Carolina Grace (Southern Breeze Series Book 3)

by Regina Rudd Merrick

  Lucy glanced over at her boys and grinned. “I saw Dr. Butler this morning.”

  Charly felt her face flush and refused to meet Lucy’s eyes. “Did you?”

  “He came in with Dr. Price on his rounds.”

  “How nice.” The heat from her face and down her neck threatened to make her fan herself. The awkward thing about fair skin.

  Lucy laughed out loud, causing her daughter to startle and begin eating again. “Your face is beet-red.”

  “It is not.”

  “Is, too. Are you going to tell me, or what?”

  “Tell you what?”

  “When you’re going out.”

  Charly stared at her. “How did you––”

  “I’m a mom, remember, and you’re my little sister now.”

  Charly twisted her lips in embarrassment. “Okay, I’ll tell you. I saw Rance outside before I came in. He was on break, sitting outside on one of the benches.”

  “He’s stunning, isn’t he?”

  “Oh my goodness, yes.” Charly fanned her hands to cool her face and laughed quietly. “Anyway, he suggested, since we’d already done the ‘have coffee’ thing, maybe we could go out for dinner.”

  “You mean an actual date?”

  “Yes, an actual date. We’re going out Saturday night.”

  “And?”

  She shrugged. “And nothing. We’re going on a date. Dinner. We’ll see where it leads.”

  “I see.” Lucy arched a brow and grinned. “Well, I’ll be praying for you. And for Rance.”

  Charly sighed. “Thanks, Sis. Who knows? It may not go anywhere. I know nothing about him except he’s amazingly handsome, grew up in Charleston, and has these piercing blue eyes.”

  Lucy winked. “And sometimes that’s enough.”

  Chapter Seven

  Charly looked up from scrubbing a sticky place on the kitchen floor. The doorbell. Who would be coming by the house on a Saturday morning?

  She was trying her best to stay busy, and to keep her mind off her impending date. Saturday had dawned bright and clear, and the level of nervous energy she was expending was bound to crash. Hopefully not until she got home tonight.

  She heard her mother go to the door. “Mom? Who is it?” She wasn’t company-ready by any means. She had this awful, unreasonable fear of Rance showing up at any time, her looking like this, and he would cancel the date and cross the street to the other side the next time he saw her.

  “It’s just Tom. He called my cell phone from the driveway to let me know it was him.”

  She heard the front door open and Tom’s voice coming from the living room. “Just Tom? I represent that.” He stuck his head in the kitchen door. “Are you keeping my floors spotless?”

  “I’m trying. We dripped Coke on the floor, and when I vacuumed, it left a dark spot on the white tile. Why anybody would put white tile on a kitchen floor is beyond me.” She gave him an accusing look.

  “Hey, when I lived here, I kept Clorox wipes under the sink for such an occasion. Never had a problem.”

  When Tom and Mary Ann had struck the bargain to trade houses––his cozy and convenient ranch for the sprawling, ancestral farmhouse––Charly was thrilled at the change to a house with so little upkeep. Keeping it up to Tom’s standards was another thing altogether.

  “I’ll put them on my list. We ran out of the stockpile you left in the pantry.” She twisted her lips in a smile and laughed at the sheepish look on her brother’s face.

  “Good idea. I can pick some up for you when I go on my next diaper run.” He turned to his mother. “Mom, how would you like to ride over to the house with me and spend the day with us and the kids?”

  “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to be in the way.”

  “Believe me, you won’t be. Maybe if you’re there I can get Lucy to lie down and rest. Besides, I brought the car.”

  “The T-bird?”

  “You bet.”

  Mary Ann clapped her hands. “Wonderful. When I felt the soft spring air this morning I thought it would be a wonderful day to be in a convertible.”

  “I guess today’s your lucky day then.” Tom chuckled, one eyebrow raised at his sister. “And I hear you have a big date tonight.”

  “It’s only dinner.” Charly waved her hand in dismissal and felt heat in her cheeks.

