“Of course he’s serious!” she blurted out. “His wife died, his brother almost lost his leg, and his sister-in-law was almost killed! How could it NOT make a person serious?”
Both of them took notice of how she immediately jumped to Carter’s defense. Aria spoke softly as she attempted to diffuse any tension.
“We’re not saying it’s a bad thing, Aimee. What we’re saying is that going back home has somehow changed him.”
“Maybe reality smacked him in the face when he got there,” Aimee offered, not as an excuse but a reason for his change in attitude.
Declan shifted uncomfortably.
“You could be right,” he agreed. “He didn’t really have a chance to go through any of Lacey’s things—her clothes and all of her other things—before he came down here to help me. I know it had to hit him, especially being alone.”
He paused, taking a drink. A thought occurred to him.
“Maybe I should go with you to see how he’s doing.”
Aimee quickly interjected.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Declan asked. His suspicion again rose about her interest in his brother.
“Because you know Carter,” she explained. “If he wanted you there he’d have asked you to come up.”
Declan smiled suspiciously.
“Oh, really. You know my brother that well, huh?”
Aria chimed in.
“You could be right Aimee,” she said and turned to Declan.
“The fact remains he was grieving when you were hurt. Even though he’s is pretty good at switching hats, going through Lacey’s things would have been difficult.” She hesitated, then shrugged. “Maybe we should go. If he hasn’t gone through Lacey’s things already, at least we could do that for him.”
Everything was quiet for a moment as each pondered their respective thoughts.
Aimee broke the silence.
“I’ll tell you what—once I get there, I’ll make it a point to check on him. If it seems like he’s just a little down or depressed, I’ll back off—but if it seems like it’s anything deeper, I’ll call you right away, okay? Then you two can decide what you want to do.”
Aria raised an inquisitive brow as she looked at Declan. Although she loved her brother-in-law, she’d defer to her husband in this regard.
Both women watched as he tilted the bottle, deep in thought, and drained the remainder of the contents. He questioned Aimee.
“You’ll call me if it seems like it’s more than just a case of the blues? I mean it—anything.”
“I promise,” she answered.
“I’m trusting you, Aim,” he warned. “Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment.”
The flow of crimson began to creep up her chest to her cheeks, as the blush made her warm.
“What are you talking about? My judgment isn’t clouded!” she denied. “I’m concerned about him, just like you. He’s my friend.”
Aria laughed quietly, however Declan didn’t share her tact.
“Yeah, right Aimee! You have no idea what I’m talking about. Sure. I believe that,” he lightheartedly mocked.
The sudden exposure made Aimee uncomfortable.
“We know you feel more than friendship for him. You don’t have to hide it from us,” Aria confessed.
Aimee’s blush deepened from crimson to garnet. She shrugged her shoulders.
“Maybe just a little.”
Declan laughed out loud, his deep timbre pierced the quiet roll of the waves. Aria shot him a look of warning. He took the hint and coughed, trying to compose himself.
Aimee glared at him.
“I don’t think he feels anything for me, if it makes you feel better.”
Aria, ignoring her husband, reached for her friend’s hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
“It doesn’t make us feel better, sweetie, believe it or not. He would be lucky to have a girl like you.”
Declan knocked the arrogant look off his face, humbled by his wife’s sensitivity.
She peeked at him before continuing.
“What we don’t want is for either of you to get hurt—for any reason.” She consoled.
Declan, a little more compassionate because of his wife’s words, laid his hand supportively on Aimee’s shoulder. She nodded in agreement.
“I’ll be careful,” she promised. “I don’t want to get mixed up with somebody who doesn’t have his own life figured out, no matter how I feel… not even Carter.”
The matter was now settled to Declan’s satisfaction. After a few minutes, he reached for Aria’s hand.
“Okay, ladies. It’s time to call it a night. My wife will object, I’m sure, but it’s been a long day.”
Both kissed Aimee affectionately; Aria on her cheek and Declan on her head.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I wish I could help you figure him out, but sometimes he confuses even me,” Declan confessed as he gave her a hug.
“It’s okay,” Aimee said, hugging him back. “I promise I’ll let you know how he is—and I’ll respect his privacy… if it’s what he wants.”
He nodded.
“You’re going to go up to bed? You have a long drive tomorrow,” he asked concerned.
She shook her head.
“Nah… I’m going to sit here for a few minutes. I might not get back for a while…” she gazed at the ocean, “…and I want to take as much in of this as I can.”
The screen door banged behind them.
As she listened to them walk up the stairs, she took in a deep breath of ocean air. The moon was huge over the water tonight and it cast a light which wiggled in the waves. It was the perfect place to think about recent events… and wonder what the future would hold.
The ride to Deep Creek did absolutely nothing but pique her curiosity. This might not be the brightest idea she’d ever had, but she was inquisitive by nature. She had to see for herself if Carter had changed, as Declan and Aria implied.
