Carmen Green - Valentine's Dream

Grace wasn’t sure why, but she waited for Carter to say something first.

“Before I forget, I have something for you,” Carter said. He reached behind her seat and grabbed a small, gold-toned shopping bag with red-and-gold ribbons tied to the handles. He set it in her lap.

Grace stared at the bag without touching it. She felt a peculiar sensation, a cross between surprise at the unexpected gift...and suspicion.

“What is it?”

“It’s the goody bag the company prepared for all the guests. I took one for you.”

She looked at him and half smiled in exasperation. “First Carmen and now you?”

“Who’s Carmen?”

“Oh...never mind. Why are you giving this to me?” Grace asked, poking through the red tissue paper to look inside.

“Because there won’t be a thing in the bag that I want or can use. The goody bags are for the women guests. It’s yours.”

“Thank you. But isn’t there someone else you can give it to?” she asked.

Carter shifted in his seat so that he could fully face her. His gaze was thoughtful, but also faintly amused.

“Is that your way of asking whether I’m seeing anyone?”

Grace turned her head away in a haughty manner. “I wasn’t trying to be nosy.”

“There is someone I’m interested in. The relationship is still new, but I have high hopes,” Carter explained.

“Well. That’s nice,” Grace murmured, checking to make sure she had all her things. Taking her house keys from her purse, she added, “You never liked any of the women Benson tried to set you up with.”

“Benson had no idea what kind of woman I want.”

“He could be opinionated, but I know he meant well.”

“I know he meant well, too,” Carter agreed.

Grace realized she was waiting for Carter to elaborate on who he might be dating. He changed the subject instead.

“Tell me about the kids. How are they?”

She suspected this was a diversionary tactic so she’d stop tiptoeing around the issue of his personal life. She sighed in resignation. “Good. Becca is—”

“Going to be a heartbreaker.” Carter chuckled.

“My father says the same thing. Of course, she’s got him wrapped around her finger. Madison is going to be tall, like Benson.”

It was a natural comparison, but Grace felt awkward saying so. Carter never missed a beat and didn’t appear to find the reference uncomfortable.

“I bet he’s a handful.”

“Sometimes. He’s got more energy than he knows what to do with. Definitely all boy.”

“Do you think I could see them while I’m here? They probably won’t remember who I am.”

“I think they might. You must have promised Madison you’d take him to a basketball game, because he talks about it now and then.”

“I’d like to keep that promise.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Grace demurred. She played idly with the gold ribbons on the gift bag. “I owe you an apology.”

“Why?”

“I never thanked you for sending Becca that sweet Valentine’s Day candy last February. Or that little stuffed lamb for her birthday. She’s very attached to it. It’s filthy—” she broke out into a rich laugh “—but I’m afraid to wash it. She might throw a fit.”

“Then I wouldn’t if I were you.”

She glanced at him openly. “And I never thanked you for the flowers and candy you sent me, either. It was very thoughtful, Carter.”

He shrugged, embarrassed. “No need to thank me. I hope you enjoyed everything.”

“I loved the flowers. Never got any of the candy. The kids beat me to it.”

Carter laughed again. For some reason, it made Grace feel good that she could make him laugh. Carter had always struck her in the past as too serious.

“I guess I’ll have to do something different this year.”

“Don’t,” Grace quickly said. “It’s not your responsibility.”

He sat up straight in his seat. “I’m sorry. I forgot that you might be seeing someone.”

“I’m not. At the moment,” she said, quickly qualifying her answer. “The kids and my job take up a lot of my life. That’s not a complaint, by the way.”

He silently nodded. “How’s Marjorie?”

“Marjorie is doing fine. She adores the children, of course. I don’t know what she would have done if her only child had died before making her a grandmother.”

“Do I hear a bit of—”

“No, you don’t. Marjorie can sometimes have a one-track mind, but don’t you think it’s understandable that she misses Benson?”

“What you’re saying is, she hasn’t let him go yet.”

Grace sighed. “Maybe we can’t expect her to. How do you put a time limit on grief?”

“How about you? Do you hold him in your memories?”

She stared straight ahead out the windshield. “I have two children with Benson. Of course I think about him. They remind me every day of my life.”

“That’s not what I mean,” he said quietly.

Grace searched blindly for the door handle. “You know, it’s really late, and I better go in. And you still have to drive back to the city. I appreciate the ride, Carter. It was nice of you to go out of your way.”

He lightly touched her shoulder, and it stayed her as she glanced back at him.

“I’m serious. I’d like to see the kids. Do you think that’s possible? I have to return to Chicago in about a week to wrap up some business and arrange for the move here. Can I see all of you before I go?”

There was an element of appeal in his voice that touched Grace because it came across as sincere. But rather than responding, she found herself weighing the ramifications. She was about to suggest that perhaps getting together should wait for another time, hoping that by then his interest would have waned, when he spoke again.

“How about this coming Saturday?”

She thought about it. In all honesty, there was no reason why he couldn’t visit for a few hours, even though she was reluctant to encourage his sense of responsibility to her children.

“I’ve got a couple of household errands and chores to do in the morning. Madison and Becca have a swim class. Afterward, I’m taking them to a local ice-skating rink. Then I treat them to lunch at the local mall.”

“Why don’t I join you for lunch?”

“If you want,” Grace said in an offhand manner before finally getting out of the car.

She heard the driver’s door close and realized that Carter intended to walk her right up to the front door.

They stood under the entrance light and faced each other. Carter’s gaze seemed to roam her face, taking in all of her features. She tried to ignore the fact that he was staring.

“I know you have to go inside and relieve the babysitter....”

Grace shook her head. “The kids are with Marjorie tonight. She’s very good about volunteering to keep them when I have to work late. I’ll pick them up in the morning and drop them off at school before heading to work.”

He nodded his head to indicate he was listening, but Grace was starting to feel a little uncomfortable under his persistent scrutiny. Finally, Carter broke his trance.

“Sounds like you have a system that works. What do you do when you want or need time to yourself?”

She laughed. “Haven’t you heard? Mommies don’t get time off. We’re not allowed to get sick, either.”

He shook his head sadly. “All work and no play. Gotta do something ’bout that.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

“I’ll get back to you,” Carter said lightly. “I should let you go in. It’s great to see you again, Grace.”

“Thanks again for the ride.”

Carter slowly raised and opened his arms. There was only a fleeting instant of awkward hesitation before Grace took one tentative step forward into them. Their embrace was loose, brief, not at all romantic but familiar. She patted his shoulder, like she often did with her children when they needed comforting. Carter glided his hand back and forth across her back before they stepped apart.