Test Drive (The Bachelor #1) (20 page)

My father dropped his head and shuffled his feet a bit before saying, "If I would have known how much she meant to you . . . If I thought that you were serious, Drew, about any of this," he muttered, waving his hands. "Then maybe I wouldn't have said anything at all. But you have to understand that I have been trying to teach you and guide you to become a better man." My mother sank into the sofa and was rubbing her temples. "You haven't even tried to be the man you could be; the man that I
know
is in there."

"Just because I don't see things the same as you do does not make me weak or lesser in value than you. What would the world be like if we all thought the same? You would rather crush your son's dreams and force him to live your own. I am not just talking about Beth, Father, you have been pushing me away for years and replacing me with your business. What kind of man does that make you? At the end of the day all you have is a thriving business and a wife that is begging you to be with her and a son who can’t stand to be around you." My voice had gone hoarse from all the yelling. The way he looked at me like he was shocked at what I said made me feel like he hadn't understood. My father walked away that night. My mother stood and hugged me before following after him.

I sat on my bed unable to sleep and too tired to pack. I wondered if Beth felt this horrible. My father never said what he and Beth had talked about. I lay with my arms behind my head and waited for the sun to rise. I thought all night about what to do. I had considered getting her address and storming into her house to profess my love or maybe following her into the parking lot before work. I wanted her to know that I could make sure she lived a happy life. To hell with my father and his unrealistic expectations. I just wanted her.

I ARRIVED TO WORK
thirty minutes before any other employee. I waited at my office door for her to arrive, but as employee after employee arrived, there was no sign of Beth. I approached Catherine, with our collections staff, to ask if Beth was going to be in today.

"I know that she has a meeting with your father this morning, but she should be in later." She winced when she said the word "later." I wondered if everyone knew what was going on and was just too scared to say anything.

I thanked her and sent her on her way while silently cursing my father. There was no telling what he was saying to her now. I almost left to crash the meeting, but I had no idea where she would be. So I waited and waited, checking the clock every few minutes. Lunchtime rolled around, and I had almost fallen asleep when there was a light tap on the door.

I sat straight up fully expecting to see Beth. Instead in walked Camille. Her dress was so short you could almost see her butt hanging out of the back. I was not in the mood for a visit from her, and I made it known.

"Stop being so rude, Drew. I am only here to tell you thank you for what you did the other night. I was leaning back on my desk while she paced the room in front of me.

"Did you find a place to stay?" I asked.

"Actually I moved back in with my parents. They laid down the rules, and well, I have broken a few,
but
I have enrolled back into school. I was accepted into the nursing program. Isn't that wonderful?" She jumped into my arms, and I allowed myself a small hug before I pushed her back by the hips. She pushed against my hands, but I continued to hold her at arm’s reach.

"Yes, that is wonderful, Camille. I am very happy for you, but today isn't a great day." I stood and walked over to the windows to put some distance between us, which she quickly closed.

"So does that mean that you and I might have a chance?"

I hated to break it to her and it was going to hurt us both, but like a Band-Aid, you had to rip it off quick. "Camille, I am in love with someone else. You and I are great friends, but that is it. I wish the best for you." I turned back to face the window, and she hugged me from behind. She kissed the back of my neck, and I heard a gasp. I spun around in time to see Beth fleeing from my office.

I froze. "I take it that was her, huh?" Camille spit it out with such disgust. "Kind of plain, if you ask me. I think you . . .” I didn't wait for the rest of the words to be spoken. I hurried out of my office and sprinted down the hall. She wasn't in her office or in the break room. I ran down to the parking garage, taking the stairs a flight at a time. I saw her car pulling away, and I jumped in front of it. She slammed on her brakes and put her head on the steering wheel.

I opened her car door and kneeled down next to her. "Drew, what are you thinking?"

"Beth, I have been waiting all day to see you."

"Well, it didn't look like you had to wait alone," she snarled.

"Camille was just here to thank me for some advice I gave her, that's all." I reached for her hand, but she quickly jerked it away.

"My father told me that he is the reason you have stayed away since we got back. Why would you give up on us?"

Beth was sobbing, and I could barely understand her words. I pulled her into my shoulder and held her there for a few moments. "He said that you only dated girls that you could use and that you liked the challenge, but that you were never serious. He said that you would ruin my career and break my heart in the process. And here you are proving him right. Please tell your father that I quit." With that, she pushed me backwards and shut the door. She drove off, and I sat on the cold dirty ground wondering how it was possible to fail at everything that mattered to me.

I heard footsteps crossing the garage. My father had undoubtedly heard everything we had said. He was wearing a three-piece suit that had been specially tailored for him, but when he reached my side, he sat down on the grimy oil stained concrete and for a moment, we sat in complete silence.

"You know, son, when I began this business I had two goals in mind. The first was that I could create a legacy for you and your mom. I wanted everything in life that wasn't available to me to be at your disposal. The second was to create a business surrounding all the things that I love and cherish the most. Somewhere that has gotten lost along the way."

