Page 95 of Family Bonds: Carter & Avery

“Her problem, not mine,” he said. “I am who I am and don’t change for anyone.”

“As you shouldn’t,” she said. Which told her this happened more than once. He acted as if it didn’t bother him, but she wondered how much of that was the truth.

“I’m not sure why this is coming up,” he said. “I’ve said it before that I’m not what women want.”

“You’re what I want,” she said. “Maybe we both have to hear these things to know it.”

He put his fork down. “What are you trying to say?” he asked.

“That I love you,” she said. “I think I’ve been feeling it for a while. Today opened my eyes even more to how truly happy I am here. Not just here, but with you. What we have. How Josie feels about you and how you feel about her.”

He held his hand out for her and she stood up and moved closer to him and sat on his lap. His arms went around her waist. “I love you too. And I couldn’t get any happier or I’d burst and be a big mess for you to pick up on this floor.”

“I’d do it,” she said. “Not that I want you to burst, but I’d clean up anything to be with you. That’s what love is about. Just what we feel, not what other people see or want us to be.”

He kissed her on the forehead. “I couldn’t have said it better.”

31

Taste Of His Insecurities

As much as Carter had hoped he could start staying the night at Avery’s, he hadn’t asked yet.

A week ago they’d said they loved each other and he couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Not so thrilled she had that conversation with Payton and got a taste of his insecurities, but he didn’t think he was hiding all that much from her either.

“Hi, Carter,” Josie said, opening the door on Sunday morning.

He’d left at around nine last night. Josie was in bed; he and Avery were watching a show after they had a family movie night. It was the second Saturday they’d done it. He found he was looking forward to it again. Even the dogs got in on the action, everyone getting movie snacks because Josie said, “It’s only fair the dogs get snacks too.”

“Hi, Josie. Hey, Betty,” he said to the puppy that was bouncing around his feet. He picked her up and gave her a little cuddle. Dopey and Doc were used to it and didn’t get jealous. Then he handed Betty back to Josie and he came in stomping some snow off his feet on the porch and taking his boots off, his two dogs right next to him.

“Avery said I can make a snowman if we get enough snow. I can’t wait.”

“I don’t know if we’ll get enough for that to happen. It’s supposed to stop soon.”

“Only an inch or two, I told Josie,” Avery said, coming forward.

“Betty might get lost out there,” Josie said, giggling. “Or we might lose her because she’s the same color.”

“Winter has been pretty mild so far this year,” he said. Just flurries here and there and nothing sticking to the ground. “Do you have someone set up to plow for you at the clinic and here?” he asked Avery.

“I do,” she said. “Dr. Mullins had given me the name of the guy that did it and then I asked if they could do it here. I can handle the sidewalk, but the driveway is too much for me to shovel.”

“A snowblower makes it easier,” he said. “But I’ve got a plow I put on my truck. I need it to clear my business off. I would have taken care of the clinic and your house for you.”

“Thanks,” she said. “I’ve got it covered, but now I know who to call as a backup.”

He wouldn’t say anymore. He knew how much she hated to ask for help and she did manage to deal with it on her own. He had to remember that. Not all women needed someone to take care of them.

“Can we watch another movie today?” Josie asked, moving into the kitchen. The little girl grabbed a banana off the counter. He had to say he rarely saw her eating anything bad.

“We are going to watch football today,” Avery said. “Carter likes football and I enjoy it too. You know that, Josie.”

Josie was grinning. “I don’t mind it a little, but not all day. Can I paint another mural upstairs on a different wall?”

“Of course you can,” Avery said. “I didn’t know you settled on what you wanted to do.”

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