  “Maybe I should be here to meet your young man?” Mary Ann looked torn.

  Charly rolled her eyes, a look lost on their unseeing mother but not on Tom. “First of all, you’ve met him. Mom, I’m twenty-three years old. Almost twenty-four. I think I can get ready for a date and leave without supervision.”

  “She’ll be fine, Mom. I did a background check on him.” He winked at Charly.

  “You didn’t.” She was mortified. What if Rance found out? She could never face him.

  “Just the basics. Traffic citations, check to see if he has a criminal record. He’s pretty clean, except for some pretty hefty speeding tickets.”

  “Oh good grief.”

  “Relax. He helped deliver my children. How bad a guy could he be?”

  She continued shaking her head. “Will I ever be free of the ‘little sister’ curse?”

  “Nope. You’ll always be my baby sister, and you’ll always be Mom’s baby. Get used to it. Enjoy it while you can, before somebody’s calling YOU Mom.”

  “Fine. You didn’t bug his car or put a tracking device on it, did you?”

  “Huh. I’ll keep it in mind for the future, when MariAnne starts dating.”

  “All right, you two. Let me get my purse and my scarf, and I’ll be ready to go.”

  “Your chariot awaits.” Tom waited until his mother was out of earshot. “I did a little checking.”

  “Tom!” Her ire was heating up, and she sent him a glare meant to wither, which it did not.

  Tom stood his ground as he faced her, his brows furrowing. “He’s a bit of a daredevil, Sis. So be aware. I’m sure you’re right, and he has it all out of his system, but he’s been pretty reckless in the past.”

  She crossed her arms in defiance. “Do you remember Donny McHale?”

  He looked surprised. “Yes. Why?”

  “He was in my Sunday school class from preschool on. Everybody thought he was the picture of responsibility.”

  “I know. His wild streak surprised everyone once he got away from home.”

  “Maybe Rance is the opposite. Maybe once he got away from home, he became more responsible.” She couldn’t help feeling a little superior at the moment.

  Tom’s half-grin/half-smirk always irritated her when he knew he was right and sure she was wrong. “Maybe. And maybe he’s two different people. One at work and another at play. I’m only saying be careful.”

  Mom came in the room, stopping the conversation. Why did he have to interfere? When would he let her live her own life and make her own decisions? She was glad he and Mom were leaving so she could let out the building steam of her temper. She didn’t want to worry her mother, but she’d love to let loose on both of them. She was an adult.

  “I guess we’d better go then. Tell Rance I said hello.” Mom hugged her and kissed her on the cheek as if she were going on a long trip.

  “Mom, I’ll be home this evening.”

  “I know. Can’t a mother hug her baby girl goodbye?” Her eyebrow quirked in humor. “I may be blind, but this is a small house, and I’m not deaf. You’re stiff as a board. Relax before Rance gets here, or you’ll scare him off.”

  “Mother.”

  “Have fun, sweetheart. You deserve it.”

  “Hug the babies for me?” Charly felt the anger seep out at her mother’s calm voice and demeanor.

  “You know I will. Tom? Are we ready? Tell your sister you’re sorry, and then we’ll go.”

  He tilted his head at his sister, then took his Mom’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Charly, I’ll butt out, okay?”

  She nodded, her arms still crossed. “I accept your apology.
And I’ll prove you wrong.”

  He sighed and shook his head as his mother chuckled. “Right this way, m’lady.”

  “Livingston women are tough, and you, my dear, are outnumbered.”

  “Tell me about it. Lucy worries about being outnumbered at home, and then I add you two, and I’m sunk.”

  Rance pulled up to the neat brick ranch and felt a smile crinkle his face for the first time since he’d seen Charly earlier in the week. Something about her intrigued him. She was a beautiful woman, and she didn’t go out of her way to attract men. A unique characteristic in the circles he ran in. Not that he had time to run in a “circle” these days. He let out a sigh and forced himself to relax.

