by Lane Martin
The truck ride was quiet. The closer we got to the town, the more devastation we encountered. Ninety percent of the town had been ravaged by fire. I knew Carson’s parents had been out of town the day the fire started, and that Carson had been working a traffic accident in a neighboring community when the call had come through. I also knew how helpless he had felt. We hadn’t talked a lot about it, but I knew his childhood home had been lost and that the house next door to his parents—the one he had inherited from his grandparents—had been lost too.
From the backseat, Nancy placed her hand on her son's shoulder as the truck came to a slow stop. We were in a neighborhood where construction was in full swing in all directions except one. Straight ahead of us.
“There’s your dad. Why don’t you go and say hi? We’ll give you two a minute.” With a nod, Carson got out of the truck. Carson unhooked Rascal from his harness and the dog went running.
Nancy and I watched as Carson hugged a man who was nearly his twin, only older and slightly rounded in the belly. “We thought we’d lost him,” Nancy said hoarsely from behind me.
“In the fire?” I knew Carson and courageous firefighters from multiple states fought the battle for weeks, but I didn’t know he had been hurt.
“Because of the fire. He hasn’t been back here since the day he found Rascal.” Oh, Carson. “I saw something on my son’s face today. I haven’t seen it in a long time. It’s the best present I could have ever hoped for, Penny.” Her voice shook as she reached out and took my hand. Tears welled in her eyes.
“What’s that?” I asked faintly.
“I saw anticipation for his future.” Warmth radiated through my body, my heart racing at her words. “Thank you for bringing him home to us.” I shook my head at her words.
“You’re wrong; he wasn’t even going to tell me he was coming. He didn’t plan on bringing me until earlier today when he found out I have tomorrow off.” No. She had it all wrong. Carson was already coming home, and it had nothing to do with me.
“My sweet girl.” She placed her hand on my cheek and caught my eyes. “He might have been coming, but you’re the reason behind it.” She took a deep breath.
“They’ll come looking for us if we don’t get out soon. I just wanted to say how thankful I am he met you.” Nancy moved to get out of the truck.
“Are you coming?” she asked.
“I’ll be right there,” I promised. I watched her greet the two men she loved, and the sight of them together brought tears to my eyes. Being there with him—with them—made me feel things I had never imagined feeling. It was overwhelming. I needed to play. It was the only way I could express my feelings without saying the words that terrified me.
After retrieving Cap from her case in the backseat, I cautiously walked over debris that had yet to be cleared from the land I assumed belonged to Carson as he and his parents surveyed the construction project next door. I waved them off when I got out of the truck and told them I would join them shortly. Carson didn’t look pleased, but Nancy said something to him and he nodded his head in agreement.
I lifted my bow and began to play “Meditation” from the first scene of Act II in Jules Massenet's opera, Thaïs. It was a melancholy piece that was surprisingly uplifting. In the opera, the melody rose and fell while a woman contemplated leaving her old life behind. It seemed I found myself contemplating the same thing a lot recently.
“This is why men should have a version of those stretchy pants things you ladies have.” Rick patted his overfull belly. He’d grilled chicken and used the marinade I had bought at the fruit stand that morning. Nancy taught me how to make her famous potato salad and we laughed and drank way too much wine once we’d returned to the RV. To celebrate Nancy’s birthday, we now sat around a campfire and were making s’mores.
We all began laughing at Rick’s ridiculous comment. “You have them, sweetheart. They’re called sweatpants.” Nancy deadpanned. I loved his parents.
“I can’t believe you’ve never done this.” Carson shook his head in disbelief.
“Does it count if it was brought to me under a domed lid on a room service cart?” I shrugged.
“No!” Rick, Nancy, and Carson all playfully yelled at me before Nancy ducked inside the RV and quickly returned with a tray of supplies.
I pouted. “But it was delicious. It had homemade vanilla marshmallow and soft, salted caramel with a homemade graham cracker. The chocolate was dark and creamy, and it had these little graham cracker cereal garnishes that were covered in chocolate.”
