It was indeed just the beginning, Beth thought as she walked towards her classroom.

Wyatt had to stay behind in Charleston until his father was ready to return home. He didn't like the idea of no one living in the house with so many people going through it daily. Wyatt had told Beth that one of the few good things about Kay was that she was very territorial, and if she caught anyone on the private side of the house, they would be kicked off the property whether they worked there are not.

Beth had to return to New York for her teaching job, so she couldn't stay and they had spent three weeks apart, during which time, Beth had spent a lot of time with Mary Alice. She hadn't admitted to Wyatt's mom about their relationship because she didn't feel it was her place. Beth felt that Wyatt should be the one to tell her in his own time. Despite that, she and Mary Alice had many amusing conversations about Wyatt and what he was like as a boy. Beth loved hearing every one of them because they all proved that he was who she thought he was, a giant marshmallow covered with a hard shell

Beth had to admit that she had been anxious about the time they had spent apart. She had feared that Wyatt would fall back into his old way of thinking, and he would decide they couldn't be together when he returned. When Wyatt did return, all of her fears proved unfounded, and they picked up where they had left off learning about each other. Wyatt let her know how much he had missed her, and they had all but moved in with each other.

She couldn't help the smile that always seemed to be on her face all the time. Beth knew her mother had noticed because she caught her watching her one day, and Beth was sure she was going to comment about it, but her mother had changed the subject.

It had reminded Beth that she needed to tell her family about her and Wyatt's relationship, but she wasn't sure how. Part of her was nervous and anxious about it. They had never seen her with a man before, and she was unsure about how they would respond. Would the tease and embarrass her, would they dislike Wyatt because he wasn't the over-friendly sort, or would they gently accept him into the family. The longer she let it go, the harder it seemed to become.

Beth wanted him to come to Texas the following week. It was her grandparent's anniversary, and even though they had both passed, the family still celebrated it together.

It was one the rare times they were all together as a family, and she would be able to tell them in one fell swoop, like pulling off a band-aid. Beth cringed as she thought of Uncle Mason's smart mouth and what he would make of the situation as she walked into her class.

*******

Wyatt looked at his calendar to see who his next appointment for the day was. He usually knew well ahead of time, but he was so far behind since he had returned from Charleston that he was flying by the seat of his pants most days.

He had just taken a sip of his cold coffee when he saw the name Rainer and Alice Steven pop up as his next appointment. He coughed and sputtered as his mind raced. Why on earth were Beth's parents coming to see him? Did they know, had Beth told them? Was this the visit for an angry father? That had never happened to him before.

Taking a few calming breaths as he stood up, he couldn't call Beth on the off chance that they were coming to see him on a legal matter, he would just have to put on his best poker face and ride it out. Wyatt's pep-talk didn't keep his hand from shaking.

Doing what he always did with a new client, he walked out into the reception area to greet them when they arrived. His goal was to be that friendly, welcoming face that made them want to trust the firm.

His secretary knew how he worked, and as he exited his office, she handed him his mail while updating him on any messages he hadn't yet returned. She asked him about his father and if he was glad to be back, but that was as far as she got because Mark saw Wyatt and beelined towards him with his hand extended.

"The prodigal son returns," Mark grinned as he vigorously shook Wyatt's hand. "How was your trip, did you meet anyone new?" he waggled his eyebrows.

"New? No. I spent most of the trip with my father," Wyatt turned his attention to his mail, hoping Mark would take the hint and leave. He didn't. He went on about the last case they had won, saying that it was a done deal from the beginning and that the needed to get together for a drink soon.

Wyatt didn't have time to respond as the door to reception opened and Alice and Rainer walked in. Alice saw him right away and shot him a friendly smile, which immediately put him at ease. Rainer looked tense but not unfriendly as he nodded at Wyatt. They had met briefly at Beth's birthday party, enough to know each other by sight.

"Wyatt, it's good to see you again. Thank you for taking the time to see us." Alice said, reaching up and giving him a light hug. Rainer held out his hand, and Wyatt took it, expecting to feel a crushing grip, but it was just a standard handshake.

Mark was hovering, and Wyatt's good manners made him make introductions.

