The whole experience left her confused to say the least, and she needed to talk to Gwen about it. Carrie was glad Gwen’s number was on speed dial because she wasn’t sure she would have been able to recall the number in her current condition.
The phone rang twice before Gwen answered. “How did it go?”
“It was interesting.” Carrie sat on the bed, her mind a jumble of emotions. “Cal took me riding.”
“Riding?” Gwen’s voice held the same disbelief Carrie had felt. “Riding what? Horses?”
Carrie chuckled. “Yeah. I think he thought putting me on a horse and showing me his land would just magically change my mind about staying married to him. He even asked if I had to be in New York to design. Can you believe that? Like who would I design for out here?” Carrie hated the tone of her voice, but she was so confused.
She had come here expecting a quick conversation, maybe even a laugh as they traversed memory lane, and then departing and returning to her life with a signature on the papers. What she hadn’t expected was this. This jumble of feelings colliding within her. She hadn’t expected Cal to be so handsome or her heart to flip whenever he got near her. She hadn’t expected the story he told her at dinner or to be questioning her engagement, her job, or her life. But she was.
“Did you tell him how you felt?” Gwen asked.
Carrie snorted. “Yeah, and he said God could find a way to make it all work. I mean I believe in God, but that just sounds like Cal using God as an excuse to make me stay.”
Gwen was silent on the other line. Carrie could tell there was something was on her mind, but she didn’t dare ask. At least not right now. She was still battling her own thoughts, and she didn’t need Gwen’s confusing her even more.
“Then he made me dinner.”
“He made you dinner?” Surprise laced Gwen’s voice.
“Yeah, nothing big. It was chili, but it was superb.” Carrie traced the flower pattern on the bedspread with her finger.
“I’d say it’s something. He didn’t have to cook for you.”
“Well, he had to eat. Anyway, he wants to show me the town tomorrow, so we’ll see how that goes.”
“Okay, I’ll keep praying for you over here. Just remember to be open to God’s words.”
“I’ll try. I just wish He would speak a little louder.”
Carrie hung up the phone and plugged it into her charger. Then she wandered into the bathroom to brush her teeth and get ready for bed. She stared at her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her teeth. Open to God’s words. She thought she was open to His words, but He didn’t seem to be speaking into her ear. Carrie wished, as she had often in the past, that God would yell in her ear. She wanted to be sure she was doing the right thing.
With a sigh, she rinsed her mouth, brushed her hair, and then flicked the bathroom light off. As she changed into her pajamas, she sent up a silent prayer for wisdom.
Chapter 8
Carrie woke to the beeping alarm of her cell phone the next morning. She turned it off and, out of habit, checked her messages for one from Philippe, but the mailbox icon on her phone remained empty. That was odd. He almost always texted her before going to work. Perhaps he had been working late and simply slept in this morning. But it was Saturday, and he usually worked on Saturdays at least in the morning. He should be getting ready for work, or with the time difference already be at work. Maybe he was with clients and had just turned his phone off.
Figuring that was why he hadn’t answered, Carrie kicked off the covers and padded to the bathroom to shower. Cal had said he would pick her up late morning, whatever time that was, and she wanted to eat before he arrived. The warm water erased the last lingering bit of sleep and Carrie stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. And Cal. She needed to keep her feelings in check today and not get sucked into his dreamy eyes and sweet smile.
Carrie wiped the fog off the mirror and leaned in to regard her appearance. Was it her imagination or did her skin look better than normal? She didn’t have bad skin, but she always needed to add some tinted base to her face in New York to give her skin a little color, but she didn’t need it today. Her skin shone, and her eyes sparkled back at her. Was it the Texas weather or was it Cal?
Irritated that thoughts of Cal kept invading her mind, she quickly brushed her hair and teeth before flicking off the light and heading to the closet to get dressed.
