Page 88 of Love in Tandem
“I met someone.” He dipped his head toward the sand, but not quick enough to hide the dopey grin spreading across his lips. “Her dad’s the one who’s been helping me out with getting my plumbing license. And . . . well, she’s amazing. I love her.”
Was her brother blushing? Charlotte angled her face toward the tide, so he wouldn’t see her mouth gaping open. “And does this amazing someone have a name?”
“Hannah.” He cleared his throat, digging his hands into his pockets probably to give his shoulders a break. “She’s been wanting to meet you guys for a while now. I couldn’t hold her off any longer. She’s coming later this week.” He cleared his throat again, sounding like a boy asking a girl out on his very first date. “She has a daughter too.”
“What?” Charlotte didn’t even attempt to hide her surprise this time. “And how old is she?”
“Four. She’s really smart. I think she’s smarter than me.”
“Well, that’s not saying much.”
He grinned. “She’s cute. She looks just like her mom.”
Charlotte couldn’t help it. She stared at her brother. Who was this man? He looked so . . . domesticated. “You really feel like you’re up for all that?”
“Some days, no. Some days I’m pretty sure I’ll screw it up. But sometimes it’s not about feeling ready. It’s about finding something you don’t want to lose, then vowing to never stop going after it no matter how many setbacks you have along the way.” He offered Charlotte an amazed look. “I sing Sunday school songs with a four-year-old now. And you want to know the craziest part? I couldn’t be happier.”
Who was this man? “That’s great, Will.”
What? She could do better than that. This man was her brother. Her brother. “Will Carter is in love and singing Sunday school songs with a four-year-old,” she shouted, then threw her arms around him with a laugh. “Never dreamed I’d see the day.”
“Sure you did,” he whispered, his voice rough and broken next to her ear. “Heck, you were probably the only one who never lost faith in me.”
Moisture sheened in his eyes when he pulled away and dug a hand in his pocket. “I’m going to ask her to marry me. After she meets Mom and Dad this weekend.” He pulled out a box and opened the lid. A simple ring with a small solitaire diamond winked back from the velvet lining. “Think she’ll like it?”
“She’ll love it,” Charlotte said, relieved he’d moved on from the faith talk.
Sure, everything had turned out fine for her this summer. Her job. Her parents. Even her brother. But what if it hadn’t? One voice mail message had given her a glimpse of where her faith really stood. And it was no firmer beneath her feet than the sand surrounding her toes.
Will replaced the ring, then pulled something from his other pocket. “I bought this for Hannah’s daughter. I wanted to give her something too, you know.” He handed it to Charlotte. “Think that’ll work?”
Charlotte forced a laugh past the tightness in her throat. It was a sucker ring. “What four-year-old wouldn’t adore this?”
“I have a necklace to give her at some point, but considering she can’t even make it through the day without losing one of her socks, I thought I’d wait to give her the necklace until the wedding day. Assuming Hannah says yes.”
Charlotte handed the packaged sucker ring back to him. “I have a feeling she will.”
Will exhaled a breath of relief. “Good.” His voice relaxed and turned playful. “Hey, do you know anything about Sophia’s mystery man?”
“What are you talking about?”
“She’s been texting a lot, trying to act nonchalant. But she’s always smiling like an idiot. I caught a glimpse of her phone once. Looked like the caller ID said Clark Kent Hottie.” He shoved the rings back in his pockets, then jutted his chin toward the cottage. “I’m going to see if Mom’s awake yet.”
“Sure. Be there in a few minutes.”
He started to turn, then swiveled back, gently grabbing her elbow. “Hey. Almost forgot the real reason I came out here to talk to you. I’m long overdue giving you an apology. I know I should have reached out to you way sooner, but . . . I don’t know. For some reason it was different with you. Harder. I think because at one time we used to be the closest. Anyway, I’m sorry. And I want you to know that whatever happens with Mom and this baby, it’s not on you this time. Looking after them, I mean. Hannah and me, we’ve been talking, and we both agree it’s my turn. For sticking around. Helping out. Whatever Mom and Dad need, I’ve got this. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Well, neither am I.” She cleared the tightness from her throat. High-risk pregnancy aside, why would she leave just when her music program had a chance to take off? Thanks to Ben, her dream was finally coming true.
Thanks to Ben. Had she really just thought that? What happened to Take that, Benjamin Bryant? And why did a thriving music program feel less and less like a dream come true? And more and more like ropes tying her down?
Will released her elbow to dig his hands into his pockets. The lines around his eyes creased as he squinted out toward the water. “I’m just saying you have options. You know, in case there’s someone, maybe a guy you just biked a whole bunch of miles with through thick and thin, that you wanted to pursue instead of your music program.”
Charlotte clutched her stomach. Talk about a sucker punch. She inhaled a deep breath, then slowly released it. “I thought you and Zach hated each other.”
Will offered a pained smile. “There might be a punch or two we still need to get out of the way. But that’s only because we both care about you.”
Guys were so weird. She watched him start making his way up the sandy hill back to the cottage. Man, had he changed. Or maybe finally gotten back to himself.
