Page 85 of Summer Weddings
“What about him?”
“Why aren’t you seeing him anymore?”
Bethany hesitated. “I don’t think I like the tone of your question, Mitch. I have every right to date whomever I wish.”
“Yes, of course. I didn’t mean to imply anything else. It’s just that, well, if you must know, Bill has something of a…reputation.”
She stiffened. “Thank you for your concern, but I can take care of myself.”
He was making a mess of this. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Bethany. It’s just that I’m all this town’s got in the way of law enforcement, and I thought it was my duty to warn you.”
“I see.” She snapped the grade book shut. “And I’m a policeman’s daughter. As I told you earlier, I can take care of myself.” She made a production of looking at her watch. “Now if you’ll excuse me?”
“Yes, of course,” he said miserably, turning to go. And this time he left.
* * *
Bethany wasn’t sure why she was so angry with Mitch. Possibly because he was right. She had no business having dinner with a man she barely knew. Oh, she’d be safe enough. Not much was going to happen to her in the Hard Luck Café with half the town looking on.
It went without saying that she’d agreed to this dinner for all the wrong reasons. John Henderson had started seeing another woman recently. One of the newer recruits, a shy young woman named Sally McDonald.
After nearly six weeks here, Bethany had to conclude that Mitch didn’t want to become romantically involved. The night of Chrissie’s accident, she’d felt certain they’d broken through whatever barrier was separating them. She remembered the way his eyes had held hers after the love scene in the movie. Bethany knew darn well what he was thinking, because she was thinking it, too. Then, when things looked really promising, Mitch had leapt away from her. Since that night, he’d had nothing to say—until now. Bethany was left feeling frustrated and confused.
When Bill Landgrin had asked her out, she’d found a dozen reasons to accept. She’d always been curious about the Alaska pipeline. It was said to stretch more than eight hundred miles across three mountain ranges and over thirteen bridges. Having dinner with a man who could answer her questions seemed innocent enough.
In addition, it sent a message to Mitch, one he’d apparently received loud and clear. He didn’t like the idea of her dating Bill Landgrin, and frankly she was glad. Unfortunately, Mitch had to use his daughter’s injury as an excuse to talk to her about Bill. That was what irritated Bethany most.
* * *
Mitch honestly tried to stay away from Bethany on Friday night. Chrissie was spending the night at Susan’s, and the house had never seemed so empty. By seven o’clock, the walls were closing in on him. He’d had to grab his coat and flee.
He tried to look casual and unconcerned when he walked into Ben’s café. A quick look around, and his mouth filled with the bitter taste of disappointment. Bethany was nowhere in sight.
“Looking for the new teacher, are you?” Ben asked as he dried a glass with a crisp linen cloth.
“What gives you that idea?” Mitch growled. He was in no mood for conversation. “I came here for a piece of pie.”
“I thought you decided to cut back on sweets.”
“I changed my mind,” Mitch said. If he’d known Ben was going to be such a pain in the butt, he would’ve stayed home.
Ben brought him a slice of apple pie. “In case you’re interested, she left not more than twenty minutes ago.”
“Who?” he asked, pretending he didn’t know.
“She wasn’t alone, either. Bill insisted on seeing her home.”
Agitated, Mitch slapped his fork down on the plate. “Who Bethany Ross dates is her own business.”
“Maybe,” Ben said, bracing both hands on the counter, “but I don’t trust the man, and you don’t either, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. My feeling is that maybe one of us should check up on Bethany—see that everything’s the way it should be.”
Mitch was convinced there was more to this scenario than Ben was telling him. His blood started to heat.
“Since you’re the law in this town, I think you ought to go make sure she got home all safe and sound.”
Mitch wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Ben was right. If anything happened to Bethany, Mitch would never forgive himself. In the meantime, if he did meet up with Bill, he’d impress upon the man that he was to keep away from Bethany Ross.
“So, are you going to see her?”