Her options were limited as she had brought little with her, but not knowing what Cal had in store for her, Carrie changed into the most functional outfit she had - a pair of flared pants and matching shirt she designed last summer. If she ended up staying much longer, she would have to see about finding a laundromat or a store.
The tempting aroma of bacon drifted in the air as Carrie neared the kitchen, and her stomach rumbled. She hadn’t thought she was hungry, but her stomach begged to differ. Carrie entered the homey dining room and grabbed a seat by the window. Only a few other tables filled the room and currently she was the only diner. Dixie, however, appeared a moment later.
“Well, good morning, Carrie. Did you sleep okay?”
“I did, thank you.” Surprisingly, the bed had been quite comfortable. Not her own bed by any means but more comfortable than many hotel beds she had stayed in.
Dixie smiled and clasped her hands together. “Wonderful, well I’ve made eggs and bacon and pancakes. What would you like?”
The tiny spontaneous part of Carrie almost said pancakes - one of her guilty pleasures - but she had been low carb for weeks. “Mm, the bacon smells delicious, so I think I’ll take the eggs and bacon.”
“Coming right up. Help yourself to coffee or juice at the counter there.” Dixie pointed to a little table on the other side of the room. It held a coffee carafe, a pitcher of orange juice, a basket of creamer and cups and mugs.
“Thank you.” Carrie smiled up at the woman as she stood. “I will certainly partake in a little of that.”
Dixie smiled back and nodded before disappearing through a swinging door near the back of the room. Carrie continued to the table and picked up a ceramic mug. Each one held a different saying or picture, and the one she held currently had the words “Chocolate solves everything” emblazoned across it. Carrie smiled at the apt description of her - interesting that she would choose that mug. She poured a little cream and sugar into the mug and then filled the rest with coffee enjoying the way the dark liquid swirled with the cream to create a satisfying tan color. She had never been able to drink her coffee black.
Dixie reached the table at the same time Carrie was returning. “Bacon and eggs,” she said placing the plate down.
“Thank you.” Carrie set her mug down and then pulled the chair out to sit down again.
“Can I ask you something?” Dixie asked.
“Uh, sure, I guess.” Carrie had no idea what she could want to ask a perfect stranger.
Dixie pulled out the opposite chair and sat down. Then she leaned forward as if sharing a juicy secret. “Where did you get your outfit? It’s so beautiful and stylish.”
Carrie blinked, caught off guard by the question. “I made it. I’m a designer.”
Dixie’s eyes grew wide. “You made it?”
“Yeah, that’s kind of what I do.” Carrie took a sip of the coffee and appraised Dixie. Though older, it was clear the woman took care of herself, but her style did leave a lot to be desired. Today, she wore a basic pair of black pants, a solid red shirt, and a black-and-white checkered vest.
Dixie folded her hands and leaned her chin upon them. “I wish we had clothes like that in our general store, but supplies are limited. Of course, you can order online, but then there’s the hassle of returns if it doesn’t fit.”
“That is a hassle.” Carrie had always loved designing but one reason she stuck with it was for that very reason. She wanted to help women look their best and outfits online rarely fit correctly unless you had the perfect body type. “Maybe one day a desig
ner will move to town.” She had hoped to pray before eating, but as it appeared Dixie was in no hurry to leave, Carrie threw up a silent thank you and took a bite of the eggs.
“Yes, maybe,” Dixie’s eyes twinkled, “So, you and Cal-”
“Are just friends,” Carrie finished before Dixie probed any further. She should have known that question would come up.
Dixie’s face fell in a portrait of disappointment. “Oh, that’s too bad. He’s such a nice guy, but he won’t date anyone around here though many have tried. Rumor is that he’s pining for a woman from his past.”
“Sorry, I wouldn’t know,” Carrie said with a shrug, careful to keep her face stoic.
“Well, I guess I’ll keep praying she comes back then. I was sure hoping with the way he looks at you that he had finally moved on. He will be an amazing husband to some woman one day.” Dixie pushed back her chair and stood up.
