Doubtful, as they were into design. Antonio had mentioned another sister who owned a retail clothes store, and they’d met her at breakfast though her name escaped him right now. He shrugged. “Then we’ll straighten it out, together.”
Charlotte put the card down and didn’t touch one bag as she said, “I’m sorry I’m not relaxed about this.”
Now that was the truth. She’d hopefully seen Nancy for the last time as her stepmother always messed with Charlotte’s mind. “It’s okay. I know you loved your father.”
She took out some old photos from her plastic bag. “Always. These two pictures are all I have left.”
The frame had lost its glass and the photos were fading. He remembered how devastated she’d been when her father had died.
When Charlotte was sleeping later he’d snap a picture of them and have the photos restored to their old brightness. He imagined how vivid the green trees behind her pig-tailed head must have once been. “And you have them.”
“And you?” She put the pictures down on the table near her.
He reached for her and held her sides. “You already had me, Charlotte, always.”
She stared at his lips and his mouth tingled as she said, “I still wanted to hear it.”
“Good, now kiss me.” He pressed his lips against hers.
Today had been hard for her. With Nancy out of their lives, she’d never have to stress again. He’d ensure she was happy. It would be his job, for the rest of their lives.
Chapter 13
Charlotte studied her image in the bathroom mirror to make sure that her gold jewelry with diamonds matched the pear-shaped diamond everyone was sure to want to see. Her white dress fit like a dream.
Tomorrow might be the engagement party but she wasn’t entirely devoid of being a girl. Tonight everyone would want to admire her ring at the cocktail party downstairs.
Their room was large enough for a small family to stay in for a week it was rapidly getting filled with House of Morgan boxes.
Room service had been in and made the bed though so everything was clean.
Happiness was so close.Once she had her father’s store, everything would be fine.
She turned from the mirror and saw Jack already dressed in a suit, though his tie was a bit too long. He asked, “Are you ready?”
“Jack, let’s fix your tie.” She undid the knot and loosened the silk.
A few years ago his mother had given her some lessons for their business class trip to ensure Jack looked perfect for the competition. Luckily Charlotte remembered how to make the knot. Being this close to Jack sent a tremble through her.
A good one.
“Was it too long or too short?”
“Long, but I got this.” It was nice to be needed. When she finished she directed him to the bathroom mirror she’d just abandoned and leaned against the door. “I’m happy your mom showed me how to do that.”
He joined her in the frame of the door and took her hand. “Part of me doesn’t want to leave the room.”
Agreed. Charlotte worried that his family might say no—then what would she do? But she needed to have faith. She squeezed his hand. “Jack, it will be okay.”
He gave her that new, confident wink he’d developed. “You’re right. Let’s go.”
The ride down to the ballroom cocktail party was easy. They crossed the threshold and hundreds of people were gathered, far more than breakfast that had just been family.
She glanced around for signs of Nancy, Linda, or Mickey but saw none.
Charlotte stopped stressing when Lucy hugged her and said, “Congrats, you two.”
Patricia trotted behind her daughter and hugged her son as his mother said, “Tomorrow’s party is going to be great.”
