Page 26 of Tilly's Tutus
But without knowing how Carter felt about her, she also was not comfortable telling him that she thought she’d fallen in love with him in less than three days. What if he’d changed his mind and decided he didn’t want her around any longer? Though they had already discussed it, she still found herself nervous to admit her feelings were growing so strong so quickly.
Once he parked, she fumbled for her bags with one hand and the safety belt latch with the other. She froze when he laid a hand on her arm.
“We need to talk for just a minute before we go inside.”
The sight of Tilly’s tear-filled eyes gutted him. Needing to hold her and not sit across the truck from her, Carter climbed out andwent around. After helping her out, he took her hand in his and led her to the empty park next to the convention center.
Sitting at the picnic table, he lifted her to sit on his lap facing him. She wiped the tears that had escaped before linking her fingers together. “What do you want to talk about, Papa?” she whispered.
“Look in my eyes, Tilly,” he requested in a low, steel-laced tone.
Her gaze lifted to meet his and he could see the pain and sadness filling her. “I want to talk about what happens between us after today. It may be too soon, but I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.”
Tilly eyes widened and hope slowly chased out the pain. “You love me?” she asked. “Are you sure it’s not just gas or something?”
“No, Matilda Ann, it is not gas or something. I’ve been looking for my Little girl for a lot of years and I’ve found her in you. Now the question is, are you interested in having more of a relationship with me?”
Tilly stopped breathing for a handful of seconds before she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, Papa. I love you, too. I want more of a relationship with you so sosomuch!”
Carter flinched when she squealed in his ear, but could not help laughing at her enthusiasm. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her tight. “That makes me very, very happy. Now, let’s get inside and go to work. We can tell your sisters you’re coming to live with Papa after things close down this afternoon.”
Tilly nodded, though she didn’t look quite as confident as he felt. “Um, I think I need to talk to them alone, Papa. We’ve been the three Smith sisters all our lives and I’m not sure how they’ll take me just going off with someone I met a few days ago.”
Carter thought about her situation and though he knew they were losing their home in the near future, he also understoodthat he was pushing this relationship forward at the speed of sounds. He was surprised he hadn’t heard a sonic boom yet.
Taking a deep breath he nodded. “I understand, little dancer, but I want you to think about this. Your sisters are just as grownup as you are, give or take a few minutes. You need to start thinking about yourself and your life and not let them make your decisions for you.”
Tilly looked thoughtful for a minute, before she nodded. “You’re probably right, but they’re my sisters, the only family I have left in the world. I can’t just turn my back and walk away from them like that. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but losing my family because I don’t give them time to get used to the idea of us hurts me. Maybe we need to think about this some more.”
With that, Tilly climbed from his lap and ran toward the convention center.
Though he wanted to yell at her about running in the parking lot, he didn’t. Instead, he sat and thought over the conversation and realized she was right. He was asking too much from her much too soon. And he did need to get to know her sisters so that they would approve and not try to pull them apart once he’d figured out how to get Tilly to talk to him once again.
Chapter Sixteen
The final day of the convention passed with the speed of pouring molasses in January. Tilly tried to keep a smile on her face with the customers who were coming back for the final time to scoop up whatever she had left, or place orders for something they had not bought on an earlier visit that had been sold.
She also tried to stay away from Lottie who was watching her with concern and speculation.
“Are you Tilly?” She was straightening up for what she hoped was the last time when an older woman approached her.
“Yes, I’m Tilly Smith.”
After shaking the woman’s hand, Tilly sent a look to Lottie and with a tilt of her head, her sister ambled over to listen to the conversation.
“I’m Wendy Chapel and I own a Little boutique in the capital. I’d like to talk to you about selling your clothes in my store and on my website.”
Tilly blinked, then blinked again. “Really? That would be great, and I’d like to discuss it with you, but right now I’m beyond exhausted. Would it be possible to have a phone meeting in a few days?”
A glance at her sister told Tilly she had handled the offer correctly. Lottie smiled and nodded before slowly backing away several steps.
“I completely understand. These shows are almost more than I can take anymore, but I do love meeting all the Littles and their caregivers,” Wendy said. “Here’s my card and a printout of the standard contract I use with vendors. Call me after you look it over and we can discuss any questions or concerns you have.”
Tilly accepted the papers with a grin. “Thank you, Ms. Chapel. I’ll be in touch.”
“Also, not to be critical, but I think you need to double your prices. Your clothes are so cute that people will gladly pay double what you’re charging,” she said with a smile.
She walked away before Tilly could respond. Instead, she laid the papers on her sales table and then rushed to hug her sisters. They squealed and danced around, only stopping when Rooker and Carri arrived.
