Beginnings Page 3

  As he turned the corner, he saw Nichole unloading her children from the car. Something inside of him made him want to stand and watch the whole process. One of the boys noticed him and waved. Ben smiled and waved back. He wasn't sure which one it was, so he didn't call out a name.

  Nichole noticed the boy waving, so she turned to see him walking toward them.

  Ben tucked his hands into his front pockets. "Lydia could invest in more parking."

  "I've heard it mentioned."

  The boy that had waved stepped toward him. "Are you going to dance with our mother?"

  He felt the surprise of the question hit him in the chest with a jolt, and then he heard Nichole's gasp.

  "Zane Parker Lewis, please mind your manners," she scolded.

  "It's okay," Ben assured her. He studied the boy briefly. Zane had a mole on his cheek, and Wyatt did not. " I did plan to dance with your mother if that's okay with you. I owe her for my haircut."

  They nodded. "That's cool."

  Nichole picked up Laura and rested her on her hip. Ben wondered what kind of sight they made. walking down the street; three kids, a man, and a woman.

  "It's interesting, that I've been here for six months and have already attended a couple of Walker weddings," Nichole said as they rounded the building toward the reception hall.

  "Who knew everyone would get married in such a short span of time?"

  "It happens. I see it all the time. Usually, it's when there's a lot of women in a family. One girl gets married, and another girl wants to get married. Weddings are addictive."

  "Weddings are just a party. It's the marriage that matters," Ben said, and noticed that her back stiffened.

  "Agreed." Her voice shook. "It seems as though your parents have a good marriage."

  The smile that came to his lips was genuine. "They do. My mom's a saint. She married my dad and took Eric as her own after his mother died."

  Nichole's eyes had gone wide. "Eric is your half-brother?"

  "Yeah. I don't remember him being a pain in…" He stopped before he said another word. "Just a pain. But I think he gave her a run for her money. Mom just loved him. She introduced him to his wife. That seemed to work out well. Now they have a kid."

  "It sounds like marriage is important to your entire family."

  He thought about it. It did seem that way. His uncle Byron was the only one that didn't seem to fit the Walker standard. He'd been married multiple times, had never married Bethany's mother, and was living with yet another woman. But his cousins had seemed to learn the importance of marriage. Pearl and Tyson were happy. Jake and Missy were still newlyweds, but as far as Ben could see, they too had what it took to make it. He had no doubt Audrey and Gregory would have a happy life.

  Music flowed from the reception hall as they approached. Ben couldn't swear by it, but he was sure he had just seen someone who had played an action hero walk into the building. By the look on Wyatt's face, he might have seen the same person.

  It was then that Ben decided he needed to get out more. The sight of that many people was giving him anxiety.

  "Are you expected to sit at a certain table?" Nichole asked.

  Ben shook his head. "No. I don't think so."

  "I see a table across the dance floor. I'll snag it. Maybe you can get us some drinks?"

  "Sure. I can do that. Is anything off the table?"

  Nichole looked at her children. "I promised them each one soda. I'll take whatever you have."

  Ben nodded and headed toward the bar as Nichole and her children hurried toward the empty table.

  Officer Phillip Smythe was waiting for his drink. "Lydia sure knows how to throw a party, doesn't she?" he offered as Ben moved in next to him.

  "She sure does." Ben ordered three Shirley Temples and two beers.

  "Does she have you serving tonight?" Phillip nodded toward the drinks.

  "Oh, no. I was getting these for Nichole and her kids. Well, not the beer. The beer is for me and Nichole," he explained as if Phillip would've thought differently.

  Phillip took a pull from his beer. "So, you seeing the new stylist?"

  "No. No. Just walked in with her. She's nice."

  "Has her hands full."

  "Yeah. I don't know much about that. The kids are nice though."

  Phillip took the two beers as the bartender put them on the counter. "I'll carry these. You carry those."

  Ben picked up the three glasses and followed Phillip across the dance floor toward the table where Nichole settled her kids in.

  "Officer Smythe, it's nice to see you," Nichole greeted him.