"Alice and Rainer Stevens, this is Mark Shearborn, one of my associates." Mark shook their hands just as vigorously as he had Wyatts.

"You're Beth's parents, aren't you?" he asked, and Alice's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "We went out a few times, how is she?" he asked all concern. He was trying his hardest to make a connection. Meanwhile, Wyatt didn't much care for the sound of Beth's name, leaving his lips for any reason.

"She's fine, thank you," Alice politely said while Rainer only grunted.

"My office is this way," Wyatt said as he ran his hand down his tie and held out his arm to indicate the door that they needed to walk through.

"You need backup on this one?" Mark asked as Wyatt followed the couple through the door, closing it without responding.

"Do you know my daughter as well?" Alice asked Wyatt with a friendly smile. It was a gentle dig that Wyatt wasn't touching. Of course, she knew he knew Beth. She had told him how to contact her a few weeks previously.

"I do, we met in Charleston." Wyatt nodded, doing his best to keep his smile friendly and not tense.

"Charleston, that's a nice city, not as nice as Savannah, but nice. Are you from there?" Rainer asked, using the full force of his charm to get Wyatt to open up and talk about himself. Wyatt recognized the technique because it was one he used himself from time to time.

Wyatt smiled and thought of Beth. "So, I've been told." His eyes darted to Alice, who looked like she wanted to jump up and kiss him. She definitely knew something.

"How can I help you today?" Wyatt quickly changed the subject.

"It's a delicate matter and a very private one that we would like to keep private, but I'm not sure if we can at this point." Alice reached out and squeezed her husband's hand in support. "My brother-in-law, Bryce,  suggested that we should talk to you about it since he is not a trial lawyer, and that's what this nightmare could become."

Wyatt nodded as he walked over to his desk and picked up a pad and pen, then walked towards a seating area on one side of his office and invited them to join him. It was a legal matter and that he could handle.

He didn't prod as he waited for them to tell him in their own time.

"You're familiar with the author Steven Douglas?" Alice asked.

"You made us read several of his novels in undergraduate if I recall." Wyatt nodded. "Not much is known about him; he is a hermit that never gives interviews."

"I'm Steven Douglas," Rainer said as he exhaled.

Wyatt blinked and did his best to hold on to his poker face. When they said private, they had meant private.

"Someone is accusing me of plagiarism," Rainer said as he stood and started to pace. "I know well enough that this is about someone wanting their ten minutes of fame, but I want to handle it quietly if we can."

"Can't Bryce do that for you?" Wyatt asked.

"He can, but he thought that he was too close to the case, and it might look odd if he did all of the representation. Not that he cares much about what people think, but if this does go to court, he didn't want me to have to change lawyers midstream."

"I take it you have proof that you wrote the novel?" It was a question he had to ask.

"Yes, all that is needed." Rainer dismissively waved his hand.

They discussed the case for an hour, and when they were done, Wyatt, who hadn't taken any notes, leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful look.

"It obvious this person doesn't know that he is up against Rainer Stevens. I think we can win it with the documentation alone and a little mediation. I'll do my best to keep you out of it, but if I can't and if this does go to court, who you are will make a tremendous difference."

"Why?" Alice asked softly while looking at her husband, who looked exhausted. She had the same look of love in her eyes that Beth had when she looked at him, and for a moment, it took his breath away. When Rainer returned her look, it did something to his gut.

These two people were where Beth's faith and ability to love came from.

Wyatt cleared his throat. "Rainer Steven's is a beloved and trusted media figure. Everyone who watches or reads the news already feels as if they know him. That admiration versus some unknown stranger who is threatening all that they admire will win, I'm sure of it, but hopefully, it won't come to that."

Alice nodded, turning to look at him, and he recognized the look in her eye. She was about to say something painfully honest. "Can you be impartial, would your relationship with our daughter reflect badly on this case?"

Wyatt froze, his eyes darting from Alice's to a stunned Rainer.

"Our daughter?" Rainer asked.

Alice nodded. "Yes, he's in love with Bethy."

"Beth?" Rainer asked. "How do you know?"

"Not from Beth. She hasn't offered, and I haven't asked. It was the way Wyatt smiled when he mentioned that he had been told how much nicer Savannah is than Charleston. It was a tender and amused look."