“That’s not homemade, Penny. It wasn’t made with love and laughter like the ones we’re about to make are.” Nancy gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. I would have given up anything to have had a family like his growing up.
Carson leaned over in his seat beside me and whispered in my ear. “I love it when you go all foodie on me. Go find a stick to roast your jet-puffed goodness on. Take Rascal with you and don’t go far.” A shiver ran through me and not because I was cold.
“Come on, Rascal, let’s go find a stick.” I got up, but I didn't get away before Carson pulled me back to him for a searing kiss right in front of his mom and dad, which shocked me.
“Hurry back, beautiful. After the s’mores, we’re going on a snipe hunt.” Carson playfully swatted my ass as I walked away. What the heck was a snipe, and why on Earth would we want to hunt them?
“Let’s go, Rascal.” The dog clearly loved it there, where he wasn't fenced in by a yard. He ran ahead of me. Part of me wondered if Rascal had known something about me the first time he saw me. Maybe it was just wishful thinking to believe the dog knew I belonged with his master when we were still trying to figure it all out. Whenever we went to the home improvement store, he and his sexy owner garnered more attention than a rooster in a hen house. It used to bother me. Now it served to put a smile on my face because I knew I was the one who got to go home with them.
Using my phone as a flashlight, I found two sticks. I hoped one of them would work as a skewer for my marshmallow. Why did I feel like this was a part of an initiation? One I hoped I passed with flying colors.
“So, she doesn’t know about Kara?” Rick inquired as the three of them sat around the campfire.
“Oh, Carson. It’s not a good idea to start a relationship with secrets.” They hadn’t detected my presence yet. I didn’t want to intrude, but I couldn’t help but wonder who Kara was, especially since I assumed the new relationship they spoke of was the one between their son and me.
“I know, Mom. I’ll tell her. I never meant to keep it from her. I don’t know how to tell her now.” Rascal chose that moment to run past me and alert them we had returned.
“I got a few since I didn’t know what would work best.” I held up the darn sticks like a fool and acted as if I hadn’t overheard anything.
“You boys are terrible,” Nancy said as she handed us each a metal skewer. “I suppose you’re going to make her hunt snipes next.” Rick and Carson belly laughed in unison, and I forgot all about whoever Kara was. Carson would tell me when the time was right.
“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in the RV?” Funny how the air mattress never felt this comfortable in the house. We were in the back of Carson’s truck in sleeping bags that had been zipped together to form a bag big enough for both of us.
“No. Your mom says your dad snores as loud as a Mack truck. Besides, I’ve never slept under the stars. Are you sure we’ll be safe from the snipes?” I poked at his side and he pulled me close before kissing my temple. I almost fell for his prank about going on a hunt for woodland creatures in the dark.
“I’ll always keep you safe, Penny.” I didn’t doubt it for a second. Carson pressed his lips to my temple again as he tightened his arms around me. “Thank you for coming home with me. I can’t imagine being here without you.” Funny, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere without him. Carson was so easy to be with. He made me want to try new things.
“Thank you for bri
nging me.” I had learned that, aside from his high school sweetheart, Carson hadn’t ever brought anyone else home to meet his parents. I wondered if she was the mysterious Kara, but at the same time, I didn’t want to be jealous when I wasn’t even sure what we were. He was planning on coming up here without even telling me first.
Carson’s free hand trailed down my arm, causing me to shiver all over and forget all thoughts of being frustrated with him. “I’m guessing you’ve never had covert sleeping bag sex,” he whispered into my ear before biting down on my lobe. Jesus, the man could take me from adagio to andante in no time at all.
I shook my head no as he pulled me on top of him. “My parents never took us camping.” Carson gripped my ass before trailing his hands underneath the shirt I was wearing—his shirt—over a pair of leggings to keep warm. Though at the moment I didn’t need them; I was burning up.