  "Nice to see you." He handed her one of the beers and set the other on the table. "I haven't had the chance to meet your kids yet."

  "That's right. You haven't met. This is my daughter, Laura, she's two," Nichole said as Laura buried her head into her shoulder. "And these are my boys, Wyatt and Zane."

  Phillip gave them a nod. "It's nice to meet you. Well, I think I'm going to go find Lydia and see if I can get in some trouble."

  Ben watched as Nichole's lips pursed. "Let me know how that goes."

  Phillip gave her a wink and tilted his beer toward her in a salute before he walked away.

  "Lydia has to know the man is in love with her, right?" Nichole asked as Ben set the drinks in front of the kids.

  "He's just always been around. I don't think it's love."

  Nichole laughed as she picked up her beer. "I've only been around a few months, and I know it's love."

  Ben sat down next to Laura and picked up his beer to take a sip. If that was true, that Phillip was in love with Lydia, it was apparent that Ben knew nothing about love. But he did understand attraction. And as he looked at Nichole, who was deep in conversation with Wyatt and Zane, he realized he was under the spell of that attraction. Taking a sip of his beer, he promised himself he would only let it go that far. He knew deep down inside this was not the right situation for him.

  5

  The kids occupied themselves watching a video on Nichole's phone. Ben had nursed his beer until it was warm, and Nichole had managed to tear the label off her bottle. The DJ played background music while the guests arrived. Ben would never understand why it took so long for the bride and groom to arrive at receptions.

  "I think it's funny which traditions stay intact," Nichole said drawing his attention to her. "Most couples live together before they even get married. So why is it so important not to see each other before the wedding? I mean, taking pictures after the wedding, it could all be done before."

  Ben chuckled as he took a swig from his warm beer and then pushed it away. "Did I say that out loud? I was just thinking that."

  Nichole laughed, and he found that it warmed his skin to hear it. "I'm pretty sure everyone here is thinking that."

  The server walked to the table, a silver tray in her hands. "Can I offer you some hors d'oeuvres?"

  Nichole looked up at the woman. "Hi, Patty. I didn't know you were working for Lydia."

  "Oh, hey. Actually, I'm working for Susan. It's a good side job."

  Patty handed them a napkin. Nichole took an appetizer for each of them, and Ben took some pastry and set it on his napkin. He watched the kids fumble with theirs. Laura went right to biting into hers while Wyatt carefully watched Zane dissect his.

  "Don't play with it," Nichole warned. "Just eat it."

  Zane winced. "I don't know what it is."

  "It's the only food you're going to get for another hour, so eat it," she demanded.

  Ben noticed both boys looked at him. He didn't know what it was either, but he felt under pressure to make sure he didn't get in trouble with Nichole.

  He lifted pastry to his mouth and took a bite. "I think it's chicken. But it's really good. Susan makes the best food."

  Neither of the boys took his word until he had eaten the second bite.

  Then he watched as each of them took a bite and chewed slowly. Obviously, by the looks on their faces, it was edible
for all.

  Zane pushed his plate toward the center of the table. "Is all the food going to be like this?"

  Nichole shook her head. "This just keeps the crowd calm," she said with a wink.

  "Why didn't you cook the food? You're the best cook ever," Zane told her, and she smiled widely.

  She shifted a glance toward Ben. "Don't let them fool you. I'm great with boxed mac and cheese. Anything beyond that is iffy."

  "You have me beat in that department," Ben admitted. "I try to walk into the kitchen my parents' house right at dinnertime every night. My mother would never turn me away."

  The comment lit humor in her eyes. "No mother could turn her son away."

  And at that moment he knew Nichole was just like his mother. Her children were her world, and nothing could ever alter that.

  * * *

  Nichole had managed to finish her warm beer and caved in letting the kids have a second Shirley Temple before the bride and groom arrived. She'd heard word that the wedding had been leaked to the press, and there was a helicopter flying overhead. In the past six months, she'd spent quite a bit of time with Gregory Bishop, Audrey's new husband. Though his face was in every magazine she saw in the grocery store, and he'd been on TV promoting the new film he was in, she saw him as an ordinary guy.

