Free Stargazing (The Walker Family Book 2) by Bernadette Marie

pick out my outfit before I left to come here.”
    Pearl sighed. “That is a very special relationship. You’re very lucky.”
    “Don’t I know it,” he said softly and noticed that Pearl and Bethany exchanged what he’d consider an uneasy look, but the conversation Tyson and Eric started about oil wells quickly diverted any awkwardness.
     
    Bethany had been around her family for nearly three months. She watched them all banter as she sipped her wine. They were easy to love and she had never regretted leaving California and staying in Georgia. Her only regret now was Pearl’s glances toward her as she pushed the food around on her plate.
    “Not a fan of green beans?” Kent leaned in close enough she could smell the hint of his cologne. “I’m not a fan of them either.”
    She let a chuckle escape. “I’m just a slow eater.”
    “My sister is too. Some nights we sat at the kitchen table for nearly two hours. The rule was no one left until everyone was finished.”
    “And yet you don’t hate her?”
    “Oh, I suppose I did for an hour and half, but otherwise, she’s decent enough.”
    The smile that tightened her cheeks was genuine. “I missed that with my family. I’m glad you cherish it.”
    He was looking at her now as if there were no one else at the table. She looked at the others. Each of them were engaged in other conversations and she was, she supposed, engaged in one with him.
    It wasn’t so bad. If she’d loosen up just a little, perhaps she’d enjoy his company.
    Bethany sat back in her chair, picked up her wine, and looked at him. “Who’s older? You or your sister?”
    “My sister is by fourteen months.”
    She’d lifted her glass to her lips, but lowered it. “That’s not a lot.”
    “As kids it was great. She was only a year ahead of me in school. She’s short, so my first growth spurt put me nearly four inches taller than her, which gave me the upper hand—or so I thought.”
    “Your mom must have been a saint.”
    “Still is. The most amazing woman I’ve ever known.”
    Bethany took that sip of wine now to ease herself. She wanted what this man had. All of it. She looked around the table and appreciated what the moment really meant.
    She was getting a little bit of that normal that Kent Black knew all his life. It was just coming in pieces. So she wouldn’t have childhood memories, but she’d have the ones from that moment on.
    He continued to talk about his family and Bethany was captivated. She sipped her wine and he ordered another beer. When Susan got her attention to say they were leaving she realized that she and Kent had moved in so closely as they talked their foreheads nearly touched.
    The expression on Pearl’s face said she had noticed.
    Bethany eased back and set her empty wine glass on the table.
    They all pushed back from the table. Kent quickly maneuvered from his seat and stood behind hers, pulling it out.
    “Thank you,” she said as she brushed by him.
    “My pleasure.”
    Outside of the restaurant everyone said their goodbyes. Lydia hugged and kissed them all, including Kent. Pearl shook his hand and pulled Bethany in for a hug.
    “Are you okay?” she whispered in her ear.
    “I’m just fine, thank you for asking.”
    “If you need me…”
    “I know.”
    Tyson gave a wave as he walked to his truck and Kent still stood close by.
    Eric held out his hand to shake Kent’s. “It was nice to meet you.”
    “Likewise.”
    Susan moved in and hugged him as if they were old friends. “If you’re in town for a while we should do this again.”
    “I’d like that.”
    They started toward Susan’s car.
    Bethany turned toward Kent to say her goodbye. Why did it seem so awkward as if there needed to be more? She should just shake his hand and walk away, but that didn’t feel right.
    “Thanks for joining us.”
    “No, thanks for letting me. I had a wonderful night.”
    “So did I,” she said realizing it was airy and on a sigh. “I’ll see