“I’m sure he will.” Dixie nodded before returning to the kitchen and allowing Carrie to return to her breakfast. Her thoughts no longer remained on the eggs and bacon though. They now firmly lingered on Cal. Did he really gaze at her differently? More importantly, did it matter to her? Her life was back in New York with Philippe, so she shouldn’t care how Cal looked at her, but if she were honest with herself, she did.
* * *
Cal pulled up in front of the inn and took a deep breath. He wasn’t sure how much longer he had, but he imagined Carrie wouldn’t stick around much longer. Today would be important, and he needed everything to be perfect. He stepped out of the truck and ran a hand down his green plaid shirt. It was his favorite and Ginny often made it a point to tell him how handsome he looked in it more than once. Cal hoped Carrie might feel the same.
He opened the door of the inn and smiled at the remaining smell of breakfast. Dixie was a good cook, but he hoped to convince Carrie to join him for breakfast tomorrow. He made a mean skillet.
“Morning, Cal,” Dixie said as she entered the foyer. “Carrie’s in the dining room.”
“Thank you.” Cal nodded. “I figured that’s where I’d find her. Breakfast sure smells delicious.”
“You want me to grab you some bacon?”
Cal shook his head. “No, I already ate, and I’m planning to show Carrie the town today, but perhaps we’ll come back for dinner.”
Dixie’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you should. Dan and I were planning a little impromptu party with music and dancing, maybe a movie.”
“Oh, yeah, what’s the occasion?” Cal racked his brain, but he couldn’t place any nearby holiday. Easter had just passed, and Cinco de Mayo remained over a week away.
Dixie’s wide eyes shifted to the left. “Oh, um, it’s the anniversary of the inn. Been open for over one hundred years this year.” Dixie’s parents had run the inn before her and evidently her parents had run it before them. Cal knew Dixie’s family was one of the first residents, but he’d had no idea they had been in business that long.
“Well, that’s amazing, but why aren’t we making a bigger deal of it? The whole town should be in on something like that.” The festivals were one thing Cal loved about a small town. There was a festival nearly every month of the year, but the apple festival and the cowboy roundup were their two biggest - both of which happened in the summer months.
“I thought it would be nice to have a smaller affair on the actual day and then we can plan something bigger for next month. You’ll come, won’t you?”
“Sure.” Cal shrugged. He wanted to show Carrie the town, but what better way to show her the small-town lure but a party. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Great, well, I have to get planning, I mean, decorating and cooking. We’ll start at 6pm. See you then.” And then without another word, Dixie disappeared into the kitchen.
Cal shook his head and continued into the dining room to find Carrie. She sat at a table by the window sipping on a mug. As her eyes were focused out the window, he took a moment to study her. Her green pantsuit made the red and gold in her hair stand out even more than usual. He wondered if she had any idea how beautiful she was.
As if she sensed his eyes, Carrie turned his direction. A slight smile stole across her lips as Cal crossed the room to her. “Hey, Carrie.”
“Hey Cal. You look nice.”
“As do you. Are you ready?”
She glanced into her mug and sighed. “Yep, coffee’s gone, so I guess I am.”
“Big coffee fan, huh?” he asked. He hadn’t taken her for a caffeine junkie.
“Not really. I like to have one maybe two cups a day but any more than that makes my stomach feel weird.” She stood and pushed her chair in. “If I need something warm after that, I usually opt for green tea.”
Cal didn’t tell her he generally drank an entire pot by himself, but he guessed he was also up much earlier than she was.
“Should I take the dishes somewhere?” Carrie asked uncertainly as she looked around.
“No, Dixie will take care of them. Part of the guest experience.”
“All right, if you’re sure,” she said.
Cal wanted to hold out his hand, but he wasn’t sure she would take it and he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. She smiled as he held the door open for her.
“We’re going to walk?” Carrie asked as he turned away from the truck.
“Are you opposed to a little exercise?”
