Chapter 11
Scout
Five Years Later…
“Do we have everything?” I ask, studying the open suitcase on the bed with a critical eye.
“Dear God, I hope so. I’m not sure that we have room for more in the car,” Carter jokes.
I smile, distracted as I run through my mental list of things we need for the trip. This is Carter’s and my first vacation since we met. Hell, this is my first one ever. I can’t wait to get away and enjoy some time, just Carter and I.
We’ve been working hard for the last five years.
I went back to college and got my degree in early childhood education.
I graduated two and a half years ago and started teaching kindergarten here in Wolf Valley.
I love my job and all the kids. Getting to teach every day instead of working dead-end retail jobs has been a dream come true.
Everything about my life after meeting Carter has been like a fairytale.
I went from living in a cramped apartment with my asshole father, working two jobs, and hating my life and the lack of options to having a loving, supportive husband, a career I’ve dreamed about for years, and a bright future.
“I think we’re good, Scout,” Carter says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
I sigh. “I don’t want to forget anything.”
He smiles against my shoulder. “You know that Hawaii has stores too, right? If we forget anything, we can buy it.”
“I know.” I laugh. “I just—I guess I’m nervous. I’ve never been so far away. I’ve never been on vacation before. I don’t want to mess it up.”
“It’s vacation, babe, you can’t mess it up.”
I turn in his arms, smiling up at him. He’s still as handsome now as when I first met him. Carter started working with Devon, the town’s sheriff, right after we got married. He’s the deputy.
I think he did it originally so we’d have backup if my dad or Leonard’s men came looking for me, but he loved the job right away. It’s given him a purpose. I know he likes helping the community, and he’s made more friends in town through the job.
Speaking of my dad… He found me about a month after Carter and I got married.
I’d stopped hiding by then and was enrolling in the college when I spotted him running my way.
He was furious, covered in bruises, and slurring his words.
It was noon, and he was already drunk. I was disgusted at the sight and had texted Carter instantly.
It took my man five minutes to get to me, and in that time, my dad ranted about how terrible his life had been since I left. He was trying to grab me, to drag me to his car when Carter pulled up with Devon. They gave him a field sobriety test, and when he failed it, they arrested him.
I’m not sure how I thought I would react to seeing my dad again, but watching as he was handcuffed changed something in me. I didn’t want or need his love or approval anymore. I had Carter. I had Hazel and Hudson. I had friends in Wolf Valley. I had a family now.
I told him how disappointed I was in him, how disappointed I’m sure Mom would be in him, as he was put in the back of Devon’s police cruiser.
I told him I never wanted to hear from him again, that I was married and happy and didn’t need him.
He didn’t say anything, and I watched as he was driven off.
Carter told me he was sentenced and sent off to the bigger prison nearby a few months later.
Turns out, that wasn’t his first DUI or his first arrest. He hasn’t tried to reach out, and I haven’t thought about him a day since.
That was four and a half years ago, and things have been blissful ever since.
Carter leans down, kissing me softly before he steps back and zips up the suitcase. “I’ll go put this in the car.”
“I’m just going to grab my purse. I’ll be right behind you.”
Carter nods, and I watch as he heads outside. I turn, smiling as I look around our home. The once sterile, mostly empty cabin is now bursting with life and color. We’ve made it ours in the last few years, adding little touches like rugs and pictures.
I grab my purse and pause outside of one of the empty guest rooms. My hand falls to my stomach, and I smile secretly.
There’s another reason I’m anxious about this trip. I’m going to tell Carter I’m pregnant while we’re there. Hazel helped me get it all set up, and I’m praying that Carter doesn’t find the little onesie we had made in the suitcase before I can show it to him.
We agreed to wait a few years for kids, but a few months ago, I went off birth control. We weren’t really trying, just letting fate decide when the right moment would be.
A few weeks ago, I started to feel really rundown and tired. When Hazel suggested I might be pregnant, I realized that I was late, and we ran out to buy a test. Sure enough, I was.
I know Carter will be ecstatic about the news, and I can’t wait until we touch down in Hawaii and I can tell him.
My life is perfect. I have everything I’ll ever need, and I can’t help but laugh every time I think that our love story all started with a surprise marriage and a broken-down car.
“Ready, Scout?” Carter asks, taking my hand.
I grin up at him. “Ready.”
Together, we walk out, and I smile at what’s in store for our future.
Looking for Hazel and Hudson’s story? Check it out in My Grumpy Boss!