Seth took Carrie’s arm. “You don’t want to miss the feeding of the dog, do you?”
She gave him a skeptical glance, but stepped forward. He made a mental note to stay close until she felt comfortable.
As they entered the house Seth took her hand, feeling a little like a parent taking a child to their first day of school. Except he couldn’t imagine what she was afraid of. She was bright, capable and warm. He’d seen her handle the committee members as they organized the picnic, heard others talk about how good she was with people. Her reaction didn’t make sense. She’d shared a lot about her childhood and how difficult it had been. Whatever was holding her back must have something to do with that. He wanted to know. He wanted to help.
He wanted to make it all better somehow.
* * *
The moment Carrie stepped inside the house, she knew she should have insisted Seth take her home. The foyer was imposing. Burled-wood panels, coffered ceiling and intricate wainscoting were on display everywhere. The place looked like a museum, not a family home. Except, it didn’t feel like a museum. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Seth guided her into the large kitchen, where a dozen people were gathered around the massive island.
She stopped in her tracks, reluctant to meet the members of one of the oldest and most revered families in Dover. Still, she couldn’t deny she was curious to meet the family Seth talked about with such pride and that had produced such a strong and caring man. Her biggest fear was doing something that would embarrass him, and draw attention to the fact that she was from a very different background and couldn’t possibly fit in.
He steadied her with his hands on her shoulders. “Y’all, this is Carrie.” A sea of faces looked at her, all smiling. A chorus of welcomes filled the air.
Seth’s mother motioned them forward. “We’re almost ready to sit down. I decided to make Grandma’s fried chicken. Hope that’s okay. Seth, honey, why don’t you make the introductions, then we’ll eat.”
Carrie forced a smile as Seth moved to her side. “That big guy over there is Linc. He thinks he’s the head of the family since he’s the oldest, but he’s really not.” Everyone chuckled. “That’s his wife, Gemma, and their son, Evan, and baby Sara. And the German shepherd is Champ.”
“I got to feed him, didn’t I, Evan?”
The older boy chuckled. “Yep.”
Seth gestured toward the left. “This serious-looking dude is my brother Gil and his wife, Julie, and that cutie is my niece Abby. And you might have noticed there are more Montgomerys on the way. Twins.”
“Boys.” Evan nodded happily.
Another little girl entered the dining room and took a seat. “Don’t forget about us, Uncle Seth.”
“Not a chance. The one with the green-bean casserole in her hands is my sister, Bethany, and behind her is her husband, Noah, and his daughter, Chloe. They’re still newlyweds so you’ll have to forgive the sappy looks they give one another.”
Noah pointed a finger at him. “You’ll get your turn, fella, and I’ll be there to torment the daylights out of you.”
Laughter filled the room as they all took their places and Seth’s mother gave the blessing. A sense of warmth and camaraderie settled over the room. When the food was all passed, Carrie took the time to examine the family from under lowered lashes.
Seth’s brothers were both handsome men—tall, lean, with angular features. Seth was slightly shorter and more solidly built, and in her opinion the most handsome. She wondered which side of the family he took after. He obviously got his twinkling eyes and the espresso-colored hair from his mom. She stole a quick glance, appreciation warming her veins. He’d shed the lightweight sport coat he’d worn to church and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, revealing corded forearms. The emotions stirring inside as he looked at her were dangerous. Especially here in the presence of his family. She refocused on the people around the table.
There appeared to be a verbal shorthand at work as they talked. They teased each other about things that had happened as children, how work was going and reminisced about their dad. And underneath it all was this obvious affection. Everyone made sure to include her in the conversation and ask about her work. They also expressed thanks for her help with Jack, which made her uncomfortable. Julie was particularly interested in her desire to go into social work.
She’d never experienced anything like it before. Adults, laughing, poking fun, but all in the spirit of love. It was enchanting and frightening at the same time. Part of her wanted to believe it was real, but another part of her waited for the arguments to begin.
To her surprise there was nothing pretentious about any of the Montgomerys. His mother, Francie, was warm and friendly, his brothers and new brother-in-law joked and laughed. The ladies in the family were a different story. They’d been sweet and reached out to her kindly, but she couldn’t help comparing herself to them. Gemma was a charming strawberry blonde who clearly adored her family. Julie was a bundle of energy with a big smile that made you like her immediately. Bethany was an elegant beauty who had eyes only for her new husband and daughter.
They had perfect lives, normal lives, and from what she’d seen, they’d grown up in this glorious home with unconditional love and encouragement. How could she possibly understand or fit in with people like this? Yet, she was captivated by the family dynamic and found herself aching to be part of something so special, and envious of the life they’d been blessed with.
From somewhere deep inside a new emotion emerged. She wanted to be part of the happy scene, to be absorbed into the welcoming happiness, but she wasn’t sure how to do that.
As the family dispersed after the meal, Carrie’s anxiety spiked. She went in search of Seth. It was time to go home. She found him in the yard playing with his nieces and nephews and their dogs. He looked up when he saw her step onto the porch.
