‘Just water, please.’
While Noah busied himself in the kitchen, pulling glasses down from an overhead cupboard, Beth slipped through the back door to the verandah, taking what might be her last chance to soak in the view of the land that once might have been hers.
‘Here you go.’ Noah handed her a glass of chilled water with a slice of lemon. Just the way she liked it.
‘Thank you.’ She took a sip, using the moment to gather her thoughts. ‘I ran into your mum yesterday.’
Noah glanced at her, his glass raised halfway to his lips. ‘Yeah?’
‘She mentioned you applied for a business loan and didn’t get it.’
He delayed his response by taking a large swig from his glass. ‘Not sure why she’d volunteer that information.’
‘She only mentioned it because I asked how you were,’ Beth rushed to explain, not wanting to get Celia in trouble.
Noah leaned on the railing. ‘Why didn’t you ask me yourself?’
Flinching under his scrutiny, she looked away. ‘I’ve been dealing with some stuff.’
‘I could’ve helped you through it, you know. I still can.’
Her heart lurched in her chest, as if trying to launch itself into his hands, but she resisted inching closer. It was one thing to trust him to support her through her grief and another thing entirely to believe that he’d still want to be with her if he knew she was autistic.
She turned to him, not wanting to risk the pain of rejection but needing to see his reaction. ‘I came here today because I don’t want you to give up on your dream.’
His gaze dropped to her hands as she cupped them around her glass. ‘I’m trying not to, believe me.’
‘Then why won’t you let your parents help you?’
He scowled. Gave a slight shake of his head and pushed off the railing. ‘Not an option.’
‘Why not?’
He looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. ‘You know why. I’m not letting them risk everything for me.’
‘But they’re your parents and they believe in you. They want to support you.’
‘It’s not going to happen, Beth.’ He downed what was left in his glass, his throat working as he swallowed, but the tension in his jaw and shoulders remained.
Beth chewed the corner of her mouth. ‘What if there was another way?’
He eyed her sceptically.
‘Have you thought about finding investors?’
He blinked and turned to gaze out across the valley. A surge of excitement ran through her when he admitted, ‘I guess it could be an option.’
She grinned. ‘Personally, I think it’s an excellent option, which is why I’d like to invest.’
He said nothing.
‘I’d like to invest in your business,’ she clarified, in case he hadn’t heard her properly. ‘Don’t worry, I’d only be a silent partner, but I think—’
‘No. Absolutely not.’
‘Hang on, hear me out—’
‘Nope.’ He turned and walked inside.
