Carrie tried to sort out her emotions during the short ride to his sister’s place, but it was like trying to untangle strands of Christmas lights that had just been thrown in a box and shook up.
On one hand, she had Philippe - handsome, wealthy, and everything she thought she had ever wanted. He attended church with her, supported her career as a designer, and he lived in New York. On paper, he appeared perfect.
And then there was Cal. Also handsome but in a more rugged way. He didn’t seem to care about wealth which Carrie found refreshing. Odd but refreshing. He appeared a man of God, maybe even more than Philippe, but he was impulsive and stubborn, and he lived hundreds of miles from New York. On paper, he seemed anything but perfect, but that didn’t change the way Carrie felt around him. Her heart did this funny little two step whenever he came close to her, but surely, she had the same feeling with Philippe. She was simply having trouble remembering it because being near Cal was so confusing.
Cal had asked her why she’d changed in the last six years and she supposed she had a little - losing a parent did that to you, but she hadn’t thought she had changed as much as he said. But the change was clear now. The New York Carrie would never have raced through the rain like she did yesterday, and the Carrie from six years ago would have tilted her head back and danced in the puddles.
So, what had changed her? Was it simply her father’s death? The need to be wealthy and make him proud had driven her daily after his death, and now that she achieved billionaire status, would she still be as driven?
Was it becoming a designer? She’d had to develop a tougher skin for sure. Design, like any “art” seemed subject to people’s approvals and disapprovals, and she’d had many more people hate her designs than like her designs when she first started.
Or was it New York? She’d grown up near the city, but not in the city itself. She’d been surprised when she first moved into the city. The people there appeared more closed off, more focused on themselves. Strangers rarely said hi to one another, and it wasn’t unheard of to witness a crime at least once a month if not more. Carrie always felt like she had to watch her back there, but she hadn’t had that feeling here. She probably could have left the keys to the rental car in the ignition and not have had the car get stolen - something she would never do in New York.
Perhaps it was a combination of all three.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Cal said peeking at her from the corner of his eye.
Carrie blew out a breath of air and shook her head. “You couldn’t afford my thoughts.”
“I’m good for a loan,” he said taking his eyes off the road just long enough to flash her a crooked smile.
“Honestly, I’m just trying to sort out my feelings. I was so sure I knew what I wanted. Being a designer has always been my dream - I told you that and being successful in New York quickly became a part of that.”
“And now?” he asked glancing at her briefly before turning his eyes back to the road.
She stared at him. How could he even ask that? She had let herself get swept up in the moment last night and kissed him. Even though she had pulled away, he had to perceive her desire. “I don’t think I really have to answer that.” Nor did she want to. Saying it out loud would only make it more real. “Can I ask you a question though? How are you so confident God wants us to stay together? It’s not like He speaks out loud to you.”
“Perhaps not out loud, but He speaks in many other ways. Every time I pray about you, He always leads me to Psalm 27:14 which says, ‘Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!’ So, while that isn’t words in the way we are used to, it’s words to me.”
Carrie bit her lip. She wasn’t certain God had ever spoken to her the same way, but was it because He wasn’t speaking or because she wasn’t listening? She had long considered herself a believer but being around Cal made her realize she was going through the motions more than living for Jesus.
“Here we are,” he said as he pulled up in front of a small rambler painted yellow and white.
“Oh, good. I’m starving.” Carrie’s stomach rumbled like a punctuation to her statement, but she didn‘t mind. A change of conversation would be a welcome reprieve from the intense emotions raging within her.
“Uncle Cal.” The two children from earlier ran out as Cal opened his door. Their adoring looks displayed the love they held for their uncle. Carrie wondered if Philippe had any nieces and nephews. She realized she didn’t know much about his family either. He had always deflected the questions when she asked.
“Hey guys.” Cal opened Carrie’s door before bending down to hug his niece and nephew. “Annie, Tyler, you remember my friend Carrie from earlier right?”
“Are you going to marry her?” Annie asked as she looked at Carrie.
Carrie’s eyes bulged, and she coughed as she tried to recover from her shock.
Cal smiled at Carrie before returning his attention to Annie. “Well, you never know what God has planned, but for right now, she’s just a friend.”
“Okay,” Annie said. Carrie guessed her age to be four or five from the baby roundness still visible in her face. The boy looked a little older, perhaps seven or eight. “Dad’s making hamburgers.” She turned her eyes on Carrie. “Do you like hamburgers?”
“Of course, who doesn’t?” Carrie usually ate her hamburgers surrounded by lettuce instead of a bun, but that was more than she needed to share with this angel.
“Cool, want to see my dolls?” Annie grabbed Carrie’s hand and tugged her toward the house.
“I guess I’m going to see dolls,” Carrie said with a laugh as Annie pulled her up the porch.
“Go ahead,” Cal flashed a smile, “I’ll come rescue you later.”
Carrie followed the little girl into the house and down the hall. She tried to take in the surroundings, but all she managed to see was that Stacy was a minimalist much like Cal.
“Annie, don’t go far. Lunch is almost ready,” Stacy said as they passed the kitchen. “Oh, hi, Carrie.”
“Hi, thanks again for inviting me.”
