A Turn in the Road (30 page)

A
ndrew got to the house early on Thursday evening, the day after Bethanne had seen the Lake Washington house with Grant. Courtney would be joining them later. She had a dinner meeting with her bridesmaids, including Annie, who'd most likely come to the house with her afterward.

Bethanne had Andrew's favorite made-from-scratch black bean soup simmering in the Crock-Pot and corn bread baking in the oven. She'd purposely put on the apron Andrew had sewed in his high school Family and Consumer Science Education class. When she was in school, the class had been called Home Ec and it was for girls only. Times had definitely changed. Andrew had done a good job on the apron and she wore it with pride.

Her son breezed into the house, hugged her and then immediately lifted the lid on the Crock-Pot. “I was hoping you'd make the black bean soup.”

“I've already passed the recipe on to Courtney.”

“What about the one for rhubarb crunch?”

“That, too,” Bethanne said, unable to hold back a smile. In fact,
she'd put together a small family cookbook of recipes for every season. The black bean was Andrew's all-time favorite, and she used to have a huge batch going every college break. That soup alone was practically enough to bring him home.

He slid onto a stool at the kitchen counter and watched her for several seconds. “I got a surprise phone call on Monday.”

“Oh? Who from?” she asked absently as she stirred the soup.

“Your friend Max.”

Bethanne dropped the spoon, which clanged against the side of the ceramic pot. “
Max
called you?” She wondered how he'd gotten Andrew's number, then realized it wouldn't have been difficult.

“He wanted to send a case of champagne for the wedding.”

Bethanne's mouth went dry. She tried to speak but couldn't get her tongue to cooperate.

“First, I told him I'd talk it over with you, but then I went ahead and made a decision. I hope you don't mind.”

“Of course I don't mind. Whatever you decide is up to you and Courtney.” Bethanne managed to speak, although her voice echoed oddly in her ears.

“It's really generous of him to offer. We haven't met, but I like him, Mom. He sounds like a cool guy.”

Bethanne just nodded.

“When I mentioned that you and I were getting together tonight to discuss the rehearsal dinner, he offered to send a couple cases of wine for that, too.”

Bethanne paid an inordinate amount of attention to the soup. “Your father might not appreciate your accepting either offer.”

Andrew considered that for a minute, then shrugged. “I say if Max wants to send us wine as a wedding gift, we should let him. Courtney agrees. I wouldn't turn down anyone else's gift—why should I reject his?”

He had a point.

“Does it bother
you,
Mom?”

“No…I think it's a wonderful gesture.”

“Me, too.” Andrew slid off the stool and got two bowls, which he carried to the kitchen table, setting them on the quilted place mats.

“Did…did Max ask about me?”

Andrew appeared to find her question highly amusing. “He did.”

Apparently, her son was going to force her to beg for every scrap of information. Andrew pretended interest in collecting silverware from the drawer.

“Are you going to make me ask?” she demanded.

He grinned. “I shouldn't be so cruel, should I?”

“No, you shouldn't,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. She waited impatiently for him to fill her in on their conversation.

“He told me some more about how the two of you met.”

She smiled at the memory.

“You didn't tell me you rode on the back of his bike.”

“More than once,” she admitted proudly.

“Now that's something I'd like to see.”

In the beginning she'd been terrified by every bump and curve in the road, but gradually she'd learned to relax and enjoy the sensation of freedom. If the relationship between Max and her developed, and that remained a huge question, she might eventually learn to ride herself.

“He didn't ask how it's going with you and Dad, if that's what you're wondering,” Andrew said. “I think it's been difficult for him not knowing, but he said he promised you this time with Dad and that he's a man of his word.”

“Your father gave him the same opportunity,” she reminded Andrew.

“Well, sure, but he had Annie reporting to him every ten minutes. Max doesn't have anyone feeding him information.”

That was true—and probably just as well.

