Finding You

Chapter 26

The door leading from the house to the garage opened, and Carter looked up from where he sat on a stool to see Ross descending

the steps. Ross’s gorgeous silver Corvette Stingray, his white Porsche Cayenne, and his Dodge Power Wagon sat in a line surrounded

by his toolboxes. Carter had peeked in the windows of the Corvette and Porsche, and he hoped someday he’d get a chance to

drive them.

“Is everything okay in there?” Carter asked.

Ross nodded. “Yes, it’s fine. Josie and I were a little emotional, but we knew this day would come. We understand Darcy’s

need to find her biological mother. It’s only natural.” He took a seat on a stool beside Carter. “Have you met Robyn yet?”

“No, not yet, but Darcy asked me to go with her when she does meet her and her family.”

“You’re a great help to her. She went through so much after...” Ross stopped. “I’m sorry. I’m probably saying too much.”

“She told me about how her fiancé passed away.”

“That was devastating. It was gut-wrenching to watch her suffer and blame herself.” Ross’s posture slumped. “Josie and I worried

she’d never come out of it.” His expression brightened. “But she met you, and she changed. She’s living again. She’s happy

again. And we have you to thank for that.”

Carter tried in vain to swallow back his shame. He hadn’t been honest with her, and every time he was about to, he was terrified he would lose her. “She’s made a huge difference in my life too.” He faced Ross’s classic Dodge truck along with the other vehicles. “I was just sitting here admiring your Porsche and Corvette. They’re stunning.”

“Thank you. Have you had a chance to work on your grandfather’s Road Runner?”

Carter’s gaze flitted to Ross’s. “No.” He paused. “I’m thinking about selling it.”

“Selling it?” Ross looked shocked. “Why?”

Carter pressed his lips together, and the urge to admit the truth seemed to grab him by the shoulders. “In order to start

a life with Darcy.”

Ross’s salt-and-pepper eyebrows lifted. “What do you mean?”

Carter told the story of going through a hard time three years ago and having to move in with his sister, leaving out the

details of his kidney failure and transplant. “I’m fine now, but I’m still crawling out of debt. And now my sister and her

husband are expecting twins. I’m happy for them, of course. They’ve been hoping and praying for children for a long time.”

He rubbed his hands down his thighs. “I want to get my own place to get out of my sister’s hair before the babies come, and

I also want to be able to start a life with Darcy. Right now I have nothing to offer her, but if I can sell the car, I might

be able to pay off the loan early and finally get a bit ahead in life. I’ve been stuck in a holding pattern for so long, and

I’m tired of being a burden on my family.”

Ross took a deep breath and rested his elbows on his lap. “I understand where you’re coming from. My wife and I struggled

when we were first starting out with our practice. We felt like we were drowning in debt and never going to come out of it.

Everyone goes through those tough times. Believe me when I say that Darcy has had her fair share too. She was in a dark place

after Jace died.”

Carter nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“I can see how you’re frustrated. You’re ready to be on your own, and you’re looking forward to starting a new chapter with

my daughter. But I would hate for you to sell your grandfather’s car. That’s not something you can undo. When you told me

about the car and showed me photos, I could tell it means a lot to you. Am I right to say that when you look at that car,

you think of your grandfather and the times you shared together?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I’ll give you my opinion. Don’t make a hasty decision you’ll possibly regret. I

wish I had kept one of my father’s old trucks, but I sold them when I needed the money. I still think about those trucks and

how I could’ve restored them.”

He paused for a moment. “If you see an end in sight for your money problems, then be patient. This too shall pass. I have

a feeling my daughter wants a future with you as much as you want one with her, and you two can figure out the details together.”

The back door opened, and Darcy stood there smiling. “Who wants a piece of chocolate cake?”

“I do!” Ross held his arm up.

Darcy met Carter’s gaze, and he lifted his eyebrows to ask if she was okay. She nodded, and relief sluiced through him. “Come

have some cake, Carter.”

He pushed aside his problems and went in the house.

Later he would talk to her. If Ross was right, maybe there was hope for him and Darcy after all.

***

Darcy entwined her fingers with Carter’s as he backed her car out of her parents’ driveway. “Thank you for coming with me

today.”

He gave her a sideways glance and silently marveled at how beautiful she looked with her sunshine-colored hair flowing over one of her slight shoulders and her pink lips turned up in a smile. She looked relaxed for the first time in days, and she seemed to glow.

“That went well,” he said as they motored out of the neighborhood.

“Yes. So much better than I imagined. My parents want to meet Robyn, and I feel like this giant weight has been lifted.” She

sighed. “I was so afraid I’d hurt them, but that wasn’t the case at all.”

“Awesome.” He squeezed her fingers.

They were quiet for a moment while he drove. She pulled her hand back, and he placed both of his hands on the wheel.

