by Cate Beauman
“I enjoy spending time with all the Carter women, even the short, drooly ones.” He tickled Kaitlyn with a gentle grab at her belly, delighting her all over again. “How about a swim?” He moved farther out, adjusting her in his arm as the water became chest-high on the baby.
Gwen swam to where Cade easily stood, deciding that spending a little time with him wasn’t so bad. “Did you get back late last night?”
He shook his head. “I landed right around ten, so not too late. I read the email you sent yesterday afternoon. I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to respond. I was trying to wrap up business and get in the air before a line of severe storms kept me another day.”
“It’s fine. I take it you got the permit stuff taken care of?”
“Eventually. After a little back-and-forth.” He shook his head. “Sometimes, people like to complicate the simple.”
She remembered the phone conversation she’d overheard at their initial business meeting—the demanding, no-bullshit tone to his voice. There were definitely two sides to Cade, but, mostly, he seemed to be easygoing and kind. “I bet.”
“You mentioned in your email that you grabbed the floor samples?”
She nodded. “And some of the swatch fans.”
He shook his head, shrugging his shoulders. “I know you said that, too, but I’m not sure what that is.”
“Paint colors for a couple of the accent walls. I also kept some of the mosaic tiles Callie and I didn’t use for Arts and Eats. There’s not much, but it’s a start.”
“That’s what the trip to the mainland’s for, right?”
“It is. But I did find a few pictures of furnishings I want you to look at—a couple of different chair and side-table styles for the gate areas. We’ll have to order in samples when you make a decision.” She moved farther into the deep end, treading water. “Next weekend is open on my end if heading into Boston works for you. Preferably Saturday.”
He lifted Kaitlyn up to her toes, then dunked her down to her belly and back up again. “I imagine tomorrow’s too short notice?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Sundays at the design center are crazy. It’s doubtful there’s an appointment time available. Plus, everyone’s coming to the house. It’s my birthday tomorrow.”
He smiled. “Happy Birthday, Gwen.”
“Thanks. The big three-two.” She winced, still trying to take it all in. Divorced, financially strained, and a single parent all before her thirty-second birthday. She’d outdone herself, creating one hell of a mess within one turn around the sun.
He whistled through his teeth. “Thirty-two—practically geriatric.”
She smiled. “Who are you calling old? Surely I’m younger than you.”
He smiled back. “I turned thirty-four last month.”
She looked at Kaitlyn as her baby girl yawned. “She’s getting tired.”
He snuggled Kaitlyn closer to his chest as she rested against him. “Fresh air does that to the best of us.”
“Um, I’ll be busy with the Seashore Drive staging this week, but if you want, I can show you the samples I have when we’re finished here. They’re in my office.”
He nodded. “I’ll grab a shower and head over. I snagged a sandwich at Molly’s place for lunch. It’s in my fridge. I’m happy to split it with you—sourdough, turkey, bacon, avocado, and kale.”
She let her arms move back and forth, holding his gaze through her amber-tinted lenses. Two meals with the same man in less than a week—and she’d been completely off-kilter since his impromptu concept board visit. It had taken her the two days since she’d last seen him to steady out again. But his sandwich sounded amazing, and she had no desire to make one of her own. “All right. I have chips and fruit at the house.”
He moved into shallower water. “Sounds good.”
She swam to where he stood, taking her daughter from him. “Give me half an hour? Kaitlyn needs a quick bath to wash away the sunblock, and I want to rinse off, too.”
“Sure.” He grabbed Kaitlyn’s float, bringing it with him as he walked up the pool steps.
Gwen got out, making her way to the line of chairs, struggling with her towel as she held Kaitlyn and tried to cover them both, worrying that Kaitlyn might get too chilly in the breeze.
“Here.” Cade took the towel from her, settling it around her shoulders, covering the baby, too.
“Thanks.”
“Your hands are full. I’ll bring the floaty over with me.”