“Hey. You okay? Come down and meet the other dogs. Abby’s Ruffles. And Chloe’s new pup, Skittles. I’m afraid Jack is going to start begging for a real dog now instead of being content with Barky.”
“I think I need to go home. I have some studying to do.” It was a lame excuse and she could see the doubt and disappointment bloom in his eyes.
He came toward her, meeting at the bottom of the steps. “But you haven’t had dessert yet. You have to have a piece of mom’s pecan pie. It’s legendary.”
“I’d really better go.”
“How about a compromise? Let’s let Jack play with the dogs a little longer and we’ll take a walk.”
She wanted to demand to be taken home, but the thought of being alone with Seth was too inviting. “Okay, but a short one. I really do have to study.”
She fell into step beside him, a soft breeze stirring the leaves on the trees and kicking up the scent of spring. What was it about this man that eased her tension simply by being near? They strolled past a charming cottage and a garden on their way to a small stream gurgling over smooth stones.
Seth stopped near the water’s edge and perched on a fallen log. “So what do you think of my family? Pretty amazing, huh?”
Carried pulled a leaf from a low-hanging branch and fingered the smooth foliage in her fingers. “I have to admit they aren’t what I expected, especially after I saw the house you grew up in.”
“Don’t confuse a large house with wealth. My great-granddad built it. My family owns a successful business, Montgomery Electrical Contractors, and it has provided a good living for my family for decades, but none of us were Rockefellers. We’re just working stiffs that happen to have a big house. My mom doesn’t even live in it now. She lives in the small cottage you saw. Linc and Gemma live there now.”
“Your sister and sisters-in-law are all very beautiful and accomplished.”
“So are you.”
Carrie’s cheeks flamed. “I wasn’t fishing
for a compliment.”
“I know. But it’s true, nonetheless.”
She pulled her gaze from his with effort. She couldn’t let herself believe the appreciation she saw in the cobalt depths. That would be a dangerous mistake. She took a few steps toward the slow-moving stream. “It’s beautiful here. I can understand why your great-grandfather chose it for his home.” She brushed her hand over a flowering shrub. “I envy you your family. We never had a home after Dad left. My brother and I moved from one cheap rental to another.” Stunned at how much she’d revealed, she pointed to the water. “How far does this go?”
“This stream flows the length of Mom’s land and along my property, too. Well, it used to be my property.”
Carrie faced him. “You have land here?”
“Not anymore.” He stood, picked up a stone and tossed it into the stream. “Dad subdivided the property and gave each of us two hundred acres on our twenty-first birthdays.”
“What happened?”
“I sold it to go to Vegas.” Seth shoved his hands into his back pockets. “I wanted out of Dover. I felt like I’d been fenced in my whole life. Too many rules here, too many people telling me I couldn’t do something because it was wrong or dangerous or sinful. I was so sure they were trying to keep me from having any fun and exploring the world. Anyhow, after college I tried working in the family business, but it wasn’t for me. I told my dad I wanted a year off to see what the rest of the country had to offer. He didn’t take to the idea. To be fair, things were tough at the company and it was a lousy time to leave, but I was choking to death here. We had a huge fight and I told him I was going to sell my property and go, anyway. He finally agreed. He even sold the land for me. I left, ended up in Vegas and lived it up until the money ran out.” He glanced back at the river. “Now that I’m back here, I realize that what I thought was a fence was really a guardrail, put there to keep me from falling into the chasm.” He shook his head. “But for the grace of God... I have a lot of things in my past I’m ashamed of.”
Carrie moved to his side and slipped her hand in his. She knew exactly what he was feeling. “Everyone has things in their past they regret.”
“From where I stand you have a lot to be proud of. You’ve overcome a tough childhood and made a wonderful life for yourself. And you’ve managed to keep a cheerful outlook and positive approach to everything.”
“Thank you. But all I was doing was trying to survive.” The hair on the back of her neck tingled. She gasped and spun around, searching the woods, but saw only trees and underbrush.
“Carrie? What is it?”
“I don’t know.” She wrapped her arms around her waist as protection against the chill that had raced up her back. “I thought someone was watching me.”
“Out here? Maybe one of the kids. They like to explore along the water.”
“No. This was different.” She shivered. The uneasiness escalated rapidly to alarm. “Can you take me home now, please?”
“Sure. I’ll leave Jack here and come back for him.”
“Thank you.” She spun on her heels and walked quickly through the yard, not stopping until she was buckled into the truck. Had someone been in the woods watching her?
Seth climbed into the truck, studying her closely. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m being silly. It was probably just a strange noise. I’m not used to being in the woods.”
She reached for the door handle as soon as Seth pulled up to the front of her house. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner. I really did like your family. I should have thanked your mom before leaving. I’ll call her and explain.”
“No need. I’ll talk to her. But don’t be surprised if she invites you again. Once you’ve met the Montgomerys, you’re considered family from then on.”
Carrie said goodbye and hurried into the house, soaking in the sense of peace and safety she always found there. She looked out the window as Seth drove off. He’d told her she was family now. Oh, how she wished that were true. She would like nothing more than to be part of a large, loving family like his. But how would they react if they knew the truth about her past?
