Jude would have seen her if she’d changed her mind and headed out again. If she’d gone for a walk along the coastal path, she’d have left her bike here, surely? The only other option is that she’s gone to Noah’s place.
Turning, I head back down the path. Rain patters on the leaves, and I curse, wishing I’d been sensible and driven up here. We jog past the trees, then turn toward Noah’s house. Sure enough, Beth’s bike is outthe front, leaning against the wall, and I feel a surge of relief. At least she’s here, and I know that Noah and Abby will have looked after her.
I walk up to the door and hesitate. Maybe she won’t want to see me. Should I give her some time to herself?
But I want to see her. I need to say I’m sorry. So I knock on the door, and the dogs inside start barking.
A few seconds later, footsteps sound inside, and then the door opens a crack. Noah sees it’s me and opens it further, and Willow runs out to see Queenie, while Spike bumps his wheelchair into Noah’s ankles, making him curse under his breath.
“Come in,” Noah says, moving back.
I fuss the dogs, then walk into the entrance hallway. “Sorry to bother you.”
“That’s okay. I’m guessing you’re here to see Beth?”
“Yes… do you… ah… think she’ll want to see me?”
His eyes meet mine. “Let’s find out.” He turns and leads the way into the kitchen and down the steps into the living room.
I follow him, running a hand through my wet hair, my heart hammering. Beth is sitting on the sofa with Abby, but she looks around as I enter. She’s been crying, and her face and eyes are red, but she looks calm now. She’s holding a cup of tea, but she puts it down hurriedly as she sees me and gets to her feet.
“Hello,” she says.
“Hey.” I glance at Abby. “Hey, Abby.”
“Hello, Archer.” Abby gets up as well. “I’m going to put the kettle on again—you want a cuppa?”
“Um…” I look at Beth. “If Beth doesn’t mind me staying.”
Beth doesn’t say anything, so Abby slips by her and joins Noah in the kitchen. They can still see us, but it gives us a semblance of privacy.
I walk up to Beth and stand before her. I look at her eyes, still so beautiful despite being red-rimmed, at her soft mouth, her chocolate-brown hair that she’s released from its ponytail so it falls in waves around her shoulders.
She doesn’t smile, and she’s breathing fast, but she waits calmly for me to speak first.
I move a little closer to her. Then I say, gently, “I am so, so sorry.”
Her eyes immediately fill with tears, her knees give way, and she sinks onto the sofa and puts her face in her hands.
I kneel in front of her. “I was shocked, and I reacted selfishly. I should have—God, Beth, I should have said it straight away… that it was amazing news. That I love you, and the idea of making a baby with you makes me happier than you can ever imagine. I should have begged you to marry me, because that’s what I’ve wanted since the moment I first laid eyes on you. I regret not saying those things with all my heart.”
I peel her hands away from her face, slide a knuckle under her chin, and lift her face so I can look into her eyes. They’re still streaming with tears, but I don’t care.
“I want you to be my wife, to be by your side, to have this baby and, God willing, ten more like it, to look after you and worship the ground you work on. Please, please forgive me for being the worst kind of idiot. I am so, so sorry.”
She puts her arms around my neck and sobs into my neck. I wrap my arms around her and hug her, struggling to keep in my own emotion. Over her shoulder, I see Abby press her fingers to her mouth, and Noah puts his arm around her shoulders and gives me a thumbs up. I laugh and close my eyes, holding Beth tightly.
We stay like that for another thirty seconds or so, and then I release her and move back a little, and she lowers her arms. I pass her a tissue from the box on the table, and she wipes her face.
“Marry me,” I say.
She laughs and nods, still wiping her cheeks, and I grin and lift her free hand to kiss her fingers.
“Promise me you’ll talk to me from now on,” she whispers, “even when you’re scared.”
“I will. I love you,” I say simply. “I’ve been such a fool, and I’m going to make it up to you for the rest of our lives.”
“It’s okay,” she whispers. “I know you were just shocked. It did sort of come out of nowhere.”