I smeared a tear off my face and said, "Ya think."

Sounding defeated, my father chuckled and said, "Yeah, son, I do. I have loved your mother since the day I set eyes on her. I remember thinking,
Yes, sir, that is the woman I am going to marry.
When I told my parents, they told me it would never work." He loosened his tie and tossed it on the ground. "You see, your mother was and is a beautiful lady who knows what she wants, while I had my head in the clouds and wanted to make my own way. We were a lot like you and Beth actually. The point is that as a parent you may think you know what's best, but at some point you have to sit back and let them make their owns choices. I am sincerely sorry that I butted in your relationship. It will not happen again."

"It's over now, Dad. She hates me." I buried my face in my hands, and he patted me on the back.

"It's not over until you win her heart, son," He stood up slowly and walked to the elevator. I looked up and saw her standing a few feet in front of me. She must have never left the garage.

"Beth, please let me explain." I jumped to my feet and rushed to her.

"Camille already did."

"You spoke to her?" Shock, and fear for that matter, rippled through me like a tidal wave.

"Yes. She told me what you said about being in love."

Oh," I responded.

"She said that she had never seen you this torn up over a woman, even her." She put her hand on my cheek and gently caressed it. I let my head droop into her soft hand and tried to pray for the right words.

"I love you, Beth. I know this has been kind of a rocky start, but I am willing to work every day to show you that I am the man that you need me to be. Just let me show you."

She nodded her head. "Yes." I was so relieved that I had finally gotten through to her. I leaned down to kiss her, and she met me halfway. I lifted her up into my arms and carried her over to the benches in the garage. I held her there in my arms, and we talked about how we felt and what our next step was. I didn't care what came next as long as we were together. Beth had come back to me, and I was on cloud nine.

We spent that night at her place where we ordered Chinese food and watched movies. That night we made love—the passionate-mind-blowing-curl-your-toes kind. We lay in bed that night with her head on my shoulder and our bodies tangled up in each other.

"I love you, Drew." She was half-asleep when she mumbled the words. I was still reeling from the day’s events drawing circles on her back with my fingers.

"I love you too." I kissed the top of her head and hugged her a little tighter.

Test Drive Complete- I found the one I want.

THE SUN BEAT DOWN
on the dark fabric I was wearing. I stood at the end of a rose petal aisle where beautiful women were making their way to the altar. When Beth started down the aisle, I sucked in a deep breath. She looked beautiful wearing a daisy yellow dress with a bouquet of daisies at her waist. Her hair was perfectly in place with a pearl comb pushing back one side.

She faced me from across the altar and mouthed, "I love you."

I returned the sentiment as the ceremony got started. I had not even seen the bride walk down the aisle, but she and her beautiful flower girl, Emmaline, had made their way down, and she was now perched in front of the altar.

"We are gathered here today in the sight of God and these people to join together Matt Carlson and Victoria Dempsey in Holy Matrimony."

I got lost in the words and the tears streaming from Beth's eyes as she watched our two best friends get married. They had only met six months ago, but Matt said he knew this was the woman he was meant to be with. Emmaline, Victoria, and Matt were a family now, and he had become quite the stepfather to little Emma. She adored him, and he was smitten by the talented little girl.

Jason nudged my arm, and I remembered the rings. The shiny ring caught the glare of the sun, and I almost dropped it onto the sandy beach.

Matt and Victoria were pronounced husband and wife. He kissed his bride and picked her up out of the sand. Georgia came up on cue with Acorn and Starlight in tow. As a special favor for the groomsmen, she had brought two of her finest horses for the wedding. I gave Starlight a pat on the back. Beth had given her a bath that day and her dark skin glistened in the setting sunlight.

Matt and Victoria climbed on top of the horses and headed off down the beach to the reception site at the hotel.

I thanked Georgia for the horses. "Anytime, Drew, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays. We received a donation from a company called Sloane Enterprises. Have you heard of them?" She winked. "They want to help us keep our equine therapy open. There is enough money that we could expand to adults with disabilities too. I don't know who they are, but they must care an awful lot about those kids."

"I have always said y'all have a special program out there. I am very happy for you." Georgia went to load up in her truck and go meet the bride and groom at the hotel. She had been all but gracious when I told her that I had already found the love of my life. She was a sweet girl, but Beth was the only girl for me. I sat down behind Beth on the sandy beach, and we watched the waves crash into the sand. The rest of the group walked down the beach, but the two of us were happy to be in each other’s arms.

"Did I tell you that you’re the prettiest woman here?" I said, covering her lips with my own.

"Yeah, I think you mentioned that once or twice."

About the Author

Avonlea Cole is a romance junkie from a small town. She started writing at an early age and has finally settled down to write out her own set of fantasy love stories. She is dedicated and driven with a love of happy endings. You can find her cuddled up to the computer or book or whatever she can find to read or write on. Avonlea is a wife, mother, author, and anything else she needs to be. Her books will leave you smiling as they inspire hope and happiness to its readers showing how perseverance and love can conquer all.