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She entered the room and fell into his open hands. How foolish of her not to have seen what was right in front of her. Except that Carter had a way of seeping into one’s imagination, Stephanie thought with a slight shudder. She was glad they were going away. It would be easier to love each other without Carter’s presence in the shadows.
Chapter Twenty
Melanie was on edge as she and her mother sat on a blanket laid over a patch of grass a little way from the river. Her father and Carter stood on stones, their rods swinging to and fro, as they chatted and fished. He had not said a word about his reason for coming. The three days had passed by in a confused muddle for her.
Being with Carter every moment of the day reminded her of why she loved him so much. She loved how he and her parents had taken to each other and how they spoke like old friends. He seemed easy and relaxed as he went through each door with no firm plans. He went along with whatever activity her parents suggested.
“Don’t let him get away Melanie,” her mother said softly. “And I’m not saying that because of the trip.”
“You don’t understand mother,” Melanie said.
“I understand and know love when I see it. The man loves you and I can tell that you love him too. He’s a wonderful man.”
Melanie looked down moodily. She was a private person by nature and she could not confide in her mother what had transpired between them.
“My legs are tired,” her mother said and struggled to her feet. “I’ll get your father to take me back home and we’ll leave you two for a while longer.”
Melanie pretended not to see the wink her mother gave her. She watched as her mother went and whispered into her father’s ear. Her father turned to her and looked at her questioningly. Melanie nodded. She might as well get this over and done with. Carter could not stay in Columbus forever and it looked like he just might, if she didn’t do something.
Carter did not move from his spot, even after her parents said their goodbyes. She grew irritated by the second. Her eyes strayed to a cove by the rocks and she felt tempted to go in there to hibernate for the winter to avoid dealing with everything.
She stood up decisively and went and sat on the stone her father had occupied. Carter glanced at her and smiled and returned to his fishing. God! The man tested her very patience.
“Carter?” she snapped.
“Talk softly, your frightening the fish,” he said mildly.
“I don’t care about the fish!”
“Alright, what do you care about? Clearly not me either.”
Melanie closed her eyes. “You don’t understand do you? You crossed the lines of decency with Stephanie.”
He finally put his rod down and sat down on the stone facing her, his long legs folded under him.
“I understand perfectly well,” Carter said softly. “I’m sorrier than you would ever know that I took up with Stephanie. It seemed harmless fun at first. I did tell her often than there was no future for us—” Carter lifted his hands when Melanie made as if to speak.
“Let me have my say. I followed you all way here to be able to say these things to you. I should have stayed away from her. As you rightly said, she’s a young girl and is bound to want more than I could give her. If I could undo my past, I would but I can’t Melanie. All I have to offer is my future.”
Her lower lip trembled and she bit it to keep it in place.
“I love you Melanie Marriot and I will spend all my life loving you. You’re beautiful and smart and wonderful to be around. Please tell me you love me too.”
Melanie inhaled deeply. Her heart told her to go with it but her mind told her to exercise care. She decided to follow her heart and throw caution to the wind.
“I love you Carter,” she said softly.
He looked at her incredulously. “Say that again,” Carter commanded. “And this time, say it louder.”
“I love you Carter!” Melanie said.
“Oh sweetheart,” Carter said. “Come here.”
“Where?” Melanie said, her voice dry. “You’re seated on a stone.”
They both laughed. Carter jumped to his feet and helped her down. Immediately her feet touched the ground, his mouth was on hers. Her hands flew around his neck and she sighed as his hot tongue entered her mouth. Then he stopped and her eyes flew open.
“Why did you do that?” she asked accusingly.
