Smitten

by Colleen Coble

  “So we have a problem,” she said.

  He liked the way she said we. “Any ideas?”

  She chewed on her lip and looked up and down the street.

  “We need some kind of hotel.”

  “But could it even be built in time?”

  “Probably not.”

  “I have an idea,” he said slowly, the seed taking root. “I have some acreage south of town. Uncle Howard wanted to do all he could to get this off the ground. I could ask him if he’d be willing to help me build a larger lodge there. Since I already own the land, things could proceed much faster.”

  “A large enough lodge is going to be expensive. Can he afford that?”

  He shrugged. “I can only ask.”

  “It will mean losing control over your property and taking on your uncle as a partner. Are you prepared to do that?”

  She seemed to really care how he felt. The realization warmed him. “I’m finding I’d do just about anything for you,” he said.

  A flush stained her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. “I’ll help all I can.”

  “I’ll need it. This is a much bigger project than cabin remodels.”

  She chewed on her lip. “My brother is an architect. He’s done big hotels for major chains. I could ask him if he’d do some freelance work.”

  “You’re kidding. That’s thousands of dollars.”

  “I think he’d be willing to help. We could give him some free advertising by telling the media he designed the lodge. I think he’d do it for a song.”

  He held her gaze. “You’re a good woman, Natalie Mansfield.

  When you believe in something, you are all in, aren’t you?”

  “Isn’t everyone?”

  He shook his head. “Too many people quit when the going gets tough. You just get more determined.”

  Her blush heightened. “Some would call that hardheaded. Or stubborn.”

  “I’ll tell you a secret. You’re the reason I believe this will work. You could sell refrigerators to the Eskimos.”

  She smiled. “I think I’ve heard that before, only it’s been said with less respect.”

  “That might be why we’ve butted heads now and then in the past—you’re not one to sit back and take orders. You like to make things happen.”

  “Guilty as charged,” she said. “There is nothing that irritates me more than whiny quitters.”

  “I hope I’m never one of those,” he said, grinning down at her.

  “People look up to you,” she said. “I’ve always respected you and known you put careful thought into your decisions.”

  “Even though you didn’t always agree.”

  “Even though I often didn’t want to agree.” She diffused the words with a smile. “I didn’t like admitting you were right. It’s a character flaw I have to work on. Among many.”

  “I don’t see any flaws,” he said softly.

  The connection between them broke when he was summoned inside to help a customer. Natalie went to the park, where she took out her phone and called her brother, Paul.

  When she explained what she needed, he was quick to offer to help.

  “Can it be built in time?” she asked.

  “If we get right on it,” he said. “It’s not like it’s a mega-hotel. Average time to build a hotel is about a year, but many have been built in a much shorter time. Heck, the Ark Hotel in China took only two days!”

  “I doubt we have that kind of labor,” she said, smiling at her brother’s optimism.

  “So it’s going to be a romance capital,” Paul said, a smile in his voice. “And the avowed spinster is spearheading the project. Rather ironic, don’t you think?”

  Spinster. She winced at the ugly word. “I’ve never been against marriage.”

  “No, you’re just afraid of making a mistake like Mom and Lisa.”

  “You’re hardly a poster child for commitment,” she said.

  “You never know,” he said. “Even this old dog could change his spots. You could too if you learned to trust a little.”

  “Well, back to the hotel,” she said. “Let me give you Carson’s number. You can discuss with him what he wants.”

  Was that what she was doing with Carson? Learning to trust?

  CHAPTER NINE

  Mia already had dinner, Nat,” Julia said. She was dressed in expensive jeans and zebra shoes that matched her top.

  After a visit with Julia, Mia would spend hours trying on her clothes and wanting different things done to her hair. Today Natalie had been talking to Brian about legal custody, so she had needed after-school care for Mia, and Julia was quick to come to the rescue.

  Natalie hung her light jacket on the hook by the door. “Where is she now?”

  “In her bedroom. I want to say good-bye before I leave.”