The drive was a long one and she was hungry. It provided an easy excuse. She would stop at his house, mention that she now had a place of her own, and tell him where it was if he ever needed her. He knew how long of a drive it was from his brother’s, so using her appetite as an excuse would be believable. When he told her where the good restaurants were, she would ask him to join her. A little damsel in distress-ish, but it was perfect! Hi there. Could you please help me? I don’t know where I should go to eat.
Yep. Pathetic, but valid.
Her memory kicked in as she neared his house, even with the GPS telling her where to drive. The last time she was there wasn’t under the best of circumstances given it was for a funeral. She stayed to help him, Declan, and Aria. He tugged at her heart even then, and she felt guilty to be attracted to a man who’d just lost his wife, but that was in the past. There had been more than enough time for grieving, and she couldn’t believe Declan’s comments about his brother. The Carter she remembered would be happy for company, even if he teased her about being a pain in the ass. Her heart beat faster as she pulled into the driveway. She didn’t see any other vehicles except his truck, so she wouldn’t be interrupting anything. Great!
As she stepped out of her car, the stiffness of being confined for so long made her groan. She took a long stretch as she held onto the door handle.
“Oh my god this feels good!” she said aloud, when she was suddenly bumped from behind. Almost toppling over, she reached out a hand for balance and it landed against thick fur.
Cody!
She crouched down and her worn jeans gave way with the motion. A cold nose and a few licks in the face were her greeting.
“Hey baby girl! How are you? I missed you!”
Cody’s tail wagged as her whole hind end joined in concert.
“What are you doing out here all by yourself?” She hugged the giant fur ball tighter with each word.
After a few minutes they made their way to the front door. Aimee looked up at the giant
evergreen trees and crystal sky. It was breathtaking. She forgot any misgivings she may have had as she lightly shivered against the crisp mountain air. She could smell and feel the difference from New York to Deep Creek. It was a potent tranquilizer to someone whose schedule was entirely too full.
With Codygirl beside her giving her courage, she lifted the knocker on the door and gave it a few solid hits. Her stomach had begun to do major somersaults and flips as she waited for a response. A few random thoughts crossed her mind.
Maybe he isn’t home. Maybe he’s out fishing…
She was just about to turn back to her car when the door opened. She sucked in a breath.
All six foot four tight and firm inches of Carter Sinclair! Deliciously shirtless, and in jeans which were slung low and half unzipped. He stood in the doorframe, then shifted to lean against it once he recognized her. She felt her mouth go dry as she got a healthy view of his tight abs and the deeply toned “V” which dipped down into his pants and her imagination. Tingling started in several, pleasant locations.
Damn he was a sight for sore eyes!
For a minute she was nervous. She hoped he couldn’t read her mind.
He looked like he was surprised to see her, and speechless.
After a moment, she broke the awkward silence.
“Hi.”
He looked her over, scanning from head to foot.
“Hi yourself,” his voice rough and sexy.
It was awkward. She was perky and he was hesitant.
Not good!
“Umm… I was in the neighborhood…” she joked as she turned to look at her car.
He continued staring. It was making her edgy. It was blatantly obvious he was shocked to see her.
“Umm… It appears Cody is your welcome wagon,” she laughed. “She almost knocked me over when I got out of the car.” Aimee looked down at the dog, who was now rubbing up against her like a cat.
He yawned and ran his hands through his hair, apparently to clear his mind. He looked down at Cody.
“Yeah, that’s her—the welcome wagon,” he repeated sarcastically.
The tone of his voice made her feel unwelcome, and it lent itself to a queasy stomach. Instinctively, her guard went up.
He knew instantly that his tone was harsh. He’d put his foot in his mouth. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” he apologized. “I just wasn’t expecting anybody.”
“I’m sorry, I should have called. I can go…” she mumbled, turning away from him.
“No, Aimee, wait… don’t go.” As he became more lucid, it dawned on him she couldn’t possibly have been in the neighborhood. He made an attempt at damage control. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I just woke up. I was asleep on the sofa.” Opening the door wide, he leaned back against the frame.
“C’mon in.”
She smiled but felt oddly cautious as she passed him in the doorway. As she brushed against his chest a detonating shiver went through her. She felt herself turning as pink as her polished toes.
Walking into the living room, she wasn’t sure what she’d expected. It was the same as she remembered, but she was surprised it was so clean. There were no empty beer cans, pizza boxes, or empty containers of Chinese food like the stereotypical depiction of a single man would lead her to believe. Instead, she saw furniture that gleamed from polish and hardwood floors which glowed warm in the sunlight. The only thing out of place was a pillow and a blanket on the sofa.
“You have a nice house,” she said as firing brain cells attempted to pull normal words from her frazzled mind.
He looked at her puzzled.
“You’ve been here before, Aimee. Nothing’s really changed since then.”
“I guess I just never noticed it before,” she said, trying to hide her discomfort. “It looks a little different to me.”
She took the chair across from him and tilted her head toward the worn leather
“Comfy?”
“It’s okay,” he soberly replied. “I fall asleep there most nights and don’t even go into bed.”
It was an open-and-shut statement, but she detected a hint of sadness.
