No matter how annoyed I get at the whole situation, the random messages sent from burner phones starting withMy little foxserve as a harsh reminder that I’m not safe. I know it drives Carter crazy, but he keeps it together for my sake. I didn’t want to admit it, but it made sense once I started traveling a lot more between construction sites and the events Clara wouldn’t let me weasel out of.
“Are you meeting Lexi today?”
A fresh burst of joy warms my heart when I think about my new tenant. It makes me less sad to know my little house I worked so hard to fix up will help others.
“Meeting her at noon. Poor soul is still skeptical. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I hand her the keys,” I tell Carter giddily.
I decided to put the much-loved house to good use after I moved in with Carter. Lexi will be the first kid out of foster care I’m going to help with a place to stay until she’s able to stand on her own two feet. The deal is I won’t charge her rent for the first three months until she gets a job and saves up a bit. After that, she’ll pay a symbolic sum for the next year. Valerie will help her find a decent place and the next kid out of foster care will take Lexi’s place.
“Don’t forget about dinner with the Duntons.” Carter heaves a sigh and closes the distance between us, sliding an arm around my waist. “The old menace hustled an expensive dinner out of me. And I suspect you were in on it.” He bites my neck lightly.
“Whatever do you mean?” I play dumb but the next bite is around my ticklish spot, and I explode into fits of giggles.
“You could have mentioned he’s been playing poker since he arrived on the Mayflower.”
“Don’t be a sore loser. He’s not that old!”
I leave him to get ready for his meeting with the town council. It’s amazing how much fun he’s having with the business community here. It balances the high stakes and stress of the Rawlings board meetings or late-night calls with Jackie.
The fresh spring air hits my face as I close the door behind me, and I know I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. At least not now. It’s still a safe haven, close to the people I love.
Sometimes when I’m alone the anxiety creeps back, sadness piling up, but I remind myself constantly how strong I am. How loved and cherished Carter and the people around me make me feel.
The truth about my mother is a bittersweet pill to swallow. Finding out she loved me hurt in a different kind of way. It’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that I can’t talk to her about it and that even with her best intentions, I went through so much growing up.
I catch a glimpse of the security guards in the black sedan trailing behind me as I drive my fully reconditioned cream and cherry truck. It was a Christmas gift from Carter. It says a lot about how well he knows me that he didn’t take the easy way out and buy a new car.
“It’s you again.” Thomas’s grumpy old man routine doesn’t scare me. I know he’s a big softy at heart.
“Wouldn’t want you to miss me too much.” I grin. “Are the samples here?”
The new projects keep me pretty busy. Even though now I can afford to shop at bigger stores, I get as much as I can from Thomas first. Without his help, I don’t know if I would’ve kept on trying my hand. Now it’s my chance to return his kindness.
I’m almost late to dinner because I make a quick stop at Quinn’s that turns into a mediation session between her and our sheriff. I found them glaring at each other, at a standstill over the decorations for a child’s birthday cake.
It’s dark already and fairy lights hang around the heated deck. I can see Martha and Sam from the parking lot. They’re laughing over wine at a table. Carter’s not with them.
“Argh!” I yelp when the concrete flies from under my feet and I’m unceremoniously thrown over a broad shoulder. “Are you insane? Put me down!” I slap Carter’s butt as he leisurely strolls away from the restaurant.
Martha looks up from her plate and smiles, waving at me.
“Why are they eating without us?” is the next burning question out of my mouth. I’ve passed up one of Quinn’s quiches to save my appetite for this dinner.
“The food will still be there for you in half an hour.”
“Why do I even have security if they’re useless when I’m being manhandled like this?”
Carter barks out a laugh but ignores my question.
When he finally releases me, I’m confused. “Are we going for a drive?” I take in the equipment and the small boat waiting for us. “I don’t need to work up an appetite, you know?”
“I’m feeling nostalgic.” He takes one of the life vests and pulls it over my head.
“I’m wearing a dress. And heels.”
Carter smirks and kisses my temple while he ties a waterproof cover around my middle. “We’ll be out just a bit.”
What’s come over him? We’ve gone out on the water a couple more times until it got too cold, but I didn’t think he’d be so excited to do it again that he’s willing to endure Martha’s wrath for being late.