“We only spoke for a few minutes. I told him I'd discuss the wine and champagne with Courtney and get back to him in the morning. But basically we've decided to accept.”

She felt her son's scrutiny as if he expected her to weigh in with an opinion. Like she'd already said, the decision was up to him and Courtney.

“You're sure you don't have anything to say about this?” he pressed.

The doorbell chimed just then, and to her surprise it was Grant. Andrew tensed as his father followed Bethanne into the kitchen. She returned to the other side of the counter while Grant leaned against it.

Father and son eyed each other, and Bethanne sensed the sadness in Grant. He missed his son and wanted the situation to be different.

“I hope you don't mind my dropping in like this,” Grant said casually. “Annie told me you were discussing the rehearsal dinner tonight and I thought I should be here, too. I'd like to be part of this wedding.” He risked a glance in Andrew's direction. “If that's all right.”

Andrew didn't comment. “Mom and I were just talking about the wine.”

Bethanne sent him a warning look, which he ignored.

“I have a couple of friends who are familiar with wine varieties. Should I check with them?” Grant asked.

“I believe we've already got the drinks covered, Grant,” Bethanne said pointedly. “Thanks for offering, though.”

“Oh.” Grant looked somewhat taken aback. “I thought you two were about to discuss the menu. How do you know if you want white wine or red? Actually, it might be a good idea to order a case of each.”

“Like Mom said,” Andrew told him. “We've got that covered.”

“It isn't that we don't value your input,” Bethanne was quick to add, wanting to avoid a disagreement.

“What kind is it? Sauvignon blanc? Merlot for the red? That's what I'd recommend.”

Bethanne looked to her son for help.

“I'm not sure yet, but I know it's going to be the best wine available,” Andrew said. “Along with the wine, the same person's giving us three cases of champagne for the reception.”

“Someone's
giving
you wine and champagne?”

Bethanne nodded.

“Really?” Grant's eyebrows rose slightly. “That's no small expense. Who's being so generous?” He rested his hands on the counter behind him. “Is it one of my clients?”

Since he obviously wasn't letting this go, Bethanne left it to her son to explain.

“It's Max Scranton,” Andrew said after a brief hesitation.

“Who?” Grant asked, and then comprehension came into his eyes. “Max? That biker? You've got to be kidding!”

“Max owns a wine distribution company,” Andrew informed his father.

“His brother's a partner,” Bethanne corrected.

“True,” Andrew said with a shrug, “but Max owns the larger part of the business.”

This was news to Bethanne. Max and Andrew's conversation had obviously been longer than her son had implied.

“You aren't going to accept it, are you?” Grant frowned at Andrew, then Bethanne. “How do you think that would look?” he asked. “The two of us are working on a reconciliation and another man gives our son all the wine for the wedding. This has the potential to be embarrassing. What are you going to tell people?” He seemed to expect Bethanne to second his objection.

“I wasn't going to tell anyone anything,” Bethanne said. “It's no one's business.”

“Son,” Grant said, looking at Andrew, “are you
really
going to accept this?”

Bethanne couldn't remember the last time Grant had addressed Andrew as “son.”

“Well, Dad, I did talk to Mom and she said the decision was mine and Courtney's.”

Grant glanced at Bethanne.

“The wine and champagne were given to them, not me,” she said.

Grant blinked. “So…you're taking the wine.”

“And the champagne.” Andrew shrugged again. “It's a gift. Courtney and I were offered a nice gift by a friend of Mom, Grandma and Annie, so we're saying yes. This has nothing to do with you.”

“All right,” Grant said, attempting to disguise his wounded pride. Seeing the two soup bowls set on the kitchen table, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “It looks like you two have everything under control here. If you need me for anything, give me a call.”

“Sure,” Andrew muttered.

Wearing an expression of both hurt and disappointment, Grant walked out of the house.