Her first instinct was to tell him she could handle it herself, but she had the diaper bag, a bulky towel, and her slippery baby. “All right. That would be helpful.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
She smiled at him and then headed for Carter House, finding that having a neighbor again definitely had its pluses.
Cade pulled on gray athletic shorts and a plain white T-shirt, deciding that ultracasual was entirely acceptable for a spur-of-the-moment Saturday lunch meeting. Slipping his feet into his favorite pair of black slides, he checked the time, making his way down the hall to the fridge, snagging the sandwich and double-chunk brownie Callie had put into a brown bag for him when he’d picked up his to-go lunch earlier that morning.
Today was turning out far differently than he’d expected. He’d immediately ditched his plans to head into the office to catch up on work when he climbed the beach steps, finding Gwen and the baby playing in the pool. Kaitlyn had been adorable in her sun hat and swim diaper, and Gwen every man’s dream in a couple of skimpy scraps of pale-blue fabric.
She’d laughed. A lot. He grinned, thinking of the way her laughter had mingled with her daughter’s and his. He loved the sound—rich and velvety. Then she’d surprised him when she’d invited him over for a peek at the airport samples. And she hadn’t turned down his invitation to share lunch, either.
They were making progress.
Wasting no time, he grabbed Kaitlyn’s float, then walked the short distance to Carter House. He stopped with his finger on the doorbell, debating whether to ring it, then knocked, deciding to play it safe.
“Come in,” Gwen called.
He stepped into the air-conditioning, shutting the door with care when all was quiet. Then he moved into the living room, smiling at Gwen as she sat with her legs tucked beneath her in the oversized chair, her hair still damp from her shower, nursing Kaitlyn. “Hey,” he whispered.
She smiled. “Hi. She’s just about asleep. I haven’t had a chance to get the lunch stuff together yet.”
“No worries. I can give you a hand if you want.”
She opened her mouth to refuse, he knew, then closed it, smiling again. “Sure. The fruit’s in the fridge, and the chips are in the pantry.”
“I’ll get us set up.” He walked to the enormous kitchen, loving the homey mix of light-colored wood, pale blue-gray cabinetry, white swirled marble countertops, and stainless-steel appliances. And the Carters’ views of the Atlantic were fantastic. He saw the water every day now that he was on the island, but each vantage point offered up something entirely different.
“Plates and bowls,” he muttered, opening and closing cupboards at random, eventually finding what he was looking for. Then he went on his next hunt, pulling out several drawers, stopping when he located the silverware. Moving to the pantry, he grabbed the sour cream and onion kettle-fried chips, tossing them on the island, then stopped at the fridge for the big bowl of cubed cantaloupe, watermelon, and grapes.
He set sandwich halves on the plates, chips next, then scooped fruit into bowls, looking up as Gwen walked in, wearing another pair of ripped cutoffs and a sleeveless black-and-white-striped top.
Casual yet fashionable—Gwen Carter’s M.O.
“Wow, this looks great.” She stopped by the island, setting a monitor on the counter. “Thanks for putting this together.”
“You’re welcome.” He glanced at the small screen for closer inspection. “I see Kaitlyn’s down for the count.”
“She is. We have a c
ouple of hours, but I don’t think it’ll take that long to look at everything. Let me get the samples.”
“Hold up,” he said, snagging her wrist before she could walk off. “How about lunch first?”
She never seemed to stop.
“All right.” She picked up her plate and her lifeline to Kaitlyn. “The kitchen or living room?”
“Living room,” he decided, wanting to keep things relaxed—to keep her relaxed.
“Okay.” She walked with him to the next room. “Make yourself at home.”
It wasn’t hard to do just that as he sank into a cushion on the couch.
Gwen sat on the opposite end, crossing her ankles on the coffee table as she helped herself to a chip. “Mmm. The best chip flavor ever.”
He slipped out of his slides, crossing his ankles on the coffee table, too, sampling a chip of his own. “Sour cream and onion is good, but barbecue’s better.”
“No way,” she said, tossing a dismissive hand in his direction.
He grinned. “All right. Pie or cake?”
