A Pound of Flesh (A Pound of Flesh #1)(162)

His lungs shuddered. “I know. I know. But I—”

Her forehead met his, holding it up, holding him up. “No. No buts. That’s all you have to think about.”

See? her tone whispered. Easy.

With three deep breaths, Carter’s pulse slowed. Focusing on her fingers drawing circles on his skin, he managed to sit up a little straighter. He had to get a grip. He couldn’t allow his fear to be the first thing Kat’s grandmother would see. No way.

He moved forward, capturing Kat’s lips. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Are you okay now?”


He dropped his gaze to the floor of the car. “Just don’t leave me, okay?”

“I won’t,” Kat said fervently, dismissing his neediness as quickly as he offered it. “Come on.”

Before Carter could stop her, she was getting out of the car and bouncing excitedly around the hood.

“Here goes f*ckin’ nothing.” Carter opened the car door and got out.

He shut the car door and pushed his hands into his pockets against the cold air and the sudden, colder memories of his own mother’s house, the foreboding that settled in his bones every time he was dropped off at the front door and the look on her face when she opened it, regretful and inconvenienced. Christ, he’d just been a kid, scared shitless and alone. He swallowed and fought the memories back. They were soon forgotten when the front door opened and a huge black-and-white dog came bounding out, tongue flopping and tail wagging.

*

“Reggie!” Kat squealed and crouched down to him. He whined and barked in happiness.

She rubbed the mutt’s belly until his back legs were scratching and kicking up like a lunatic. “I missed you, too,” she cooed.

“Kat!”

She looked up to see Nana Boo, dressed in a huge parka and mittens, hurrying from the door, looking as wonderful as she always did. Trevor, her help, followed with a warm smile.

“Nana,” Kat breathed, instantly at peace. She stood and allowed her grandmother to envelop her in one of her hugs.

“Angel.” Nana Boo smiled into Kat’s hair. “It’s so wonderful to see you.”

“You too.”

Kat kissed her cheek before she pulled back. She glanced toward Carter shifting on his feet and rounding his shoulders in defense. She immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him with her. His grip on her hand was painful, but she would have taken all he had to ensure he was protected and comfortable.

“Nana,” Kat said with a dip of her chin, “this is Carter. He’s my … Wes.”

Carter’s head almost toppled off his neck he looked at her so quickly. His eyes were wide with surprise, but the smile threatening the corners of his perfect mouth told Kat her words were the right ones.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carter,” Nana Boo offered with an outstretched hand and an ecstatic smile that creased her face in a thousand different ways.

Carter cleared his throat. “Nice to finally meet you, too,” he said as their hands met.

Nana Boo’s eager arms encircled Carter around his waist. She pressed her cheek against him and squeezed.

“Um, hi,” Carter mumbled, while staring at Kat over the top of the aged woman’s woolen hat. Kat smiled.

“I’ve been so excited to meet the man who’s captured my Kat’s heart,” Nana Boo whispered.

She stepped back and wiped a finger under her shimmering eyes. “Oh my.” She chuckled, observing the tears on her skin. “Silly old woman.”