by Phoebe Mills
And that kiss.
It had felt so good to hold her…to feel her under his hands again. It had felt right. Enough so that it should have sent him running for the hills.
Now, instead of keeping his head down and his lips to himself like he should have been doing while he was in town, he’d been roped into helping Abby with her renovation. Which was why he had no choice but to kill his sister.
After picking Sofia up from the Sunshine Corner a couple hours ago, he’d made sure she and Becca were settled in for the night. Then he headed to Abby’s to fulfill the promise Becca had made on his behalf.
Carter parked in the street, grabbed his tools out of the back, and made his way up the winding front walk toward the huge wraparound porch. Abby’s grandmother’s house hadn’t gotten any less grand with time, the bright yellow double front door embodying sunshine—completely apropos of the day-care name. The white porch boards were a little worse for wear and the window trim needed a good painting, but none of that detracted from the stunning, sprawling beauty of the home. He’d been too young and too stupid to appreciate it when he’d been a teenager, but he had no qualms in making up for lost time now.
He pressed his finger to the doorbell and waited only a moment before the front door swung open. It wasn’t Abby who stood in the doorway, but rather Hilde, her grandmother. Though they’d seen each other a handful of times since he’d come to town, those had been brief, pleasant interactions. Now she looked him over from head to toe in a way that said she saw far beneath his skin, so much so it had him standing a little taller under her gaze. She’d always had that ability. When he and Abby had been teenagers, he’d been more scared of her than of Abby’s mom.
Being so young, Rachel Engel had always been more of a friend to Abby than any sort of parental figure. Had, in fact, been the one who’d stocked Abby’s drawers with condoms, because she didn’t want to see her daughter repeat her mistakes. Just remembering how Abby’s voice had quavered the slightest bit when she’d told him that before pasting on a bright smile still made his heart clench.
“Carter,” Hilde said, not making a move to welcome him inside. “What can I do for you?”
“Hi, Mrs. Engel. I’m helping Abby with the renovation upstairs.”
“Hmm.” Skepticism dripped from her tone even on the single non-word. “Isn’t that nice.” She said the word nice like she would have said tarantula.
“Grandma?” Abby called from somewhere in the house. “If that’s Carter, send him up.”
Several seconds ticked by before Hilde finally stepped back and opened the door wide, allowing Carter into the home. “I guess you can go on up. I suppose I’ll just stay down here…where I can hear absolutely everything.”
Carter nearly snorted at that but managed to keep his reaction tamped down. From experience, he knew exactly how thin the walls were in this house. He would’ve liked to say she didn’t have anything to worry about, but the other night at his sister’s place had proven otherwise. Deciding his best response was none at all, he gave her a brief smile, grabbed his tools, and made his way inside.
The home was stunning, something right out of a magazine. It was a straight shot from the front of the house to the back, with rooms spiderwebbing off in different directions and a rotunda right in the middle where a deep mahogany staircase followed the curve of the room. The staircase had obviously been refinished at some point, along with the rest of the main floor in all its sprawling complexity. But all that stopped at the top of the steps, and he could guess why. Downstairs was home to the Sunshine Corner, the business taking up nearly every inch of what he would guess was nearly three thousand square feet on the main level.
The upper floors, however, were where Abby and her grandmother lived. He wondered if Abby’s bedroom was still located on the third floor, and if her favorite place in the house was still the turret on the far side of the space. Though she and her mom had jumped from place to place—three just in the time she and Carter had been together—she’d always had a room in the home to fall back on. Though she’d been there long before, Abby had officially moved in with her grandma the day after she’d turned eighteen, her mom bailing from town faster than either of them could blink. She’d had the entire floor to herself, and the vast space, with all its privacy and seclusion, had been something teenage him had loved.
He found Abby on her hands and knees in the corner of the landing. The sight of her bent over, her sweet curves presented to him like an offering, did absolutely nothing to keep his mind from going to where it’d been on vacation the past two nights…and every hour in between.
She glanced at him over her shoulder, her face blank for a split second before she pasted on a bright smile. “Hey. Thanks again for helping.”
“No problem.” He placed his tools on the floor, taking stock of the space. She’d already started to pull up the carpet that covered the entire second floor, but there was enough of it that it’d take both of them a while to complete.
“I know your sister sort of roped you into it, but I appreciate it.”
He lifted a single shoulder. “It’s really not a big deal. I actually miss doing this kind of stuff.”
Which was one hundred percent true. While he enjoyed his job at Mosley & Associates, he missed being elbow-deep in the actual renovations. As the firm had grown, there’d been less time for him to get his hands dirty when what he’d needed to spend his time and focus on was retaining current clients and attracting new ones. After all, it wasn’t going to be his woodworking or refinishing skills that got him where he wanted to be. That didn’t mean he didn’t love it. And that certainly didn’t mean he didn’t miss it.
“I know the polite thing would have been to tell you that you didn’t need to come over and help, but the truth is, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. I’m completely shooting in the dark over here. Pulling up the carpet is pretty self-explanatory, but after that, I’m completely lost. A girl can only Google so much.”