  Phillip had been prepared for the disruption and had police presence at each entrance and around the block. But as the helicopter circled, their presence was more noticeable.

  "Why are the cops here?" Wyatt asked.

  "Gregory is very famous. They just want to keep him safe."

  Wyatt took another sip from his drink and wiped his mouth on his jacket sleeve. "If he's so famous, why did he play baseball with us?"

  Nichole chuckled. "Because he's a normal nice guy. His job just puts him out in front of a lot of people."

  "Like when I'm a professional baseball player?" he asked and Zane elbowed him in the arm.

  "You're not going to be a professional baseball player. You suck."

  "Hey." Nichole's voice didn't rise, but she focused her tone directly on the boys, and they each eased back. "Mind your manners and cool your mouth."

  I didn't go unnoticed that Ben was growing more uncomfortable around her little family by the second. She was sure when she scolded the kids he'd flinched.

  "You don't have to just sit and keep us company. I'm sure your family would like you to mingle," she offered, hoping to free him if that's what he was looking for. The confused look on his face wasn't what she expected though.

  "I'm perfectly happy sitting here. I have to admit I'm not much of one for working a room. Besides, it's my cousin's wedding. If it were one of my brothers…" He adjusted his tie. "Well, I didn't like doing it then either."

  Nichole laughed and eased back in her chair. "You like your quiet life, don't you?"

  He nodded quickly. "My little house out on the ranch is perfect for me. I see who I want when I want. Luckily I see Susan often, and she always has food with her."

  She laughed again. "I like my quiet time, but I suppose I got into my profession because I liked to be with people. Different people."

  "I'd have an anxiety attack," he admitted.

  Nichole lifted her beer toward him in salute. "Here's to opposites. It's what makes the world go round."

  He tapped his bottle to hers and then took a long, thoughtful sip.

  It was then she noticed the police in the room readjust their positions. Even though they were in civilian clothing, nothing hid the fact that they were packing under their jackets.

  A moment later Gregory carried his laughing bride into the room to the rousing cheers from the guests.

  "Now can we eat real food?" Zane whined, and Nichole held up a finger to her lips to quiet him.

  The truth was, she didn't want to talk to anyone for a few moments. The sight of Audrey's enormous smile and Gregory's matching one were wreaking havoc with her heart. Even when she'd married her ex-husband, they'd never looked that happy. Everyone deserved to find happiness, and she couldn't help but feel the twisting in her gut, wondering if she'd missed her chance.

  But when she watched Zane help Laura up on her chair to see the bride and groom, and he held her hand to steady her, Nichole knew that her happiness wasn't justified in what her marriage had been. Her children brought that to her. It was enough, she promised herself. It was enough.

  6

  Ben had never been so happy to see two people enter a room and sit down to eat. God, he was starving.

  Seriously, why did wedding parties have to take their sweet time arriving? And why didn't they serve the food while the guests waited?

  He watched as the staff that Susan had amassed began to carry out trays of food. Ben didn't know how she did it. He couldn't cook anything that wasn't frozen and tossed into the microwave, but Susan could cook for hundreds—and plate it.

  "I sampled the menu," Nichole leaned toward him. "Susan brought in lunch one day. She's a genius."

  "She is. I'm sure that's why Eric married her." He thought better of his comment and then waved his hand in front of him as if to erase it. "I mean it was a bonus. He married her because he loves her."

  Nichole’s smile widened. "I know."

  Her attention was diverted back to her children as they were served their plates. Laura grabbed her fork, sat up on her knees, and dug in. Zane took his knife and pushed anything green to the far side. Wyatt patiently waited to see everyone else's reactions before he took a bite of anything.

  Ben thought back to when he was a young boy. His mother went through a phase where she wanted them to try new foods. She wasn't a horrible cook, but she enjoyed experimenting. That didn't always turn out in their favor.

