‘Anything.’
The word sent a shiver down her spine.
‘Can you arrange for me to meet with your parents? I want to find out what they know about my dad.’
‘Of course.’
And with that promise, Noah leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
Beth paced her room at the B&B and seriously considered coming up with an excuse for why she couldn’t meet with Mick and Celia Brennan. Sure, she’d asked for this, but she hadn’t thought it all the way through. Yes, she might learn about her father, which she so desperately wanted to do, but what if the Brennans had met Rosie and didn’t have anything nice to say about her? Or revealed details about her relationship with Bryce that turned Beth against her? What she’d told Noah was true—she didn’t want to hate her mother.
Too soon, there was a knock on her door, and when it opened, Ellie poked her head through the gap and offered an encouraging smile.
‘They’re here.’
Nervous but attempting a smile of her own, Beth followed Ellie downstairs, reminding herself with every step that there was always a chance Mick and Celia hadn’t met Rosie and didn’t know anything about her relationship with Bryce. The thought didn’t do much to calm her, but when she reached the of the stairs, Noah’s voice drifted out into the hall and settled her nerves slightly.
The Brennans stood the moment she entered the sitting room with Ellie, though seconds ticked by where no one spoke.
In the end, Noah stepped forward. ‘Mum, Dad, this is Beth. Beth, this is my mum, Celia, and Mick, my dad.’
Celia put a hand to her mouth, her eyes growing misty as she opened her arms wide. ‘Oh, sweetheart, it’s so lovely to meet you.’ She enveloped Beth in a hug, her warmth and softness, her nurturing presence, completely unexpected.
Beth savoured the moment, though it was fleeting.
Mick, too, seemed overcome—he’d shoved his hands on his hips and hung his head almost as soon as she’d stepped into the room. Now, he extended a hand towards her, his blue eyes, so like Noah’s, roaming over her face. ‘I can’t believe it. I never imagined this day would come.’
Celia pulled Beth in for yet another hug and this time, Beth closed her eyes and just let herself feel. The moment could only be likened to coming home. Here were two people treating her as if they’d been waiting years for her to show up and were accepting her as one of their own.
Pulling away to hold her at arm’s length, Celia studied her. ‘My gosh, you look just like your mum. So beautiful. But look, Mick,’ she said over her shoulder, ‘she has Bryce’s eyes.’
The room tilted on its axis and Beth threw out an arm to steady herself. It was all she could do to stay upright.
Noah was beside her in an instant and guided her to one of the sofas. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeah.’ Though she was embarrassed to find everyone looking at her. ‘Can I get some water, please?’
‘Sure.’ Noah went to usher Ellie from the room. ‘C’mon, Elle.’
‘Huh? No, I’m good.’
‘C’mon, Ellie,’ Noah repeated and this time managed to shepherd his cousin out into the hall.
Grateful for the privacy but still nervous, Beth reluctantly looked up at Celia. ‘You knew my mum, then?’
Sympathy softened Celia’s features and she took the seat beside Beth. ‘Only briefly, unfortunately. Noah told us you lost her to cancer a few years ago. We’re so sorry.’
Then, perhaps sensing Beth’s discomfort, she turned to Mick. ‘Why don’t you start at the beginning, love?’
Mick rubbed the back of his neck, as if he didn’t quite know where the beginning was, but he moved to sit on the couch opposite and began sharing his story.
‘We grew up together, me and your dad, from the time we were old enough to venture outdoors on our own till the day he left town. We were …’ He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. ‘We were as close as two young tackers could be.’
When Beth spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. ‘What was he like?’
