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“Darcy, this is my husband, Gage,” Shauna said.
Gage nodded. “Welcome.”
“Hi.” Darcy waved.
Carter set the pan of brownies on the counter. “Wow. You made enough for two crowds.”
“I didn’t want to show up empty-handed.” She glanced around the kitchen. “I love your house.”
“Thank you,” Shauna said.
The front door opened and closed, then Gage’s parents joined them in the kitchen.
“Happy birthday,” Glenda sang before hugging Carter. Then she handed him an envelope. “Here’s a little something from Ernie and me.”
“Thank you both.” Carter slipped the envelope into his pocket, then made a sweeping gesture toward Darcy. “Darcy, these are my bosses and also Gage’s parents, Glenda and Ernie.”
Ernie nodded a hello.
Glenda’s eyes widened with excitement. “Is this the young woman who’s been taking up so much of my Carter’s time?”
He turned toward Darcy, who gave him a sweet smile. Then he looked at Glenda again.
“Yes, she is.”
“I’m so glad you’re finally dating again.” Glenda pulled Darcy in for an awkward bear hug.
Darcy patted her back. “Nice to meet you, Glenda.”
Carter and Gage exchanged a grin, shaking their heads at Glenda.
Shauna touched Carter’s arm. “Why don’t you give Darcy a tour?”
“Good idea.” Carter took her hand and guided her toward the doorway. “That was the kitchen.”
She laughed.
“Over here is the laundry room and a half bath.” He steered her through the family room. “Shauna and Gage’s room is over there, along with two other bedrooms and another bathroom.” Then he stopped in the hallway and dropped his voice to a whisper. “Glenda gets a little overly excited. Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. She just cares about you.” She peeked down the hallway. “This is really spacious,” she said, and he shook his head. “You don’t agree?”
“Your parents’ beach house is at least twice the size of this place.”
“But I like this house too.”
He smiled and wondered what it would be like to have her in his life permanently—as his wife, his family—but first he needed to get his own life together.
“Where’s your room?” she asked.
“Upstairs.” He towed her to the staircase and up to his room. “I have a small bathroom of my own, which is nice.”
Darcy walked around his room and stopped in front of his dresser. “Is this your mom?” She pointed to a photo featuring Carter with his sister and mother standing on a porch.
“Yeah. I was about eight.”
She picked up the photo and examined it. “I recognize your smile.” Then she tilted her head. “You resemble her.”
“Thanks.” He took in his mother’s beautiful face and tried to conjure up the sounds of her voice and her laugh. “I was always told I looked exactly like my dad. It’s a relief to hear I look like her.” The frustrated words he’d exchanged with Shauna about finding their father echoed in his mind. He sat on the chair beside his desk. “Derek texted last night and said he and Haven would come today.”
