He turned his head to see the issue, only to have a stream of ketchup land in his eye. Skye managed to tear open a ketchup packet and squeezed it in his direction. How, he didn’t know since half the time he couldn’t even get the dumb things open.
Luna stared at him, wide-eyed and terrified. She shrunk back, as if expecting a blow.
His heart shattered to pieces for her history that caused that fear in her. His response would be a defining moment in their relationship, and the choice was simple. Why get mad when it was an innocent accident?
He wiped the sauce from his eyes and licked it from his finger. “Mmm, I always did love ketchup.”
The electrifying tension around the table dissipated into fits of laughter. He continued clearing his eye, using a napkin for the rest.
Luna caught his gaze, and there was no doubt or misunderstanding the expression in her eyes. She loved him.
Chapter Eighteen
After the zoo, Luna showered while the girls napped, then got ready for the night ahead.
Deciding on an outfit was easy when she didn’t have many to choose from. She pulled on a pair of black slacks and an aqua cashmere sweater she’d found at the thrift store. Her stomach twisted in excitement.
In fifteen minutes, Aloni would come to watch the girls for the evening. In a half hour, Carl would pick her up for a date. While only their second date, it felt like they’d been together for a lifetime. In a way, they had been. Her life now was not the same one she’d had a year ago.
From the moment she’d arrived at the shelter, he’d taken her under his wing and offered friendship, even when that’s all it could be. When she’d tried to push him away, he’d stood strong and saw through her defenses. He’d been her hero without ever needing or asking for praise.
He was as different from Manny as sugar was from salt. There was no comparison between the two. Before she let herself fall in love, she had to know that her feelings weren’t based on hero worship. She’d searched her soul and prayed for clear answers.
She realized that she’d fallen for Carl for all the right reasons. He was kind and gentle, compassionate and caring. He lived life with integrity and treated everybody with respect, no matter their station in life.
He made her laugh and forget the abuse she’d suffered at the hands of Manny. There had been that incident today, though, that she still fretted over. When Skye had squirted that ketchup on him, primal fear took over. Her head and heart knew that Carl would never hurt her, but she’d reacted before thinking.
Her reaction hurt him. She’d seen it in his eyes. On the way home, she apologized and explained. In true Carl fashion, he let it go. He understood, he’d said, and told her it was normal considering her past. He’d flashed his brilliant smile, then asked her favorite part of their zoo trip, never looking back.
The doorbell rang, and she rushed to the door.
Aloni stood outside with a bag of toys. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought the girls a few things. If you’d rather me not give them, I’ll run them to the car before Skye and Mercy see.”
Luna could have hugged her. The older woman had become a mother figure to her over the last several months. “They’ll love them. Thank you for thinking of them.”
“My grandkids live far away, so it’s nice to do a little spoiling still.” Aloni came inside and left the bag by the door. “You are stunning, my dear. Carl will be speechless.”
“Is it enough?” When she’d first dressed, she loved the outfit, but she became increasingly self-conscious with each passing moment.
“More than enough.” Aloni removed the silver necklace she wore. “Wear this. It will add the finishing touch.”
Luna held up a protesting hand. “I can’t take your necklace.”
“Pfft. You’re borrowing it.” Aloni winked. “For however long you want.”
“Tonight only,” she conceded.
“Lift your hair, and I’ll help you.”
She’d never had a mom to help her with feminine things. If her mom had shown interest and played an active part in her life, maybe she wouldn’t have made the mistakes in life she had. She cut off her train of thought. This wasn’t the time to dwell on thoughts of her absent family. God had given her a new family instead. They might not be blood, but they were family in every other way.
The doorbell rang again ten minutes later. She hugged Skye and Mercy and gave them goodnight kisses a few hours early.
Carl had changed into a nice pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. It was as dressy as he got, save formal occasions, and she wouldn’t have him any other way. He bent his head to welcome her with a chaste kiss to her cheek.
He escorted her to his truck and opened her door, closed it behind her. She set her purse beside her and waited for him to circle around.
“I hope you’re not hungry because we have a reservation before dinner.” His eyes danced with mystery.
