Page 45 of Give Me a Reason

Frederick wasn’t much of a conversation partner for Bethany on their drive back to Bosque Verde.

He couldn’t forget the resignation on Anne’s face as she’d slid into the back seat without so much as acknowledging his awkward wave.

Had he creeped her out with the refrigerator magnets?

What was the big deal? They were just matching refrigerator magnets. Shit. He wiped a hand across his jaw.

He had thought things would be easier now that they were friends, because being angry at Anne had felt so wrong . When he had run into her at the school, his old hurt had taken over all rational thought, and anger had seemed like the safest emotion he could allow himself to feel.

But the more time he spent with her, the harder it became to stay angry at her.

And it became exponentially harder to bear the hurt that crossed her face whenever he made a cutting remark or took a cheap dig at her.

It drained him to be an asshole to such a kindhearted person, especially when the anger just wasn’t there anymore.

Frederick shifted his grip on the steering wheel and responded to something Bethany said with a distracted “Uh-huh.”

Until they became friends, he’d felt as though he had no choice but to be an asshole to Anne. Because no matter how noble her reasons, she’d left him. She’d hurt him. How could he not be angry with her?

But she realized her mistake. She’d said she was wrong to leave him.

Since her confession on Christmas night, he’d been sorely tempted to forgive her, but he didn’t know how to do that without opening his heart to her.

But now that they were friends, he could finally forgive her without risking his heart.

It felt great not being an asshole to her today, and she seemed to enjoy his company.

So what happened? What was going through that beautiful head of hers?

Did she think he’d crossed the friendship line with his gift?

Was maintaining that line so important to her? His brows dipped low over his eyes.

Frederick parked his SUV in front of the villa with a surprised jolt.

He’d been so lost in his musings that he didn’t even remember how he got there.

He glanced around the driveway. The other car hadn’t arrived yet, but they couldn’t be far behind.

Should he talk to Anne? Find out what was bothering her?

It was only when Bethany huffed a forlorn sigh that Frederick realized he hadn’t said a word to her for God knew how long. Oh hell. He hadn’t meant to be rude.

“I wasn’t a very good conversation partner.” He scratched the back of his head. “My mind wandered…”

“Oh, I… didn’t even notice,” Bethany stammered. “I must’ve, uh, fallen asleep for a while.”

“Speaking of sleep.” Frederick quickly changed the topic at her discomfort and pointed his thumb at Joe and Aiden. “Those two conked out the minute I started driving.”

“The groom needs his beauty sleep,” Aiden defended his brother around a yawn and nudged him awake. “Come on, Joe. It’s our turn to make dinner.”

Frederick stepped out of his car and made to follow the Alvarez brothers when a small hand on his arm stopped him.

“Um, Frederick?” Bethany quickly withdrew her hand. “Do you want to take a walk? There’s a little hiking trail over there.”

He frowned at the darkening horizon. The villa was out in the middle of nowhere. “It’ll be pitch black soon.”

“Please? There’s a full moon to light our way, and I promise we won’t go far.” With a beckoning smile, she headed for the trail, and he had no choice but to follow her.

“Hey, Joe,” he shouted toward his lieutenant’s retreating back. “Bethany wants to go for a stroll. We won’t be long.”

“What’s the rush?” Joe turned around at the door with a Cheshire cat smile. “Take as long as you want.”

Frederick breathed a beleaguered sigh, then picked up his pace to catch up with Bethany.

“You got to hear a whole presentation about my job.” Despite his misgivings, he made conversation to atone for ignoring her in the car. “So what about you?”

“What about me?” she asked coyly.

“Do you enjoy being a teacher?” Frederick tugged on his collar, uncomfortable with her flirtatious tone.

Even with the full moon, the hiking trail lay in shadows, nestled between tall, looming trees. As they walked, the trail curved into an even darker area, the sky obscured by a canopy of dense branches. This wasn’t a good idea. They should turn back soon, while they could still make out the path.

“I really do,” she said with a bright smile, skipping down the dark trail much too fast for his liking. “It’s hard work and doesn’t pay too well, but becoming a teacher had always been my dream.”

“Your passion is more important than money.” When he’d first graduated from college, he made more money than he knew what to do with, but he was much happier now, doing what he loved with people he cared about.