"You got all that from a look?" Rainer asked.

"Don't start old man. It's not my fault that your thick when it comes to women. Lord knows I gave you plenty of looks, even told you I loved you before you realized you didn't really have a choice in the matter." Alice all but rolled her eyes at him.

"Yes, dear. I remember." Rainer grinned, and he looked ten years younger. Then they both turned to look at Wyatt, waiting for his response.

"It shouldn't, not that many people know about our relationship, yet."

Rainer was staring at him, and Alice nodded.

"For the record, we approve of Bethy's choice." Alice smiled and leaned forward to squeeze his hand.

"We do?" Rainer asked, still stunned.

"Although, if I know my daughter, she didn't give you much choice. She's blunt like me and bull-headed like her father."

"I think she does need to know about this, though, and I can't be the one to tell her." Wyatt was relieved that Alice approved, but also a little anxious about what it meant now that she knew.

"She doesn't know about her father being Steven Douglas, no one other than Bryce does. I'm not sure how she's going to take it." Alice said as she pulled out her phone. "We'll tell her we're hiring you but not why, at least not yet. We have a family reunion next week, and we'll tell everyone then. You'll be there?" Alice asked as she pushed a few buttons, then the sound of ringing filled the room.

"Hello, Mom." Beth's lovely voice filled the room and made Wyatt's heart trip a little, and Alice gave him a knowing smiled.

"You're on speaker. I'm here with your father and Wyatt." Alice was met with total silence. "We need to hire him for a personal reason, are you alright with that?"

"Ummm, sure," Beth said, sounding a bit relieved. "Isn't he a trial lawyer, though? Dad and Uncle Mason didn't do anything stupid, did they?"

"Why me!" Rainer groused. "I rarely do anything stupid, and I've never done anything stupid enough to get sued."

"There's always a first time," Alice and Beth said together.

"No, Bethy, we need to keep it on the down-low for now, but we will tell everyone in Texas. You're bringing Wyatt?" she asked again. "Don't worry, I figured it out without Wyatt saying a word. Both he and your father look a little stunned still."

"I hadn't had a chance to ask him yet." Beth sounded like she was clenching her jaw.

"Well, now he's coming, dear," Alice said. "I'd invite you both to dinner, but you two sound like you have some things to discuss."

"Wyatt?" Beth's voice sounded unsure.

"We'll talk later, Beth, it's fine," he assured her, but he was angry. Alice should not have handled it the way she did.

"Love you, Bethy," her mother said before ending the call.

"You've upset her," Wyatt said, giving Alice a hard look.

"I know, but I wanted to see if it would upset you too, and I'm glad that it did." Alice smiled gently. "Is there anything else you need from us? Will you accept the case?"

"I need to talk to Beth. If she agrees, I'll take the case. If not, I'll recommend someone who can."

"I would expect no less." She stood and turned to Rainer. "Are you ready?"

"No, I want to talk to Wyatt for a moment. Would you mind?" Rainer gave his wife a charming smile, and she smiled back and then with a nod left.

Rainer leaned back in his chair and regarded Wyatt, who returned his stare with an unflinching one of his own.

"You love my daughter?" he asked.

Wyatt smiled. "I haven't told her I love her, so I'm certainly not going to tell you that I do."

Rainer smiled at that. "Bethy has always lived in the shadows of her cousins. She speaks her mind like her mother, but most times she goes unheard over the cacophony of the rest of the family. They all treat her like a doll that needs care and not like the strong woman she has become. They won't let her grow-up, and I'm guilty of it too."

Rainer watched Wyatt as he gathered his thoughts.

"I'm learning to hear her very distinct voice, I have felt and seen her strength and bullheadedness, but I will always want to take care of her," Wyatt said in a rough tone.

Rainer stood and held out his hand. "I don't think a father could ask for more, but just in case, she has six uncles who will tear you up if you hurt her, lawsuits be dammed."

"Fair enough." Wyatt nodded. He didn't dare smile because he knew the man was dead serious. Wyatt took his hand, they shook, and then he left.

He quickly moved to his phone and shot Beth a text message telling her everything was fine. Wyatt knew she was worried and he wouldn't rest easy until he could talk to her face to face.