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“Of course not, Carter,” Shauna said.
“Why would you want to find him, Shauna? He was never there for us when we needed him most. What could you possibly hope to gain from talking to him?”
“Just calm down, okay?” Her voice implored him. “I haven’t spoken to Dad yet, but I think he might be in Tennessee. I remember Mom mentioning he had an uncle there. I’ve been searching social media, and then I found someone who is starting a private investigator business. He said he’d give me a discount if I let him help me.”
“That’s great,” he deadpanned. His hands trembled, and he looked for something to keep them busy. He opened his bag and carried his toiletries to his small bathroom, where he set some on the counter and others on the shelf in his medicine cabinet.
Shauna appeared in the bathroom doorway, and he glared at her.
“If our so-called father cared about us, then he would have been here a long time ago,” Carter seethed. “He knew where Nana and Grandpa lived. He could have come at any time. Why are you insisting on finding him after what he did to us? What he did to Mom?” He swallowed as his eyes stung. “Don’t you remember how much he hurt her?”
“I remember all of it.” Tears glistened in her dark eyes. “You’re right that he doesn’t care, but I need to talk to him. I want to know why he abandoned Mom and us, and I want him to know what you went through with your kidney disease.”
He shook his head. “Don’t bother, Shauna. All he’s going to do is hurt you again. You’re wasting your time. If you talk to him, don’t even mention me. If he asks how I am, tell him it’s none of his business because he doesn’t have a son. I don’t want or need him in my life.”
She shoved her hands in the pockets of her jean shorts and gave him a withering glare. “Then that’s what I’ll do.” She backed out of his bathroom. A few moments later, he heard the door to his bedroom click shut.
Carter dropped down onto the lid of the commode and rubbed his hands down his face. Why hadn’t Shauna respected his feelings and abandoned this ridiculous plan? If Carter came face-to-face with his father, he would turn and walk the other way—but if his father came looking for him, he would have to face Carter’s fury.
Chapter19
Carter rushed around the house Saturday afternoon, straightening the sofa cushions and the coasters on the coffee table. Then he hurried into the kitchen and lined up the canisters on the far counter.
“The house looks great,” Shauna said. “We cleaned until midnight last night, Carter. You need to chill out.”
He rested his hand on the back of his neck and faced his sister. He was relieved they had called a truce over the issue of their father. She hadn’t agreed to stop looking for him, but she said she’d leave him out of the conversation if she found Dad. “You didn’t see how immaculate her townhouse is or how perfect the beach house is.”
“You must really like her.” Shauna grinned. “I’ve never seen you like this about any woman before.”
The doorbell rang, and he took off toward the foyer. Yanking open the door, he found Darcy standing on the porch holding two grocery bags and an aluminum pan. She looked stunning in a yellow sundress that made the most of her trim figure. Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a thick ponytail that spilled past her shoulders.
“Happy birthday!” Her eyes beamed with warmth and affection that soaked through his skin.
He took the pan from her and kissed her. “Thank you.”
“I have something for you.” She pulled a card from her purse and handed it to him.
He set the brownies on the bench beside him, then opened the envelope and found a beautiful poem inside wishing him a happy birthday. When he flipped the card open, he noticed she’d written “Love, Darcy” inside. On a separate piece of paper he found a printout of two tickets to see Tracy Byrd, one of his favorite country singers, at the amphitheater in Charlotte. His mouth dropped open.
“It’s in two weeks. I hope you don’t have plans that night.” She arched an eyebrow and bit her lower lip.
Carter swallowed, overwhelmed by her generosity.
Memories of the expensive gifts Gabby had given him flashed in his mind—airfare and tickets to NASCAR races, an overpriced and engraved watch he never felt comfortable wearing, and rims and tires for his truck—all of them symbols of the social divide between them. He’d come to see them as bribes to get him to do things for her, such as quit his “lowly job” and work on her father’s race team.
He shook off the memories and looked into his girlfriend’s beautiful green eyes. This gift was perfectly tailored to him, and he was certain it had come straight from her heart. “Darcy, this—this is too much.”
“No, it’s not too much,” she said. “In fact, it’s not nearly enough considering how happy you’ve made me.”
He pulled her to him. “Come here.” He leaned down and kissed her until he heard someone behind him clear her throat. Turning, Carter found Shauna standing behind them. “Darcy, this is my sister, Shauna.”
“Glad to finally meet you.”
“Great to meet you too.” Darcy’s cheeks flushed bright red, and she held up her grocery bags. “I brought chips, dip, and macaroni salad.” Then she gestured toward the aluminum pan. “I also baked some brownies.”
“Brownies are always welcome in this house. Come on in.” Shauna beckoned her farther into the house.
Carter picked up the pan and followed Darcy and his sister through the family room to the kitchen. Gage stood at the counter marinating chicken breasts to ready them for the grill.