“Cake,” she said, snagging another chip off of her plate.
He nodded. “Definitely.”
“Ice cream,” she said. “Chocolate chip cookie dough or brownie chunk?”
He narrowed his eyes, considering. “Both. Mix ’em up.”
She beamed at him. “Absolutely. Favorite pizza toppings?”
“Sausage and onion.”
She nodded this time. “Not bad. Just hold the olives.” She shivered her disgust.
“Not a big fan?”
“I loathe them. But not when I was pregnant. Strangely, I loved them—couldn’t get enough.”
“And now that you’re not?”
“I hate them again. I tried one a couple of months after Kaitlyn was born.” She shuddered again.
He chuckled, going after his sandwich, groaning as he bit in. “The best sandwich Molly has on the menu.”
“Agreed,” Gwen said, covering her full mouth as she spoke, chewing a bite of her own.
He held out his hand to her for a high five.
She slapped his palm, laughing. “Good taste is good taste.”
His grin was back as he focused on his lunch, enjoying her easy company. When Gwen dropped her guard, she was a hell of a lot of fun. “What kind of cake are you having tomorrow?”
“Chocolate sponge with vanilla buttercream. Molly puts raspberry filling between the layers.”
He let loose a pained laugh as he pounded the side of his fist against his heart. “You’re killing me. That sounds amazing.”
“I’ll save you a piece if Nate doesn’t eat it all.” She grinned as she popped a grape in her mouth. “My brother’s a pig.”
“I’ll definitely take you up on that.”
They ate in companionable silence for the next few minutes until Cade cleared his plate, setting it on the coffee table. Completely at ease, he tipped his head back against the cushion, letting his eyes close, realizing how much the last couple of days in Arkansas had worn him down.
“Tired?”
“I guess I am.” He helped his family when they needed it, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed it—not the way he used to when he and Cadence were a team. With things squared away down South, his current goals were to focus on finishing up the redevelopment here on the island and growing the airport into something he could be proud of.
Gwen set down her plate. “Do you want to look at the samples?”
“No.” He didn’t bother opening his eyes as he answered.
“Should I get you a blanket?”
“Mmm. Maybe.” He turned his head, opening one eye, grinning as she smiled at him.
“It’s a comfy couch, huh?”
He nodded, looking at her with both eyes open. “The comfiest.”
She stood. “Since you’re exhausted, I’ll give you a hand. I figure it’s the right thing to do since you helped me at the pool.”
She was full of surprises today—and he liked it. “If you think you can.”
Her left eyebrow winged up. “Do you doubt my abilities?”
He jerked his shoulders, enjoying the hell out of teasing her. “I’m a lot bigger than you. I’ve got you by at least a hundred pounds.”
“Pounds shmounds.” She walked to his cushion, holding out her hand to him. “Determination overshadows any obstacle. Watch and be amazed. We’ll have you up in one.”
He settled his hand in hers.
“Up you go,” she said, giving a tug.
He grinned, offering her no help with her efforts. “When will I be amazed?”
“Right now,” she said, reaching for his other hand, trying again, putting more force into her pull.
He didn’t move. “I’m underwhelmed, Gwen.”
She dropped his hands. “You’re not even trying.”
“Okay.” He held out his hands again. “Knock my socks off.”
She smiled smugly. “You aren’t wearing any.”
His grin was back.
“Here we go.” She grabbed hold of his hands again. “One. Two. Three.”
Instead of helping her pull him off the couch, he yanked her to him, sending her sprawling against his chest.
“Cade.”
He laughed—hard—as the scent of her shampoo surrounded him while she glared at him. “Sorry. Sometimes my muscles have a mind of their own—spasms.”
She pressed her palms to his chest to stand. “Well, you can—”
He yanked her back, her sinful body colliding against him again, her breasts pressing into his pecs. “Like that. It’s the damnedest thing.”
She laughed, staring into his eyes, her hair tickling his cheek. “You and your spasming muscles can get up all by yourself.”