“Come on, Carrie.” The little girl tugged her a few more feet down the hall to an open door which was clearly her room if the pink walls and purple decorations were any indication. Carrie smiled as she took in the bright room. It reminded her of cotton candy at the fair.
“This is Sherri.” Annie held up a cabbage patch doll dressed in a red jumper. “She has red hair just like you.”
“So she does.” Carrie took the doll remembering her own cabbage patch doll as a kid. She was surprised they were still being made and even more surprised they were still popular. In New York, American Girl Dolls that looked like their owners were all the rage, and while pretty, something about the simplicity of the Cabbage Patch dolls appealed to Carrie more. “She’s beautiful.”
“So are you,” the little girl said.
“Ah, thank you.” Carrie felt she should say more after the compliment, but she had no idea what.
“I think you and Uncle Cal should marry,” Annie continued. “He always seems a little sad, but he looks happier now that you are here.”
“Oh, well, that’s good, but I live far away from here, and I’m going to have to get back home soon.”
“That’s too bad,” Annie said as she picked up another doll. “I like playing with you.”
“Annie, Carrie, lunch is ready,” Stacy’s voice carried from down the hall.
Relief flooded Carrie. How could a little person she didn’t even know manage to say just the right things to make her uncomfortable? “I guess we better go eat.”
Annie shrugged, but she put the doll down and led the way back toward the kitchen.
The rest of the family was already gathered around the table when Carrie and Annie arrived. Carrie took the seat next to Cal as Stacy helped Annie into her booster seat. A plethora of food filled the table top: hamburgers, salad, chips, and fruit. Carrie’s stomach rumbled as she looked
from one dish to the next.
“Shall we pray?” Jim asked.
Around the table, everyone grabbed hands and Carrie bowed her head and closed her eyes. It was odd how at home she felt. She hadn’t even met Philippe’s family yet, and the only other people she felt this close to were Gwen and Drew. Still, something comforting and familiar existed with Cal’s family. Something she could definitely get used to.
* * *
“So, how’s it going?” Stacy asked Cal as he helped her clean up after dinner.
He glanced toward the living room where Carrie worked a jigsaw puzzle with Tyler and Jim while Annie played with dolls nearby. “Not as good as I’d hoped, but better than I expected, I guess. She’s relaxing, and we kissed last night. It was short, but I think she’s starting to remember Vegas.”
“And how long are you going to keep this up, Cal? She has a job back home I’m sure. You’ll have to let her get back to it.”
“I know.” He picked up a plate and handed it to her at the sink. “I just keep hoping for a little more time with her.”
When the table was cleared, and the dishes filled the sink, Cal joined Carrie in the living room.
“Do you do puzzles?” She grinned up at him, her eyes flashing a challenge.
“I’ll have you know jigsaw puzzles are my specialty.” He pulled out a chair and sat next to her.
“I thought ranching was your specialty.”
“I have many talents.” Cal winked at her and picked up a piece. He turned it over in his hand a few times and then placed in the right spot with the first try.
“Hmm, so it seems, but you might have met your match with me.” She picked up another piece and placed it next to his piece.
“Yeah, she’s pretty good, Uncle Cal,” Tyler spoke up. “She put all of that together.” He pointed to the right side of the puzzle.
“Well, I’m not surprised.” Cal fixed his gaze on Carrie. “I knew she was amazing the moment I met her.”
Soft pink flowed up Carrie’s cheeks, and her eyes dropped to the puzzle. “I’m not that amazing.”
Cal begged to differ, but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Silence fell as they raced to finish the puzzle first.
“Hah, I’ve got the last piece,” Carrie teased as she held up the final jigsaw cutout.
He chuckled, enjoying the look of sheer happiness gracing her features. She finally looked relaxed and carefree, the way he remembered her six years ago. “You did a great job.”
“No, we did a great job.”
His heart flipped at the way she said ‘we.’ “You’re right. We make a great team.”
Her eyes locked with his and the surrounding sounds faded away for a moment. Just a moment. “We do, but we should head back. I need to check in with my assistant.”
Just like that, the carefree look disappeared, replaced with a look of concern that Cal wanted to wipe away. “All right, I should check on Dexter and the herd again as well.”
“Ah man, do you have to go?” Tyler asked.
“Yes, but I’ll see you again in a few days.” Cal ruffled his nephew’s hair and gave him a side hug. “You too, Annie.”
“Thank you for joining us,” Stacy said as she entered the living room.
“Thank you for having me,” Carrie said. “Maybe I’ll see you again soon.”
“We’d like that,” Stacy said.
Cal gave her a hug and shook Jim’s hand before extending his arm to Carrie. He wasn’t sure she would take it, but after a slight hesitation, her skin touched his lighting a fire to his arm that traveled all the way up to his shoulder.
“Thank you for coming with me,” Cal said as they reached the truck. He opened the door for her and helped her climb in.
“Of course. Your family is very nice, and it’s not like you gave me much choice.”
He smiled at her and shut her door before walking to the driver’s side.
“I know they’d like to see more of you.” He sneaked a glance as he started the truck.
“Mm.” Carrie gave him a wistful smile before turning to look out the window.
