Turning around to head back to the stairs, I freeze. Carter is leaning against the archway, wearing only sweatpants, eyes ablaze like he wants to eat me alive. “Morning,” he says with a cocky grin.
I hold up the bag. “Coffee. I ran out. I hope you don’t mind.”
He smiles. “What’s mine is yours.”
Those words. Bile rises into my throat as they remind me of what Cyrus said last year.What’s yours is mine.Would Carter think it went both ways if he found out everything there is to know about me?
Of course he would. Everyone does.
“Well, thanks.” I turn to leave and toss another thought over my shoulder. “Oh, and I fixed the toilet. No need for you to come down.”
“Kenna,” he calls out behind me when I reach the stairs.
But I don’t stop. I don’t even look back. I walk through the door and close it. I close it on the conversation. I close it on him. I close it on whatever this is or was going to be. And just to punctuate the thought, I use the chain lock.
Then I curse the lone tear that travels down my face as I descend the stairs.
~ ~ ~
“Mommy.” Amelia looks up from her drawing and glances behind me. “There’s someone at the glass door.”
My heart falls into my stomach and fear squeezes my spine as I turn.Has he found us?But then fear turns into relief when I see Allie’s smiling face. My hand comes to my heart as I blow out a long, cleansing breath. I walk to the door, open it, and wave her in out of the cold.
“Sorry.” She cringes. “I didn’t mean to scare you. In all fairness, I would have texted, but we failed to exchange numbers the other day.” She holds out her phone. “Here. Add yourself to my contacts.”
I take it and do as she asks.
“Seriously, are you okay, Kenna? I could swear all the color drained from your face for a minute there.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. I had a bad dream and I’m a bit jumpy today.”
“Must’ve been a doozy. But I have just the thing to get your mind off it. I know you must be tired of being cooped up here all day. Want to come for a tour of the winery?”
My eyes widen, because, dang that sounds fun. “Really?”
“Tuesdays are pretty slow for me anyway. How about it? Amelia too. My family loves kids.”
Skeptically, I ask, “Did Carter tell you to ask me?”
Her eyebrows slam together. “Carter? Why would Carter ask me to take you on a tour of the winery?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I thought maybe he was trying to impress me with the town or something. Whatever. It doesn’t matter.”
She stares at me until I look away. When I look back, she’s smiling this big Cheshire cat grin.
“When do you leave?”
“This weekend?”
Her head tilts and her eyes narrow. “You say it like you aren’t sure.”
“Well, my car has to be fixed first. That’s supposed to happen by the end of the week.”
“But do youwantit to happen by then?That’sthe million-dollar question.” When I raise a brow at her brazenness, she waves off my look. “Sorry. Not meddling. Anyway, are you up for that tour?”
I bring my hands together in a praying motion. “Please tell me there’s wine involved.”
She laughs. “As much as you can drink.” She dangles her keys. “I’m driving. I already installed the car seat I keep around for my niece.”
