Carson's pov
I was up before the sun, stuffing my few things into a duffel bag.
My life was about to get a whole lot louder in a couple of hours.
Hiding out with Emilia in a quiet apartment above a garage in the city was one thing, bringing her home to Willow Creek was a whole new ball game.
When I agreed to this, it was supposed to be a quiet strictly on paper marriage but now? Now, I couldn't exactly leave her in a creepy motel all by herself and go on my merry way....so Willows creek, it is!
I let out a breathe.
I needed a diplomatic approach to this. I was about to spring three children on her without warning but most importantly, I was about to spring a wife to three little girls who lost their mother a year ago.
As if on cue, my phone rang. Mrs. Carrie Kent's name flashed on the screen. My heart did a little flip. It was too early for a normal check-in from our neighbor/Nanny.
I answered. "Mrs. Kent? Everything okay?"
A tiny, breathless voice came through instead. "Daddy?"
A smile broke out on my face but so did worry. Why was my middle daughter calling so early in the morning when she should be in bed?
"Lorraine? What are you doing, baby? Is everything alright?"
"I miss you." she whispered. "And Joni won't let me wear Mama's jacket to school, Daddy. When are you coming home?"
I could picture her with the phone tucked under her chin hiding under the covers of her bed. The worry disappeared, all that was left was an ache. A seven year old had no business being motherless... especially a seven year old with the biggest heart I have ever seen.
"Are you really gone for the whole week?"
My heart squeezed just a little...or maybe a lot. "No, baby, not anymore. I'm coming home today. Right now, in fact."
There was silence for a second. Then, a scream so high-pitched and happy I had to hold the phone away from my ear. I couldn't help but laugh. Like I said, the biggest heart I have ever seen.
In the background, I heard Mrs. Kent's frazzled voice. "Lorraine Grace Gibbs! You give me that phone this instant!" There was a bit of a struggle, possible Mrs Kent prying the phone out of her happy palm "I am so sorry, Carson, she snuck into my purse…"
"It's alright, Carrie" I said, still grinning. "I love you, Lorraine! Be good for Mrs. Kent!"
Another happy scream was my only answer, followed by the sound of a door shutting. The chaos had already begun.
Then, Mrs. Kent's voice turned serious immediately. "Now, Carson. What in the world is all this I'm seeing online? The whole town is buzzing. Are you really married to that… that Vanderbilt heiress?"
Oh, boy. Here we go.
"Mrs. Kent? You're breaking up… bad connection… I'll see you soon!" I said, talking quickly before hanging up. I tossed the phone onto the couch like it was on fire.
I turned around and nearly jumped out of my skin.
Emmy was standing there, watching me. Her hair was a mess and she was swimming in my shirt, and she'd never looked more beautiful.
"Good morning," I said, my voice a little rough.
She just stared for a few seconds, those big blue eyes taking me in. "Good morning."
"Hope I didn't wake you." The scream probably woke the dead.
"It's hard to sleep after… everything that happened yesterday," she said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
I nodded. Right. The mess. The interview. "The interview," I said, understanding. "The one Preston gave."
She looked away, a pretty pink blush spreading across her cheeks. "Sure. Yeah. Exactly what I spent the whole night thinking about. Preston's interview." She waved a hand. "It wasn't like it was the… kiss or whatever."
I tilted my head. She was acting funny. All flustered. It was… cute.
"I'm gonna take a shower," I said, grabbing my towel. "Unless you want to go first?"
"No! You go right ahead," she said a little too quickly.
I just smiled and left her standing there.
**
An hour later, we were packed and ready. I led her downstairs to where her car was parked, her luggage already safe in the trunk.
She stopped, her eyes wide. "When did you have time to pick up my car?"
"Yesterday," I said, leaning against the driver's side door.
She took a step closer to me, a smile playing on her lips. I don't see this side of hers very often. The side that smiles.
"So let me get this straight," she said, her voice low and teasing. "I made you angry. I tried to buy you off like a… well, like a cheap whore. And you, I stormed out, angrily I might add…to pick up my car and my luggage?"
I shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to look casual. "Yes. I guess I did."
She laughed. "Carson Gibbs," she said, shaking her head. "You big old softie."
I realized something, I loved watching her laugh. She had a pretty smile.
"Not a softie," I argued, but I couldn't stop my own smile. "Just productive."
I opened her car door for her. But she hesitated, biting her lip. She glanced around the empty parking lot.
"Maybe… we should kiss? You know. In case there are paparazzi hiding out."
I looked around pointedly at the completely empty lot. "Where would they hide? In the trash can?" But I played along. I leaned in, aiming for her cheek, and pressed a soft, quick kiss there.
The second my lips touched her skin, her smile vanished. It was just for a flash, a tiny frown of… disappointment, maybe? But she covered it up instantly with a bright, fake smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Right. Okay," she said, and quickly slid into the car.
I quietly closed the door for her, my mind racing. "Just follow behind me, okay?"
She gave me a tight nod.
I got into my truck, completely confused. One minute she was calling me a softie and laughing, the next she was pulling away from a kiss on the cheek. What did I do wrong?
Women. I would never understand them. Especially not this one.