Chapter 5
Carter had a difficult time keeping his eyes off Darcy while they walked side by side down Main Street, taking in the line
of cars. She looked beautiful with her sunshine-colored hair fixed in a French braid, and she was clad in a flowing pink blouse
and a pair of jeans that accentuated her slender figure. Just the right amount of makeup highlighted those gorgeous green
eyes.
When he’d spotted her standing by the Bronco, he’d had to shake himself, certain he’d imagined her. After all, he’d thought
of her on and off during the past two weeks, and a couple of times, he’d considered texting her. But what could he say that
wouldn’t seem creepy? The only texts he considered were:
Hey! It’s Carter. How’s your car? Want to go out with me?
Or:
Hi! It’s Carter. Did you need me to check your oil or brakes? Want to grab a bite to eat?
Both were super dumb. Instead, he’d hoped that somehow their paths would cross. Maybe her dad would bring his classic truck
to the car show and bring her along too. It blew his mind that part of his dream had actually come true.
When he’d approached her, his efforts at small talk made him feel like a doofus. But he sensed Darcy appreciated his goofy
sense of humor when she played along with the banter and laughed. He relished the sweet lilt of her laugh, along with that
dazzling smile.
And what were the chances that Darcy’s best friend was dating one of Carter’s buddies from high school? It all seemed too good to be true. Good thing he’d refused his sister’s invitation to join her and Gage for supper. Had he gone with them, he wouldn’t have bumped into Darcy. Carter was lucky to get a second chance with her, and he wasn’t going to blow it.
He glanced behind them and saw a man following at a leisurely pace with his cell phone stuck to his ear. Carter’s heart dropped.
The guy broke out in a wide smile while he laughed and listened to the caller.
Questions rolled through his mind as Darcy kept pace beside him. Was the rude man Darcy’s date? He certainly hoped not. She
deserved someone much more attentive than that jerk.
“You need to see Darcy’s dad’s truck,” Derek told Carter.
“I heard about it, but I haven’t seen a photo yet.”
“Oh, I have one here somewhere.” Darcy pulled her phone from her fancy purse and stood still, scrolling through photos.
Carter moved closer to her, and the flowery scent of her shampoo or possibly her lotion filled his nostrils and made his senses
spin.
“Here we go.” She held out the phone for him to see. “My dad sent me this one after he cleaned it a few weeks ago. It’s his
baby.”
Carter gave a low whistle as he took in the beautifully restored classic truck. “Too bad he didn’t bring it here tonight.
I’d love to see it in person.”
“I’ll have to find out if he plans to take it to any car shows.” She slipped her phone into her pocket.
Haven divided a look between Carter and Darcy. “If he does, then the four of us will have to meet up at the show.” An unspoken
conversation passed between the women before Darcy smiled at Carter.
They started down the street, and Darcy stayed by Carter’s side while they all pointed out their favorite cars. Derek and Carter also got caught up on their lives, and Derek talked about his work as a software engineer at a consulting firm in Charlotte. Carter wasn’t surprised Derek had an impressive job since he’d always talked about going to college. He was successful and already owned a home. Carter was happy for his friend, but he clearly didn’t fit into Darcy’s or Derek’s worlds.
When they came to Treasure Hunting Antique Mall, Darcy turned to him, her expression bright. “Do you like antiques?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “A couple of my high school classmates own this place. Christine and Brent Nicholson.”
“No kidding! I love this store. I found an antique mirror for my living room the last time I was here with Haven.” She took
Carter’s hand and yanked him toward the door, and he enjoyed the feeling of her warm skin against his.
He allowed her to steer him through the aisles. Together the four of them investigated booths full of furniture, records,
clothes, jewelry, tools, and knickknacks.
“Where’s Mason?” Haven asked as she perused a stack of old magazines and comic books.
Derek pressed his lips together. “Would you believe he’s still on his phone? I have no idea why he agreed to come tonight.”
Carter snuck a peek over at Darcy. “Is Mason your boyfriend?” A sarcastic peal of laughter burst from her lips, and he smiled
along with her. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“Blind date.” Darcy leaned closer to him and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Haven and Derek have taken it
upon themselves to find me a boyfriend. So far they’ve struck out. This guy has been the rudest of all.”
Carter nodded slowly, basking in her flowery scent. So she was single after all.
They wandered out of the store, and Haven pointed toward Heather’s Books ’N’ Treats across the street. “Want to go look at
the books?”
“Not really.” Derek shook his head. “I’m in the mood for ice cream.”
“I’m always in the mood for ice cream,” said Darcy. She looked up at Carter. “How about you?”
“Never met a flavor I didn’t like.” They started down the sidewalk toward the Flowering Grove Creamery. “Did you know the
owner of Heather’s Books ’N’ Treats married a rock star?”
“Really?” she asked.