  In the hours he wasn’t working or sleeping, he had to choose what he thought he could get done. He finally figured out that he could do three things per evening, and usually those three things included studying lecture and rotation notes, eating a fast-food meal, and sleeping. Exercising, watching a ballgame, going out for a nice dinner? None of those things just happened.

  Tonight, however, he had planned nothing other than time with Charly. He unfolded his lean frame from the low-slung Jag, folding his sunglasses and placing them in the pocket of his linen blazer. How long since he’d been on an actual date? The first year of his residency here he had gone out with a few nurses and interns, but the longer the residency lasted, the less time he had for a social life. He hadn’t been “wowed” in a while. But Charly? It would be interesting to find out what made her tick.

  “That one.”

  Lydia lay on her stomach across Charly’s bed which was strewn with the four outfits she had proposed for this first date.

  With a critical eye, Charly took one last look at herself in the full-view mirror. Her sleek blonde hair had been pulled up in a carefully contrived messy bun, and the swingy, blue floral shift dress was the color that garnered compliments every time she wore it. Feminine, and with the platform sandals, demure without broadcasting the fact she was a school teacher.

  She nodded at herself in approval. “I agree.”

  She wasn’t out to “snag her a man,” but then again, she was a little proud that her long, lean legs lent themselves well to this style of dress. First-date jitters aside, she felt pretty good about herself. “I guess I clean up pretty well, after all.”

  “Uh, yes, says the purple-haired midget.”

  “You’re not a midget, you’re a sprite.”

  Lydia’s eyes sparkled. “That’s nice. If I were blonde, I could be Tinkerbell.”

  “No, you would make a terrible blonde. Way too smart.”

  “True.” Her laugh rang out only to stop short when the doorbell rang.

  “He’s here. Want me to get the door?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  “No way. He might like you better, and then this outfit would be wasted.”

  “Very funny. Fine. I’ll follow you to the door like a puppy.”

  Charly shook her head and took a deep breath to calm her nerves before opening the door. She had to laugh when Rance’s eyebrows shot up and his smile widened at the sight of her. Nice.

  “Come in for a minute?” She held the door open wider, gesturing for him to enter.

  “Sure.” He looked around. “Oh, hi, Lydia.”

  Lydia gave him a quick wave. “Hi, Rance, I’m not here as a barista but a fashion consultant.”

  “And now she has to go, right, Lyd?” Charly’s words were slow and even.

  Lydia’s eyes rounded in comprehension. “Right. I have a weaving project to finish up tonight. An artist’s work is never done, you know.” She scooted between Rance and the door. “Have fun, you two.”

  He laughed at the look Charly shot her friend. “Nice place.”

  “Thanks. Mom and I have lived here for about five years.” Charly felt awkward suddenly.

  “Lydia’s a hoot.”

  “She can be.” She lifted one eyebrow.

  “And yes, I remember your mom from the hospital.” He winked, causing her blood pressure to increase. “Is she here? I’d love to say hello.”

  What could she do with her hands? Purse. She needed to get her purse.

  “No, my brother picked her up a little while ago to take her for quality grandchildren time. She never turns down an opportunity.” She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Would you like to sit down?”

  “If you’re ready, we can head out.” He paused and looked down then up at her with a smile. “I made reservations for seven. Thought we might take a stroll along the waterfront while we wait.”

  “Sounds nice. I’ll get my purse, and we can be on our way.”

  So far, he hadn’t tried to entice her into any daredevil schemes as her brother feared. A chuckle made its way out as she locked the door behind her.

  “Penny for your thoughts. They must be humorous.” He raised his eyebrows as he opened the passenger door of the Jaguar.

  “Something my brother said earlier. He thinks he is the authority on everything. Big brother and all.”

  “Yeah, well, I never had one, so I’ll take your word for it.”

  His face darkened. Had she said something? After maneuvering the winding residential streets of her neighborhood, he made it back out to Highway 17, where he was able to pick up speed. They rode in silence for a few minutes, and then he seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts.

  “You teach middle school?”

