Honeysuckle Summer (The Sweet Magnolias #7)(58)

“Carter.”

She threw open the door and had to resist the desire to throw herself straight into his arms. He looked so solid and reassuring in his uniform, and way too sexy for this hour of the night.

“You’re on duty,” she said, stepping aside to let him in.

“Just got off,” he responded. “I was driving past and saw every light in the house on. I thought there might be a problem.”

She regarded him sheepishly. “Sarah and Travis took the kids to Myrtle Beach. I got jumpy.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“And say what, that I’m too chicken to be left alone in the house at my age?”

“Or just that you wouldn’t mind some company,” he said. “That would be enough to get me over here.”

“But this way I didn’t have to humiliate myself by saying a word,” she said.

He shook his head. “That pride of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days.” He spotted the wineglass on its side. “Did the drink help?”

“Most of it’s on the floor,” she told him. “But what I did drink didn’t do a thing to mellow me out.”

“How about a cup of chamomile tea? My mother used to swear by that.”

“I think there’s some in the kitchen,” she said, leading the way. “My mother was a warm-milk person, but to be honest, I’m pretty sure she laced it with booze.”

“We could go that route, too,” he said, but Raylene shook her head.

She found the tea bags for him, while he put water on to boil.

“Are you wide awake just because you’re alone in the house, or do you have something on your mind?” he asked as he poured boiling water over the tea bag, then handed her the cup.

“Mostly Paul,” she said.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Then I’ll never get to sleep. Tell me about your day, instead.” She sat across from him and sipped her tea, while he drank a beer he’d snagged from the refrigerator. She liked that he’d started to feel comfortable here, that he knew his way around. There was an intimacy to his actions that somehow warmed her. She could envision a future of nights just like this.

When he told her about his fight with Carrie, and then Grace’s observations and her offer to give Carrie a job, Raylene smiled.

“Grace means well, but do you really think a girl with food issues is going to want to work waiting on tables?”

“Probably not, but don’t you think it’s better than having her sit around at home all summer? She needs to do something, make some friends, maybe even earn her own money so she can feel a little independent. Don’t you think that might help with her self-confidence?”

Raylene thought about it. “I hadn’t looked at it that way. It might. Anyway, it should be her decision, not mine. Carrie might love the idea. Just don’t be too disappointed if she doesn’t.” She hesitated, then added, “If she doesn’t, I might have an idea of my own.”

“Oh?”

“Dr. McDaniels is encouraging me to spend more time in the garden. She’s going to stay out there with me on her next visit, but after that she thinks I should try doing it on my own. I was thinking it might be easier if I got someone to help me work out there. I thought of Carrie—that is, if you don’t think Mandy would feel left out. She could always come along.”

“I’ll handle Mandy.” Carter’s lips curved. “This isn’t really about a summer job at all, is it? You’re hoping Carrie might open up to you.”

She nodded. “Maybe it’s crazy to think that something so simple would form a bond between us, but I thought it was worth a try.”

“It definitely is,” Carter agreed. “I like the idea of her spending time here with you.”

“Well, don’t push this idea on her, either. Tell her about Grace’s offer and mine, but give her the option of choosing.” She yawned before she could stop herself.

Carter chuckled. “Getting sleepy?”

“I think I am. You being here helped to relax me.”

“Why don’t you curl up on the sofa. I’ll stick around till you fall asleep.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure you want to get home to the girls.”

“They’re fine. I called and checked on them right before I stopped here.” He winked at her. “Besides, since I won’t be getting into your bed anytime soon, this will be the next best thing.”

Raylene suddenly wanted more. Maybe she wasn’t ready for an all-out affair, but just having him nearby wasn’t enough.

“How about you sit on the sofa with me?” she suggested, then added tentatively, “I think I’d like to fall asleep in your arms.” As an innocent teenager, she’d imagined the joy and intimacy of that, but her reality had been very different. Most nights she’d lain awake, terrified that Paul would wake and force himself on her. There was never any tenderness in their relationship, not even when they were making love.

Carter looked momentarily surprised by her suggestion, then grinned. “Works for me.”

“I’m not asking too much of you, am I?” she asked worriedly. “It’s not as if that’s going to lead to something more, not tonight anyway.”