“Baby, this isn’t camping. We have hot water and a fifty-inch television in the RV.” Carson chuckled without missing a beat while he lifted his shirt off me and then pulled down my leggings and panties in one skilled movement.
“Carson, I don’t want the snipes to see me.” I snuggled into him and teased him by running my foot up and down his leg. After he and his parents had shared a few good laughs at my expense, I had learned snipes didn’t exist, that they were mythical creatures children were often tricked into hunting at summer camp and during camping trips. I had never experienced either as a child. Thank goodness Nancy hadn’t let me fall for it. Rick and Carson had been determined to have me catch one.
It wasn’t like we were in private. Yes, his truck was raised, but we were still out in the open. His parents or anyone in the crowded RV park could see or hear us if we weren’t cautious. Many people who had been displaced from their homes had settled there while they were in the process of rebuilding. Carson and I had taken a walk around the park earlier, and it seemed as if everyone knew him. I got several odd glances, mostly from women who were close in age to him. Their ‘hellos’ and ‘how have you beens’ had seemed more out of obligation than out of genuine concern, which had put me on edge.
“Don’t worry about those little bastards,” he whispered before flipping us over so that he was on top, shielding me from any passers-by.
“Can you promise to be quiet, pretty Penny?” The multi-talented man asked as he sucked on one of my nipples while simultaneously lowering his basketball shorts.
“I promise,” I whispered huskily as I spread my legs for him.
Carson threaded our fingers together at each side of my head. His eyes were focused on mine as he slowly entered me. My lips parted as he breathed out my name like a prayer. Slowly he moved in and out of me; never in my life had I felt so connected to another person. It was so much more than physical. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was what it felt like to feel loved. Tears formed in my eyes, and I turned my head away. It was too much and not enough all at the same time.
“Hey.” Carson leaned down and kissed my cheek tenderly. “Don’t cry, beautiful. What do you need, Penny?”
“More,” was the only word I said. Carson didn’t hesitate. Provoked by my request, he switched up his pace and gave me exactly what I’d asked for. If only he knew what more I needed.
I shattered with him covering my mouth with his own to muffle my cries of satisfaction. Carson continued to thrust as I clamped my muscles around him until he found his release deep inside of me. The man filled every part of me.
Carson pulled out and I instantly missed the connection between us. Sensing my need to be close, he moved to my side and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me to his side. “That was something else.” The emotions I was feeling and the long day quickly caught up with me. I didn’t even realize I’d yawned, until Carson stroked my arm and said, “Go to sleep, babe, you’re exhausted.” Just before sleep overtook me, he placed a kiss to the top of my head and mumbled what sounded like, “You already have it all.” More? It was the only thing I had asked him for. Did it mean what I hoped it did?
Chapter Twenty-One
CARSON
“I t looks fantastic!” Penny cheered our accomplishment while handing me a beer bottle. We’d finished the master bathroom. Penny and I had been working on the hall bath while the cabinet guys had been working in the kitchen and laundry room. The slab countertops were going in next, and then we only needed to tear out the dated rock fireplace and replace it with stone before the flooring got installed. After that, all that was left was the exterior refacing and paint and some landscaping. We were running out of time. The house was almost finished, and we still hadn’t told each other what we felt. I had no idea what her plans were. Decisions had to be made.
Something had shifted between us when I took Penny home to meet my parents. The words hung unsaid between us. Penny brought a sense of rightness to my life I couldn’t explain. As much as we shared everything, neither one of us had dared to utter the words I knew we both felt. I lost count of the amount of times I had pulled her into my arms with the intent to say, ‘I love you’.
It was late and we were about to call it a night when the doorbell rang. “Are you expecting someone?” I asked as I tapped the lid of the trim paint we had been using back in place.
“No, not that I know of. Maybe someone sent us some of those late-night zombie cookies.” The only cookie I wanted was hers, but I couldn’t deny the smile on her face. Rascal barked as the bell rang a second time. “Coming!” Penny called out, but before she could leave the room to get it, I grasped her by the arm and pulled her in for a kiss.
