Mom stared at her as if she’d never seen her before, then turned and left the room.
Carrie took a moment before she’d meet my eyes after Mom left. Then she looked up. “You know, when you said you would never let her treat me terribly again, I didn’t believe you. But you were being honest.”
I nodded. “I’m so sorry that I ever let her treat you like you weren’t good enough for me or my family. The truth wasalwaysthat we weren’t good enough for you.”
She bit her lip and looked away. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I’m not just saying it. I mean it. You’re too good for me. Too good for every member of my family. I was a fool, Carrie.” I wanted to grab her hand so badly, but I restrained myself. “Now come on back to the party and try not to think about anything negative that’s happened. You deserve to have a fun, happy shower.”
She smiled at me then. It was a real smile, and I sucked in my breath. It had been a while since I’d gotten one of those from her.
“Thanks,” she said and turned to walk back to the party.
“Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll fix you a plate of food.”
She glanced at me. “Um… well, okay.”
I beamed, pleased to do the slightest task for her. “Let me help you to your chair.”
“I might be pregnant, but I can still walk, you know.” With that she hurried away from me.
I sighed. Baby steps. If I hoped to ever win her heart again, I would have to take baby steps.
Later, after most of the people had left and only the closest friends and family remained, I cleared my throat.
Everyone turned to look at me. I could tell they were wondering why I was still there, but no one wanted to be the one to tell me to leave. “I wanted to give you your present,” I said to Carrie.
She looked confused. “You gave me the Cadillac of strollers,” she protested.
I shook my head. “That was for our baby. This is for you.” I walked over and handed her a gift box.
“You didn’t need to do that,” she said, looking a little nervous.
“I wanted to.”
She opened it and gasped as she read over it. “What does this mean?” She pulled out the itinerary and reservations I’d printed out and wrapped.
“What is it?” Blair moved in closer to her.
“It’s reservations for the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate,” she said, looking up at me. “For a week? A block of eight suites? That’s sixteen guests.”
“I thought you deserved to have a really nice babymoon. I know you can’t fly anymore, but Asheville’s not all that far away. You can take your mom, your aunts, your cousins, and Blair, Sadie, Melinda, and Natalie. If you need more rooms, I can get them. Just let me know. And I’ve already reserved tours, spa days, massages, and the best restaurants. I left a card on file so that any and all charges are covered. Consider it all-inclusive.”
“Thank you,” Carrie breathed, her eyes excited. “This will be… wonderful.”
I nodded. “You’re most welcome.”
I backed out of the room as the ladies broke into excited chatter. I paused one moment before leaving. I took in the sight of Carrie laughing and talking to everyone and smiled. That’s what I’d done this for. To make her happy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Thatcher
I was in a meeting when Lisa opened the door and came over to me. I was instantly on high alert. She knew to get me if anything happened with Carrie.
She leaned down. “It’s time,” she said.
“Time,” I repeated, like a dumbass. “Time?” I stared at her. “Are you serious?”