  She laughed. “Yes, special education. Which basically could cover most middle-school aged kids. It’s an interesting time of life.”

  “I sure wouldn’t go back.” He turned to her with a grin as he stopped at the light before crossing the bridges to Georgetown.

  “I don’t think anybody would. I love it though. There are so many kids struggling on so many levels. It’s a great age to be able to make a difference in a teen’s life.”

  He nodded. “That’s what good teachers do. They make a difference.”

  “I hope so. Sometimes you think it’s never enough.”

  Rance whipped the sports car into a parking spot along the Harbor Walk in the historic district of Georgetown. He jumped out to open her door before she could get to it. She could feel her face heat when he reached down to help her out of the car. “Thank you.”

  “You are more than welcome.” He looked at his watch. “Looks like we have about a half-hour before our reservation. Would you care to poke around the shops?”

  “Sounds like fun. I’ve been down here a few times during the day, but it’s pretty with the lights along the boardwalk.”

  They strolled down the street. Some shops closed early, but a few were open. The closed shops had beautiful displays in the lighted windows, enticing you to come back and shop the next day.

  “You’d think, since I grew up on the coast, coastal art wouldn’t draw me, but it does. I guess since my best friend is an artist on the coast, what else would I know?” She had stopped to look at an impressionist-style painting of the shore, its blues and greens fighting for attention with the sand and sun. It was a small painting, barely eight-by-ten, and it fascinated her.

  Rance leaned closer. “It is nice.” He stared at it for a minute. “Looking at the ocean makes me forget what’s going on when I turn back toward land.” He was quiet.

  Charly tilted her head and smiled at him. “You described what happens any time I stand and look at the water.”

  “Maybe if more people spent more time gazing at the horizon, they wouldn’t get caught in so much junk on land. Me? Sometimes I’d like to get on a boat and sail away, never coming back.”

  He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t kidding.

  “It sounds nice, but I’d have to come back and see my family.”

  He nodded. “Well, you have good reason. Twins notwithstanding.”

  He seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts. He looked at his watch. “Five minutes until our reservation. Want to stroll that way and see if they’re ready for us?”

  Rance w
as much better at first dates than this one. He could always pull charm out of his hat at a moment’s notice. For reasons he couldn’t explain, with Charly he was his real self, and it happened without thought. Maybe he wasn’t being pretentious because she wasn’t.

  He could have kicked himself for asking her if she wanted some wine. She smiled and mentioned she didn’t drink, so he ordered the non-alcoholic limonita with her. He loved it when she blushed.

  “I’ve heard the pasta here is wonderful.” Charly was poring over the menu in the dim light.

  He chuckled. “I’ve had the veal. It’s amazing too.”

  She put her menu down and looked at him with a smile. “It sounds good, but I think I’ll go with pasta.”

  “Always a good choice.” He looked up at the waitress as she delivered their drinks.

  “Are you ready to order, or do you need a minute? Do you have any questions about the menu?” The girl’s light brown hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, revealing a generous helping of freckles on her face. She pulled out her order pad.

  “I’m ready. Charly?”

  “Yes. I’ll have the scallops and risotto. Does this come with a salad?” Charly looked up in question.

  “Salad or soup.” When Charly opened the menu again, she pointed to the array of salads and soups.

  “Oh, I have to try the Crab Jalapeño Tomato Bisque. How spicy is it?”

  “Do you like Jalapeño Poppers?”

  “Love them, even with seeds.”

  “Then it’s not too hot.” The waitress laughed and recorded her order. “And for you, sir?”

  “I’ll have the Veal Marsala, medium rare, with an arugula salad.” He closed the menu.

  The waitress took their menus. “I’ll be back in a minute with your soup and salad.”

  As she walked away, Rance laughed. “Jalapeño seeds? You’re more of a risk-taker than I thought.”

  “I’m on a date with you, aren’t I?”

  He leaned on his elbows on the cloth-covered table, looking into her eyes. Her eyes were a mix of blue and green, unflinching, honest. He could get lost in them.