Page 90 of Finding Forever

Today, there was nothing left to do except enjoy themselves. And for once, Beth was more than happy to do exactly that.

Chapter 42

The day after the arts center opened, Dave had every intention of doing as little as possible.

He’d slept later than usual, made coffee strong enough to wake the dead, and spent most of the morning catching up on the small jobs around the house he’d ignored while they were racing to finish the center.

By early afternoon, he was standing in the kitchen, staring into the refrigerator and wondering whether cleaning it counted as a worthwhile use of his day, when someone knocked on the front door.

Dave closed the refrigerator. He wasn’t expecting anyone.

When he opened the door and saw Beth standing on his porch, his mood lifted immediately.

“Hi,” she said with a smile.

“Hi yourself.” Dave stepped back. “Come in.”

Beth walked past him. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“You saved me from cleaning the refrigerator.”

She laughed as she headed toward the kitchen. “In that case, you should be thanking me.”

Dave followed her, smiling to himself. “I was planning to.”

Beth looked different today. More relaxed. She was wearing jeans and a pale sweater, and for once there wasn’t a folder tucked beneath her arm or a list in her hand.

Yesterday, she’d barely stopped moving.

Even during the grand opening, when the arts center had been packed with people, Beth had kept an eye on everything. Dave had watched her welcome visitors, answer questions, help with the children’s activities, and somehow find time to thank almost everyone who’d helped bring the old building back to life.

She’d looked happy. Not simply relieved that the renovation was finished. And he’d liked seeing her that way.

Dave nodded toward the coffeepot. “Want one?”

“I’d love one.”

While Beth sat at the kitchen table, he poured two mugs and carried them over. “So,” he said as he took the chair opposite her, “how does it feel?”

Beth wrapped both hands around her mug. “Strange.”

“Strange?”

“I woke up this morning and started thinking about everything I needed to do at the center.” She shook her head. “Then I remembered I didn’t have to be there.”

“You could have visited the center anyway.”

Beth smiled. “I almost did.”

Dave laughed. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

“But I stopped myself. Natalie told me yesterday that if I appeared before Monday, she was changing the locks.”

“Smart woman.”

Beth gave him an indignant look. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I am. That’s why I agree with her.”