Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(56)

“He’s okay,” Carter said. “Felicia’s nice. She likes to take care of me.”

He was probably too old to allow much of that, but he liked her fussing. She worried he was eating enough and eating the right stuff. She’d done over his bedroom and the bathroom.

“She bought me this dinosaur trash can and toothbrush holder for the bathroom,” he said. “Little kid stuff. She said it was to make me laugh and we’d get something better later.”

Reese grinned. “Is it funny?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“You get along with your dad?”

“I don’t know. He’s busy a lot.” Avoiding being at home, Carter thought. He wasn’t sure what was Gideon’s deal. If he didn’t like all kids or just didn’t like Carter. Either way, it was uncomfortable.

“You gonna stay around?” Reese asked.

Carter nodded. The truth was, he didn’t have anywhere else to go. A thought that terrified him. But he was a guy, and he wasn’t allowed to tell anyone that. He probably shouldn’t even admit it to himself.

His friend handed him a chocolate chip cookie. “It could be worse,” he said with a sigh. “Your dad could be a math teacher. Let me tell you, that does not make homework time fun.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

PATIENCE LOOKED AT the rack of white dresses. “This is silly. I shouldn’t be here. I was married before.”

“Very few women are virgins when they marry,” Felicia said.

Patience stared at her. “Thank you for that interesting fact, but what does it have to do with anything?”

“I thought you were concerned about wearing white and how it represents innocence and virginity. Your previous marriage and, of course, your child would preclude anyone from assuming...”

Felicia stopped talking. Patience was staring at her as if she’d sprouted several heads like the mythical Hydra.

She mentally backtracked, searching for another reason why Patience would worry about buying a wedding gown. She was engaged, so it wasn’t that she didn’t expect to have a wedding in her future. She doubted there was a money issue. While Patience might not have a huge financial cushion, Justice had made large sums while working for his previous company. So it wasn’t financial.

“You’re thinking a second wedding should be smaller?” she guessed. “Not a big wedding gown event?”

Patience relaxed. “Exactly. I don’t know if I’m being silly.”

“It’s Justice’s first wedding,” Felicia pointed out. “Won’t the larger event make him feel special?”

She glanced around, hoping to be rescued by someone. Anyone. Reassurance wasn’t her forte. But Isabel had run home to deal with a plumber, and there were no other staff on duty right now. Felicia had promised to explain that Isabel would be right back to any customers who might wander in.

Patience sighed. “You’re right. He’s talked about a big wedding, and I secretly want one. I guess I think I don’t deserve it.”

“Why not? You’re getting married to a wonderful man who loves you. I would think a celebration is called for.”

“Thank you. That was exactly what I needed to hear.” She pulled a dress off the rack and studied the lace. “I like this one. Maybe I should try it on.” She put the dress back, then turned to Felicia. “But watching me look at dresses isn’t why you wanted to talk to me, is it?”

Felicia shook her head. “I wanted to talk to you about Carter.”

“Gideon’s son? I haven’t met him yet, but Lillie says he’s really cute and all the girls have a crush on him. Lillie’s only ten, so she still thinks boys are a little bit weird. For which I’m grateful, by the way. I know the teen years will be here soon enough.” Patience motioned to the padded chairs by the mirror and took a seat. “What do you want to talk about?”

“I’m not sure,” Felicia admitted. “I’m staying with Gideon for a few weeks, to help Carter settle in.”

Staying in the master bedroom by herself, she thought. Despite her talk with Gideon, he had yet to join her in bed. When he got home from the radio station, he paced through the house. She’d see him walk through the bedroom a few times and knew he was barely sleeping at all.

“I want to make sure I’m doing everything right,” she said.

Patience laughed. “With Carter? That’s your question? How to do everything right?”

Felicia tried to ignore the laughter. “Yes.”

“Oh, honey, that’s not possible. No one gets it right all the time.”

“You do. Lillie is extremely well-adjusted. She’s happy and bright, with excellent socialization.”

“Thank you, but I can’t take too much credit. She’s a good kid and I’ve had my mother to help. Sometimes I get it right, and sometimes I screw up royally. We all do. In your case, you have a bigger challenge.”

Felicia understood that. “He’s not my child and neither of us know him. He’s out of his element. From his perspective, he has no support structure, no one he can trust. Although his mother’s been gone a year, I’m sure he’s missing her a lot. He feels alone and unloved.”

Patience blinked at her. “Okay, then. You’re clear on his problems. What do you think of Carter personally?”