Dare to Dream (Carolina Beach #1)

by C. A. Harms

  My mother had a key.

  Oh shit.

  I scrambled from the bed in search of sweats, shorts, anything to cover myself. After dressing, I jogged from my room and down the hall, and I came to a skidding stop in the entryway of the living room.

  Greer sat on the couch, looking as if she’d gone through a tornado. Her hair was sticking up in all directions, and a big red shirt covered her upper body and hung down on one shoulder. I recognized it as the shirt I’d worn to dinner last night. And swallowing the lower half of her body was the pair of sweatpants I’d just been looking for.

  “Well at least I don’t have to see your goods again.”

  I pulled my gaze from Greer to look at my mother. Her ear-to-ear smile told me all I needed to know. She had walked into my bedroom and found Greer and me indisposed, so to speak.

  I looked between my mother and Greer. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment, and again I found myself asking how much crazy one woman could take before she ran for safety.

  “Greer is embarrassed, but I told her there’s no need for that,” my mother said, standing from the couch and moving toward me. “She has great hips, and her brea—”

  I held up my hand. “Stop,” I said, knowing exactly where this conversation would lead.

  “Well anyway,” my mother said with a knowing smirk, “the girls were ready to come home. So I thought, why bother you two when I could drop them off myself?”

  And snoop. But I kept that thought to myself.

  That familiar what the hell just happened? look was written all over Greer’s face as my mother gave us both a kiss on the cheek and both girls a hug before leaving. I felt the same way. It was hard to miss the whirlwind that was Fiona Griffin.

  “In her defense, you really do have great hips, and immaculate—”

  Greer held up her hand to shush me and narrowed her eyes, but I saw that she was faking her irritation. She wanted to appear taken aback, but she couldn’t hide her fondness for my mother.

  She stood from the couch and twisted the excess material of the sweatpants she had bunched in her hand. Her sweet body was lost in the gray mess. As she waddled past me toward the bedroom, trying to keep from tripping over the material pooled around her ankles, I couldn’t hide my chuckle.

  “Daddy?” Vivian tugged on my shorts, gaining my full attention.

  “What, darling?” I knelt so I was at her level.

  “Can we have movie night? Grandma and Grandpa fell asleep before the first movie was over and we didn’t get the special popcorn.”

  Movie night just wasn’t movie night without the special popcorn.

  “She said she was out of M&M’s.” Vivian’s eyes widened as if that was the end of the world. And in the eyes of a four-year-old, I guess it would be.

  “I think we need a redo, then,” I told her, and her frown morphed into a grin.

  “And Greer?” she asked hopefully just as Greer returned, dressed in her clothes from the night before.

  “Yes,” I said, looking at the beautiful woman before me. “Greer will be here too.”

  She arched a brow as if to say, Oh will I, now?

  But she had no say in this. I wasn’t ready to have my king-size bed to myself. I wasn’t sure after last night I’d ever want to sleep alone again. Greer felt too good pressed against my body.

  Before she could say a word, or I had the chance to explain, the girls swarmed her. Jumping up and down, they shouted about pillows and tents. Violet screamed, “Chocolate!” her eyes wide with excitement. I swear she was two seconds from drooling.

  What can I say? Movie nights were lifesavers for me and the girls during the rough times after Lynn died. And after a while, they became a necessity, a saving grace that gave us a chance to bond and comfort that we were desperate for. Yes, I was one of those men that knew more about animated movies then action films, but I was okay with that. I was man enough to admit it and to continue to watch them, some over and over. I knew my girls would one day outgrow having special times like these with me. So for as long as they allowed me to be this close to them, I would gladly do it.

  Chapter 22

  Greer

  I stood to the side as I watched Darren and his girls move around the kitchen with ease. It was mesmerizing, really. Tiny Violet glided from one place to the next, a large bag of M&M’s in one hand and a jar of popcorn kernels in the other.

  They didn’t do things the easy way by throwing a bag of popcorn into the microwave. Nope, they actually made popping popcorn a group event using oil, kernels, and an old-fashioned popcorn popper. On the counter sat a bowl large enough for an army, into which they now poured to the freshly popped kernels.

  “I wanna do it this time,” Violet said, bouncing around next to Darren.

  “No, me,” Vivian added as she moved in closer to Darren’s other side.

  I had a feeling a full-blown drama attack was in the making and used this as my cue to step in.

  “What are we doing now, girls?” I asked from the opposite side of the counter as I leaned my upper body over and peeked into the bowl.

  “We get to add the sweet,” Vivian stated proudly.

  “The sweet, huh?” I asked as I looked up at Darren curiously.

  He winked and stood back quietly, allowing the girls to explain.

  “Daddy says life is full of sour, salty moments, but you should always look for the sweet in each day.” Vivian smiled, and I looked over at Violet as she nodded enthusiastically.

  “Sweet,” Violet said brightly as she shook the bag of M&M’s she held in her hand.

  “So you put those in there?” I asked, pointing to the popcorn.

  “Yep,” the girls said in unison.

  “Violet did it last time. It’s my turn,” Vivian said in her best big-girl voice.