  Gerald was always a bit better about trying things. Ben and Russell, on the other hand, had more than once given their dinner to the dog. His other brother, Dane, had a way of getting meals he wanted to eat. Ben wasn't sure what kind of voodoo that was, but now that he thought about it, Dane was always putting things in his mother's head. Perhaps that was a lesson, he thought. If you wanted something, you asked for it.

  Knowing that anything Susan made was perfect, Ben began to dig into his meal. Marinated chicken breast, asparagus, fingerling potatoes, and a beautiful salad adorned his plate. As soon he took his first bite, he realized just how hungry he was. Nichole must've realized it too, as his stomach growled and she turned and smiled. What a lovely way to make an impression.

  Once the meal had been completed, Susan's staff began to clear the plates, and the DJ called for the bride and groom to meet out on the dance floor.

  Laura crawled up into her mother's lap. "They going to dance?"

  Nichole smoothed her hand over her daughter's head. "Yes. This is their first dance."

  Ben gave that some thought. Didn't it start with the bride and groom's first dance, followed by a dance with the parents, and then what? When did they get to the part of the night when they got to eat cake, dance, and drink more beer? He noticed Wyatt scratching at something on the tablecloth and Zane tugging at his tie. It was then he realized he was no better off than a seven-year-old boy. He also was bored and wanted to run.

  "Would you mind if I took the boys outside for a few minutes to stretch our legs?" he asked.

  Both boys raised their heads simultaneously. At first, there was a slight sense of fear in their eyes, but a moment later they turned toward their mother and pleaded.

  Zane fixed his tie again. "Please, Mom. I'm bored to death," he said with a strangling voice.

  Wyatt nodded in agreement.

  Ben set his napkin on the table. "I promise no more than five minutes. Just a walk around the block and we'll be back."

  He could see the trepidation on her face, and he couldn't blame her. After all, he was a stranger, and these were her children.

  "Just around the block?"

  "Just around the block," he promised. "No walking through mud puddles or sliding in the dirt."

  She thoug
ht for another moment and then nodded. "Okay. I suppose this is boring for young men. Hurry back."

  All three of them stood from the table. Both boys moved to her and kissed her on the cheek while Laura watched with great interest. "You stay with me, and we will watch the bride and groom," Nichole informed Laura.

  * * *

  Ben followed the boys out of the hall. They waited until they were outside before they let out a grateful whoop.

  "Thanks, Ben," Wyatt said. "That is boring."

  "Food was good though," Zane said, as he studied the water feature in the small courtyard at the entrance.

  "It was good. C'mon, let's stroll," Ben offered as he tucked his hands into his pockets and started around the building that would take them in front of the shops his cousins and his sister-in-law owned.

  "Did you go to school here?" Wyatt asked as he fell into step with Ben, and Zane continued at a faster pace down the sidewalk.

  "I went to a school here. There are a few of them."

  "Did you like it?"

  "No," Ben answered honestly and saw that it shocked his young inquisitor. "I lived forty-five minutes from town, so getting to school was a big chore."

  "That would suck."

  Ben shrugged. "I don't know. Now that I look back on it, I guess it wasn't that bad. My mom always packed me a snack for the bus. My friends and I would play games, and when I was old enough, I'd hold hands with girls."

  That made for a less than happy response from Zane who stopped in front of Gia's gift shop.

  "Are all the girls who own the stores your sister? Zane asked.

  "No. My cousin owns the bridal shop and hair salon. My other cousin works in the flower shop, and my sister-in-law owns the gift store."

  "What's a sister-in-law?"

  "Well, Gia is married to my brother," he explained. "Do you have any aunts?"

  "Ya. Aunt Pattie," Zane said. "Uncle Doug is mom's brother."

  "Then your Aunt Pattie is your mom's sister-in-law. See how that works?"

  Zane shrugged as if the conversation didn't matter anymore.

  When they turned the corner, Wyatt stopped in front of the salon. "Mom likes working here," he said as he cupped his hands around his eyes and looked inside as if he'd never seen it before. "She didn't like the old salon she worked at where we used to live."