AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Memories of the hours he and his grandfather had spent working on the car together overtook his mind. “Wish you were here, Grandpa,” he whispered.
Carter could sure use his advice right now while he tried to work through the conundrum of Darcy. He hadn’t felt such a strong attraction to a woman before. Not even to Gabrielle.
But this was more than just attraction. What he felt for her was something deeper, more meaningful. He was stunned that she had trusted him with her secrets about wanting to find her biological mother. He trusted her in return, and even felt compelled to trust her with his heart. An invisible magnet seemed to be pulling them together.
But would he ever be enough for her? And what if his health failed again? Would that tear them apart like it did his relationship with Gabrielle?
Opening his laptop, Carter began searching for apartments in his price range and found nothing. Due to the cost of his monthly maintenance medications, he was out of luck until his consolidation loan was paid. He continued scrolling despite the gloom that filled him.
He was clicking through a page of overpriced one-bedroom places when the door opened with a creak.
Carter gave Gage a wave. “Hey.”
His brother-in-law strolled in and pulled up a stool. “I was surprised when I looked out the window and saw the light on out here. What are you up to?”
“Not a whole lot.”
“Are you finally going to start rebuilding the engine for the Road Runner?” Gage pointed toward the car.
Carter shook his head. “I was looking at apartments.”
“You don’t need to do that, bro.” Gage crossed his arms over his wide chest. “This is your home.”
Carter exhaled and closed the laptop.
“Why do you suddenly want to move out?” Gage’s expression clouded with a frown. “Did we do or say something that upset you?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. I feel like I’m in the way.”
Gage scoffed. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you and Shauna don’t have privacy when I’m around. I’m constantly underfoot.” He rubbed his elbow. “I know you want to start a family, and you don’t need me getting in the way of that.”
“You’re not in the way. You’re our family.”
Carter’s posture drooped. “It doesn’t really matter anyway, because I’m not going anywhere. All I can afford to rent is a room. Not even a whole place. Why move out of here only to be in someone else’s way somewhere else?”
“Listen,” Gage began, “we want you here. There’s no reason for you to leave.” He smiled. “Besides, if and when we’re blessed with kids, we’d love to have Uncle Carter around to help.”
“Thanks.” Carter ran his finger along the edge of the workbench.
“Shauna said you went to Derek McGowan’s place for a party tonight.”
Carter rested his elbow on the workbench and his chin on his palm. “That’s right. It was a housewarming party. He bought a place out in Matthews.”
“I remember his dad.” Gage snickered. “I’ve got the speeding tickets in my old Camaro to prove it.”
Carter laughed. “He pulled me over a few times and a bunch of my friends too. I think he thought he was teaching us a lesson, but we just learned where he liked to sit and run radar so we could avoid those roads.”
“How was the housewarming?”
“Fun.” Carter grinned as a vision of Darcy’s beautiful face filled his mind’s eye.
Gage quirked an eyebrow. “Is that right?”
“It was nice to hang out with friends.” Carter walked over to the front end of the Road Runner. He stared down at the engine, looking for a way to change the subject.
Gage joined him at the car. “What do you need to get started on this engine?”