  Violet pulled the M&M’s closer to her chest and wrinkled up her face defiantly. “No.”

  “Girls,” Darren started, but I looked up at him and smiled.

  “I have an idea,” I said to the girls as I continued to look at him.

  Stepping back farther, he crossed his arms over his chest and watched.

  I pushed off the counter and rounded the end, where I reached into the dish drainer and grabbed two cups. I positioned myself between the girls and placed one cup in front of each of them on the counter.

  “Can I see those?” I asked Violet, and she gripped the bag tighter. “Please? I promise I’m letting you add some to the popcorn.”

  That seemed to do the trick, and I couldn’t help but smile as she held out the bag to me.

  I took it from her and cut open the corner with the scissors. I held the opened end over Violet’s cup and poured as she leaned in to watch them accumulate. When I’d added what I believed to be enough, I did the same to Vivian’s cup. After giving both girls as equal amount, I closed the bag with a twist tie and placed it on the counter. The girls looked at their cups, then at me questioningly.

  “Now you can both add the candy,” I told them. Their smiles as they lifted their cups were contagious.

  I loved being able to bring them happiness. I was beginning to truly understand just how easy it was to grow addicted to their sweet smiles.

  As they added their candy to the popcorn, I jumped in surprise when Darren slid his hands around my waist. As he stepped up behind me and linked his hands over my stomach, I leaned my back against his chest.

  “Have I told you today just how amazing you are?” he whispered next to my ear, making my eyes flutter shut. “You are unbelievable.”

  Keeping my eyes closed, I accepted his praise. I was amazed at how a simple compliment from this man could make me feel like I was invincible.

  “Thank you,” I whispered in return as I tilted my head to the side and practically melted when his lips skimmed over the side of my neck.

  I was falling in love with this man.

  “Thank you, beautiful,” he said, “for everything.”

  ***

  The girl
s were like little machines. Popcorn-eating, movie-watching machines.

  They were on their third movie, and I’d lost count of how much popcorn they had consumed. I had to admit the salty-sweet combination was definitely tasty. I wondered how I would be able to eat plain popcorn again.

  Darren sat on the floor, leaning against the couch with his legs parted just enough that Violet’s little body fit snuggly between them. Vivian lay at his left side, and I lay at his right. He was our safe space.

  I could feel my body fighting against the urge to sleep, but I didn’t want to miss a moment of this wonderful evening. But the peaceful feeling consumed me, and before long I gave in, letting my eyes flutter shut.

  Chapter 23

  Darren

  Spending the evening enjoying the simplest of things with my girls and Greer felt amazing and completely natural. I don’t know how I was able to get all three of them to bed without waking them, but somehow I managed. I kissed both of my girls good night before joining Greer in bed. Sliding beneath the covers and pulling her body back against mine felt natural too. She let out a little sigh when I wrapped my arms around her. Breathing in her sweet scent, I realized this would be the perfect end to each day.

  It was crazy how the right person could change your outlook on everything. A few months ago, I never would have thought I’d want this. Hell, I never thought I would feel such a connection to another woman. But I was feeling things for Greer that should have terrified me.

  The next morning I let her sleep in while I got up with the girls. They came up with the idea of making her breakfast in bed, and their excitement made everything even clearer.

  They were in love with this angel too.

  I was in the middle of whipping up the batter for the waffles when I heard Vivian talking.

  “Our Greer is sleeping,” she said, “in Daddy’s bed.”

  I wondered who in the hell she could be speaking to. And for a moment, I thought maybe my mother had let herself in again.

  I placed the spatula down on the counter and checked on Violet, who was rearranging the flowers she picked for Greer in a plastic vase. Figuring it was safe to leave her alone, I rounded the corner to the living room and found my daughter lounging back in the recliner, one hand holding Greer’s phone to the ear while the other held the TV controller. She looked relaxed as she listened to whoever was on the other end of the conversation.

  “Yes,” she said as I moved in closer, “she kisses my daddy, a lot.”

  Well, it would appear my daughter pays very close attention.

  Without announcing my presence, I walked over and took the phone from her hand.

  “Hey,” she hollered as she grabbed for it, “I was talking to him.”

  “Him?” I asked, suddenly very curious about this “him.”

  “Yes,” she said as she squared her shoulders. “Tucker.”

  I lifted the phone to my ear. “Hello,” I said through clenched teeth.

  I had a feeling I knew exactly who this Tucker person was.

  “I was calling for Greer,” an annoyed man said. “Can you get her?”

  “She’s sleeping,” I told him. And even if she wasn’t, I sure as shit wasn’t going to “get her.”

  “So I’ve heard,” he said arrogantly. “And you must be Daddy.”

  His tone pissed me off. But instead of firing back, I waited for the asshole to continue.

  “Listen, I’m not sure what Greer has told you, or how she met you for that matter, but she and I have a history. One you won’t understand.”

  I snorted in humor. “Well, how I met Greer really isn’t your business. But for the record, I do know about your so-called history.”

  “Good.” He sounded pleased that I knew he’d been a part of Greer’s life. It was now time to burst his little fucking bubble.

