Yep, Carter’s family’s property was beautiful, just like he’d said —when he was begging me to come. When he actually wanted me there. The two-story pale yellow house sat at the end of a long gravel lane, laughing at me. Behind it stretched the farmland he’d talked about when he amped up the whole idea of bringing me back with him this weekend. There was even a tire swing hanging from the limb of a huge oak tree beside the house.
Horses grazed in the fields around the house, and the sun was setting in the distance, painting the sky a gorgeous shade of orange, and it looked like the perfect place to grow up, but it all fell flat.
He parked the truck and I tugged my flowy red top down. At almost fourteen-weeks, my stomach was still mostly flat but that fact didn’t take my nerves away. This whole messed up situation was bad enough without having the unwed-mom conversation.
“Are you sure they won’t be able to tell?”
“Not with that shirt.” He sighed. “Ready, or not, here she comes.”
A short plump woman with hair two shades lighter than Carter’s red-tinge hustled across the porch and down the walkway. She pulled her glasses off her nose and stuck them on top of her head, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached.
“Welcome home, boy,” she said to Carter, as he got out of the truck, throwing her arms around him with two short sobs. “Oh, it’s so good to see you.”
He tucked her in tight. “Good to see you too, Mom.”
A week ago, Carter held me like that too. Back when I could still comfort him. When it felt like he actually wanted me.
Carter’s mom pulled back and dabbed at her eyes. “Oh dear, I must look a fright. And you must be Lauren. I’m Mary. It’s so good to meet you.” She opened her arms wide. “Are you a hugger?”
She had me wrapped up before I could answer.
“I forgot to tell you about that part,” Carter said, beaming at his mom like everything was completely fine.
Mary pulled back. “Wow, Carter. I mean, you said she’s gorgeous, but she’s . . . just heavenly, isn’t she?”
“A Miss America in the flesh,” he said, not looking at me.
The front door squeaked open and Mary said, “Here comes trouble.”
Out stepped a tall broad-shouldered man. There was no guessing whose dad he was. Same smoky-blue eyes, same stern face that brightened like the sun when he smiled. Carter’s Dad dusted his hands on his pants as he studied me.
“Name’s Angus. You must be the new girl.”
“I’m Lauren,” I said, forcing a bright, all-teeth grin and extending my hand.
He shook it.
“Strong handshake.” He glanced over at Carter. “I like her. Darn awkward, though. Bringing your girlfriend to your dead wife’s memorial.”
Carter folded his arms tight over his chest, shrugged.
“Angus,” Mary chided.
“Sorry, Lauren,” Angus continued. “I’m around animals so much, I forget my manners with people sometimes.”
“Horses, right?” I asked, mouth running on automatic as my heart sank lower and lower.
“Some cattle, too.”
“Speaking of cattle,” Carter said. “What’s for dinner?”
Mary smacked Carter’s shoulder. “Not home for two seconds and you’re already asking about food.”
“Can’t blame a guy. I’ve been living off of cafeteria food all month, you’re wearing your favorite apron, and I know you put on a show when new people come over.”
She threw her head back in laughter. “That’s my boy.” She glanced back at me. “I’m so glad you’re here, sweetheart. Come on in.”
“I couldn’t get him to stop pretending to be a puppy for anything,” Mary said, as we stood side by side prepping her homemade lasagna dinner in her oak-everything kitchen. “He’d bark at anyone we passed, and I got the strangest looks.”
“She gets it, Mom,” Carter said, slicing up the garlic bread.
“Well, it was just the cutest thing at first, but then, you really did think you were a dog after a while. Turned into quite the phase.”
Carter’s mom was way too much, keeping me laughing, which was a big relief. Carter gave me a save-me look, but I didn’t want to. I was totally loving how uncomfortable he was. Besides, it seemed like, maybe, right now, he was starting to come back to me.
A gentle knock sounded on the door from the dining room, and a younger version of Carter stepped through—but a little less bulky, no man-bun.
“What’s up, Jace?” Carter asked, standing taller, laughing as he gave Jace a good crush and tousled his hair.
“Dude! Get off me!” Jace smoothed out his hair.
“Lauren, this goofball’s my little bro. He’s the one getting married this year.”
“Yeah, no telling how he convinced Tally to agree to that!” A gorgeous strawberry blonde said from behind Jace.
“Hey, sis,” Carter said, softly, pulling her into a big hug. “What’s up?”
I set the salad bowl down on the counter and rubbed my sweaty palms on my pants.
“Lauren,” Carter said, looking only at his sister. “Meet Riley.
Riley gave me the same forced smile I’d been getting from Carter for the past week. “Hey.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, doing the all-teeth grin again.
“Cart, did you catch the football score on your way down?” Jace asked.
“No, I didn’t. Was it bad?” Carter followed his brother into the living room.
What the—? The air left my lungs. Did he seriously just leave me here? In the kitchen? Alone with his mom and sister?
“So, tell me how you snagged my brother so fast,” Riley said, leaning against the countertop and glaring daggers. “I’ve been wondering since Mom called and told me.”
I held my smile in place, while totally screaming in my head. Where the heck was Carter?
“Funny story, actually, I think I should um . . . I should definitely let him tell it.”
“Mind if I join you sweethearts over here?” Mary asked. “Oh, and does anyone want coffee? I just started a fresh pot.”
“Yes, please.” I raised my hand like I
