Page 29 of Love, Untangled

“So?”

“So? I’m…like ten years older than her!”

“I’m nine years older than my spouse.”

Carlo dropped back down into his chair, hanging his head once more, staring at his fingers. “That’s cool.”

Sue laughed. “It is for me. And for Charlie. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for you. You and Penelope may have sexual chemistry and lack any real connection outside the bedroom. That’s okay too, as long as you both consent to that type of relationship.”

“You’re getting way ahead of yourself.”

“All right. Then just spend some time with her. Stop pushing people away. Talk to Marvin again about what the Blazers need. Just start living, Carlo. You deserve good things in your life.”

Carlo considered Sue’s words as he drove back through downtown Cinnamon Bay. He just couldn’t reconcile Cora dying, with permission for him to keep living. That whole idea was a big muddle, and one he wasn’t sure how to untangle. But when he saw Marvin stepping out of the bank toward the parking lot, Carlo made the decision to pull into a nearby spot and talk to the man.

Maybe…maybe going through the training program Marvin ran for the volunteer force at Blazers would help him move forward.

Chapter 12

Carlo

By the time Carlo parked, Marvin had driven away. The chatty teller inside was happy to tell Carlo the volunteer firefighter had left early to attend an event with his wife and stepson at the middle school.

Carlo rubbed his chest, wishing Cora hadn’t been so adamant about waiting to start a family. She’d wanted time to establish her career, and Carlo wanted her happy. But he’d also wanted to be a dad.

Longing gripped him, hard, as he drove home. To his big, lonely house.

Being a father wasn’t going to happen. His frustrations at the world bubbled over when he saw Alpaca Man in his yard. The animal turned toward him, chewing placidly on some flower or grass, as Carlo pulled up his driveway.

“Do you ever stay where you’re supposed to?” Carlo snapped.

Clearly not. That was why Pen came tearing into his yard moments later, panting. “Sorry! So sorry. I was finishing a blanket and—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Carlo said. His voice and posture were stiff, not unlike his sergeant father’s. “Just take him home, okay?”

“You don’t want him in the orchard? I thought—”

“No.”

Penelope frowned, her big brown eyes searching his expression. “Are you okay?”

“My business is mine. It has nothing to do with spices in coffee or…or us hanging out. The point is you don’t need to worry about it.”

She blinked up at him, wide eyes turning dark with hurt. “All right. Did I do something wrong?” She swallowed, the delicate workings of her throat distracting him momentarily from the discomfort he was causing her. “You don’t…want to see me?”

Carlo fisted his hands. Oh, he did. Because he liked her. He more than liked her. He was pretty sure he was falling for Penelope. That was the problem. He tipped his chin up. She was so young. Most young women her age would still be in college, learning how to live alone, take care of themselves.

He didn’t answer her—he couldn’t.

“Let’s go, my dude.” She tugged on Alpaca Man’s harness but the animal seemed content to stand there, chewing.

“Off you go,” Carlo said with a waving motion. “Home for you.”

As she left, she took the sun with her. It slid behind a cloud.

He gnashed his teeth. “Really?”

He settled on his front steps, too tired to head inside. His thoughts turned, once more, back to Penelope. She’d already proved she could live alone—and she’d added an alpaca to her list of responsibilities. She’d already set up a few classes and had regular customers—in mere weeks. She was making her way, well along the path toward earning a good living for herself.

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