  I walked down the hall to the den, knowing that holding my tongue and keeping my words G-rated was going to be next to impossible. I was already feeling on guard and completely territorial. I tend to get a little loose-lipped with certain words when that happened. It was best my girls didn’t hear what I had to say to this asshole.

  “I know you had a chance to be with an amazing, gorgeous, perfect woman and you fucked it up.” I smiled as he spluttered in outrage. “And now your loss is my gain. Because I’m not a stupid man. I realize a great thing when I see it, and Greer is my version of perfection. So I guess I should thank you for being a dumbass that can’t keep his dick tucked in his pants.”

  A satisfying silence set in, and I smiled, knowing I’d just knocked him down a few notches.

  “So as my daughter told you already, Greer is sleeping. In my bed,” I added, deciding to make one last little jab. “So if Greer wants to talk to you, she’ll call you when she wakes.” I ended the call, feeling my own possessiveness take over.

  There was no way in hell I was letting go of that woman in the next room. Not for Tucker or anyone else. If she hadn’t already figured it out, then it was my responsibility to make sure she understood just how much I needed her here with me.

  ***

  I allowed the girls to wake Greer as I followed behind them with a tray of the food they’d created on their own: waffles topped with whipped cream and strawberries, toast Violet insisted be covered in grape jelly, and scrambled eggs, because Vivian said the runny ones were “just gross.” She even wrinkled up her nose and faked a shiver while explaining why she’d never eat a runny egg.

  The girls couldn’t decide what we should give Greer to drink, so we gave her all three options: milk, juice, and coffee.

  The girls’ excitement and Greer’s emotional response when she found out what we had done made my chest tighten. I was torn between telling her about the call from Tucker or just deleting it from her call log.

  My chatty four-year-old made the decision for me. “Tucker said you aren’t a morning person, but I told him you’re always happy here.”

  A look of confusion and panic took over Greer’s happy expression.

  “He called your phone this morning and Vivian decided to answer,” I said, trying to hide my irritation at the simple mention of the douche bag’s name. “She told him you were asleep in her daddy’s bed.” I studied her for any signs I should be worried, and relief washed over me when a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

  The idea of her regretting what we had been building for even a moment could have crushed me, and I hated to think what it would do to my girls.

  “Well, Viv, you’re right,” she said as the girls moved in closer to her sides. “I am very happy here. And your daddy’s bed is so warm and cozy. It’s actually my most favorite place to sleep now.”

  “Mine too,” Violet hollered as she scurried beneath the covers and cocooned her body in them.

  We all gathered around and shared the goodness on the tray. Even Violet got her share from her blanket cocoon, giggling in delight as Greer snuck her bites.

  Still, I knew we would have to talk about Tucker and what his call meant. I needed to know if she had feelings for him that could hold her back from creating a life with me.

  But for now, I would just enjoy this time together. Because this was just another happy memory that I only hoped would help her understand just how much she belonged here, with us.

  Chapter 24

  Greer

  Multiple times throughout the day, I caught Darren staring off into space, as if he was lost in thought. It was unnerving. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe this had nothing to do with Tucker’s call that morning. I’d been avoiding his incessant calls and texts for weeks now. I had nothing to say to him, yet he kept trying to butt his way back into my life.

  I was happy here. For the first time in such a long time, I felt needed and wanted, and I knew what it truly felt like to have a man value you. Tucker had never offered that to me, and he’d never felt about me the way I now knew without a doubt that Darren did.

  When Darren suddenly said he had to go check on a
jobsite I’d never heard him mention before, I knew we needed to talk.

  I paced my living room for fifteen minutes, holding my phone in my hand as I ran over the words I wanted to say, changing them, then changing them again.

  Before I left St. Louis, I thought I’d made it clear to Tucker that I no longer felt anything for him, not even friendship. But apparently he needed more clarification.

  Taking in a deep breath, I dialed, then slowly released the air from my lungs as the phone rang.

  Tucker picked up on the second ring with a rushed hello.

  “I’ve been calling you and texting you,” he said, sounding defeated. “Your mom said you were staying in Carolina Beach.”

  Apparently, my mother and I needed to have a talk about why my location wasn’t Tucker’s business.

  “The fact I never responded should have told you that I have nothing to say to you.” I still paced the room, looking for the strength and maturity I needed to get through this conversation without telling him to go to hell or that I hoped his dick turned black and fell off. “I said all I needed to before I left,” I added.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you, god damn it. What do I have to do?” He took in a deep breath. “We’ve known each other our entire lives, Greer. Too many years to just pretend we never knew one another. And I know I fucked up, but I don’t want to lose you.”

  He was doing what he always did. I could see that now. He only wanted me because he knew someone else was interested. He’d played this game with me for years, only now I wouldn’t fall for it.

  “I’m happy, Tucker,” I said, ignoring his words. “Truly happy. In fact I can’t remember ever being happier.”

  “Happy,” he said with snort. “Playing house with some guy you barely know.”

  He was such a cocky prick.

  “The guy has kids, Greer. Kids with a woman that no matter how hard you try, you can never replace. This is just a summer fling to him, nothing serious. You’re a fucking pastime. That’s all.”

  I wanted to argue, but his words only made a knot form in my stomach.