  She paused. “You still need me on Friday, right?”

  “Yes, if you’re free.”

  Mia came running down the hall and hugged Natalie.

  “I’m always free for Mia.” Julia held out her arms to hug Mia good-bye, then went out the door.

  Natalie steered Mia toward the kitchen. “Did you leave me anything to eat?”

  Mia nodded. “I didn’t eat all the chicken. It’s still warm.”

  “What a good kid.” Natalie put the last of the grilled chicken on a plate, then joined Mia in the living room. The thought of talking to Mia about Carson made the idea of food unappealing. She wanted to protect the child all her life, but she knew hard truths had a way of coming out. And pain molded character.

  Natalie settled on the sofa with one leg folded under her.

  Sunlight still streamed through the picture window. “Did you have a good day at school?” she asked.

  Mia nodded. “Mandy’s mommy brought in cupcakes for her birthday.” She sat down on the sofa and leaned against Natalie. “Can I call you Mommy, Aunt Nat? I don’t think my mommy is ever coming back.”

  Natalie had been about to take a bite of chicken. She lowered her fork and embraced Mia. Brian had been very confident, but what if he was wrong? She hated to get Mia’s hopes up. She’d hoped to be ready to spill the news on her birthday, but it didn’t look like it was going to happen that quickly. “I’m your mommy in every way that counts,” she said.

  “To me you are my Mia and no one else’s.” She smoothed Mia’s curls.

  Mia buried her face against Natalie’s side. “I don’t have a mommy or a daddy,” she murmured.

  “I’m going to make you my own little girl,” Natalie said, her throat tight. “I’ve asked a judge to let you be my daughter.”

  “Truly?” Mia’s face lit. “Forever and ever?”

  Natalie hugged the little girl to her, and Mia gripped her with a fervency that touched her. “Forever and ever.”

  “I love you, Aunt Nat.” After a final squeeze, Mia let go.

  “Do you know who my daddy is?”

  Natalie’s hand froze on top of Mia’s hair. What should she say? She looked into Mia’s innocent eyes. “I don’t know, honey.” She wished she could say with firm assurance that Carson wasn’t Mia’s father.

  The hope in Mia’s eyes dimmed. “Mandy at school said it was Mr. Carson, but I didn’t believe it,” Mia said. “He would have come to see me if he were my daddy. I asked him to the tea. Do you think he’ll come?”

  “I think he’d like to, but it might make people think badly of him.”

  Mia frowned. “I don’t want people to talk mean about him.”

  A shadow moved past the window. Natalie saw Carson walking toward the front door, then the doorbell rang. The surge of pleasure she felt at his appearance shocked her. Was she as easily influenced as her mother? As Lisa?

  Mia slid from the sofa. “It’s Mr. Carson! I’ll get it.” She ran to the foyer, and Natalie followed. “Come on in,” she told Carson.

  Her mouth went dry at the sight of him. He wore jeans and a red shirt that made him look incredibly handsome.

  She’d ne
ver noticed how thick his hair was, how long his lashes were.

  “Hope I’m not intruding,” he said.

  “Not at all. We’re glad to see you.” She led him to the living room, then pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat.”

  He settled on the sofa and lifted Mia to his lap. “I came by to tell Mia I’d be honored to attend the fathers’ tea.”

  Mia smiled, then her grin vanished. “Aunt Natalie told me that it might make people say mean things about you. I don’t want you to come if that’s what will happen.”

  His eyes widened, and he glanced at Natalie. “A friend told her the rumor,” she mouthed.

  His eyes held a shadow. “I don’t care what people say, honey. I’d rather make you happy than worry about wagging tongues.”

  Mia’s smile returned full force. “Pinky swear, Mr.

  Carson?”

  She held up her pinky finger, and he linked his with hers.

  “Pinky swear,” he said, his face serious. He glanced at Natalie.

  “I did a lot of thinking today. Some things are too important to take the easy way out.”

