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“I know, but it keeps you from arguing.”
“When you’re holding me like this,” she admitted shyly, “there’s not much fight in me.”
“Good. All I need to do for the next seventy years is keep you at my side. Agree, and I’ll whisk you to a preacher so fast it’ll make your head spin.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I’m in love.” His hands were linked at the small of her back and slipped over her buttocks, arching her backside, lifting her up to meet his descending mouth. The kiss was shattering.
“Can we talk now?” Every minute in his arms made it more difficult to think clearly.
“Okay, explain what happened yesterday,” he said, as they sat in the living room. “Why wouldn’t you talk to me last night?”
“I already told you why,” she said, and exhaled slowly. “I don’t want to be like my mother.”
“Carla.” Philip captured both her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re who you are, and I’m me. Together, we’ll never be like anyone else.”
Carla bowed her head, and her lashes fluttered until they closed completely. “Mom and I are a lot alike. You’ll understand that when you meet her later. But she’s weak and afraid and never says what she’s really thinking. And, Philip, I’m trying so hard to be different.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you wouldn’t talk to me.”
Carla swallowed uncomfortably. “Mom called just before you did, and everything she said reminded me how unhappy she’s been all these years.”
“Ah,” Philip said, and nodded thoughtfully. “And the note to Nancy?”
“I…I was thinking that if you assumed I was still dating Cliff, you’d give up on me.”
He tucked his index finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his. “I think there’s something you’d better understand. I’m not giving up on you. Never. I love you, Carla.”
“But loving someone doesn’t make everything right,” she argued. “We’re different in so many ways.”
“I don’t see it like that. We complement each other. And although it seems like I’m the one who’s asking you to make all the changes, I’m not. When we’re married, I promise that you and our family will be my first priority. Nothing will ever mean more to me than you.”
“Oh Philip.” She felt herself weakening. “But it’s more than that.”
“I know, love.” Slowly, deliberately, his eyes never leaving hers, he pulled her toward him. His mouth sought her lips, exploring their softness as if he would never get enough of the feel of her.
“Philip,” she groaned, her voice ragged. “We have to leave now for my mother’s.”
“Your mother’s,” he repeated, as if he needed something to bring him back from the brink.
“You’ll be meeting my dad,” she said softly, teasing his neck and ear with small, biting kisses.
—
“Mom and Dad, I’d like to introduce Philip Garrison.” Carla stood just inside her parents’ living room. “Philip, my mom and dad, Joe and Rachel Walker.”
Joe stepped forward and shook Philip’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Philip.”
Carla felt the faint stirrings of pleasure. Her father, although graying, was in top physical condition. Over the years he hadn’t lost the lean, military look of his younger days. Intuitively, Carla knew that in twenty years Philip wouldn’t, either.
“It’s a pleasure to have you join us,” Rachel added warmly. “Carla said you live in Spokane.”
“Yes, I flew in this afternoon.”
The four of them sat in the large living room, and Philip immediately took Carla’s hand in his. The action didn’t go unnoticed by either of her parents. Rachel’s blue eyes sought Carla’s, and she gave her daughter a small wink, indicating that she approved of this young man. Maybe Carla should have been pleased, but she wasn’t. Having her family like Philip would only complicate her feelings.
“And when will you be leaving?”
