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He was nearly home after depositing the surprise at the bank, and there was so much he wanted to say. He cleared his throat. “How’s that novel coming?”
“Slower than I’d like. But I’ve figured out where to introduce the love interest.”
“It’s a romance?”
“Of course. What’s life without love of some kind?” She glanced back at her sleeping baby. “Family, friends, it’s all intertwined.”
“I suppose it is. I’ve been afraid to get close to someone special for fear of loss. People leave or die or fail you in some way. It’s always been safer to keep my distance.”
He pulled into the park at the marina instead of going home. The feelings bubbling in his chest were overwhelming, and he was going to burst if he held them back any longer. He’drather not have an audience either. Her dark eyes were questioning, but she said nothing as he stopped the car.
“Take a walk with me?”
Still silent, she nodded and he retrieved Noah from his car seat in the back. The baby’s grin made him smile in spite of being as nervous as someone on his first date. “Don’t tell your mom,” he whispered in Noah’s ear. “But I love her and I love you too.”
He carried the baby around to join her where she stood under a palm tree. Her uncertain expression tugged at his heart. This was uncharted water for her, too, even though she’d been married. The things she’d been through this past year were enough to shake anyone.
They walked to a vacant bench. A Marine band played in the distance, and recruits laughed and hooted along the green space and the water. Graduation week kicked off today, and families there to see their kids graduate had swelled the population.
“You okay, Lucas?” Noah’s hand waved in her direction, and she kissed it.
“Better than I’ve been in a long time.” Where was his courage? He had faced down a gun barrel pointed at him this week better than he was faring right now. “I’m glad it’s over.”
“Me too. The egg and the surprise will be safely home in Russia, and I can concentrate on getting Gram’s house finished. And I’m hoping Ivan Bury finds Sofia—her grave or whatever happened to her.”
“Now that your grandmother doesn’t have to worry about how you’ll earn a living, do you think she’ll still want to mess with a bed-and-breakfast?”
Carly hiked a brow. “Maybe not. I always knew it was her way of taking care of me and Noah.”
How did he even begin to say all the words clogging his throat? “I know I’ve been weird lately. I was afraid, Carly.” His gaze locked with hers. “Afraid of letting down my guard and allowing the feelings I have for you to run wild. But it’s too late. I can’t stop them now even if I wanted to. And I don’t want to.”
“Y-you have feelings?”
“I love you.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I can’t believe I’m saying that, but it’s true. It wasn’t supposed to happen. The last thing I wanted to do was fall in love with someone with a baby. Now it looks like there will be two babies, but you know what? I like kids, which was a big surprise to me. And I already love Noah. Little Caroline too.”
He took her hand and she clung to it in a tight grip. “I’ve seen how strong your love is, how you put other people ahead of yourself, and how brave you are. I want to be like you when I grow up.”
“You’re way braver than me. I’m a wimp.”
He slipped his arm around her and drew her closer to him and Noah. “You’re the bravest person I know. You put it all on the line without holding anything back. Do I have a chance? We can take our time. You’re still dealing with a lot.”
When she shook her head, his stomach bottomed out until she said, “It’s too late for me too. I tried to change how I feel about you. I tried but I couldn’t.” Her eyes turned tender. “You realize you’ve never even kissed me, and here you are telling me you love me.”
“I think we should remedy that.” He leaned closer, savoringthe moment. Rushing in would spoil future memories, and he always wanted to remember the light in her eyes and the way her lips curved into a beguiling smile before parting a bit in anticipation.
“Kiss her already, you sap!” a Marine called from a laughing group of graduates.
So he did just that. And it was every bit as wonderful as he’d dreamed.
***
Balloons bounced gaily in the palm trees and peeked out from the Spanish moss draping the live oak trees in Gram’s backyard. Blue tablecloths on the long serving tables fluttered in the breeze off the water. That same breeze tried to tug free the “Happy Birthday” signs taped to the gutters over the back deck.
Carly carried the large birthday cake to the table. The happy colors of the Polish pottery cake plates made an inviting display for the many guests roaming Gram’s gardens, though the cleanup would be a bear. The number of guests had ballooned since it was now a party for two. Carly’s attention went to her grandmother standing close to her sister. The Marine band playing in the distance added even more of a festive touch to the day.
She stared around the yard until she spotted Lucas showing Noah the hummingbirds flitting around the red rose garden at the side of the house. She smiled to see the palindromeSagason the shirt he wore. The last few months had seemed like a saga or two. Lainey held Caroline on her lap on the deck. The process had been started for Lainey and Holt to adopt the baby sinceKelly had succumbed to her injuries a month before. Caroline’s grandmother had Parkinson’s, so her grandparents were unable to care for her. Eric’s mother had made noises about wanting her but had finally admitted she couldn’t handle caring for a baby. It was the perfect solution and would ensure Noah got to see his sister often.
Carly motioned for Gram and Aunt Elizabeth to join her at the serving table, and the guests stopped talking and crowded around the sisters. Lucas and Noah came to stand beside Carly. “Let’s sing ‘Happy Birthday.’” She began the song and the guests chimed in. Everyone clapped when the song was over.