Hooking his arm around her waist, he stood in one efficient move, bringing her with him to her feet. “Huh. Everything’s in working order again. How about that?”
“It’s a miracle,” she said dryly, narrowing her eyes as she stepped away from him, all dignity while she slid her fingers through her hair.
He laughed again. Christ, she was something. “I’d say it was exceptional. I got us up in one try.”
“Giant bully,” she muttered, fixing her shirt. But when she looked at him, she struggled with a grin. “That wasn’t nice.”
He jerked his shoulders, winking. “Probably not.” He picked up his dishes and hers as penance.
She smoothed her hair again. “And this has been entirely unprofessional.”
“I agree. But I’m still hoping for a shot at friends—colleagues and friends. It could work.”
She held his gaze, batting those gorgeous lashes of hers. “I’m still considering.”
He smiled. “Let’s get a look at those samples. I’ll split my brownie with you afterward—Molly’s double-chunk.”
She raised her chin. “I can agree to those terms.”
“Perfect.” He followed her toward the kitchen, trying to remember the last time a lunch meeting had been so much fun.
Chapter 7
“I’m officially stuffed,” Gwen said, pushing her lunch plate away, sitting around the kitchen table with her family while Kaitlyn sat in her high chair, playing with the toys Dad kept putting on her tray.
Nate snagged the half-eaten lobster roll off her plate. “I’ll finish that for you.”
“Of course, you will,” she said, smiling, rolling her eyes at her brother.
He took a huge bite. “Hey, we can’t let excellent food go to waste. It’s practically a crime.”
“And you would know about that—food crimes. Right, Sheriff?”
“That’s right.” Wiggling his brow, he grinned, biting in again.
Chuckling, she shook her head, feeling endlessly blessed that everyone was here, celebrating her on their once-a-week day off during the craziness of the high season.
“Are we considering cake now, or should we finish with the last of the presents?” Molly wanted to know. They’d taken a break from gifts
in the family room when Kaitlyn had decided she was ready for her lunch.
“Presents,” Callie said, beaming as she glanced from Nate to Gwen. “Unless the birthday girl has an objection.”
Gwen frowned. “You two already gave me a gift.” She held up her wrist, where Nate had helped her clasp her new sterling silver bracelet in place.
“Well, today you get another one.”
Kaitlyn chucked a rattle to the floor as she started fussing, growing impatient in her seat.
Gwen moved to get up, but Mom signaled for her to stay put.
“I’ve got her, honey.” She pulled Kaitlyn from her chair, standing her on her lap, kissing her forehead. “Grandma misses her little pumpkin when she’s at work in the city. Doesn’t she?”
Gwen had barely held her daughter all day. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents had loved Kaitlyn up since they’d all met for breakfast on the deck. “I think we should finish with the presents. Callie seems excited.”
“I am.” Callie snagged her bottom lip with her teeth, smiling as she clasped her fingers with Nate’s. “As you know, we had our ultrasound on Thursday.” Then she handed over a prettily wrapped box with her free hand, grinning as she tossed a glance at Brad.
Gwen smiled. “You guys found out what you’re having. And Brad already knows.”
Brad shrugged. “It’s hard to keep secrets discovered during a medical examination from your doctor.”
Callie laughed as she looked at Gwen. “I know you’ve been dying to know, too.”
Gwen nodded, growing excited, realizing she was about to learn if she would be an aunt to a niece or nephew. “I have.”
“We thought this would be the perfect day to tell you—a little extra surprise.” She pushed the box closer to Gwen. “This is technically for Kaitlyn, but I think you’ll like it as well.”
Gwen went after the beautiful floral wrapping paper, opening the box, reading Carter Island Cousins: Kaitlyn and Ava printed in pale pink on a tiny T-shirt. Her gaze whipped to Callie’s, then Nate’s. “You’re having a girl?”
Callie nodded, looking at Nate. “Do you want to tell them her full name?”
“You go ahead,” he said, winking at his wife, pressing a long kiss to her temple.