Meant to Be (RightMatch.com Trilogy) (24 page)

“Mrs. Montgomery. This is Captain Bill Walden from Aspen Search and Rescue.”

“Oh, my God, have you found my son?”

“No, but we know where the plane went down. In a big, open space. We sent teams out as soon as we could. But it’s very snowy here.”

Did that mean Rob could freeze to death if he’d survived the crash? She didn’t ask. She couldn’t talk to him anymore. Helplessly, she handed the phone to Cole, who’d come to her side. “I can’t… They found where the plane went down.”

Cole took the phone, crossed to the window and asked questions she knew she should be asking. When he came back, he said, “Search-and-rescue teams have been dispatched. That’s about it.”

“Cole, please, don’t keep anything from me. I have to know you’ll be honest.”

“I give you my solemn word. I know I haven’t been honest before, but I’m done with that. All the captain said was the weather’s bad, and the search is going to be slow going.”

“And the slower going, the more Rob’s chances dwindle?”

“Yeah, honey. He implied as much. I’m so sorry.” He pulled her close. “I won’t lie to you, but I’m far from giving up, and neither should you. There’s still hope.”

“Slim hope.”

“Yeah, sweetheart, slim hope. But hope just the same.”

o0o

At ten that morning, they got the news that the search-and-rescue team was ten miles from the plane. However, the snow had picked up in the area and their vehicles were stalled.

Trying to be stalwart, Beth had simply thanked the captain and clicked off. She cried again in Cole’s arms and then fell asleep from emotional exhaustion.

Too jittery, Cole couldn’t lie down next to her, so a half hour ago, hoping she’d sleep a long time, he made a phone call. He was donning his coat and gloves when Ava walked into the kitchen, where he was headed out the garage door. “Cole, you’re not leaving are you?”

“No.” He looked at Beth’s daughter, whose face was also ravaged, though thank God, she’d slept some. “Come here.” He took her in his arms. “I need some air. I have to clear my head so I don’t say the wrong thing.”

She nosed into him. “She’s doing as well as she is because of you.”

He drew back. “I want to help. I have my phone if she wakes up and wants me right away. I won’t be long. Both kids are asleep.”

“I’ll listen for them.”

Leaving the house, Cole was slapped in the face by bitter wind but walked down to the end of the driveway and turned left. He saw the van parked there, exhaust puffing out from the bottom. He jogged to it, opened the door and slid inside.

“Thanks, for coming.”

Reaching out, Joey dragged Cole close to his chest. “I’m so sorry.”

It was Cole’s turn to burrow in for comfort, into his brother’s chilly pea coat. “It’s awful, Joe. The news keeps getting bleaker and bleaker.”

“I checked the weather in the area on the way down. It’s starting to clear.”

Cole shook his head.

“You can cry, you know. I won’t tell.”

That made Cole chuckle and draw back. “You used to say that to me all the time as a kid. When Spence would pick on me.”

“When Bobby Lewis beat you up because you got the best average in fifth grade.” Joe had scared the living daylights out of the younger boy.

“Yeah, I hear he became a lawyer.” The talk about nothing released the pressure valve on emotion he’d mercilessly squelched.

Joe fished in his pocket and drew out a camera. “Here. I brought these.”

Ah, Spence’s baby. Cole took the small machine and hit preview. A tiny infant slept in Annie’s arms. Annie was staring down at her daughter, but he could see the joy on her face. Cole pressed forward. “Oh, God, look at Spence. He’s not even the same man he was two years ago.”

“I know. Kids have kicked us all up another level.”

Cole felt his throat clog. “Kids are so precious.” He looked over at Joe and knew there were tears on his cheeks. Joe’s eyes were moist, too.

Again Joe pulled him close. “It’s not over till it’s over, buddy. Have faith.”

“I’ll try.”

Joe pushed him back and grasped on to his shoulders. “But, Cole, if Rob dies, you’ll have to help her with that, too.”

“Can I?”

“Of course you can. And we’ll be there behind the scenes to support you.”

“Like you did today. Thanks.”

“I’m always here for you, bro. I told you that when you were little and I still mean it. When Spence drops out of cloud nine, he will be, too.”

“Thanks, Joey.”

“Anytime.”

o0o

Beth had to smile, despite the circumstances. In the big bathtub of the guest suite, Ellie had just taken baby shampoo and dripped it over Mariel’s head. “Oh, dear,” Ava said from beside Beth. “She hates getting soap in her eyes.”