He went into the kitchen, leaving her to stare after him. A pillow and blanket still covered where he was sleeping.
“You thirsty?” he said as she heard him open the refrigerator door.
“Yeah. Thanks. I was driving awhile,” she answered and leaned to see him. He held up a pitcher and cocked his head toward her.
He filled two glasses and handed her one before he sat on the sofa across from her. As he put a foot up on the table the zipper of his jeans opened from the motion.
She had to keep her eyes from wandering there.
“Taste okay?” he asked as she wet her suddenly parched mouth.
She nodded as she drank down half the glass.
Why did she feel like she was walking on eggshells?
“So what brings you up here? I heard you were playing supermodel all over the world?”
“I am—or rather, I was,” she stuttered. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a vacation.”
He leaned back on the sofa and stretched out an arm over the back of it. It granted a nice view of his tanned chest. Once again, she began to feel warm all over, and her heart was beating so hard she thought he could hear it.
“…and you decided to come up here?” he asked, surprised.
“Well, yes and no,” she explained. “Yes, I came up here for vacation—and no, it isn’t because of just that.”
His raised eyebrow begged her to continue.
“I have a house over on Clark Lohr Road,” she explained. “I was on my way there when I stopped here.” She anxiously sipped her tea. “But enough about me,” she countered. “What’s going on with you? Declan said you were considering a business venture…”
He sat up tall and spread his feet, his knees opened and she saw a small wear hole on the inside of his thigh at the seam.
She stared.
What was it about him that made her insides shake? And what was it about a man in jeans and bare feet that makes him so sexy?
She quickly looked up before he caught her.
“Yeah, me, and two of my friends from the force. We started a security company.”
“A security company?” she inquired.
“Yeah, it kinda came to mind when Lacey died, but then I went down to Ocean City for Declan, and I put it on the back burner. We—Marc, Falcon, and me—didn’t really put the whole plan together until I came back home.”
“So…” she teased flippantly. “How’s business?”
He wasn’t amused by the smart tone. It sounded like she was mocking him.
Instantly she realized how she sounded and she felt terrible. She teased or giggled when she was really nervous, but how would he know that?
“It’s coming along well, as a matter of fact,” he answered irritated. “We’ve designed security plans for several companies so far, and just in case you aren’t aware, you passed Thurmont on your way up here. Camp David is there,” he said sarcastically.
Camp David? Wasn’t that where the President vacationed?
He sounded pissed off and she knew she’d offended him. “I’m sorry, Carter. I wasn’t making fun of you,” she said apologetically.
He ignored the apology.
“In today’s world, you have to take security matters seriously. You can’t be too careful—or maybe you don’t think about stuff like that,” he replied, his voice getting loud and agitated. “We’re working with a whole list of companies who need help with cyber security. Even in a town where you can trust everybody, Aimee, most business these days is done on the internet. Everybody’s at risk.”
His gaze was icy.
The last thing she wanted was him thinking she was belittling his business.
“You’re absolutely right. There ARE lots of threats out there. It’s good there are people like you to take them seriously. Everyone should take it seriously,” she conc
eded.
He picked at some unseen object on his knee, not looking at her.
“What did you mean when you said your time up here wasn’t all for vacation?” He looked up, again unnerving her. “Do you have a photo shoot up here or something?”
She was happy he changed the subject. “Believe it or not. I bought a house here.”
All at once his mouth opened and his eyes widened in shock. “What? You’re going to live up here?” Immediately his jaw set firm as he tensed.
“Well… yes. I’m planning on it—at least when I’m not working,” she said.
“Why?” His tone lowered to a growl.
She felt slapped in the face. “Why not?” She asked indignantly.
“Because you don’t have anybody here!” he replied.
Indignation escalated, as his words dripped with disapproval. She went on the defensive. “Do you interrogate all your friends this way, or just me?!”
He smirked. “It’s quite a big move for a girl by herself.”
Indignantly, her blood pressure exploded. “I’ve been living on my own for a long time. I don’t need anybody up here! I’m just fine by myself!”
The hostility he’d instigated incinerated any civility on her part.
She blasted him with verbal napalm. “Who in the hell do you think you are, Carter? And when did you become my keeper?! Or better yet, dictator of my personal life?”
He knew he’d pissed her off and he didn’t care. She didn’t think this through like he did. He always thought about what could go wrong scenarios, and she should have been more responsible than this. She’d have been better off buying a place at the beach. At least there she’d be near Declan and Aria—and all the rest of them.
“Dammit, Aimee! You just don’t think! What are you gonna do if you get sick, or need something… just asking because you’ve gotta have a plan” he challenged.
Now she was royally pissed.
Grabbing her purse, she pushed the chair back forcefully as she stood. She walked into the kitchen with her glass and slammed it down in the sink with enough force to shatter it. She stopped just long enough to address him while she grabbed her jacket.
“It’s been GREAT seeing you, but I think I’ll just go.” Arrogantly enunciating every word, she didn’t wait for a comment, heading to the door instead.
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