“Yup. Her parents own the Barbecue Pit, and she’s married to one of the lead singers of Kirwan.”
“I had no idea. Do you like Kirwan?” she asked.
“I’m more of a country music fan, but they’re okay. My sister is a big fan.” He waggled his eyebrows and gave her shoulder
a gentle push. “Let me guess. You think they’re dreamy, right?”
She laughed. “They’re good-looking, and I like their music.”
“Uh-huh,” he teased. “Right. It’s the music you like.”
She giggled as he held open the door to the ice cream parlor. Then they took their place in line.
The little shop was decorated in a 1950s theme with a black-and-white checkerboard tiled floor, red vinyl booths, chrome high-top
tables, and red vinyl stools. Photos of ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and cones dotted the walls. The shop buzzed with
conversations as people enjoyed their sweet treats.
Carter looked out the parlor’s windows to where Derek and Haven stood on the sidewalk talking to another couple. “Looks like
Derek and Haven ran into someone they know.”
“Oh?” Darcy peered out toward the sidewalk. “I can’t see who it is from this angle.”
“Do you want to wait for them?”
Darcy shook her head. “Let’s get our ice cream, and they’ll catch up with us.”
They reached the counter, where she requested a pralines and cream cone and he ordered chocolate peanut butter. When they
got to the cash register, she angled her body in front of him and pulled out her wallet.
“I got it,” he said.
“Nope.” She lifted her chin. “Consider this my official thank-you for rescuing me.”
He thanked her as she paid for the ice cream, and they started toward a booth in the back.
Carter sat on the red vinyl bench seat across from her. He took a lick of his ice cream and enjoyed the sweet taste. “I can’t
remember the last time I was in here.”
“If I worked nearby, I would find an excuse to come here every day.” Her green eyes glittered. “Did you always want to stay
in Flowering Grove?”
“Yeah.” He wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “My sister settled down here, so it made sense to stay close by to family.”
Darcy seemed to study him over her ice cream cone, and he could almost hear the questions spinning through her mind.
“You look like you want to ask me something.”
“I don’t want to be rude.”
He laughed. “Go ahead. I’m sure you’re not rude.”
“You said your grandparents raised you and your sister after your mom passed away. Did you know your dad?”
“He left when I was four, and my mom, my sister, and I moved in with my grandparents.” He settled back in the booth.
Her expression was solemn. “I’m so sorry.” Then her eyes glimmered. “Are you in touch with your dad?”
He shook his head. She looked like she had more questions but ate her ice cream instead.
“Now it’s your turn. Tell me your life story, Darcy.”
She shrugged. “There’s not much to tell.”
“What do your parents do?”
“They’re older and retired now. They were orthodontists and owned their own practice. They also dabbled in real estate a bit.”
“Oh.” Now her beautiful car and clothes made sense. She’d grown up with all the advantages while Carter’s grandparents had
never owned their own home. He was definitely out of his league with this woman.
“Yeah, I know. It’s impressive.” Her shoulders sank. “I’m sure I disappointed them when I didn’t go to medical school.”
He shook his head. “I highly doubt you’re a disappointment, Darcy.”
She blushed and looked adorable.
“Sorry about that,” Derek said as he and Haven appeared at the table, each of them holding a half-eaten ice cream cone. “We
ran into a couple of friends from UNCC.”
Darcy slid to the far side of the bench, and Haven joined her. “Carter and I saw you talking to someone on the sidewalk, but
I couldn’t see who out the window.”
“It was Candi and Rick Benedict,” Haven said.
“Really?” Darcy asked. “Candi and Rick got married?”
Derek nodded as he sat beside Carter. “And they have three-year-old twins.”
“Wow!” Darcy looked embarrassed as she turned toward Carter. “I’m sorry to talk about people you may not know.” She motioned
between Haven, Derek, and herself. “We all met at UNC at Charlotte. In fact, Haven was my roommate all through school.”
“That’s right,” Haven said. “Darcy thought I was stuck-up when we first met. We didn’t even like each other.”
Darcy snickered. “Well, any girl as pretty as you should be stuck-up.”
“Speak for yourself,” Haven countered.
Darcy shook her head, but Carter silently agreed.
“Anyway,” Darcy continued, “we went to school with Candi and Rick.”
Carter smiled and continued eating his ice cream while Darcy, Derek, and Haven talked about old friends from college. He found
himself wondering if he could fit into Darcy’s life. Was there a chance he could ever be good enough for a beautiful, successful
woman like Darcy Larsen? After all, he hadn’t gone to college.
When Mason strolled over to the table, Carter did his best to mask his frown. Mason was a real jerk for ignoring Darcy and
spending their date on the phone. At the same time, he appreciated having the chance to get to know Darcy better. Mason’s
loss was definitely Carter’s gain.
