“She put it on for Quinton even though I told her men don’t care,” Jason said from under thepillow.
Daisy clamped her hands over her mouth. Not much had tickled her funny bone since Beckett flew out, but that wasfunny.
Vivian grabbed the other pillow and whomped him on thebackside.
“Mo-om!”
“You need to learn when to keep a secret,” shescolded.
Daisy shrugged. “It’s none of my business whom you date.” She went back to the paper, feigninginnocence.
“I was thinking that it might be a good idea if he came with us to the FreeWater banquet. He and Jason could hangout.”
Inside, Daisy danced. Outside, she nodded slowly. “That would probably be for the best. My parents are supposed to cometoo.”
“Great. I can’t wait to see them again.” Vivian commandeered the keyboard and played back the video Daisy had taken that morning. She spliced and diced it while Daisy stared at the monitor, not seeing the pictures. FreeWater wanted to honor her for her contribution to their cause. She felt funny accepting an award when Beckett was in a politically unstable country, risking his life to wield a shovel. He was the one who should get an award. He should be at thebanquet.
He should behere.
But he wasn’t, and Daisy couldn’t change that no matter how many times she got on her knees and prayed. It was time to face the facts: Beckett’s job would always come first. She got that—it should. His job was important and changed lives, and wanting to be higher on his priority list felt wrong in so many ways, even though being with him had always feltright.
There were no easy answers, and that was the hardest part ofall.
Chapter Thirty
Six weekswithout a word fromBeckett.
Daisy adjusted the strap of her blueberry-colored dress as the CEO of FreeWater, Mr. Robert Combs, escorted her to the table at the front of the room. “We’re so glad to have you here, MissCovington.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Daisy took her seat at the long banquet table set up next to the microphone, and Vivian sat beside her. Her friend radiated all things wonderful in her wine-colored gown. She waved to Quinton and Jason at a round table covered in a black tablecloth. They looked adorable in their matchingtuxedos.
They ate dinner, making small talk and being charmed by the wealthy donors who made their way over to the table to make heracquaintance.
In the back of her head was the constant worry that Beckett had been kidnapped by terrorists who would demand a ransom—or worse. She’d spent too much time watching ransom videos made by guerilla groups in South America. Finally, when she thought she’d go mad, she called Kelly, who confirmed he was alive and well. She explained about the lack of cell service in the area. While Daisy was relieved that he was alive, she mourned the loss of what they could have had. Not just in phone conversations, but in a life together, because this level of stress every day for the rest of her life would killher.
Just as the wait staff finished serving dessert, Mr. Combs went to the mic. The lights dimmed and a slideshow began. There were women carrying two children and leather pouches dark with liquid. Children carrying a single cup, concentrating on not spilling as the road stretched out for miles in front ofthem.
“We’re here tonight to honor those who have donated to FreeWater and improved life for hundreds of people across the globe. We have chapters in Africa, South America, and the Ukraine that are all thriving because of yourdonations.”
Polite applause followed hisstatement.
“And tonight, we have a special award for Miss Covington, who so graciously tossed FreeWater into the spotlight.EveryDayGlam!is responsible for quadrupling our budget and allowing us to expand into newareas.”
More applause. Daisy kept her eyes focused on the Mr. Combs. She didn’t feel like she’d done anything extra special, and the fact that her channel had grown because of this project left her feeling unworthy of suchpraise.
“I’m not here to actually present the award. The man who is has dug more wells for FreeWater in the last ten years than all our other field consultants combined.” Mr. Combs scratched his head. “Maybe we should figure out an award for him next year.” He talked right over the chuckles. “I’ll leave that up to the committee to decide. In the meantime, I present the makeover man himself, BeckettKingsley.”
Daisy’s traitorous heart pounded as if it had been sleeping since Beckett left and just woke up. She pressed her hands against her ribs to try and hold it in. This must have been in the works before she arrived in California. Her eyes misted over. She made eye contact with Kelly, who was sitting at the table just below them. Kelly blew her a kiss and smiledwide.
Beckett approached the mic. He looked leading-man fantastic in his black tuxedo and bow tie. His hair was just cut and his beard shaped to perfection. Her fingers tickled with the need to feel it against herhand.
Beckett didn’t meet her gaze before he took the mic and shook hands with Mr. Combs. Instead of turning to her, he faced the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m thrilled to be here tonight to present this award to Daisy Covington. If you’ll indulge me for a moment, I’d like to give her something else first.” He held something up, and the audience oohed and ahhed. Daisy couldn’t see what he showed them because the podium was in theway.
He turned to her, holding one hand behind his back. Their eyes met and her cheeks flushed with the heat in hisgaze.
“Daisy, someone once told me that beauty always fades. They couldn’t be more wrong. The type of beauty you possess comes from the way you care for and give to others. You tell women to find their inner beauty, and I’ve watched you help them do that. You’ve given an abused woman a new chance atlove.”
Vivian squeezed Daisy’s handquickly.