  Could he possibly be all he seemed? Where were Natalie’s faith and trust? Maybe his accusation at the cabin was right.

  “I’ll do what I can to head off the rumors,” she said.

  He went still. “Now that I’ve met this munchkin, I kind of wish the rumors were true.”

  Mia threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Mr. Carson.”

  His eyes misted as he hugged her. “I’d walk on hot coals to hear that.”

  As Natalie watched them, she allowed herself to wonder what it would be like for the three of them to be a family. She shook off the ridiculous notion.

  Natalie had arranged to meet the girls at the coffee shop for a quick birthday party before her date, and they’d come bearing gifts. The table was decorated with a chocolate gluten-free cake and balloons, and she’d had the barista make her friends’ favorite beverages.

  She unwrapped a blue package first. It was a CD.

  “Christmas music?”

  Shelby’s dark head bobbed, and she smiled proudly.

  “It’s the California Raisins! I had to order it online since it’s not being made anymore, but it’s the best Christmas CD ever.”

  “It’s May,” Reese pointed out.

  “But Christmas is coming! And it lifts my spirits no matter what time of year it is.” Shelby began to sing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” in a rich alto.

  Natalie contorted her mouth trying not to laugh, but a giggle escaped anyway. “Only you, Shelby.” She hugged her friend. “Thank you. I’ll think of you when I listen to it.”

  “Okay, that’s not all,” Shelby said. “But it was my favorite gift. Here’s the other.” She handed over a bag that contained three books. One on the behavior of five- to ten-year-olds, a children’s story about adoption, and another book on building an adoptive family.

  Natalie squealed. “Shelby, how did you find these?” She hugged Shelby again.

  Shelby smiled. “Glad you like them.”

  Natalie opened the gift from Julia, a stylish pink backpack.

  “I can put Mia’s things in it when we travel or go to the park.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Julia said.

  Smiling, Natalie glanced at Reese. “I suppose you have a motherly item for me too?”

  “We have to celebrate with you.” Reese handed over a bag.

  Natalie peeked inside and pulled out a Pilates DVD for children ages five to ten. “It’s perfect! I might actually be able to do this one.”

  “Glad you like it,” Reese said. “And by the way, you look totally hot tonight. Is that the outfit Julia got you last year?”

  Natalie exchanged a long glance with Julia. “Yes. You don’t think it’s a little—well, sexy?”

  “Legs like yours should be flaunted, not hidden,” Julia said. “The only thing I would have added is fishnet stockings.”

  Natalie shuddered. “I think I’ll stick with bare legs, thank you.” She glanced at her watch. “He’ll be here in half an hour.” The skirt ended just above her knees, so it wasn’t that short. But she felt so vulnerable in it.

  “I want to see his face when he first spots you,” Julia said.

  “I don’t think so. Having you all here will make me too self-conscious. I can’t even remember the last time I had a date,” Natalie said. “I’m out of practice.”

  Shelby hugged her. “I’ll be praying for you, friend, but you’re going to have a great time.”

  Shelby always reminded Natalie that God was in control. Natalie picked up a knife and cut into the birthday cake.

  “Who wants a piece of cake?”

  Julia sprang to her feet. “Let’s listen to that Christmas music. What’s on that CD?”

  “No cake for me, thanks,” Reese said. “I’m trying to shed a couple of pounds. But you go ahead.”

  Natalie took a bite. “Come on, girls, it’s really good.

  Honest. It tastes just like one made with wheat.”

  “I’ll have some,” Shelby said, her eyes sympathetic. “I found a great recipe. It’s made with almond flour mixed with rice flour and pea protein. And it’s chocolate, so it has to taste great.”

  Natalie took another bite. “It’s delicious, Shelby. Thanks for going to all that trouble.”

  “Anything for you, my friend.”

  Natalie glanced toward the door to the kitchen. “Now to just figure out those cookies. I have a sample batch you can try.”

  Reese sprang to her feet. “I need to leave.”