Bethanne waited until the front door closed before she confronted her son. “Andrew, was it really necessary to say that the wine's from Max?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, it was. Dad would find out about it sooner or later, and frankly I'd rather tell him now than have him discover it the day of the wedding.”

She sighed, regretting the hostility between father and son, as she removed the corn bread from the oven and set it on the stove top to cool.

“Annie said earlier that you and Dad looked at a house on Lake Washington yesterday,” Andrew commented.

“He wanted me to see it.”

“So things between you and Dad are going okay?”

Bethanne didn't answer. Instead, she picked up the bowls, filled them and brought them back to the table. Andrew took the sour cream from the refrigerator and spooned it into a small serving dish.

“Your father is making every effort.” She sliced the corn bread, not meeting his eyes.

“Sure he is. Dad wants you back because you flattered his ego. He needs that. He needs
you.
It took him long enough to realize
he was never going to find anyone who'd do anything close to what you did for him.”

“Andrew…I know you and your father have problems that need to be resolved, but Grant isn't that mercenary.”

Her son laughed outright. “Mom, don't you believe it. Dad's always been about Dad. I'm not championing Max. I've only spoken to him the one time, so I don't know him. What I do know is the way you react whenever I mention his name. You get flustered—”

“I most certainly do not.”

“There,” he said, pointing his finger at her. “You're doing it now.”

Embarrassed, Bethanne raised her hands to her face.

“It's been six years since the divorce and I've never seen you react to any man like you do to Max. You're crazy about him and I have to tell you I think it's great. I don't want Dad stepping in now and ruining it for you.”

“But I don't
know
what I want,” she said, sitting down and reaching for her napkin. Although she made a pretense of eating, she hardly swallowed a single bite.

“Yes, you do,” Andrew countered softly. “You do know.”

“Your father and I have talked about this and maybe he's right… I'd gotten so wrapped up in you kids and all the volunteer work I did with—”

“Mom,” Andrew said, cutting her off. “You're a good mother. You always were.”

“But was I a good wife?”

“Yes,” he said emphatically, “and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. You did everything for Dad. You staged homes and ran errands and organized parties.”

“Well, yes, I helped where I could.”

“Trust me, you were a good wife.”

“I played a role in the divorce, too, Andrew. I didn't see it right away but I wasn't completely innocent. I allowed our marriage to grow stale. Your father was manipulated by a woman out to
advance her career and the shortest path came through using Grant.

Yes, he let her do it, but he paid a high price for that. I wish you'd stop being so hard on him.”

Andrew stared at her as if seeing her with new eyes. “I can't believe you're defending him.”

“Think about it, Andrew. Your father's alone. Really alone.

Oh, he talks to Annie but until recently the two of us hardly ever spoke. You don't have much contact with him, either. He isn't fond of his sister and—”

“And he doesn't visit his mother nearly as often as he should.”

“Okay, I agree. Not only that, I believe your grandmother might be moving to Florida.”

“Yeah, I got that feeling when I talked to her. She's head over heels for this old boyfriend of hers, isn't she?”

“Yes.” Bethanne smiled. “But getting back to your father…”

“Okay, Mom, I see what you mean. Dad's out in the cold, but frankly he put himself there. It isn't like we shoved him out the door and then turned the lock. He chose to leave.”

“It takes a big man to admit when he's been wrong,” she said, consciously quoting Ruth. “Your father would give anything to undo the harm he did. I admire him for that. Look at it from his point of view.”

Andrew slowly shook his head. “I wish I could. You and Annie might be willing to forgive and forget, but I can't. Dad was heart less and calculating. He couldn't dump us fast enough when he left. I tried to talk to him, tried to get him to see reason. I begged him to reconsider, and you know what?” Her son's voice rose with emotion. “He hung up on me. And you know what else? He doesn't even remember doing it. My coming to him meant nothing.
Nothing
. Well, he can come to me now and I'll give him the same treatment and we'll see how much he likes being ignored.”