“Sorry about that.” Mason had the nerve to look guilty. “An old friend needed someone to talk to.” He glanced at his expensive-looking
watch. “I didn’t realize how late it was.” His eyes flitted to Darcy’s. “Do you need a ride home?”
Darcy’s brow furrowed for a moment, then a sugary-sweet smile overtook her pink lips. “Thank you for the offer, but I think
I’ll ride home with Haven and Derek.”
“Suit yourself.” Mason nodded at Derek. “See you at the office.”
Derek pressed his lips together. “Yup.”
After Mason disappeared from the table, Darcy pinned Haven and Derek with a look. “Do me a favor and let me find my own dates
from now on, okay?”
Derek cringed. “I’m sorry. When I talked to Mason, he said he’d love to meet you.”
“Sounds like he’d rather get together with his ex,” Haven pointed out.
They finished their ice cream and then headed toward the street, where the sun had begun to set and send a vibrant rainbow
of colors dancing across the sky. The air was cool but held the promise of spring, and the streetlights cast a warm yellow
glow on the few remaining cars lining the sidewalk.
Carter longed to find an excuse to keep Darcy in Flowering Grove longer, but when he glanced down Main Street, he saw that
the little shops were now dark and their Open signs had been switched to Closed. He couldn’t think of any other reason to
convince her to stay.
Derek spun to face him. “We need to get together again soon, Carter. How about you give me your number?”
The air left Carter’s lungs. Perhaps the double date that Haven had mentioned earlier could actually come to fruition!
“That’s a great idea.” He and Derek exchanged numbers before they continued down the street.
When they reached the Barbecue Pit’s parking lot, Derek shook Carter’s hand. “It was wonderful to see you again. Let’s keep
in touch.”
“Absolutely,” Carter said.
Haven waved before following Derek toward a line of cars at the back of the lot.
Darcy smiled up at him. “I really had fun tonight.”
“I did too.”
She opened her mouth, but then closed it as if debating what to say. Then she smiled. “You should text me sometime and tell
me about those reality shows. I definitely want to hear more about I Married My Brother-in-Law’s Sister’s Podiatrist .”
“Okay.” He nodded. “I’ll do that.”
“I hope so.” She shook his hand. “Have a good night, Carter.”
As Darcy hurried off toward the far end of the parking lot, Carter tried to imagine himself on a real date with Darcy. The
thought seemed almost too good to hope for.
***
The question of asking Darcy out followed Carter during his short walk home. The house was dark and quiet as he unlocked the
back door and made his way upstairs to the room over the garage. He took a shower and then climbed onto his bed and opened
his laptop.
While he checked his email, his mind whirred with thoughts of Darcy. His lips curved up in a smile while he recalled how beautiful
she looked tonight and how conversation flowed so easily between them. He’d longed to spend the rest of the night just talking
with her, learning more about her, laughing with her. She was so down-to-earth and humble, especially when she insisted that
she was a disappointment to her parents. He couldn’t imagine Darcy disappointing anyone.
“Hey.”
Carter jumped with a start as Shauna appeared in his doorway. “I didn’t hear you come in,” he said. “How was dinner?”
“It was good. You should have joined us.” She dropped onto the edge of the bed. “Did you go back to the car show?”
He nodded. “I ran into Derek McGowan from high school. He was there with his girlfriend and her friend.” He didn’t mention
Darcy since he knew it would turn into a lecture about how he needed to get back out there on the dating scene. Carter longed
to do that—if he could get his life back in order.
“Derek.” Shauna tapped her chin. “Was he the one who lived over on Ridge Road?”
“That’s right. His dad is a police officer.”
“I remember his dad. He always liked to pull Gage over for speeding.”
“That’s right.” Carter grinned. “He pulled over anyone who looked like they were under twenty-five.”
“Derek was always friendly.”
“He was a good buddy too. We talked about getting together again.”
“Cool.” She moved over to the chair by his desk. “I wanted to tell you something.”
He angled his body to face her. “What’s up?”
“I’ve decided I want to try to find Dad.”
Carter sat up straight as confusion twisted through him. “Why?”
“I have a lot to say to him.” She frowned. “I want to know why he disappeared on us.”
“You’re wasting your time. Remember when I tried to find him when I was in high school? It was like he disappeared into thin
air.”
“I know you couldn’t find him, but I at least want to try. I have a lot I need to get off my chest with him.” She moved to
the doorway and tapped the doorframe. “I just wanted you to know.”
He nodded. “I don’t think you’ll find him. If he wanted us to know where he was, he’d reach out.”
“Well, we’ll see. I’m glad you went out and had fun tonight. Have a good night.”
Carter set the laptop on his nightstand, his mind churning with thoughts of his father and of Darcy. The last thing he wanted
was to see his father—the man who had abandoned him, his mother, and his sister. But most likely, Shauna wouldn’t find him.
At least, he hoped she didn’t. Their father was where he deserved to be, which was gone from their lives.