  Julia headed for the door. “We know you don’t want us here when Carson comes. I’ll pick Mia up from Rose’s tender clutches.”

  Natalie laughed. “Chickens.” She saw them to the door, then rushed to the mirror where she fussed with her hair and touched up her lip gloss one last time. The bell over the door reverberated through her midsection moments later, and she gulped. It was so silly to be nervous. Her feet wobbled in the high heels as she went to see if it was Carson.

  Carson wore jeans and a blazer over a white shirt. His short curls appeared to have been newly trimmed. He held out a bouquet of daisies. “You seem more like a daisy kind of girl than one who likes roses,” he said. “Happy birthday.”

  “I love daisies,” she said, taking the flowers. “How did you know it was my birthday?”

  “You mentioned it once, the first time you came to my cabins.”

  And he’d remembered all this time? “Let me put them in water.” She carried them behind the counter, trying to stay out of Zoe’s way, and dug a vase out from the cabinet. She was conscious of his presence as she filled the vase with water and arranged the flowers. “Beautiful,” she said, placing the vase on the counter.

  “Yes, beautiful,” he said, his gaze on her and not the flowers. “I have something else.” He pulled a small box from his pocket and held it out.

  Jewelry. It had to be jewelry. Did that say something special about their relationship? Her hands shook as she took it and untied the ribbon. She lifted the lid of the black box, and a locket glimmered inside. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

  “Open it.”

  She lifted the locket and opened it. Mia’s face smiled back at her. Her vision blurred. “Oh, Carson,” she said softly. She looked up at him. “It’s perfect.”

  “On the other side you can put one of the two of you together.”

  “How did you get the picture of Mia?”

  “Your aunt Rose helped a little.”

  The bell on the door jingled again, but she didn’t look to see who had come in until a man cleared his throat and spoke.

  “Hey, Carson. Candy said she thought you were here,”

  Brian said. He didn’t smile, and his eyes were troubled.

  “We were about to head out to dinner,” Carson said.

  “What’s wrong? You look upset.”

  ”I had a call from
Lisa,” Brian said. “We dated in high school some, so I guess she thought I’d help her.”

  “What did she want?”

  “She asked me to try to get some money from you. That you should want to bail your child’s mother out of jail.”

  Carson’s hands curled into fists. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “I wish I were.”

  Carson rubbed his head. “What does she hope to gain by this?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine,” Brian said.

  Surely Lisa was certain of her facts or she wouldn’t have taken this to a lawyer, would she? Natalie didn’t want to believe Carson was Mia’s father, and in fact, she was ready to trust his word totally. But hearing this news made her want to take a step back.

  “So what do we do now?” Carson asked. “I’m not giving her a cent. And it goes without saying that I’m not Mia’s father.”

  Brian’s face filled with relief. “I’d take a blood test, then.

  You’ll have proof if she presses the situation.”

  Carson sighed and dropped his hands to his sides. “I don’t think I should have to prove myself. My word should be enough.”

  Carson glanced at Natalie, and the indecision she saw in his eyes made her wonder even more. Why would he even hesitate to agree to a blood test? Unless he didn’t want the truth to come out.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The Sentry was a nice restaurant, and their table looked out on Lake Champlain, but Natalie only wanted the agonizing evening to be over. Her seared ahi tuna looked and smelled delicious, but she couldn’t have said what it actually tasted like. Conversation had been stilted.

  Carson took a sip of his Pepsi, then set it down. “You’ve been weird all evening. You don’t believe Lisa’s accusation, do you?”

  She gulped a mouthful of water to give her time to form an answer. “I guess I’m surprised at your reluctance to take the blood test. It’s the only way to end the gossip.”

  His face hardened, and his eyes narrowed. “So you do believe it.”

  Was that hurt in his voice?

  “I don’t believe all of it,” she said. “But I have to think there was more to your relationship than a casual ride after her car broke down. Th-That’s just crazy to accuse you with no more than that.”