“No, it’s just… it looks like it’s about to rain.” Her nose wrinkled as she stared up at the dark sky, but Cal wasn’t sure if it was from disgust or fear.
The clouds looked a little menacing, but a little rain never hurt anyone. “Are you afraid of rain?” He bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing out loud at her. The woman he married six years ago would have danced in a fountain with him if he’d asked her, but now she appeared hesitant. Again, he wondered what had made her change so drastically.
Her eyes narrowed, and he knew he had pushed a button. “No, I’m not afraid of the rain.” She tossed him a haughty glare. “Come on.”
This time Cal did chuckle. Here was a glimpse of the girl from six years ago - feisty and unwilling to appear weak.
“Well, where do we start?” she asked as she scanned the area.
“Right here. I just found out today that the inn is one of the oldest buildings in town. Evidently, they’ve been open over one hundred years.”
Her eyebrow formed a pointed arch. “You just found out today?”
Cal shrugged. “So, I’m not a town history buff, but Dixie said they are having a small party tonight to celebrate. Anyway, the post office over there was another of the first buildings in Soda Spurs.”
“Why is it named Soda Spurs?” Carrie asked as they walked up the street.
Cal blinked at her. He had never looked up why the town was named what it was. He simply accepted it. “You got me there,” he said with another shrug. “I have no idea.”
“If you’re going to be a tour guide and tell people the town has an interesting history, you really should learn a few of its facts.” Her words could have sounded harsh, but her teasing tone and impish smile softened them.
“I’ve missed this side of you.” Cal sneaked a sideways glance at her. “This spunky personality is the one I fell in love with. Why have you been hiding her?”
“I haven’t been hiding anything.” There was a defensive hint in her words, and her nose lifted into the air. “She comes out back home.”
“Does she?” Cal didn’t believe her. Something had changed her over the last six years.
“Why won’t you sign the papers?” Carrie asked abruptly switching the topic.
“We exchanged vows, Carrie. That means something to me. Doesn’t it to you?”
“We rushed into it, Cal. That doesn’t mean we have to force it to work.”
He shook his head. How would he get her to understand? “We may have rushed into it, Carrie, but that doesn’t make it wrong. I’ve asked God often if I should let you go, and He’s
never told me yes.”
Carrie looked as if she wanted to argue more, but before she could, a large drop of rain smacked her nose. A yelp escaped her lips and her hand swiped the bridge of her nose. “I think we better head back.”
“It’s just a drop of rain. You’re not going to melt.” But before the sentence completely left his mouth, the dark skies opened up and poured down buckets of rain. Within seconds, Carrie’s red hair was plastered to her face, and her eyes were wide with shock.
She looked as if she was about to bolt back to the inn, but Cal seized the moment and her hand. He had to make her remember. “Come on.”
“Cal, we’ll catch pneumonia,” she said.
He flashed her his best grin and squeezed her hand. “First, that’s an old wives’ tale, and second, so what? We can be sick together.” That thought held great appeal for him. He wouldn’t mind caring for Carrie while she snuggled under a blanket. “Have a little fun, Carrie.”
Her eyes narrowed to thin slits. She might have looked fierce if it weren’t for the black trails of mascara snaking down her cheeks. “I have fun.”
“Then prove it. Come run in the rain with me.” He let go of her hand and took off running for the elementary school a block away, hoping he had goaded her enough that she would follow. It didn’t take long before he heard her footsteps behind him, but he’d had a head start and his legs were longer, so he still reached the school first. He touched the brick wall before turning to face her.
“You cheated,” she said with labored breath when she reached him. Her finger reached out to poke him in the chest and he grabbed it and pulled her closer to him.
“I gave you a chance.” Cal had been a track star in high school. He could have easily outdistanced her had he wanted to, but this wasn’t about winning. It was about getting her to relax and drop the emotional wall she had built some time since he’d last seen her.
The Billionaire's Cowboy Groom (Sweet Billionaires Book 4) Page 7
