Page 86 of Wild Nights

"You're the best, and don't forget you have all of us," Mom added.

I hoped Scarlett was right, and Carolina was missing us too. There was a moment on the curb at the airport where I thought she was waiting for me to say something. But I was worried about the security cop prompting people to leave. I wasn't fully focused on her.

When brunch was finished and we were sitting in the great room, I stood off to the side, taking in the sight of most of my family in one spot. Hopefully, this time next year, Carolina would be part of our family too.

I knew we could give her what she was looking for: love and a family. If she wanted to stay in Maine, I could make that work too. I was willing to do whatever it took. But ideally, I wanted to stay here with my family and so that Joey was close to his mother. As close as he could get.

Scarlett touched my arm. "I didn't realize you were interested in Carolina."

"We met last spring."

Scarlett's eyes widened. "I had no idea."

"We kept it a secret, thinking it was just a one-night thing. Then we saw each other again in the fall."

"And then you were snowed in together. How romantic," she gushed.

"Not so fast. We don't know how the story ends."

She squeezed my arm. "I meant what I said earlier. You and Joey will make her very happy. I'm sure she'll say yes."

I laughed. "I'm not proposing."

She grinned. "You're not proposingyet."

"I want to see if she will agree to move here with us, or at least make it her home base. She travels a lot, and I want to know if she could be happy here before we make any other steps."

"You're a great dad, and you deserve to have someone in your life. I, for one, will be happy to have more women around here."

"Our family's expanding."

"I know Eli will be happy when Killian and Walker are home for good."

I frowned. "I'm not sure that's going to happen."

"If they know what's good for them, they'll come home to stay," she said pointedly.

"It wasn't so long ago that you were eager to leave our hometown too." Scarlett wasn't ever planning to stay, not until she saw Eli in a different light and reconnected with her friend, Marigold.

"Staying was the best decision I ever made, and I want everyone else to be happy too."

I just hoped that Carolina felt the same way I did, or we'd be disappointed. I tried not to think about the what-ifs, but it was hard not to when we had a long flight to Maine.

Chapter Twenty-Four

CAROLINA

Ienjoyed the text exchange with Oliver this morning. I don't know why I sent him the picture of me in my Christmas pajamas. I thought he and Joey would appreciate it.

I made myself breakfast and sent holiday greetings to my dad, sister, and mom. I ate a late lunch at Mom's house with her and Harold. He was nice to her, and that's all I could really ask for. She seemed happy. I gave her my gift of a weekend stay at a local B and B, and she gave me a gorgeous throw blanket for my bed that I'd wanted. Then I left them to enjoy the rest of their day.

I cooked a smaller version of what I would usually prepare for the holiday. I still had a present for Ginny. But she was at her boyfriends' family's house again. I thought I'd feel lonely, but I didn't, not in the way I expected.

I felt okay letting Ginny and Mom do their thing. We didn't have to carry on our traditions. We were free to make new ones with the people in our lives. I felt a little sad now that I was home alone listening to holiday music and watching the lights flicker on my tree. I couldn't help but think it would have been better with Oliver and Joey to share the evening.

I picked up my phone and did what I'd wanted to do the last two days. My heart rate increased as my fingers flew over the keyboard.

Carolina: I made a mistake when I left Colorado, not telling you how I felt.

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