Page 111 of Always Be Mine
She shot him a look, but he didn’t miss her grin. “This baby is going to be a monster.”
“You look like you’re ready to pop, sis.” He held out his hands. “No offense, obviously. But isn’t that baby due soon?”
She groaned. “Not for a few more months still. But I’m not in a hurry. She’ll come when she’s ready.”
“She?”
“Or he.” Charli winked, and Craig shook his head. The whole family had placed bets on the sex of the baby, and Craig was sure that Charli and Symon actually knew. But if they did, it was a secret they were keeping quiet.
“Today’s the day, huh?” Charli leaned back against the counter and folded her hands over her tummy. “Six months.”
“Exactly.”
After Lucy had come back to Trickle Creek, and as Meri put it, hefixedthings between them, everything had been different. For the better. For starters, there was no reason to continue to hide their love for each other, and as soon as it was out in the open, their feelings only bloomed and grew stronger. Craig didn’t know it was possible to feel so much for another human than he already did for his little girl. But with Lucy, it was a very different kind of love. And one he wanted to properly honor. Just as soon as he could.
Earlier in the summer, after Lucy returned, they’d held an emergency family meeting with William Evans and Steven Larson to make sure that Craig hadn’t breached the terms of the will. Craig had meant what he said, that he’d give it all up for her, and he knew that although his family might be upset—very upset—they’d understand if he did it for love. But thankfully, it hadn’t come to that.
Lucy insisted that she not be the reason that the Carlson family lost their legacy. And fortunately, William Evans had agreed that her holiday to Vancouver had been just that, a holiday. And not a breach of conditions.
For the last few months, Lucy had played her role asnanny, eveninsisting on keeping a separate bedroom in the house, which was really starting to make Craig crazy. But he respected the few boundaries she had in this matter.
“I bet you’ve been counting down?” His sister laughed.
“You know I have. I couldn’t be happier to be done with this. Let it be someone else’s turn.” Craig shook his head. “I’ve learned what I needed to learn.”
The smile slipped from Charli’s face, and she grew serious. “I really think you have.”
He had.
Despite his initial anger for his father, Craig knew now that he’d been right. He’d spent way too long thinking he didn’t need anyone. Maybe Michael Carlson hadn’t intended for him to find love with the nanny, but the idea was the same. Lifewasricher when you shared it with someone else.
“Honestly, I hope I can be even half as wise as he was one day.” Craig swallowed hard. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m really thankful for the last six months.”
Charli moved around the counter and gave him a hug the best she could with her belly in the way. “I know exactly how you feel. And I’m so excited for you today, Craig. It’s going to be perfect.”
“I sure hope so.” He glanced at the time. He still had about ten minutes.
“It will.”
He watched as Charli moved to the flower cooler on the side of the room.
“I got what you asked for.”
“Thank you.”
The bells over the door chimed, and Craig turned to see Kat, right on time, make her way into the shop, maneuvering a large carrying case that she set down heavily.
Kat looked up at her big brother and shook her head. “It’s a good thing I love you and would do anything for you. Because you owe me after this.”
“It’ll be worth it. I promise.”
“It feels like summer.” Meri grabbed Lucy’s hand and swung it back and forth as they made their way through the plaza. “Doesn’t it, Lucy?”
“It really does.” It was such a beautiful day that she’d walked to pick Meri up from school. But as much as itfeltlike summer, it was most definitely not.
It was approaching the end of October, and that meant one thing.
Today was her last day as Meri’s nanny.
