But that was changing fast. In record time she’d met the entire family, and they were welcoming her into their lives.
This was getting a little out of hand. She’d only meant to get to know Gavin a bit—to see if he might make room in his life for her. But she was becoming pretty wrapped up in their whole family. When they discovered her secret, would it seem as if she’d wormed her way in?
Once Lisa learned who Charlotte was, she was bound to have some reservations just because Craig Burton had cheated on her with Charlotte’s mom. Charlotte was the unwelcome result of that affair.
Jeff also might resent her—a surprise offspring from Lisa’s first husband. Sure, he’d come to accept Gavin and Cooper, but they’d been children and part of the package deal.
And her biological siblings... they’d probably think she’d manipulated them into relationships with her. And it was somewhat true—she had hired Robinson Construction partly as a way to get acquainted with Gavin. Maybe she’d gone about this all wrong. Maybe she really was an awful person.
***
Gunner’s gaze sharpened on Charlotte’s face. One minute she’d been smiling and chatting, and the next her expression wilted, her eyes darted around, and her cheeks flushed.
He wasn’t sure what had happened, but her demeanor reminded him of a horse backed into a corner. She seemed in need of escape.
He set his napkin on his empty plate. “Hey, Charlotte,would you mind giving me a lift to your place? I wanted to check on Midnight one more time before it gets too late.”
Her gaze fastened on him. “Um, no, that’s fine. Let me help clear the table, then we can be on our way.”
“Nonsense, you’re a guest.” Lisa winked. “But next time I’ll put you to work.”
“She actually means that,” Gavin said.
Charlotte’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t mind helping.”
“Of course. I’ll be in touch to finalize the details for Trail Days. But I won’t bother you about that till after your grand opening. You’ve got plenty on your plate for now.”
Charlotte and Gunner thanked the family, said their goodbyes, and made their way around the house toward Charlotte’s vehicle.
“You okay?” Gunner asked once they were belted in. “You seemed a little overwhelmed back there.”
She huffed. “It’s a curse. I can’t have a thought without broadcasting it on my face.”
“Not at all. I don’t think they noticed anything was amiss. I thought the meal went great. They really like you.”
Charlotte made a three-point turn and headed down the long gravel drive. “What if that changes when they find out who I am? I don’t want to hurt anybody. Maybe I should just keep this skeleton in the closet.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I don’t know anymore.”
“If that were an option for you, I think you would’ve already gone that route. Something in you needs to know the truth.”
“But I do know the truth.”
“Is just knowing enough?”
“No,” she blurted. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. “But maybe it should be. This could cause Lisa considerable grief. She probably doesn’t know her ex-husband was unfaithful. And that kind of discovery might be a real bombshell for Gavin and Cooper too. It could ruin their relationship with their father.”
“If they even have one with him.”
“Well, that news certainly won’t help.”
Charlotte turned onto the road and accelerated. He gave her a minute to absorb everything they’d said. “The Robinsons seem well adjusted. Like the kind of people who could learn something unsettling and be strong enough to come to grips with it.”
“Maybe.”
“And you can’t overlook your own needs. You have a right to know who your biological father is. In the end even your mother agreed with that—she wouldn’t have left you the information otherwise.”
