Page 68 of Contentious

“He’s too smart for my own good,” Cresley said.

“You like that I’m smart. You always say that.”

“I do like that, except when you use your smarts to scam free ice cream.”

She noticed that Carson was watching their surroundings like a hawk focused on its next meal. His eyes darted from the rearview mirror to each side of the car and back to the front on a regular rotation. He parked in a garage and walked them to the ice cream shop with careful attention to every detail, which made her feel safe and protected.

When they were safely in the shop that Ty adored, she relaxed ever so slightly, thankful for Carson’s competent presence in the midst of the ongoing nightmare.

He was right. If she paid off Marlon, he’d be back for more even if she made him sign something to acknowledge he knew that was all he’d ever get. It would never be enough for him.

“Mom, did you hear me?”

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I told you she was spacing out.”

Carson’s hand on her back provided just the right kind of support when she needed it most, reminding her she wasn’t alone in this hellish situation. His steady presence made all the difference.

“I asked if you wanted to try the s’mores flavor because you love s’mores so much.”

“I’d love a taste of that.”

The young girl working behind the counter did a double take when she recognized Cresley. “I’m such a fan,” she said with a shy smile.

“That’s so nice to hear. Thank you.” She took the s’mores sample from her. “Mmm, that is good. I think I’ll have one scoop of that on a sugar cone, please.”

“I knew you’d like it,” Ty said with a smile. “Carson likes boring old coffee crunch.”

“Mr. Carson,” Cresley said.

“You can drop the mister with me. Carson is just fine. And I like coffee crunch.”

“Mom is going to give you a talking-to about that later.”

He grinned at her. “I’ll look forward to that. But what am I getting in trouble for exactly?”

“You’re not supposed to change the rules without checking with her first.”

“How do you know that?” Carson asked.

“I saw it in a TV show. The mom got mad because the dad changed the kid’s bedtime without talking to her about it first.”

“How is it that he’s more prepared to be a husband and father at seven than I’ll ever be?” Carson asked Cresley, who laughed.

“He pays attention to everything.”

“That’s how I learn stuff.”

“And PS, he’s right about not changing the rules without checking with me, but I’ll let it go this one time. If you want to call him Carson, you can, but all other adults are Mr. and Ms. You got it?”

“Yes, Mother.”

When they took their ice cream to a table, Cresley noticed that Carson chose the seat facing the door.

“So, Carson… how’s it going? I’m practicing calling you just Carson.”

Carson laughed. “I’m having ice cream in the middle of a workday. Things are going pretty well.”