Carmen Green - Valentine's Dream

It was hard for her to tell after a while if Carter was really keeping an eye on her children, or was out there having a good time himself. His ease and grace improved considerably with time. Only a few times did he engage Madison and Becca in brief conversation, mostly just leaving them to enjoy skating. Madison fell only once, and Becca several times, once close enough to Carter to wrap her small arms around his leg and pull herself upright.

It was inevitable that Carter himself would end up on his butt. Madison thought it was very funny and laughed merrily at the grown man sitting on the ice, trying to figure out how to get up. Even Grace allowed herself to chuckle. Then she watched in amazement as Madison and Becca each took hold of one of Carter’s hands and actually tried to pull him to his feet. When that didn’t work, Madison turned his back and told Carter to use him for balance. And Carter didn’t hesitate to take the boy up on his offer. Bracing his large hands on Madison’s shoulders, he positioned one foot on the ice and quickly levered himself up, not actually putting any weight on Madison at all.

Grace was not only glad but relieved when Carter indicated that he’d had enough and headed off the ice. Madison and Becca followed him. Madison was sniffling from the cold air of the rink. Becca’s nose was running, and the knees of her jeans were wet from her many falls. Grace gave her attention fully to her children, letting Carter take care of himself.

“Mommy, I only fell down a little bit,” Becca boasted, wiping her nose on her sleeve before she could be stopped.

Madison chortled. “You fell down a lot. I only fell once.”

“You both were great,” Grace complimented them.

“I helped Carter get up. Didn’t I?” Madison said proudly.

“You sure did. You’re pretty strong,” Carter agreed.

“Mommy? Did my father know how to ice-skate?” Madison asked.

Grace glanced briefly at Carter, who was engrossed in pulling off his skates. “No, sweetie, I don’t think he did.”

“Know what, Madison? Your dad was a pretty good soccer player, and he knew his way around a basketball court.”

For just a moment Grace’s gaze met Carter’s. She didn’t have to smile her thanks but knew that he’d gotten her silent message.

Madison thoughtfully considered that before asking, “Are you still going to take me to a basketball game? You promised.”

“Absolutely,” Carter said and nodded smoothly. “I’ll check out the games for the rest of the season, and we’ll set it up, okay?”

“I want to go, too,” Becca complained.

“Mommy, tell her she can’t go,” Madison fussed.

“We’ll talk about this later, Madison. Right now you can do me a favor and return the rental skates.”

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for something to eat,” Carter said as he stood to return his skates and get his boots.

“I’m hungry,” Becca suddenly decided.

“We’re going to the mall for lunch. I want to go to McDonald’s,” Madison called out as he raced to the rental desk.

“No! I want Friendly’s,” Becca piped up in her tiny high voice.

A final decision was postponed until everyone had made a bathroom run and they’d left the rink. Carter followed behind in his town car, which looked so out of place among the SUVs and suburban sedans. The local mall was the zoo that Grace knew it would be on a Saturday afternoon, but it suddenly didn’t seem so bad as she watched with interest the interaction between her children and Carter. What was even more pleasing was that he was effortless and totally comfortable when talking with them, and did not talk down to them. She was pleased with his ability to make both of them laugh; sometimes four-year-old Becca laughed only because Madison did. For the most part, Carter seemed to ignore Grace’s presence. His decision, conscious or otherwise, went a long way toward putting her at ease in his company.

Grace wasn’t sure how Carter managed it, but he successfully, and without a fuss, persuaded the children to have lunch at a café and not a fast food restaurant. Madison and Becca were still able to have hamburgers and fries, and Grace was thrilled to be able to order Oriental Chicken Salad.

A waitress brought the children each a coloring book and small boxes of crayons. They contentedly occupied themselves with coloring after eating their fill, while Grace and Carter talked.

“I saw you fall on the ice,” Grace said.

“Are you going to hold that over me?” Carter asked smoothly, eating a grape tomato from his pasta dish and putting aside the menu he’d been reading, which advertised Valentine’s Day special meals.

“I thought you hurt yourself. I was a little worried.”

His gaze was warm as he regarded her. “I’ll probably feel it later tonight or tomorrow, but I’m okay.”

“I think they like you,” Grace observed honestly. “Madison tends to be a little more reserved. You won him over again pretty fast. Becca is more open and trusting.”

Carter nodded silently, wiping his mouth with a napkin. Then he rested his elbows on the table and thoughtfully stared into his empty bowl.

“Becca reminds me a lot of Benson. Madison is more like you.” He looked steadily at her. “On the other hand, both of them look more like you than their father.”

“I know. Marjorie said once that she wished that at least one of her grandchildren looked like Benson or herself.”

Carter shrugged. “Luck of the draw. It’s all in the genes. They’re beautiful kids, Grace. Nice kids. Benson would have been really pleased about how you’re raising them.”

Grace couldn’t think of how to respond other than to murmur a thank-you and busy herself finishing her Diet Coke. When she next glanced up, she found Carter staring openly at her.

“Do you still miss him?” Carter asked quietly.

Still miss him, Grace repeated to herself. She thought quickly, again remembering the painful conversation she’d had several days before with Marjorie. The question was a minefield, and she trod with caution.

“I’m sorry that he’ll never get to know his children, or they him. Benson had a larger-than-life personality, didn’t he?” she asked rhetorically. “His presence could fill a room, and he was such a natural-born leader. I think he would have been a great success if he’d ever run for office.”

Carter pursed his mouth. “Yeah, he would have. But do you miss him?”

She shifted restlessly. “Benson’s death was so...so unexpected. In a way, I still haven’t adjusted. It’s like my life was stopped short, and it’s taken a while to get it back into gear.” Carter was still waiting for her answer, and she looked squarely at him. “I guess I miss the promise of what we might have been together.”

Nothing in his facial expression changed, and Grace wondered what Carter was thinking. Why did he ask that particular question? Why couldn’t she be straightforward in her answer?

“Are you coming home with us?” Madison asked, gazing up at Carter.

“Are you inviting me?”

“Yeaaaaah,” both children chimed in unison.

“Did you get your mothers’ permission? Maybe she has things to do.”

“Can Carter come to visit for a while?” Madison asked his mother.

“For a playdate?” Grace asked her son.

Madison got the joke and laughed. “Not a playdate. He’s too old. I know how to play chess,” Madison boasted to Carter.

“Really?” Carter said, impressed. “So do I.”

“Me, too,” Becca said, not to be left out.

“No, you don’t. You’re still a baby,” Madison teased.

“No, I’m not,” Becca whined.

Grace intervened. “I know you have something else you probably want to do for the rest of the day, so don’t pay attention to Madison....”