averted her eyes and pretended not to listen to the squabble.
“Oh, Frank, you know that’s not—”
“What about that woman last year? Kate. All I can say about her is she lasted longer than most. Then it was Mary or Misty. No, Mitzi. That didn’t last long at all. Then at Labor Day, it was Audrey.”
“Is he still dating Audrey?” Sylvia asked Betsy.
Betsy thought about correcting her, but decided the name didn’t matter. Adrianna or Audrey. She knew who Mrs. Harcourt meant.
“No,” Betsy said in a voice that sounded hollow. “I don’t believe he is.”
“I tell you, Sylvia, the boy doesn’t know what love is.”
“Dad. Mom.” Ryan stood in the doorway, a look of surprise on his face, a bag of scones in his hand.
Betsy knew the bag contained scones because every Monday, Ryan would pick them up on his way to the office. They’d enjoy them with their morning coffee. It had become a tradition. If you could call two weeks in a row a tradition.
“What are you doing here?” His gaze shifted from his parents to Betsy, then back.
“What does it look like?” his mother asked. “We’re visiting with your secretary while waiting for you.”
Betsy flinched. There was nothing wrong with being a secretary. There was just something about the way that his mother said the word. Dismissive. As if she didn’t matter.
“So you’ve met Bet—”
“We don’t have much time for small talk, son,” Frank interrupted. “You mother and I need to go over those papers with you before we leave for Salt Lake.”
“But I want you to get to know—”
“Honey.” His mother put a hand on his sleeve. “Your father is right. We don’t have much time. I apologize for simply popping in and expecting you to drop everything. But surely you can spare us a few minutes.”
“Mr. Fitzgibbons is driving in this morning from Idaho Falls to meet with you,” Betsy reminded him. “He should be here any moment.”
Ryan looked at Betsy. “Would you mind—”
“I’ll take care of him,” Betsy said. “And cover things out here.”
“Are you sure?” His gaze searched hers.
She forced a smile. “Positive.”
“Thank you.” He handed her the bag. “I brought scones.”
Betsy placed the sack on the desk for the last time. So often it was hard to know when a tradition ended. But after today there would be no more scones and no more intimate conversation and laughter between her and Ryan.
Her heart did a slow, painful roll.
“I’ll see you when we’re done?” he asked.
“Of course she will.” His mother’s comment spared Betsy the need of answering. “She works for you. Where else would she be?”
Where else indeed, Betsy thought as Ryan followed his parents out of the room.
The three had barely disappeared into his office when the phone rang. With the roads between Idaho Falls and Jackson snow-packed and more of the white stuff in the forecast, Mr. Fitzgibbons had decided against making the trip.
Betsy rescheduled the elderly man and wished him a good afternoon. Because they didn’t have any other clients scheduled for the morning, she placed the bell on the counter and went to her office.
The door to Ryan’s office wasn’t shut completely. Betsy thought about closing it but decided that might be even more disruptive.
“Betsy isn’t my secretary, Mom,” Ryan said, his voice tight with frustration. “She’s my legal assistant. More importantly, she’s my girlfriend.”
Betsy wasn’t surprised he told them. The only thing that surprised her was he hadn’t told them before. Of course, considering how his father had gone on about his past relationships, he’d probably learned to keep his mouth shut.
Betsy slid her chair closer to the door just in time to hear his mother laugh.
“Oh, honey, for a second I thought you said you were dating the girl.”
“What happened to Audrey?” His father’s voice boomed.
“Yes, Mother, that’s what I said.” Ryan’s clipped tone spoke of his rising irritation. “Betsy and I are dating. And, Dad, I don’t know anyone named Audrey.”
Betsy wheeled her chair closer to the door. She glanced through the tiny opening just in time to see Frank’s brows pull together in a frown.
“Of course you know her. The one you couldn’t quit talking about over Labor Day. Audrey.”
“Adrianna?”
“It doesn’t matter now.” His father waved a dismissive hand. “If you can’t even remember her name, she’s obviously ancient history.”
“Betsy is the only woman who matters,” Ryan insisted.
“Honey, you can’t be serious. She’s your employee.” His mother sounded bewildered at his vehemence. “You barely know the woman. Last time we were in the office, Caroline was here.”
“What does that have to do with anything? I never dated Caroline.”
“I simply meant that Betsy is very new in your life.”
“I love her, Mom.”
Betsy’s breath caught in her throat. Even though she’d seen it in his eyes, she’d never heard him say those three little words. Until now.
Betsy loved him, too. Enough to protect him from Chad. And the scandal.
“Give it time,” Sylvia said in a gentle, if slightly patronizing, tone. “Don’t rush into anything.”
“I don’t need to give it time.” Ryan’s jaw jutted out. “Try to understand. All those other women taught me what I don’t want. Now I know what I want. I want Betsy. I want to marry her.”
His parents exchanged a glance.
“All your mother is saying is to take it slow. Don’t rush into anything.”
“If it’s true love, it will be there in six months.” His mother reached across the desk and patted his hand. “If you marry in haste and discover in another couple months she’s just another of your infatuations, it’s not only you who will be hurt, but her, as well.”
Ryan’s brows slammed together like two dark thunderclouds. He shoved his chair back.
“I’m sure that Betsy is a lovely young
