Paolo’s words rang through Carter’s head again. Mara wasn’t from Texas, and he wasn’t about to move to North Dakota, so there was no reason they couldn’t get to know each other. He needed to start somewhere with this dating thing. “Would you like to grab some lunch? The burger stand isn’t exactly high class, but...” He was so bad at this. Had dating changed much in the past five years?
“Yeah,” Mara said. “I’d like that.”
* * *
Mara was surprised when Carter came over to join them, and even more surprised when he asked her out. Contrary to her first impression of him, he’d been nothing but pleasant. Lunch might be a good chance to find out what he was really like. She grabbed a t-shirt to slide over her swimsuit and put on her flip flops.
“I bet those haven’t been worn much,” he said, indicating her footwear. “Not a lot of sunny beaches in North Dakota at this time of year.”
“No, they aren’t very practical in snow. Does it get cold where you live?”
“A bit in the winter and at night. But not by your standards, I’m sure. Have you ever thought of living somewhere with a warmer climate?” A Frisbee landed at his feet and he picked it up, winging it back to a group of kids farther up the beach. “Or did you choose North Dakota for its lovely weather?”
“I never chose Bismark. I grew up there and moved back after college while I put in applications for jobs. Somehow I ended up staying.” She shrugged, not regretting being around for her father, but longing for the opportunities she had given up.
“Where do you work?” Carter asked.
“I do payroll for a furniture manufacturer. It’s pure excitement all the time.” She half-heartedly twirled one finger in the air. How about you?”
“I’m the IT manager at a community college. It keeps me busy.”
“Who keeps you hopping: students who like to do things they shouldn’t, or inept professors?”
His smile totally transformed his face, adding a dimple in his chin. That was far sexier than it should have been. “A bit of both. Mostly it’s routine issues and lots of software updates.”
“My whole job is routine.” She looked around at the lake and trees and took in a deep breath of appreciation. “This is a nice change of pace.”
They arrived at the window and ordered. A couple of minutes later, they took their drinks to a nearby table while they waited for their food.
“So did you always want to work in payroll?” he teased.
“I have an accounting degree, but I didn’t go back for my master’s like I’d planned, so I took what I could get. I can’t complain—it’s a nice, regular paycheck with benefits.”
“But you don’t love it.” He studied her for a few seconds. “What would you do if you could have any career you want? Sing?”
She felt her face flush. “No, I love music, but it’s my second love, after accounting.”
“That’s a shame. You’re really good.” He leaned forward on the table, bumping his drink. They both jumped to grab it. It knocked against her hand, splashing a little on her before his fingers wrapped around the cup, overlapping her fingers. Mara sucked in a breath of surprise, and their eyes met. He pulled back, looking away. “Sorry.”
“No problem.” She set the cup flat again, then dabbed at her hand with the napkins he passed to her. Her heart pounded, and she found she was a little out of breath. It is just the adrenaline from the surprise, she told herself, but she knew it was his touch.
“Math, huh?” His voice was a little desperate as he returned to the previous subject. “I’m good enough at it, but I don’t see the appeal.”
She shivered a little with awareness but followed his lead and focused back on the conversation. “I like puzzles. Math and accounting are puzzles. You have to figure out how to put it all together, and when the pieces fit, it makes a nice picture. If you’re lucky. I always meant to go back to school for my master’s.”
“Maybe it’s time to give that some more thought.”
Mara nodded. “I will.”
The conversation moved on to talk about movies and their mutual love of football. Though he didn’t touch her again, the imprint of his fingers lingered on her skin. When the food was long gone, Mara noticed the time. “I probably ought to head to the airport for my things.”
“Right.” He stood, collected their garbage, and threw it out. When he returned and faced her, he hesitated for a moment. “Come on.”
She returned to where Anna sat with the college guy. Anna grinned at them. “I’m going out with Tom on his boat. The keys to the car are on the kitchen counter.”
Mara froze. She hadn’t been paying attention when they had driven from the airport. “I have no idea how to get back to the airport.”
Anna sent Carter a knowing look. “I bet you could find someone to go along with you as your navigator.”
“I’d be happy to go with you,” he said almost before Anna finished speaking.
“But that would take a couple of hours of your day. I don’t want to keep you away from your plans.”
Except she didn’t want to say goodbye, and she really hoped to spend more time with him.
“I’d like to go with you, if you don’t mind the company.” His hand brushed against her arm.
Mara felt her breath back up in her chest. Her tongue tripped over itself, but she managed to nod then make her mouth work again. “I’d like that.”
They picked up their things and headed to their condos to clean up and change. While Mara took a quick shower, she considered his offer, her feelings, and what they might mean. It had been a very long time since she’d been involved with someone who set her off-balance like this.
When she came out of the condo, Carter waited on the walkway by her door, wearing blue jeans and another muscle-defining t-shirt. “You were pretty quick,” he said. “I expected you to take longer.”
She glanced at her watch. “I thought we said twenty minutes.”