I stayed in the bathroom and inspected our work. True to her budget, Penny had decided to save the existing tub and surround. It had been replaced a few years ago and was in excellent condition. We had taken out the dated Formica countertop and cabinet and replaced it with a freestanding vanity with a quartz top and a glass vessel sink. At first, I had thought it was a little funky, but now that it had all come together, I could see her vision. It was cool. Not that I would ever admit it.
“Excuse me?” Penny’s voice was raised and I quickly left the bathroom to find out what was going on at the door.
“I said, I’m his fiancé.” Oh shit, I recognized that voice. I started moving with more urgency. Yeah, I knew it wouldn’t take long for Kara to find out about our trip to see my parents. I wasn’t expecting her to show up here in Sunnyville. She broke up with me.
“Be a pal and tell him I’m here.” For fucks sake. What the hell was she doing here? I knew that tone on Kara; she was about to go from zero to bitch in 2.5 seconds. This shit show was about to go from bad to worse.
Rascal stood at Penny’s side. He was in his protective stance. Good boy. “Ex-fiancé,” I clarified firmly with a glare at Kara. Penny stood rigidly at the door, her back to me. I joined her at her side and tried to take her hand in mine, but she pulled away from me. You should have listened to your parents, I scolded myself. I’d known they were right when they told me I was wrong not to tell Penny about Kara. They warned me it would bite me in the ass, but I told them Kara didn’t matter. Yet she’d been there for only minutes and Penny was already pulling away from me.
“What are you doing here, Kara? It’s late.” My tone was cold. That woman held no comparison to the one standing next to me in the doorway. Penny was grace and elegance personified. She’d give up anything to help someone else. I knew she packed two lunches each day because she gave one to a student whose parents were too proud to fill out the form for free meals. She didn't know I knew, but she donated her salary back to the arts program Dylan had set up to get her here, and I knew the violin Brody was playing cost a lot more than the hundred dollars she’d charged Shelby for it. Penny always put everyone else first. I should have done the same and told her about my ex. Now she probably thought I hadn’t for all the wrong reasons.
“I needed to see you, Carson. I heard you went home.” Of course, she still had friends all over town. She plastered on her fake beauty queen smile.
“We need to talk.” She glanced at Penny dismissively before adding, “Privately.” She left me a note when she broke off our engagement, but now she needed to see me to talk?
“Anything you have to—”
My brunette beauty with the messy bun on top of her head, in her paint-splattered jeans and a Better Buzz t-shirt, gave a defeated shrug as she turned away from the door. She still wouldn’t look at me. “I’m going to bed,” Penny interjected before I could say that anything Kara had to say to me, she could say in front of Penny too. I reached out to stop her and she recoiled at my touch but stopped walking away.
“Kara, give me a minute and wait for me on the patio?” I didn’t want her in Penny’s home and I couldn’t very well send her out to the trailer. That was our space and I didn’t want my ex anywhere near it. Anyway, since the house was still a construction zone except for the master bathroom, Penny and I still slept in the trailer every night. I couldn’t imagine spending even one night in it without her. I knew Kara wouldn’t leave until she said what she had to say. I didn’t want Penny to leave. I wanted her to stand up to Kara like she had her father. I wanted her to fight for us. Maybe I had it wrong.
“Fine,” Kara conceded. “Come on, Rascal.” The dog who had once been as much hers as mine remained at Penny’s feet. I get it, buddy. I gave him a rub behind the ears. “Whatever,” she griped as she stomped away from the door to the end of the patio. I shut the door none too gently behind her.
Spinning around, I tried to speak with the woman who was making a quick escape down the hall. I gripped her arm to stop her. “I was going to tell you about her, Penny.”
“When? I thought I knew you, Carson. I thought...” She shook her head in disbelief. She thought what? That I loved her? If only she knew how much. It should have been the easiest thing in the world to tell her, but it wasn't. I had been burned by love before. Now the very woman who had scorched me was waiting outside for me. Damn it! How did I explain this now?