Shall we meet at the daycare?
I’ll see you there.
She could do this for the children.
Then practicality struck. She hadn’t showered yet, so she’d have to clean up. What did one wear while house hunting? The word choice made her pause. She was starting to sound like Carlisle. The thought lifted her spirits
She collected Alex from school. By the time they got to Happy Ducklings, Carlisle was already there. He stood in front of a Land Rover, his little sports car nowhere in sight. He stepped to her car to get the door for her.
“Hi,” Alex said, getting his own door.”
“Hi, yourself.” Carlisle ruffled the boy’s hair.
“I appreciate you driving something other than your sports car,” Merry said.
“And I appreciate you taking the time to do this with us,” he said as they headed toward the entrance. She was both relieved and disappointed that he didn’t mention last night.
“The realtor provided a list of a dozen houses to visit,” Carlisle said, opening the door to the daycare, “but I’m not sure we’ll have time for them all.”
They collected Grace, stopped for a quick bite at a fast-food place, and then headed out. Never once did he mention what had happened. It was almost surreal, like they’d stepped back in time and were having a redo. It was just what she needed.
“Would you mind handling the navigation?” Carlisle asked, handing her his phone.
While the children entertained themselves in the back, Merry plugged in the address in the GPS and then read from the details about the first house.
“Tenbedrooms?” she asked, disbelieving. “Is your extended family going to come live with you?”
“Well, it’s more than I’m looking for, but I like the location of the property,” Carlisle said, unruffled. “Idohave need of a larger home than most families do because of the business gatherings I frequently hold in my home. Extended family and friends will also occasionally visit.” He shot her a sidelong glance, a brow arched.
“I’m just a middle-class American girl.” Merry fiddled with the phone in her hands. “The fact that you drive a Jaguar kind of drives home the difference between us.”
Carlisle said nothing, but a crease appeared between his brows.
“What was your life like back in England?” she asked.
“Businesswise, not a great deal different from here. I own a townhouse in London. When I entertained, I used my grandfather’s house there as it is larger.”
“Did you entertain a lot?”
“My grandfather has always been politically active. So, yes, but the dinner parties were either business or political in nature. I do what I must, but if I have a choice, I usually prefer to be home.” Carlisle sent her a sidelong glance. “You?”
“The same. I still go out sometimes with my girlfriends, though those are usually lunch dates or movie nights where we can bring our kids.” Merry woke the phone. “What are you looking for in a house here?”
“I would prefer at least six bedrooms because I do on occasion have guests stay. I’ve already had some business associates who’ve come to Huckleberry Falls and had to take accommodations in a hotel.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Merry asked. “That’s what most people do if they don’t have room in their house.”
“You’re correct, but there’s important networking which happens during social gatherings in the less formal environment of a home. It’s not the same in an office conference room or even a hotel restaurant.” His gaze took in the snow-covered mountains in the distance. “That’s why so much business takes place on golf courses. This area has many outdoor activities in both the summer and the winter which could serve that purpose wonderfully.”
“Like skiing, dog sledding, fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, wildlife tours?” Merry asked with a grin. “To name just a few.”
“Exactly,” Carlisle agreed. “And my guests often bring significant others. If they don’t care to take part in outdoor activities, the town has an excellent selection of shops. So, I must consider much more than mine and Grace’s needs while looking for a house.”
Merry wondered at the excitement in his voice. He’d evidently put a lot more thought into this than she’d realized. Would he invest so much into a home in the area if he didn’t plan to stay? She pushed down the hope the thought had inspired.
13
“Are we going to a hotel?” Alex asked when they turned up the lane to the first house.