He laughed, his shoulders relaxing infinitesimally as he realized maybe it could be this easy. So they kissed. It wasn’t like they’d never done it before. They were both adults. So there’d been a temporary lapse in judgment. It didn’t have to be a big deal.
“First the wallpaper, and now demo…Do you have anybody helping you with this?” he asked.
Abby sighed, her shoulders slumping as she sat back on her heels. “I did, but not so much anymore. I hired Bobby Kramer—you remember him? He was a couple years ahead of us in school. Anyway, he was helping me as a side job because he was cheaper than any of the contractors I found. But his world kind of imploded a few weeks ago when his pregnant wife got put on bed rest. He’s been trying to make sure she’s doing okay, while at the same time taking care of their twin two-year-olds and still working his full-time job.”
Carter grimaced. “Yikes. That’s a rough hand to be dealt.”
She laughed. “For him or for me?”
“Both.”
With a shrug, she said, “Yeah, I guess. But it’s fine. A few of the parents talked me into hosting a fundraiser for the preschool in a couple weeks. One way or another, I’ll figure out how to get the preschool done in time to accept students by the fall.”
It didn’t surprise him in the least that Abby was rolling with the punches and not letting any setbacks get in the way of her dreams.
“A fundraiser’s a great idea.”
“I can’t take credit for it. It was Becca’s brainchild, actually, so I have her to thank.”
Carter grinned. “I like how you oh-so-kindly made that out like she hadn’t strong-armed you into it.”
Abby smiled and ducked her head, a faint blush sweeping over her cheeks, proving Carter’s assumption correct. “Well…however it came to be, I’m grateful for it. I can’t wait for the preschool to open.”
“Speaking of…we should probably get on the same page for what you envision up here. What are your plans for the space?”
Abby’s eyes lit up with passion, her excitement so contagious he found himself drawn to her. She stood, gesturing to the large, open landing. “This will be the coatroom. All the preschoolers will have their own cubbies over here where they can hang up their coats, hats, backpacks, that kind of thing. They’ll have bins with their names on them where they can put any projects that they’ve worked on, and then the parents can pick them up at the end of the day. I’m thinking I’ll need to take down a couple of these walls separating the smaller rooms to make them practical for classrooms. And then over here…”
As Abby continued, her eyes bright and her voice excited, she mesmerized him. She truly loved what she did. And there was no doubt she was good at it. She was caring and compassionate and sensitive, but also smart and driven. Given what he knew of her, he didn’t have an ounce of uncertainty that she’d chosen the right career. The Sunshine Corner and the kids she looked after, day in and day out, was exactly where she was meant to be.
That only reiterated why he needed to stay away and keep his hands to himself for the remainder of the time he had in Heart’s Hope Bay. They were on two very different paths. And he had absolutely no business being with her, because Abby was meant for so much more than what Carter had it in him to give.
* * *
It was after ten by the time they decided to pack it in for the night, but they’d gotten further than Abby had anticipated. After listening to her ideas, Carter had sketched out a renovation plan, and then they’d managed to rip up all the carpet on the second floor, save for the rooms currently in use. They’d already made plans for Carter to come back later in the week to help with the next steps.
“Thanks again for coming by,” Abby said. “I really appreciate it.”
They stood in the entryway, their voices hushed so as not to carry throughout the old house. Probably wouldn’t matter anyway—Abby’s grandma was a night owl, and she’d place bets on the fact that Hilde was straining to hear every single word from wherever she sat.
Carter shrugged into his coat before grabbing his tools. “It’s seriously not a big deal. You can stop thanking me now, Abby,” he said, his lips tipped up at the corners.
The move drew her gaze to his mouth, and, without permission, her mind conjured up what it’d felt like to have it pressed against hers again. He’d been just the right amount of confident and commanding—something he hadn’t yet grown into back when they’d been a couple. What else about him might have changed in the years they’d been apart?
He cleared his throat, and she jerked her eyes up to his, surprised to find heat in their depths. At the memories they silently shared between them, her body warmed under his gaze, aching to step into him…to remind herself just how firm and solid he’d felt beneath her hands the other night. To feel his heat and the security of being held in his arms.
“I should go.” His voice was rough and low, sending shivers racing up and down her spine. Temptation pulled at her to lean into him and see if he would close the gap. Finish what he started the other night.
But that wasn’t going to happen. Without either of them saying a word, they’d both acknowledged that the kiss between them shouldn’t have happened and wouldn’t be happening again. He was only in town for a short while, and she was looking for a forever love, not whatever it was Carter could offer.
“Yeah.” She broke eye contact and opened the door for him, leaning against it as he stepped out into the cool night air. “I’ll see you tomorrow when you drop off Sofia.”
“Bright and early.” With one final sweeping gaze over her, he descended the steps and strode to his car. Once he was settled inside, he gave her a quick wave before driving away.
Abby shut the door, sighing as she closed her eyes and sagged against it. She may not have been ready for Carter to be back in her life, but just because she wasn’t ready didn’t stop it from happening.