Instead of crying, Mariel splashed water into Ellie’s face. Both girls giggled. “She’s growing up, honey. She’s learning to play in the water.”

Ava drew in a breath. “Remember when Rob started to swim? He was five and wouldn’t get his face wet. We were all frustrated.”

“Because you were practically an Olympian at three.” The memory of Rob almost choked her, but she let it come…

One day, Rob had said to her at the pool, “I’m going off the diving board.”

Beth had bolted up. Followed him. She stood by waiting to jump into the water after him. He took his place on the board, bounced, dove in. Then he executed a perfect crawl all the way to the shallow end. Flabbergasted, she’d asked why he hadn’t done it before—put his face underwater, swim. He’d grinned and said, “I wasn’t ready before.”

The boy was something else. When her chest hurt so much she thought it might explode, she focused hard on the girls, just to be able to breathe.

Giggles when they made the baby dolls bump hands.

Hysteria when they poured cups of water over each other’s heads.

Sentimentality when they leaned in close and kissed.

“Aw, isn’t that cute.” Beth looked up and saw Cole in the bathroom doorway. He looked so big and strong, the constriction in her chest eased.

“Ava said you went for a walk. How was it?”

“Just what I needed.” His eyes were bright and liquid. “How are
you?”
The tone was so intimate, Ava rolled her eyes. “Get out of here, Mom, before you embarrass me.”

“Can you handle both of them?”

“I think I got it. I’ll call for help if I need to.”

Beth walked out to the family room with Cole. They took seats on the couch facing the woods of the backyard and moved in close. “You had to get away, didn’t you?” she asked as she nuzzled in. He smelled like the outdoors. “It’s okay if you did. We’re all suffocating here. Maybe Joey could come down and you could talk to him.”

A rumble through his chest. “He did. I called him while you were asleep. I just want to be strong for you.”

“And you needed to be weak with someone. I understand. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come to me.”

“I’m here and I’m staying.” He kissed her head. “No matter what, Beth, I love you and I’ll do anything for you.”

“Thanks. I love you, too. Every day, I see more and more why.”

o0o

On Christmas Eve day, the group kept busy. After the kids were in bed, Cole made the short trip to his house to retrieve Ellie’s presents and some clothes for both of them. He returned to Ava’s in time to place the gifts under the tree next to Mariel’s. The Masons had decided to have a Christmas for the little girls and not the adults. There was still no news of a rescue.

Cole had just set out the last of Ellie’s presents when Beth’s phone shrilled into the family room. Ava rushed to her mother. Somehow, they all knew this was real news.

With shaky hands, she picked up the phone. “Beth Montgomery.” Cole watched her anxious face. Watched her brow furrow, then her eyes close and tears seep out. Please, let me help her, he thought again, believing this was bad.

When she dropped the phone in her lap, Ava said, “Mom, what? Tell us.”

Her lips trembled and her eyes opened. “He’s alive. He’s really alive.”

o0o

Weak with relief, Beth collapsed into Cole, and Ava crossed to Mark and burst into tears. Cole said, “Well, Merry Christmas.” It was minutes after twelve.

When everyone calmed, Mark asked, “What did the captain say, specifically?”

Since Cole had spoken to the captain, he answered. “That the plane went down in an empty field, pretty smoothly. They had survival equipment on board and Rob had not only added to the stuff when it got close to winter but had insisted on a survival drill with the passengers. Rob and the husband and wife he works for managed to stay warm enough, but they’re all in the hospital.”

Adrenaline dropping, Beth sat on the couch. “I want to see him.”

Ava added, “Me, too.” She looked to Mark. “Do you think we can get a flight on Christmas Day?”

“I don’t know, honey. But let me see what I can do online.” Mark glanced at his wife. “I wish I could go with you.”

“You need to stay with Mariel.”

“No, he doesn’t,” Cole offered. “I can keep her. The two girls have formed a bond. It’ll be fun to watch. If you guys can get a flight, go ahead.”

“Oh, Cole.” Beth’s eyes got watery.

“Hey, no more tears. We’re done with that. It’s time to celebrate.”

More good news came when, miraculously, Mark found three flights on a new express travel site and though they had to make a lot of plane changes, they’d get there by early evening if they left at the crack of dawn. Ava found a bottle of champagne and popped it open. “Everybody has to have a glass.”