She took her books out onto the front porch to study. She was deep into her work when the hair on her neck prickled again. She looked up. Her body tensed. The park across the street was filled with families, but she had the feeling someone there was watching her. No one looked familiar or threatening. Slowly her nerves relaxed. Maybe she was imagining things. There was no reason for anyone to be watching her. She was getting paranoid. It was nothing more than a case of nerves. Ever since Jack had arrived she’d been forced out of her comfort zone every moment. But she couldn’t deny the joy and excitement the Montgomerys had brought to her life.
Somehow, she had to find a way to balance the old and the new, and still maintain her barriers.
She was beginning to think that might not be possible.
* * *
Seth pulled a T-shirt over his head and went to check on Jack, who was supposed to be brushing his teeth. Instead, he was floating the caps from the toothpaste tube, the mouthwash bottle and the top to Seth’s shaving cream in the sink. The boy’s imagination never ceased to amaze and amuse him. “Buddy, you’re getting your pajamas all wet.” He removed the caps and let out the water. “Brush those teeth, then let’s get you into bed.”
“But I’m not tired. I want to watch a movie. Miss Carrie showed me one about cars. Can we watch that one?”
Seth had no idea what he was talking about, but if it was something his son liked, he’d go find it ASAP. “Not tonight, buddy. You have school in the morning, and you need to get to sleep.”
“Aw, Pop. I want to stay up with you.”
Jack usually behaved without question, but he was wide-awake and showed no signs of being drowsy. But Seth was worn-out and he needed sleep, no matter how energized his son was.
“Jack. Teeth, then bed. Let’s get with it.” He hated that his stern tone put a frown on the sweet little face, but there had to be rules. He shook his head. He was beginning to understand his father better. Funny, how one little person could shift a grown man’s entire perspective on life.
His phone rang from the living room. “You finish up and hop into bed. I’ll be right there to tuck you in.”
A few minutes later Seth ended the call and mentally restructured his plans for the next twenty-four hours, and it had to start with Carrie. She answered on the second ring.
“Seth? Everything okay?”
He liked the way she was always thinking about Jack and wanting to make sure he was all right. “Yes. It’s all good. But I need to go back into work tonight. Brian Shipley’s wife is in labor. It’s his first kid and I told him I’d help him out. He works the night shift, which means I need to leave Jack with you if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Of course it’s no trouble. Will he be okay here overnight, though?”
“I think so. You might have to let Leo sleep with him.”
“No problem. See you shortly.”
Seth took the small gym bag he’d purchased for Jack and starting packing. Jack would be with Carrie tonight and until his own shift ended tomorrow evening and maybe into another night. He’d need a little of everything.
“I’m sorry, Pop. I’ll brush my teeth and I won’t play in the sink anymore. Promise.”
Seth looked at Jack. Big tears were rolling down his little cheeks, and his bottom lip quivered. He wasn’t sure what had upset the child.
“I don’t want to go away! I want to stay here with you.”
Like a punch in the gut, Seth realized how his actions must look to Jack. He was packing his clothes. Jack must think he was sending him away. He should have explained things before he started throwing his clothes into the bag. He sank onto the bed and opened his arms. “Come here, so
n.” Jack started to cry and Seth lifted him onto his lap and cradled him close. “I’m not sending you away, Jack. Not ever. And you’ve done nothing wrong. That phone call was from my job. I have to go back in and work until morning. You’re going to sleep at Miss Carrie’s tonight and maybe tomorrow night, too, until I get this special job done. Do you understand?”
“You’re not mad at me?”
“No. You’re my little buddy. I love you. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Am I really going to sleep at Miss Carrie’s house?”
“You are.”
“Can Leo sleep with me?”
Seth chuckled and hugged him close. “I’m pretty sure he’d like that.”
Jack scooted off his lap, a serious expression on his face. “Barky will want to come, too. He’ll get sad if I leave him here.” He dashed off to the other room, leaving Seth shaken and doubting his ability to raise a child. He should have thought ahead and spoken to Jack first. He hadn’t connected the dots between his stern reprimand and packing the suitcase. Poor little guy must have been terrified.
The sudden change in his schedule forced him to think again about his odd work hours. Carrie was a blessing, but he couldn’t impose on her forever to help out with Jack. His mother would gladly watch Jack, but he was determined to be a hands-on dad. Unless, of course, Jack wasn’t his, after all.
The thought twisted like a hot auger into his core. He couldn’t let himself think that. Losing Jack would be like ripping out his heart, and he knew as sure as he drew breath that he would never recover. Ever.
Chapter Seven
Carrie helped Jack say his prayers, then tucked the covers snug around him. Leo quickly settled at his side. She’d decided to let the boy sleep with her in case the strange house and unfamiliar surroundings frightened him. She kissed his cheek. What would it be like to kiss her own children good night? To watch them say their prayers and be awakened to their happy faces each day. “Good night, Jack.” She started out the door.
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