Page 2 of Carly's Heart

He took a quick glance at the suit, not wanting to look too long and seem creepy. “It’s very nice.” What else could he say? He knew nothing about fashion or sewing.

“She helped me finish the quilt I gave you for your birthday. It would be in the rag bin without Carly. She helped half the class. I think you knew more than the teacher.” Tanya looked at her friend.

Sweet pink colored Carly’s cheeks. “No, she was just busy with some of the real beginners. I just helped a bit.”

“You practically ran the class while she was on her phone.” She turned to Birch. “Carly is the most helpful person I’ve ever met. She makes cookies for the daycare and volunteers at the senior’s center. She even made Elvira Wettles smile.”

“Now that’s impressive. She never cracks the hint of a grin, let alone a full smile.” He stood up. “Well, off to work. I’d love to stay for more conversation, but horses wait for no man.” He couldn’t sit and listen to his sister sing the praise of the woman he wanted and couldn’t have.

He strode away, trying not to stomp. How could she be married? Disappointment dragged at his normally upbeat mood. For the last three months he’d been eating in the diner twice a week, just for the chance to talk to Carly, only to discover that she was married. She didn’t wear any rings. She had no tell-tale tan lines on her finger.

“Fudge.” He stormed around the corner of the house to where his truck was parked in the shade. He headed cross country to his own barn on the adjoining section. He’d get his chores done and spend a few hours working out his frustrations by putting sheeting on the house he was building.

♥♥♥

CARLY TRIED NOT TO watch Birch walk away but there was something about a handsome man in snug jeans and a cowboy hat that she adored. Those boots spoke to his impressive work ethic. Objectively speaking, Tanya’s brother was a very handsome man with his dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Broad shoulders, strong sinuous muscles, and narrow hips. He could be a model. He’d caught her eye the first time he walked into the diner. And that backside, whoa!

Hey, she was married not dead. She’d never cheat on Mike, but looking wasn’t cheating, and Birch was definitely something worth looking at. The day’s heat grew until she needed to fan herself. It was the sun making her warm, not Birch.

Still, he was kind, and generous with his tips. He always smiled. He seemed to have a lot of friends which spoke well for his personality. Like Tanya, he was a good person.

She returned her attention to Tanya and her mother. She had no interest in Birch beyond looking, she was a very happily married woman. “Have you started another quilt?” she asked, trying to distract herself from Birch’s good qualities.

“I have. I’m making one for Dad this time. He grumbles all winter about being cold, so I thought a quilt for his recliner would be great.”

“I do not grumble,” a male voice replied from behind Carly. He walked to the table and thrust his hand toward Carly. “Hi. I’m Buck, Tanya’s father. I see you’ve met my wife, Helen.”

Carly shook hands with him. “Carly Johnston. So nice to meet you. Thanks for having me here. Your ranch is beautiful. I love the cows, but the peacocks are noisy.” She laughed. As if making her point, one of the birds screamed in the distance. For five seconds, all was quiet. Every other bird stopped chirping.

“Those are Helen’s stupid birds,” he teased with all the gentle good humor of a man who would do anything for his wife. He leaned in and kissed Helen long and hard. Heat rose in Carly’s face. She wasn’t used to such blatant affection. Her parents had been in love, but not demonstrative. Mike was okay with public hand holding, but nothing more. What would it be like to be married to a man who didn’t care if the whole world knew how much he loved you?

Buck sat beside Helen with his arm slung across the back of her chair. Birch’s parentage was reflected in his father’s smile and flashing eyes. Sure, Buck was grey at the temples and had deep smile and tan lines, but he was a clear vision of what Birch would look like when he aged. Handsome. Very handsome.

“Gross, Dad,” Tanya complained when her father kissed her mother again. “Nobody wants to see that.”

“Deal with it, baby girl. I love your mother. Come on, woman.” He tugged Helen to her feet. “There’s something I need to show you in the bedroom.”

Carly laughed at his outrageous wink and at Helen’s giggling response.

“Da-ad,” Tanya grumbled. “Stop.”

“I think they’re sweet.”

“Is Mike like that?” Tanya asked.

“Mike is more reserved. He’s a wonderful husband and provider, and I love him to death. We’re happy. But what your parents have is something special. I could get used to being treated like the most beautiful woman in the world.” She wasn’t unhappy in her marriage, quite the opposite, but that didn’t stop the little beast called envy from rearing its head now and then.

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