Page 9 of Benedict’s Rejuvenation (Dark Patriots #5)

“Keeley, my big sister with the heart of gold. I love you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting your life on hold for me. You’ve been slow to plan your wedding, and I know it’s because of me.

You’re afraid I’ll feel unwanted. And if you’re married, Beau will be more anxious to have you live in Virginia with him.

I don’t blame him. You should be with your man where you’re happiest. It’s time to marry the man. Stop procrastinating.

“Why am I saying all this? It’s because it’s time for me to move out.” There was a gasp from Keeley. Beau frowned, and Ben appeared upset. I hurried on. I had no clue how much longer they could hold back.

“I’ve found a place. Along with it, I’ve gotten a job.

There’s no need to be concerned about how I can afford to live on my own.

It’s time to cut my umbilical cord to all of you.

I refuse to hold up your lives any longer.

This change is a good thing. And it’s not meant to hurt you or make you feel that everything you’ve done for me isn’t appreciated or hasn’t helped.

It has helped so much. One last thing before you ask, yes, Iolani is aware of this conversation and supports it with her recommendations, which I have taken note of.

We’ve discussed this, and I will speak to her tomorrow about tonight’s conversation. I’m continuing my counseling with her.”

I stopped and waited for their remarks and arguments to begin. Despite feeling anxious and stressed inside, I projected a calm, unconcerned exterior. There would be opposition. Keeley would fight this tooth and nail. I almost chuckled when she spoke first.

“Kensy, first let me tell you that it is utter nonsense that you have postponed us getting married. Beau and I have been busy with work. You know that. And there’s no need to rush it.

We’ll get married when the time is right.

Secondly, this house is your home, no matter what.

Dad left it to both of us. You’re welcome anytime and for as long as you’d like to stay.

And I assure you, Beau and I don’t go without intimacy.

“When did this all start? You didn’t mention searching for an apartment or a job. If you want to work, you can stay here. There’s no need to move out. Where is it? And where is this place you found to live? We should make sure it’s secure,” she added.

When she ran out of steam, Beau took over.

“I second everything your sister said. Moving to Montana to be with her hasn’t been a hardship.

I love it here. I can work from anywhere, so that’s not an issue.

I’ve loved getting to know you and forming a bond with you.

I miss having my sister, Bryony, close. I’m more than happy here and with you in the house.

Keeley is right. The wedding can wait. Why didn’t you tell us you were considering this? ” he asked.

“Because I knew there would be arguments, that would be ongoing, trying to talk me out of it. I can’t stay here, dependent on all of you for the rest of my life.

I can’t keep hiding from the world and the what-ifs.

I refuse to become a terrified recluse. You need to get on with your lives, and I have to do the same. ”

There were more outcries, mainly from my sister, about how I wasn’t a burden or holding her and Beau back.

Her man was saying the same, but I knew it would relieve some stress and allow them to move forward without me underfoot all the time.

Ben had remained quiet the entire time. He was studying me with a concentrated frown on his face.

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Finally, I had to ask.

“Ben, you’ve been silent. I can’t believe you have nothing to say or ask.

That’s not like you. Please, go ahead and do it.

But know that whatever you say, it’s not changing my mind.

Look at you and your constant travel to Montana.

You can’t tell me that hasn’t impacted your life.

It certainly had to have impacted your…personal one. ” I left it at that.

The truth was, the thought of who he was sleeping with made me sick and hurt—another reason I had to put distance between the two of us.

I was too dependent on him emotionally, and I wanted more than he would give me.

Plus, even if by some miracle Ben was attracted to me, I didn’t have affairs, nor did I know if I could have sex with a guy.

Iolani assured me I would be able to when the guy and time was right. We’d have to see.

“I do have things to say and ask. However, I prefer that we do those in private. Take a ride with me. Beau, is it okay if we take your vehicle?” he asked without waiting for my answer.

“Sure, you know where the keys are.”

“You should stay here so we can all talk this through more,” Keeley countered.

Beau lowered his head and whispered in her ear. Whatever he said made her perk up, not voice another objection, and stare hard at Ben, who didn’t blink.

Ben held out his hand. “Come with me, Kensy. We need to talk. It’ll give your sister and Beau time to process and talk it out. Before we come back together as a group, we need to clear up a few things. If they have other questions or concerns, this gives them time to figure those out.”

His part about giving my sister and her man time alone made me take his hand without a fight and allow him to lead me to the front door.

He paused long enough to grab Beau’s keys.

I snatched up my purse, which I had tucked under the entry table.

Not the best place for it, but I always found it this way.

Otherwise, I would run around hunting for it every time I left the house.

The evening was still lovely, so I didn’t bother to take a jacket.

Ben, who seemed more impervious to cold, didn’t take one.

He opened the door and held my hand as I got into Beau’s car before he shut the door and rounded the car to get into the driver’s seat.

I waited until we had pulled away from the house before I spoke.

“Ben, we’re away from the house. Let me hear it.”

“Wait. I want to be where we can see each other’s eyes and speak without distractions.”

“Where is that?” I asked.

“You’ll see,” he answered.

We drove in utter silence, which I detested, for about twenty minutes.

It didn’t take long to figure out where he was headed.

I’d shown him a lot of the area, including my favorite spots.

He was headed to one of those. It was off a hiking trail, not far along it.

It overlooked a small stream. I was right.

He parked in the parking lot at the head of the trail.

We made the walk swiftly. When we got there, he took me to a large rock we’d sat on several times previously when we came here.

He lowered me to it, then seated himself right next to me.

He positioned us so that we were facing each other.

“Now we can talk. You said a lot of things back there. I want to address those first, and then we’ll move on to my part. Is that agreeable?”