When he felt her watching him, he glanced over at her. “Are you staring at me?” he asked with a chuckle.

“What were you and my dad talking about in the garage?”

He shrugged. “Cars.”

“Really?” She leaned toward him. “You had a pretty intense look on your face when I opened the door and invited you in for

cake.”

Carter tried to act casual, but his laugh sounded nervous to his own ears. “Well, you know, Darce, cars can be pretty intense.”

She smiled, and he relaxed. “It’s cool that you and my dad get along so well.”

“I agree.” He rested his left arm on the car door and kept his right hand on the wheel.

Carter stared at the road ahead as the truth threatened to spill from his mouth. He was still keeping secrets, and the longer

he waited to share the truth with Darcy, the more painful it would be to tell her.

But if he wanted a future with her, she needed to know everything.

***

Darcy wondered if she was dreaming. It was a Saturday evening three weeks later, and she was sitting in the family room with

Carter, her parents, and Robyn. They were all smiling and laughing while Mom flipped through a photo album on her lap and

shared the story of Darcy’s first day at kindergarten.

“When she got home that afternoon, Darcy said the best part of her day was when they went to art class and they arted ,” Mom said before guffawing.

Darcy rolled her eyes. “She loves telling that story.”

“It’s a great story.” Dad beamed from his favorite wing chair across the room.

Carter winked at Darcy from his seat beside her. “I can’t wait to hear more so I can tease you about it later.”

The entire evening had gone perfectly. Darcy and Carter had headed over early to help Mom make beef Wellington and prepare

the dining room. When Robyn had arrived, Darcy was nearly moved to tears to see her and Mom hug each other. She was certain

she had imagined it, but now they were all here, laughing together.

“Oh, look at that haircut.” Robyn clucked her tongue as she pointed to Darcy’s first grade portrait.

Mom gave Darcy a knowing smile. “That was when she wanted to be like the other cool girls at school.”

A flush crawled up Darcy’s neck, and she gathered their empty glasses. “I’ll start cleaning up the kitchen.”

“I’ll help.” Carter popped up from his seat and picked up their dessert plates, which were dotted with crumbs from her mom’s

delicious chocolate chip cheesecake. Then he followed her into the kitchen. “They’re getting along great in there.”

Darcy opened the dishwasher and set the glasses on the top shelf while Carter placed the stack of dishes on the counter.

She pivoted and found Carter standing directly behind her. His nearness made nervous pleasure shimmy through her entire body.

“It’s going so much better than I imagined. Did you see them hug when Robyn arrived? I nearly sobbed right there.”

Carter’s dark eyes smoldered as he rested his hands on her hips. “Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?”

“No.” She shook her head, and her lips quirked. “You definitely need to tell me more often.”

His lips brushed against hers, and when Darcy leaned into the kiss, she felt dizzy and warm all over. He gently pulled back,

and she held on to his muscular shoulders to steady herself. They were firm and solid under her palms.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

His eyes seemed to search hers. “For what?”

“For being you, Carter.”

His grin was wicked. “You could thank me by kissing me again.”

“Okay,” she whispered before his lips captured hers once again.

***

Later Carter stood out on the Larsens’ enormous deck and looked out over their tremendous backyard. Above him the sun had

started to set, bringing with it a cool mid-October breeze and a slight chill. The hum of traffic in the distance filled the

air, along with the scent of a nearby wood-burning fireplace.

He tried to imagine what it would be like to have all of these things—a huge house with all of the amenities in a beautiful

neighborhood, a loving wife, a family, a future. But it all seemed foreign to him.

Carter had enjoyed the evening with Darcy’s parents and Robyn, and he felt a glimmer of hope when he thought of a future with this family. He was beginning to believe what Ross had told him—that somehow he and Darcy would work out the details of their life together. He smiled. He couldn’t wait to move forward with those plans.

“Are you taking a breather from the photo album discussion?”

When Carter turned, he found Ross standing behind him holding two cans of Coke. He held one out to him.

“I thought the women could use some time alone.” He grasped the soda. “Thanks, Ross.”

The men both popped open their cans and then leaned on the deck railing.

Carter took a long draw of soda and then focused on Ross. “What do you think of Robyn?”

“She’s great.” Ross pivoted to face the sliding glass door that led to the family room, where the women were still gathered

around a photo album and laughing. “I can tell she makes my daughter happy, and that’s what matters.”

Darcy’s father looked out at his large pool. “My fear was always that her biological mother wouldn’t be interested in her.

Or that she wouldn’t want to be found. I’m relieved and grateful it worked out for them both. It’s obvious that she and Darcy

care about each other very much. Robyn is a lot younger than Josie and I are, so Darcy will have her in her life when we’re

gone.”