“We did, but most women don’t watch the clock that closely when they’re getting ready. At least, in my experience.”
“I guess I’m not your average woman.” She hooked her purse over her shoulder and wrapped her hand tighter around the keys to the rental car then turned toward the parking lot. “I wish we’d rented a convertible. It’s too beautiful to be cooped up in a car.”
“Yeah. It’s just about perfect. Maybe later today we could rent a paddleboat and go to the east end of the lake.”
He was already making plans for later that day? She didn’t respond for several seconds. “I... look, I’m having a really great time with you. Really great.” She stopped and turned to face him, waiting until he met her gaze before continuing. “I’d like to see more of you, but I’m not really sure what to do about this. It’s just a weekend, and then we both go back to our real lives, right?” She wasn’t sure which answer she wanted to hear.
Carter picked up her hand, turning it over and running his finger down her palm, making goose bumps rise on her arm. “I know. Maybe that’s why this seems so easy. No expectations. I admit I’m a little rusty at this dating thing, and maybe I needed to meet you to break out of whatever it is that’s been holding me back. All I know is that I’m having a lot of fun, and if you’re having fun too, I’d like to spend more time with you.”
“Same here.” Lots of time, she thought. Reassured that they were at least on the same page, she smiled. “I guess we should get going.”
Carter gave her fingers a little squeeze, and she led him over to the car.
He directed her to the main road before she dared bring up the question that had been lingering in the back of her mind. “Why are you rusty at dating?”
“What?” He seemed to be taken off guard by the question.
“You said you were ‘a little rusty with the whole dating thing.’” She glanced at him quickly, then back at the road. “Why haven’t you been dating?”
She kept her focus on the road, though she really wanted
to watch his face as he responded. Her head had been filled with reasons why he had been out of the dating pool: a longtime girlfriend, a stop in a mental hospital, a major illness? Though that one seemed unlikely, considering the shape he was in.
It took him a moment to respond. “My wife died a couple of years ago.”
“Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say. He was a widower. That brought up a whole new set of concerns she’d never considered. Was he over his late wife? “I’m sorry for your loss.” The words felt hollow.
“Thanks. It’s been a rough couple of years, but it’s getting easier.” There was another long moment of silence. “How about you? Seeing anyone back home?”
“No.” She tried to process what he’d said and come up with a response at the same time. “I’ve been busy with work and my family. Haven’t had a lot of time to meet new people.”
“Tell me about your family.”
How much detail should she go into? Was there a reason to hold back if she wasn’t going to see him again? “My mom died a few weeks before I finished college. I came home for the summer to help Dad adjust, but then I got this job, and I’ve been there ever since...” She told him about her father’s stroke and how it had changed her life. Then again, while things seemed to be easy for Anna in the romance department, Mara always had a harder time.
“How’s your dad doing now? Does he still need a lot of care?” Carter asked.
“He’s doing better. My sister Jo is taking care of him while I’m gone.”
“That’s good. Family is important.” He stared out the windshield. “I was at the karaoke bar with my father-in-law last night.”
“You keep in touch?” Mara was impressed by that, and maybe a little intimidated. Maybe that was a sign that he was still grieving his wife. Or was it just sweet?
“I keep in touch. Not like I ought to, maybe, but we catch dinner when we have the chance and, and we email.” He fidgeted in his seat. “I can’t imagine losing touch with him.”
“Tell me how you met your wife,” Mara said, wanting to see inside his personality.
He complied, talking about how he and Rosa met in college and fell for each other instantly. They dated for six months before he popped the question and were married a few months later.
In return, Mara told him about some of the terrible dates she’d been on—having nothing comparable to discuss.
Before she knew it, they were pulling into the airport. Time had never flown by so fast, nor had it been so enjoyable. When Carter mentioned a restaurant he’d like to take her to that evening, she felt a tingle of warmth in her chest, knowing that he wasn’t in a hurry to part ways either.
Chapter Four
The next night, Carter took Mara out for Mexican food and salsa dancing. He taught her the steps at the edge of the floor so they wouldn’t get trampled.
“I can’t get it,” she said with a laugh when she lost the rhythm for the third time.
“You can do it. It takes a little time to get the steps right.” He loved that she was willing to try something new and was having fun, even if she was messing up.
“Step forward with the left, then lift your right foot and put it back. Good. Now return to center.” He showed her, taking her hands in his to walk her through it.
They went slow at first, and then he sped up when she caught on, going through the motions. “Great, now try to act like you’re having fun. Put your hips into it a little.”
She did and a smile slid onto her face as she grew more confident. “This is fun!”
“I told you it would be.”
They danced for nearly an hour then ordered fried ice cream for dessert. He enjoyed listening to her talk about her family and home. She had the kind of love that showed through her soul. He respected the way she’d put her dreams on hold to take care of her father.
The weather was perfect when he walked her back to the condo. The moon was nearly full, making it easy to see the ripples on the lake even in the darkness.
