Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Carson meant what he said about making a friend in Mila.
But he wanted much, much more.
He hadn’t been attracted to any woman since Angie’s death.
He and his wife had been college sweethearts, and Carson couldn’t remember the last time any woman stirred something within him.
He’d been too guarded emotionally until Angie came and sat next to him in a required freshman political science course.
The lecture hall had held close to two hundred, but she had plopped next to him and started up a conversation in her breezy, casual way.
By the end of the professor’s lecture, she had asked for his number and said they would be study buddies and ace the course.
That had been the start of their four years together in college.
They both landed jobs in Houston before they even graduated, and after the morning graduation ceremony, they had gone to the courthouse and gotten married.
Neither had family. They were everything to each other.
Carson had numbed himself emotionally ever since her death.
Not by using drugs or booze but simply turning off an imaginary switch that let him feel anything.
The only time he did experience any type of emotion was with Lily.
He was one hundred percent involved and present with his daughter.
He did his best to make up for the fact that she had lost her mom.
Lily didn’t really remember Angie, but Carson made certain to show her pictures of her mom every week and talk about Angie.
Coaching and teaching ate up a huge chunk of time, and the rest of any left over was spent in Lily’s company. The idea of dating again, much less growing serious about someone and marrying her had not been on Carson’s radar.
Until now.
Not that he wanted to marry Mila Perry. Talk about putting the cart before the horse.
But she was the first woman who stirred anything inside him.
It was as if while they talked and walked around his new professional home, he was a caterpillar emerging from his cocoon, long locked away from everything, and seeing the world for the first time.
All Carson knew was he wanted to get to know Mila better.
She was the physical opposite of his wife. Angie had barely topped five-two and weighed just under a hundred pounds. She had delicate features and knew nothing about sports, even after going to plenty of his games over the years.
Mila, on the other hand, was built like an athlete.
Dr. Perry said his daughter coached volleyball, and he could see where she had been a player, as well.
She was probably an inch under six feet, slender but with great muscle tone.
She wore a T-shirt and gym shorts which showed off shapely legs.
Where Angie’s hair had been ash blond and full of curls, Mila’s honey- blond hair was board straight, pulled into a high ponytail.
Angie had always worn makeup, being very particular about her appearance.
He couldn’t see a trace of it on Mila, but she still had flawless skin and blue eyes framed by thick, dark lashes.
Not only was Mila pretty, but she was friendly and outgoing. He was drawn to the warmth of her personality. Carson took a deep breath. He needed to keep things on an even keel.
And stop thinking about kissing Mila’s lush mouth.
“I’m happy to be the first friend you’ve made in Driftwood Bay,” she told him, her smile wide.
She glanced inside the empty office they stood in front of.
“I suppose Jon Earl will keep his office. It’s the largest one in the field house.
Since he’s still the head football coach, he might want to stay here.
On the other hand, you’ll be serving as the new AD, so you’ll need more room than Sam did.
Let me take you to his office so you can see it. ”
They walked down the hallway, and she opened a closed door and turned on the light.
“This is the boys’ basketball coach’s office,” she told him.
He could see it was only half the size of the previous one. While it would be adequate for basketball purposes, he might need more space for everything that went along with the AD portion of his new contract.
“It’s nice.” Carson stepped inside and looked around, seeing a desk, a few chairs, a round conference table with more chairs, and a huge whiteboard that would flip, allowing a person to write on both sides of it.
Mila went to the desk, where a stapler and phone sat, the rest of it blank. She opened the lap drawer. “Sam left a few pens and pencils. A box of staples.”
She opened the rest of the drawers that moved along the left side of the desk. “Empty. Empty.”
Then she froze when opening the last one. He watched her bend and retrieve a photograph. Her cheeks pinkened.
“Sam left a picture,” she said brusquely, slipping it into her pocket. Then she brightened. “How about we go eat? I hope you like seafood, being so close to the coast. A lot of places scattered around town feature it on their menus.”
“I’m coming from Houston, so I’ve had my share of seafood. I also would take Lily to the beach at Galveston. It was about forty-five minutes from our house. She’s not much for getting in the water, but she does like to build sand castles.”