Carter took another drink of the cool liquid and peered through the sliding glass door to where Josie, Robyn, and Darcy laughed

together. “I’m so glad to see Darcy happy with them.”

“I feel the same way,” Ross said.

***

“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Robyn told Darcy as they walked out to her car together.

Darcy smiled at her biological mother. “I’m so glad you came.” She paused and thought of her brothers. “I really would like to meet Graham and my brothers.”

Then she stilled, waiting for Robyn’s response. Maybe now that Robyn had met her adoptive parents, she would change her mind.

“You will.” Robyn opened her door and tossed her purse inside.

“Okay,” she said, her hope deflating. “I know you need to take your time.”

Robyn touched Darcy’s arm. “This is new for me. I always prayed I’d find you, but now that I have, I don’t know what the right

timeline is for you to meet my sons.”

“I understand.”

“It’s not anything against you, Darcy. They’re young. I don’t know how they’re going to react.” Her expression warmed. “I

promise you that when the time is right, you’ll meet them. Just be patient with me, okay?”

Darcy sniffed before nodding.

“Please know I don’t mean to hurt you. You’re important to me.” Robyn licked her lips. “If you ever need me, text me. If it’s

four a.m. and you want to talk, I’m here for you.” She leaned on the car door. “Keep in touch, Darcy.”

“I will.” Darcy stood on the pavement as Robyn drove away, wrestling with her disappointment. She hoped she could have Keaton

and Brayden in her life sooner rather than later, but she understood that such a complicated situation would take time.

When she heard footsteps behind her, she pivoted to find Carter sidling up to her.

“It was a great night, huh?”

“Yeah, it was.” She looped her arm around his trim waist. “I asked Robyn if I could meet my brothers again, but she said not

yet.”

“Maybe this is a difficult adjustment for her.”

“I know it is. She told me so herself.” She paused and huffed out a sigh. “I thought it would feel different, you know? That

I’d meet my birth mother, and everything would be fixed, but it hurts to know that while I love her, Robyn is still a stranger

in many ways.” She linked her pinky with his. “You’re pretty great, you know.”

“You are too.”

She stood up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his cheek.

***

Later that evening Darcy stood in her bedroom and held up the wardrobe bag that contained her wedding gown. She had found

it in the back of her guest room closet and placed it on her bed. Then she gently set the gown inside a plastic storage container

from the garage.

Moving to her jewelry box, she retrieved the wedding bands and her engagement ring and added them to the container. After

closing it, she pushed it to the corner of her room and stared at it.

Resting her hand on her chest, she smiled. It was time to let Jace go. She would never forget him and the love they’d shared.

He would always have a piece of her heart, but it was time to open herself up to Carter. She would tell him she loved him,

and she hoped he would tell her that he loved her too. Her body felt relaxed and peaceful at the thought. Now she just had

to find the perfect opportunity to share her truth.

***

“I can’t believe I’m getting married in ten days, Darcy,” Haven announced the following Wednesday evening. “Ten days. How’d

that happen?”

Sitting across from her at Haven’s kitchen table, Darcy gave her best friend an encouraging smile. “It’s going to be fine, Haven. Now put me to work.”

“Thankfully my mom loves all of this party planning stuff, and she finished the seating chart.” She handed Darcy a printout

of the table numbers and the names. “My mom’s also handling table tents. She followed up with the caterer and the photographer.

My cousin Allyson is the wedding coordinator, so she has the order of events and the schedule worked out. She’s going to keep

us all on task at the church and the reception hall.”

Haven flipped through her notebook, which apparently had pages and pages of wedding plans. “Oh! Is Carter coming to the rehearsal

dinner with you?”

“Yes, he is.”

Haven looked up from the book and frowned. “Oh no. I’m a terrible friend. I never asked about your dinner with your birth

mom and your folks.” She grimaced. “Forgive me.”

“It’s fine, Haven.” Darcy pointed to her notebook. “You kinda have a lot going on.”

“How’d it go?”

Darcy smiled. “It went well.” She shared how her mom and her biological mother hugged when they first met and how they spent

hours going through photo albums and sharing stories. “They thanked each other. I was so happy and overwhelmed that I had

tears in my eyes.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Haven gave her shoulder a squeeze. “And how’s Carter?”

Darcy blew out a deep breath and rested her elbows on the table. “He’s thoughtful, supportive, sweet, funny, and he knows

how to kiss.” She fanned herself as if suddenly coming down with a case of the vapors. “Oh my goodness, does that man know

how to kiss.”

Haven lifted an eyebrow. “Has he told you that he loves you?”

A quiver passed through her. “No, but I’m ready to tell him.”

“I’m so happy for you, Darce.” Haven pointed to her notebook. “Now, maid of honor, we have centerpieces to finish.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Darcy smiled, ready to help her best friend have the wedding of her dreams.