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“Maybe a neighbor would know.”
Vince picked up a package of sausage and dropped it into his basket. “I have a call in to the neighbor down the street. I’ll let you know what I hear.”
“One more thing.” Lucas told him about the expert from Willard’s. “Since it was an impostor, I arranged for extra security at the bank. He was disappointed Carly wouldn’t turn it over to him. If he doesn’t know she found out the truth, he might try to contact her again.”
“You could have her call him, set up a sting.”
“I’d like to keep her out of danger. This thing is growing tentacles by the minute, and I’m not sure I want her involved in something like that.”
Vince stared at him before a slow smile spread across his face. “Whoo boy, she’s got you, hasn’t she?”
“I never like to put the public in danger.” Lucas’s voice rose, and he glanced around before forcing a lighter tone. “I think she’s a great person, but beyond that, she has a small son to raise by herself. I’d hate to see Noah orphaned.”
“Speaking of Noah—I’m still reeling that Eric has another child.” Vince shook his head. “How is Carly handling it?”
“She’s okay. It was a shock, but I think she knew there were problems in the marriage. I don’t believe she’s thought through if the kids will want to know each other. I doubt Kelly has either. What a mess.”
“You got that right.” Vince glanced at his watch. “I gotta go. The wife needs some things to start dinner. Wait until she hears how the mighty has fallen.”
“Hey, you’re blowing things out of proportion. IlikeCarly. I didn’t say I was going to marry her.”
Vince tapped Lucas’s chest with his index finger. “I know you, man. I’ve never seen that look in your eyes before, and it’s very different from how you looked that night you shot the intruder. Things have changed. Quit fooling yourself and figure out how you’ll make it work.”
Lucas opened his mouth to retort, but Vince moved toward the front of the store and left him with his mouth agape. He sighed and went to get the rest of his groceries.
He liked being around her, and he’d imagined taking her on a real date and kissing her. But a kiss wasn’t a ring and it wasn’t some huge commitment. There would be a lot of moving pieces to figure out if things ever went further than that. Taking on raising another man’s baby wasn’t somethinghe’d ever thought about. He hadn’t even wanted to have a kid of his own, dependent on him, with his crazy schedule either.
But he couldn’t deny how he felt when he was with Carly. She took all his attention when she was in the room, and he couldn’t look away. It wasn’t just her external beauty—it was the way she served other people. She was always thinking of how to make others happy and comfortable.
Had she always been that way? Looking back, he realized he’d been around her only in very superficial ways—a smile across the backyard, a wave as he walked past.
His fascination with her was a little scary.
Twenty-Five
Gram’s house, smelling of new wood and dust, was unrecognizable. Carly stood in the morning sunshine streaming through the new windows and stared. Noah squeaked in her arms as if he was surprised too. With old walls removed, the large area seemed huge. Ryan’s workers had opened up the dining room to the living room, divided by a large overhead beam, and the extra space seemed to go on forever.
Ryan’s hazel eyes held a touch of concern. “You’re not saying anything. What do you think?”
“It’s wonderful, Ryan. I never dreamed it could look like this. Gram will love it.” Carly moved in a circle to take in every bit of the view. “Guests will have so much room to gather and enjoy the space. Any surprises that are going to strain the budget?”
“Not really. The place has good bones. Your grandmother has kept up on termite prevention and general maintenance, and it just needed updating. We’d already planned to put in new copper plumbing and a new HVAC system. We have a lot of work to do, but it’s going to look great.”
Carly had thought it might feel awkward to be around Ryan, but it wasn’t. He hadn’t made any reference to theirlong-ago romance and neither had she. It seemed to have happened to other people, ones she no longer recognized. They’d both changed so much and had moved on.
“We’re all so grateful to you for taking on the project. You were the one Gram wanted, but I had another quote just to make sure. Yours was fifty thousand less than the other one, so I know you were shooting her a deal because you care about her.”
A smile lifted the corners of his lips. “I’ve always thought Mary was an amazing woman. You’re a lot like her, and I’m glad Lucas is seeing what I always realized.”
Heat bloomed in Carly’s cheeks. “Your brother and I are just friends.”
“Even if that’s true—and I doubt it—he used to think you were a she-devil. So that’s progress.”
“He hated me that much?”
Ryan adjusted the leather tool belt hugging the waist of his jeans. “Let’s just say he’s a protective older brother.” He studied her face. “You should have cut your sisters loose years ago, Carly. I’m glad you finally see it now.”
She held his gaze even though it hurt. “I know, Ryan. And I’m sorry I hurt you back then.” She decided to say nothing about him asking out her best friend.