Cal stifled a sigh as he pulled out of Stacy’s drive and headed toward the inn. When they reached it, he turned off the ignition and stepped out to open Carrie’s door. As her foot hit the pavement though, a voice carried out to them.
“Carrie? Where have you been?”
Carrie’s head whipped toward the sound. “Philippe?” A tall man with dark hair and a hawkish nose stepped out of the shadows. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here? You never called to let me know what was going on, so I felt the need to come check on you.”
“I did call you when I arrived,” Carrie said. “Your voicemail picked up, but I left a message. I figured you were busy since I didn’t hear anything back.”
The man’s eyes flicked to Cal. “And I see you’ve been busy since then. Who is this?”
“I’m Cal,” Cal said stepping forward. “I’m Carrie’s husband.” Cal wasn’t certain why he said it other than he didn’t like the guy, but he regretted the words the instant Carrie turned fiery, accusing eyes on him.
“Husband?” The man’s brows inched up his forehead. “What’s going on, Carrie?”
Carrie glared at Cal a moment longer before turning back to the man. “Technically, he’s right, Philippe. When I was twenty-one, I went to Vegas with some friends. I must have had too much to drink because I married Cal. I came here to get the divorce papers signed. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“And it took you two days to get the papers signed?”
“Cal was being a little stubborn.” Carrie’s voice sounded stiff and forced, but Cal wasn’t sure if it was because of what he’d said or because of the man.
“Probably after your money, no doubt.” The man turned eyes as cold as ice Cal’s direction.
Anger flared in his gut, but Cal took a deep breath to keep from punching the man. “I don’t care a thing about Carrie’s money.”
The man’s eyes shot fire at Cal before returning to Carrie. “Hey, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?”
Cal clenched his hands at his side. The man had completely ignored him - as if he weren‘t standing just a few feet away. And Cal hated that saying. Too many people used it to do things they wouldn’t normally do and count them as okay.
“Yeah, you know how it is.” Carrie shrugged her shoulders. “Young and stupid.”
Carrie turned to Cal, but the expression in her eyes was unreadable. Still, he knew in that instant that anything they had built was gone. He would have to let her go and sign the papers.
“Carrie, I’ll get the papers and bring them over in the morning. Will that be soon enough?” The words pained him, and his stomach clenched.
“I’d rather we go tonight, Carrie. I have work tomorrow.” The man grabbed her hand pulling her closer to him.
“No, we can go in the morning. I still need to pack and ready the plane.” She turned back to Cal, but her eyes never met his. They appeared locked on the ground at his feet. “Thank you. If you could have those papers here at seven am tomorrow, I would greatly appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Cal tipped his hat first to Carrie and then to the man - the man he would remember forever as the one who stole Carrie from him. What made it even worse was the man’s behavior. It seemed as though he tried to dominate and control Carrie, and it saddened Cal. She possessed such a fiery spirit, but it fizzled around this man. The smile and gaiety he had seen earlier had been erased with one word from the man’s mouth. How could she marry him? Didn’t she see how wrong they were for each other?
Cal left them there - two people who looked more like strangers than an engaged couple - and continued to his truck. As soon as he got inside, he turned his face upward. “Why God? Why would you bring her in my life only to take her away again? I’ve waited all these years, and I finally thought you were going to reconcile this relationship, and then this happens. I
want to know why!” Cal was surprised at the anger in his voice. He couldn’t remember the last time he had raised his voice at anyone, much less at God.
“Trust me.” The words filled his head, and Cal’s anger softened. Trust. It was hard to do right now, but what other option did he have? He glanced back toward Carrie only to see them entering the inn together. Trust. It wouldn’t be easy, but as that was all he could do, Cal took a deep breath and gave the situation over to God.
Chapter 13
Carrie woke early the next morning. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure she had actually slept. After Cal left, she and Philippe had gone inside to secure him a room. Thankfully Dixie had been able to accommodate them. After that, they spent an hour down in the dining room. Philippe wanted details about the weekend, but Carrie managed to give him just enough information to satisfy him before turning the tables and asking him to tell her about his weekend. One thing Philippe loved was talking about his business. And as long as Cal came through with the papers, Carrie figured she might never have to tell Philippe all the details of the weekend.
After a shower, she finished packing her bag and scanned the room one last time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. A bittersweet feeling lay on her. She was glad to be going home, but a part of her knew she would miss this place. Miss Cal and his family even though ire still flowed through her when she thought of him informing Philippe of their marriage.
“Good morning, Carrie.” Dixie looked up from the coffee carafe she was filling and greeted Carrie as she entered the dining room.
“Morning Dixie. Philippe and I will be checking out today if you want to get our receipts ready.”
Dixie nodded, but her lips hinted at a sad smile. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hoped you might stick around a while, but I’ll get right to it. Pancakes this morning again?”
“Sure.” Carrie pushed back the sadness she felt at Dixie’s words and filled a mug of coffee. Her table from yesterday was open, so she headed that direction. Only one other person sat in the dining room currently, and Carrie wondered how Dixie stayed in business.
The Billionaire's Cowboy Groom (Sweet Billionaires Book 4) Page 10