Beth didn’t think she could drink anything, but the bubbly went down smooth.

“Let’s get a few hours of sleep,” Mark said afterward. “We have a long day ahead of us.”

They went to their respective rooms. Ellie was zonked out in Beth’s sitting room, so she and Cole tiptoed past the crib and closed the door while they got ready for bed. With her blouse open, Beth flopped down on her back, spread-eagle, hands out to the side like the angels she used to make in the snow with the kids. “I can’t believe it’s over.”

Half-undressed, he lay down beside her, on his side, elbow crooked, head propped on his hand. “It is, love.”

Still staring at the ceiling, her mind whirled. “It makes you want to live your life better, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.”

She thought of the shelter she was going to house. Had Spence told Cole? He hadn’t mentioned it. She decided to keep that to herself for now. Turning, she too lay on her side and brushed her hand down his scratchy jaw. His eyes closed, as if to savor the sensation. She moved her hand to his chest, let it reside at his heart. Went lower. And lower.

When it reached dangerous territory, he grabbed for her fingers. “No, honey, don’t.”

Beth didn’t question her actions. “I want to make love with you, Cole.”

He kissed her palm. “Which you’ll regret later. This is relief. Gratitude.”

“No, it’s a need to be close to you, as close as we can be. I know I’m not thinking straight. I probably won’t be for days. But I don’t care.”

“I do.”

She chuckled. “I can change your mind.”

“Please, don’t, Beth.”

She sprung off the bed. Slowly she began to strip. She’d showered earlier and so had Cole; she could smell the scent of the lilac lotion he’d said he loved. Shoes hit the floor. Pants and undies pooled at her feet. She whipped off the blouse and discarded the bra. Soon, she was naked before him.

He swallowed hard. In the light from the nightstand, she could see desire flood his face. “You’re not playing fair.”

“Fuck playing fair. Life isn’t fair.” She climbed onto the bed, on top of him. His jeans sported a button-down fly which she’d always thought sexy. “Besides, I missed you so much. Missed this.” She pressed a hand to his groin. He groaned. “I want this, Cole. Please. After so much grief.”

“I can’t deny you or myself. I want you, too.”

His penis sprang out of his briefs as she drew them down. She giggled. “Yeah, I can see.”

o0o

Cole kissed Beth’s neck, inhaling her scent, letting it soothe away the stress of the last two days. She clutched at his shoulders. He reveled in the feel of her skin, the taste of the lotion he liked, the unique scent of Beth. Working his way down her body, he went slow, relishing what he’d thought he’d never have again. The indentation of her waist seemed greater and he realized she’d lost some weight. He kissed her navel, taking his time, savoring every moment.

When he got to the juncture of her thighs, he kissed her curls. Sneaking a finger inside, he found her wet. She was on the edge, and his mouth closed on her. She tumbled over within seconds, and the sweet sounds of her pleasure, which he’d almost forgotten, made him whole again.

o0o

Beth raised her knees and eased down on him, impaling herself. Never in her life, even the first time with him, had she felt such exquisite pleasure, such deep fulfillment, such joining. He groaned because she went slow. He grasped her hips but stayed gentle. She didn’t want gentle. She wanted to rock his world. So she grabbed his hands, linked their fingers and bent over him. His eyes were open, shining with deep, deep emotion. “I love you,” she whispered as she began to move faster. “So, so much.”

He came in a shout of ecstasy so great she was afraid he’d wake the baby, whom she’d completely forgotten about. Something about that made her smile, but she was distracted as he bucked up, thrust forward to increase his pleasure. She reveled in it.

Afterward, they lay in each other’s arms, covers pulled up, snuggling under them. Neither spoke. They’d said what they’d needed to with touches and kisses. For the first time in days, Beth closed her eyes and drifted off into a calm and happy sleep.

Chapter 17

On Christmas afternoon, Cole sat in front of Spence’s fireplace, staring into flames that sparked and hissed. His brother Joe nestled in a rocker across the room, holding Mikey close to his heart. Spence stretched out on the couch, cuddling new little Faith. She was a beauty. And stereotype that it was, Joe’s son was a bruiser, having gained weight quickly in two months.

“Thanks for having Christmas here, guys,” Spence told them. Annie didn’t want the baby to go out of the house.”