Despite how much she craved him—and, oh, how she craved him—she needed to lock that down tight and throw away the key. Because if things were hard for her now, she couldn’t imagine how difficult they’d be further along in his stay, especially with the two of them putting in extra hours as he helped with the renovation.
She blew out a deep breath, opened her eyes, and nearly leaped out of her skin at the sight of her grandmother standing two feet in front of her. “Grandma!” she said sharply, her hand flying to her chest. “I swear, you’re like a cat sometimes.”
Hilde didn’t even crack a smile, her eyes narrowing as she looked Abby over. “Perhaps that’s because you were lost in Carter daydreams.”
Abby rolled her eyes and pushed off the door, making her way down the hallway toward the kitchen at the back of the house. It might have been past ten o’clock, but it was never too late for cookies. She pulled two from the jar that perpetually sat on the counter, replaced the lid, and, on second thought, went back for a third.
“Not even denying it, then?” her grandma asked.
“I’m not denying it because it’s ridiculous.”
Her grandma heaved a sigh and dropped into the chair opposite her at the table in the breakfast nook. “No, what’s ridiculous is that you think it’s a good idea to get involved with him after what happened with you two in the past.”
“What happened with us in the past wasn’t a big deal. We were high school sweethearts, Grandma. We were young, and it traveled its course.”
“I’m not sure who you’re trying to fool, sweetheart, but you know better than to pull that on me.”
“I’m not pulling anything on you. I’m just telling you that you don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Mmm-hmm…Don’t sit here and try to tell me rain isn’t wet. You were more heartbroken after that boy left than you were when your mom did.”
Abby rolled her eyes. They didn’t talk about her mom often because it didn’t matter—her mom had made her choice, and Abby had made her peace with it. “We both know Mom was long gone before she packed her suitcase. And you’ve said yourself it was the right move for both of us.”
“And I still stand by that. Your mom sticking in Heart’s Hope Bay was only going to bring you both down. Better she go off to do whatever it was she wanted and you stay with me. But the staying with me part means I witnessed every tear-filled night for months after that boy left. And I don’t want to see you get hurt like that again.”
Abby’s shoulders sagged, her eyes softening as she looked at her grandma, who truly did only want the best for her. Was the solitary person in her life who had ever only wanted the best for her.
She reached out, placed her hand against her grandma’s papery soft skin, and squeezed. “I’ll be fine. All Carter’s doing is helping with the renovation. And the only reason he’s doing that is because Becca forced him into it. That’s it. That’s all. And there’s no reason that, while he’s back, we can’t be friends. What we had together was a long time ago, and we didn’t end on bad terms. It would be a bigger deal if we weren’t friendly while he’s home. I’m not a kid anymore, so you don’t need to worry about me.”
Her grandma stared at her with narrowed, assessing eyes, as if she could see directly into her soul. And based on what Abby knew of her and the miraculous—and sometimes eerie—things that happened around her, Abby actually wouldn’t put it past the woman to have another trick up her sleeve.
“I’ve never been one to tell you what to do with your life, Abby. You know that.”
Abby met her grandmother’s stare with a wry look of her own. “No? You sure have a funny way of showing that.”
Hilde rolled her eyes. “So I look out for my granddaughter. Is that such a crime?”
Abby softened and she squeezed her grandma’s hand once again. While her mom called once or twice a year, she spent the majority of those phone calls talking about herself. Abby’s grandmother had been the only person she could truly count on for as long as she could remember. She also knew, without a doubt, that Hilde was just trying to look out for her an
d only had her best interests at heart. Even if those interests were incongruent to her own.
Getting over Carter had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done, and her grandmother had been her rock through all of it. Of course she would question Abby spending so much time with him again.
No matter how right it felt to Abby to let him close, she would do well to remember she was treading dangerous waters.
“I know you do, Grandma. And I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Maybe if Abby said it enough times, she’d be able to take a page out of her grandma’s playbook and actually will it into existence.
Chapter Eight
Carter had slipped seamlessly into life back in Heart’s Hope Bay. He’d been back in town for three weeks, and he hated to admit how much he actually enjoyed being here. While he loved his job and the people he worked with—and he actually enjoyed living in Vegas—there was no denying how very different the two places he’d called home were. Las Vegas was dry martinis at the latest nightclub while talking loud enough to be heard over the pumping music, and Heart’s Hope Bay was BYOB around a bonfire on the beach with the crashing ocean waves providing the evening’s soundtrack.
Abby had invited him to a get-together tonight, and despite his better judgment, he’d agreed. Carter’s job had been more demanding recently, taking up most of his free time, so he’d only been out to help with the renovation a couple more times. Though maybe that was for the better.
He’d already proven to himself that he couldn’t be in Abby’s presence and not want her. He’d also proven that he couldn’t keep his hands—or his lips—to himself. They had yet to re-create that one impulsive kiss they’d shared at Becca’s house, but it had only been through rigid self-control on his part. Not only was it easy being with her, but his blood thrummed for her whenever they were in near proximity to each other. More than once, he’d barely caught himself before he could grip her hips and haul her in against him the way he’d done countless times before.
