AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Darcy recalled how safe and protected she had felt in his arms last night. Her lips tingled at the memory of that amazing kiss he’d given her before she’d gone to bed.
“This all smells fantastic,” she said. “How about I set the table?”
He nodded toward the nook. “Thanks.”
She gathered up plates and utensils, then quickly set the table. “How’d you sleep?” she asked, moving to the coffee machine to pour each of them a mug.
He shrugged. “Fine. That sofa is pretty comfortable.” He carried the frying pan over to the table and scraped half of the eggs onto each plate. Then he served them both sausage and toast.
“You really didn’t need to cook for me, Carter.”
“Well, you cooked for me when we were at the beach.” He motioned toward the chair. “Sit, please,” he said, and she did as instructed. After grabbing butter and creamer from the refrigerator, he returned to the table to join her.
Darcy examined their breakfast and smiled up at him. “This is amazing.”
“And you look beautiful. Now enjoy your breakfast. You need to leave soon to meet Robyn.”
She pulled out her phone and checked the time. He was right. She had to be on the road in less than an hour. She fidgeted with the skirt of her dress. She couldn’t be late to her first meeting with her birth mother!
“You have plenty of time.” He rested his hand on hers. “Deep breaths.”
Darcy nodded. “You’re right. It’ll be fine.”
“Yes, it will.” He tapped his fork on her plate. “Now eat.”
Darcy buttered a piece of toast and sampled the eggs. “You’re a good cook, Carter Donovan.”
“I’ll admit I make a mean piece of toast.” He held up his half-eaten slice, and she laughed. “Are you excited or nervous to see Robyn?”
She frowned. “Nervous.” She set her fork down. “We bonded on the phone, but what if it’s awkward in person?”
“The first few minutes might be, but the ice will be broken once you start talking.”
Darcy nodded and took a bite of sausage.
Carter’s lips pressed down into a frown. “I don’t think I ever told you that my sister found my father.”
Darcy wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. “She did?”
“Yeah. The night we went to the concert I came home and found her sitting on the porch on her phone. She looked upset, like she’d been crying.” He ran his tongue over his teeth. “She was talking to him.”
Surprise spread through her. “Did you talk to him too?”
He shook his head with emphasis. “I refused.” He clasped his mug. “I think she’s trying to make him understand how badly he hurt us and Mom, but I’m not sure what she thinks she’s going to prove. He obviously doesn’t care about any of us. Why would he change now?” He glowered. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s too late. She’s wasting her efforts on him.”
The pain in Carter’s eyes nearly split her in two. She took his hand in hers. “I’m sorry he hurt you.”
“Thanks.” His expression warmed, and he swallowed a bite of sausage. “Let’s talk about your day. Do you want me to go with you?”
She shook her head. “I appreciate it, but I need to do this alone.”
“Are you going to call me as soon as you head home?”
“You know I will.”
Carter held up his mug as if to toast her. “Good. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
They ate in silence for a few moments, and Darcy tried to think of something to lighten the mood. Then she recalled Carter’s funny stories about the customer who harbored a crush on him.