“That’s very true, but not everyone agrees.” Her laugh held a brittle edge to it. “Even my cousin sometimes hounds me to do better for myself.”

“Your cousin?” He drew back in shock. “You mean Anne?”

“Anne? No, she would never think that, much less say that. I meant my other cousin, Tessa.” Bethany hurried to add, “Don’t get me wrong.

I love Tessa to pieces. But her definition of ‘doing better’ is getting an advanced degree or making more money, and I just don’t agree with her.

I think doing what I love is as good as it gets. ”

“I have a feeling your uncle is one of the people who doesn’t approve of your career.” Frederick’s mouth turned down at the corners, remembering the way Jonathan Lee took Anne for granted.

“Ha!” Bethany clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. Uncle Jonathan and Juliette couldn’t care less about what I do for a living. They’re too busy praising their own reflections in their many mirrors.”

“Hmm.” Frederick couldn’t believe Anne left her life behind to take care of her family when they were too narcissistic to even notice—much less appreciate—what she’d done for them.

Before his thoughts could wander too far, he made a valiant effort to focus on Bethany.

“At any rate, I admire you for pursuing your passion. Your students are lucky to have you.”

“Thank you, Frederick.” She reached out and took his hand. “That means a lot to me.”

“Oh.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze, then pulled away. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m glad we got to talk. I like spending time with you.” When he didn’t respond for a second too long, her gaze skittered away, and she bounced on her feet with a nervous giggle. “Gosh, all that sugar from the pie is making me restless. I… I should run it off.”

“Bethany, no.” He didn’t mean to hurt her feelings, but he hadn’t known how to respond to her shy confession. It would’ve been wrong to mislead her, but he could’ve changed the subject and spared them both the mortification. “Aww hell.”

She took off at a full sprint before he could stop her. He picked up his pace to follow her and make sure she didn’t hurt herself. The trail had grown even narrower and rockier than at the start. It was too dark to run headlong—

The sharp ring of her scream speared cold dread down his spine, and he ran toward the sound despite the dark trees crowding in on him, blocking the moonlight from reaching the path.

He cursed when he saw her figure prone on the ground, her face turned to one side with her arms flanking her head like a lopsided goalpost. She must’ve tried to break her fall and failed. He knelt beside her.

“Bethany, are you all right?” He gingerly maneuvered her onto her back, holding her head steady.

Frederick sucked in a sharp breath when his hand came away wet. He scrambled for his phone and turned on the flashlight. Shit. There was dark blood pooling around her head, soaking into the dirt. He tapped her cheek twice, but her lashes didn’t so much as flutter.

He was a trained EMT—he’d handled countless emergencies—but his mind went blank as guilt twisted his gut.

This was his fault. If he hadn’t embarrassed Bethany, she wouldn’t have run off in the dark.

He struggled to pull himself together, wishing Anne were with him.

Anne. He dialed her number before he realized what he was doing.

“Frederick?” she answered on the first ring. “Is something wrong?”

“Bethany is hurt. She fell and hit her head.” Anne gasped, and he almost dragged a bloody hand down his face. “I’m sorry.”

“Is she… How is she?” Her soft but steady voice washed over him.

“She’s unconscious.” He quickly assessed Bethany’s breathing and checked her pulse. “But her vital signs are stable.”

“Thank God you’re there to help her.” When he didn’t respond right away, Anne prodded, “Frederick?”

“Y-yes, I’m here.” He took a deep breath and shrugged out of his jacket, switching his phone from one hand to the other.

“You’re on the trail by the villa, right? Share your location with me.” Even though she spoke with urgency, Anne sounded calm, and he sent her his location with steady hands. “Take care of her. I’ll be there soon.”

Her confidence in him loosened the knot of panic in his chest. But even as he took strength from her, he didn’t want to be another person she had to prop up.

Too many people relied on her already. She needed someone to rely on for a change, and he wanted to be that person.

He gave his head a sharp shake. Now was not the time for those thoughts.

“Thank you, Anne.” With his phone tucked between his chin and shoulder, he bunched up his jacket and elevated Bethany’s head. “And please tell Pete and Joe to put something together to use as a gurney and meet us here.”

“I’ll tell them… And, Frederick?” she said as though something occurred to her. “Should I call an ambulance?”