“I had fun today,” she said when they were only a couple of doors away from hers.
“I haven’t had that much fun in a long time.” He gave her hand a squeeze, happy they had spent the day together, and surprised that he could feel so at ease with someone who wasn’t Rosa. “I think this is my best vacation ever.”
“It ranks pretty high for me, too,” she said.
“Glad to hear it.” He came to a stop in front of her door. “Thanks for joining me.” Her hair shone in the lamplight. Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks when she closed them for a moment then opened them with an expression of pleased embarrassment. His gaze drifted to her lips.
She rubbed them together, as if she felt his gaze. “I never knew salsa dancing could be so much fun.”
“Now you know.” He stepped closer, unable to draw his attention from her face. They’d spent two full days together. It couldn’t possibly be too soon to kiss her, could it? The light scent of gardenias drifted on the breeze as she lifted her face to his.
Then the image of Rosa came into his head. Rosa had always worn gardenia perfume.
Guilt shot through him. How could he even be thinking about kissing someone else? He pulled back abruptly. “Yeah, well, it’s getting late. Meet you for breakfast tomorrow?”
Disappointment flickered in her eyes. Mara nodded. “Say about nine?”
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up.” He stepped back even more, his heart racing, his palms sweating, and guilt zipping through his system. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Carter.”
He nodded and turned away, confusion twisting through him. This was supposed to be a chance for him to get used to dating again, but it was starting to feel like much more.
He hoped sleep would help sort it all out by morning.
* * *
“Will we be able to move the boat without hitting a duck?” Mara asked as she stepped into a paddle boat the next day. She’d seen the way the birds clustered around people feeding them.
“I guess we’ll have to see.” Carter waited until she was seated, then passed over a bag of treats for the ducks.
Mara grinned. It was Saturday evening, and they’d been together nearly every waking minute since he’d joined her and Anna on the sand two days earlier. She’d never laughed so hard or so often. Carter was fun, and they had the most interesting conversations, discussing everything from their favorite shows to their biggest worries. She didn’t think they’d run out of topics anytime soon.
They paddled around the lake, a determined crowd of ducks following. When the treats were gone and the ducks had scattered, Carter took Mara’s hand. “I was thinking about what we should do tomorrow before we have to head to the airport for your flight home. Then I realized that you came to vacation with Anna, and the two of you have hardly seen each other.”
Mara felt a sense of satisfaction in that. Though she’d looked forward to oodles of girl time, Carter had been a more than adequate replacement, and Anna had a different guy on her arm every day. “We had dinner that first night. And hey, we caught lunch with her yesterday.”
“Yeah, and what else?”
She and Anna had talked long into the night about their respective activities, but Mara didn’t want to admit she’d been discussing him. “We caught each other for chats.”
“So you don’t mind spending your final hours on vacation with me instead?” He reached out and touched her face, moving a lock of hair away from her cheek, and tucking it behind her ear. His thumb brushed her cheek as he pulled his hand back, and it made her shiver.
“No, I don’t mind.” She looked up at him and caught her breath when their eyes met. The look in his was so intense. This wasn’t the first time she thought he’d kiss her, but he never had. She didn’t know why—and didn’t know what to think about it. Was he holding back because it would all end soon, or was there something else bothering him?
“Good.” His finger trailed along her jaw, making her skin ting
le. “Have I mentioned that I think you’re beautiful? And sweet? And that I love spending time with you?” His voice had dropped a little lower as he spoke, turning it husky.
“I don’t think you ever mentioned the first one.” Her own voice seemed a little breathless. He was close enough that she could smell his cologne, a light, musky scent. She swallowed as he drew closer. “Feel free to tell me again if you like.”
His lips curved, and then they covered hers. The kiss was careful, soft and uncertain. She leaned into it a little, and he grew bolder, sliding a hand onto her shoulder and pulling her closer. His fingers cradled the back of her neck, and a thrill shot through her. This man made her feel precious and loved. Her head spun as he pulled away.
She realized with a start that she’d gotten way too deep in the relationship.
How had that happened? And how was she going to deal with it when she returned home to her predictable but lonely life?
Chapter Five
Mara tucked her makeup case into her carry-on. “Are you sure you don’t mind that I’ve barely been around this weekend?” she asked Anna. “I can cancel with Carter or do something else with him. I really was looking forward to spending time with you this weekend.” While she’d told Carter it was fine, after she and Anna had a long talk the previous night, she felt bad to have been away from her friend so much—even if Anna had been having fun without her.
“Are you kidding? I’m glad you’re having such a good time with an actual man who isn’t your father. You need to get out.” Anna finished combing her hair and picked up the hairspray. “Besides, we’ve had a lot of fun together, even if it hasn’t been quite as much as we expected. I had some terrific dates with several guys, and you’re going all gooey and cute with Carter. The two of you are adorable together.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind?” Mara wasn’t entirely convinced.
Anna turned to face her, a hand on one hip. “You like him, don’t you?”
A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology) Page 11