“The ocean can be scary to little kids. My nephew is four and is just starting to walk out to where he’s knee-deep.
My niece, on the other hand, is like Lily.
Give her a bucket and shovel, and she’ll play in the sand all day if you let her.
” She paused. “I think we’ll go to the Driftwood Diner if that’s okay with you.
They have a few fish items. Catfish. Tilapia.
But the rest is pure diner fare. Any breakfast item you want all day.
Burgers and chili dogs. And the most amazing French fries ever, plus homestyle favs.
Chicken fried steak. Pot roast. You get the idea. ”
“Sounds good to me,” he said. “If they do takeout, that might be dinner for Lily and me a few nights a week. I’m not much of a cook. I can make grilled cheese and scrambled eggs and bacon. That’s about it.”
“I like to cook. I just don’t have a lot of time to do it,” she told him.
“And yes, Nellie and Neville definitely do takeout orders. I take advantage of that a couple of times a week myself.” She grinned.
“When I don’t beg Mom to let me come to dinner.
You’ll have to come over and try her cooking.
I think she’s fabulous. She can do everything from paella to enchiladas to meatloaf and mashed potatoes. ”
Carson knew the invitation was just a casual, friendly one, but he would love to see how Mila interacted with her mom and dad.
She seemed so normal, having two parents and being brought up in the same place.
His idyllic childhood had ended with the car wreck which took his family’s lives.
Aunt Jayne hadn’t been much of a parent at all, and he’d never felt wanted or loved by her.
That was why family was so important to him, and he showered Lily with love and attention.
They returned across the street, and Mila offered to drive to the square.
“After we have lunch, I’ll take you around town and show you a few highlights.”
“I’ll let your dad know what a great tour guide you are,” he teased.
“I’m the Jeep over there,” she said, and he got in, listening as she pointed out the police station, firehouse, and dry cleaners before they reached the town square.
“Here’s where a lot of local businesses are,” she said, pulling into a parking space that faced the gazebo, which was the focal point of the square.
“Over there is Mom’s shop, Coastal Charm Boutique.
She carries things that focus on coastal life.
Lightweight, breathable fabrics. Nautical-themed shirts.
Mom has a great eye for fashion and stocks a good mix of trendy items, ones unique to the South Texas Coast, and even a few designer pieces.
Do you want to go say hi since we’re so close? ”
“Sure,” he said, getting out of the Jeep and moving past the gazebo to reach the opposite side of the square. Having already met Mila’s dad, he was eager to see what Mrs. Perry was like.
He opened the door for Mila, who breezed in. “Hey, Mom. Here’s the new basketball coach. Carson Andrews.”
A tall blond with Mila’s golden hair and blue eyes greeted him. “Why, hello, Carson. My husband told me you were coming to town this morning to sign your contract. We’re so happy to have you in Driftwood Bay.”
“Happy to be here, Mrs. Perry.”
“No, I’m Laura. You can ‘Dr. Perry’ Bill all you want, but Mrs. Perry was my mother-in-law.”
They chatted for a few minutes, Laura making him feel right at home.
As they spoke, he looked around the shop, seeing mostly casual wear and coastal-inspired items bearing stripes, anchors, and seashells, along with swimsuits and activewear.
One side of the store was devoted to accessories, including jewelry, handbags, and scarves.
“You’ll have to bring your family over for dinner, Carson,” Laura said.
“I told him you were an awesome cook,” Mila said. “I think his eyes lit up when I mentioned enchiladas.”
“Well, my chicken enchiladas are to die for, as are my shrimp ones,” Laura said. “I’ll make both and send some home with you. Just let me know when you get settled, and we’ll have you over.”
“Mila mentioned that Hillary Horton is a local realtor. I’m hoping to visit with her once I’ve dotted every I in my contract.” He paused. “As for family, it’s just my daughter Lily and me. She’s four. My wife passed away a couple of years ago.”
Sympathy filled Laura’s eyes. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Carson. It must have been hard, trying to be strong for Lily and be both mother and father to her when your own heart was breaking.”
“That about sums it up, but I’m hoping that Driftwood Bay will be a new start for us.”