? Or would he want nothing to do with her at all? At least it’d be a relief to tell him the truth about everything.
“Lord, please help Nathan to understand why I didn’t tell him about everything sooner.” She thought back to the wedding and smiled. “And thank you for an amazing day.”
~*~
“There you are.”
The moment Jeb caught sight of Bethany, it was as though the last two years without her melted away. She’d been lost. To him. To the world. And here she was again. He’d found her. And he’d make sure he never lost track of her again.
Apparently, she’d been attending a wedding. He parked in a small lot across from the church where he could still watch without being noticed.
The newlyweds climbed into a car to the cheering and clapping of friends and family. Bethany clapped as well, a big smile on her face.
A smile he’d never once forgotten.
Now that he knew where she was, he was confident that, one day, she’d offer that smile to him.
After the newlyweds’ car pulled away from the church and disappeared, the small crowd out front made their way back into the church.
That’s when Jeb saw Bethany holding hands with a man standing next to her. He squinted as jealousy coursed through his veins.
Who did that man think he was? Who was the child the man was holding?
Bethany must have forgotten her past. Forgotten about fame and the people like Jeb who’d made it possible.
He’d remind her where she came from. Show her it was a mistake to walk away from it all. And then she’d understand how they belonged together.
Chapter Ten
Lynn read over her letter to Perry one last time before folding it and slipping it into an envelope. Once it was addressed and stamped, she put it on the table near the door so she’d remember to stick it in the mailbox on the way out.
