Page 14 of Carly's Heart

Carly glanced in her rearview mirror and shifted a few strands of her hair to the right. Driving with the window partially open had been a mistake. The late spring day had been hot, the car sweltering when they got in. She hated the mechanical smell of air conditioning and had opened the window instead.

She shifted a few more hairs. Oh well, her hair wasn’t perfect, but it was what it was. Nobody here cared what she looked like. Certainly not Birch. He didn’t even know she was alive. She wasn’t here to see him anyway. Okay, maybe she was, not that she’d ever admit it to him or anyone else.

Officially, she was here for Tanya and George’s celebratory dinner, and to meet George’s parents. If Birch was here, it was just a lucky coincidence. Lucky for her that is. She couldn’t wait to see his handsome face, and strong, sexy body. The fact that his mere presence left her speechless and somewhat uncoordinated was irrelevant. She could ogle him all day long ... it wasn’t like he’d notice.

She sighed. Notice? The infuriating man didn’t even know she was alive!

Maybe tonight, during this engagement dinner, he’d finally see her. Years ago, when Layla was an infant, she’d thought he might be interested, but he kept coming close and backing away. Since her divorce was final, he had become distant. He still hung around; he just didn’t initiate many conversations. Everything he did could be considered friendship, but sometimes when she looked at him, she almost swore she saw more in his eyes. But he never made a move.

As Layla grew, he kept his distance, and she was forced to conclude that everything he had done and was doing for her was simply a favor for his sister’s bestie. She sighed. She wished it were different.

She turned her attention back to the present. Tanya and George would be married in just two weeks after dating for only two months. Who got married that fast after knowing each other for such a short time? Nobody she knew. She shrugged. If her best friend was truly in love, she’d support her all the way to the altar.

She was Tanya’s maid of honor. Birch was going to be the best man. That meant they’d have to dance together at some point. She shivered in anticipation before stifling her happy grin. After knowing him for six years, she’d finally get to dance with him.

“Mama, are we going inside? I’m hot.”

She smiled over the seat at her daughter. Layla had perfectly straight blonde hair, like her father, but she had Carly’s brown eyes. Layla had already unbuckled and was bouncing on the back seat.

“Yes, baby girl, we’re going in. Are you ready? Remember, best manners. We’re meeting Auntie Tanya’s new family tonight.”

“Why does she need a new family? She has Uncle Birch, and Grandma Helen, and GrandpaBuck, and us.”

“Very true, munchkin. But sometimes people get married and get new families.” She opened her door and stepped out. A soft hay-scented breeze ruffled the hair she’d just straightened. She loved this ranch.

“Did you get a new family when you married Daddy?”

She took a deep breath before opening the rear door. There were days when she wished her advanced daughter wasn’t quite so smart. This was one of them. “Yes, I did.”

“You and Daddy don’t live together, is he still your family?” Layla’s brows pinched together, and she tilted her head in question, just the way her adopted uncle, Birch, did. Carly’s heart squeezed at the familiar gesture.

“Yes, he is. Not living together doesn’t change that, he’s still my family and your family too.” She did not want to have this conversation right now. “Just like we don’t live with Grandpa and Grandma Johnston but they’re still our family. Remember, no matter what, no matter where we live, Daddy and I both love you the most. Forever.”

“I love you more.” Layla hopped out of the car and threw her arms around Carly’s legs.

Carly’s heart swelled. Because she left Mike before Layla was born, there was no transition to separated parents for her to deal with, she’d only known the reality of having two families. Carly was immensely grateful that Mike had sobered up and was a fabulous father to their daughter. She just wished his drinking hadn’t cost them their marriage. Yeah well, if wishes were horses... Speaking of horses. Birch stood on the porch in clean pressed jeans and a button-down shirt. He looked every inch the horseman. The only thing missing was his ever-present cowboy hat.

“Mama, look,” Layla squealed. “There’s Uncle Birch. On the porch.” Without waiting for permission, her daughter raced toward him. Layla loved Tanya’s family, especially the man she called Uncle Birch, and Carly completely understood the attraction.

He scooped her up and swung her in a circle. “Hey there, little princess, you look beautiful.”

She pecked him on the cheek and wiggled out of his arms. Layla was a hugger, but nobody held her for long. She swirled in a circle. “Do you like my dress?”

He looked at the airy confection that matched Carly’s outfit. “You and your mother both look beautiful.”

Heat rose in Carly’s face. Did Birch have to be so kind and handsome? He was devastating to her sanity. Never mind what he did to her libido.

“Thanks, Uncle Birch. Can I go see Grandma Helen?”

“Sure thing, munchkin.”

Layla laughed. “I don’t squeak.” She tore past him into the house, the old-fashioned wooden screen door slamming behind her.

Carly and Birch laughed at her exuberance. Carly closed both car doors and popped open the trunk of her Kia sedan. Birch immediately jogged down the steps toward her. She watched him from the corner of her eye. Dang, he was handsome.

“What can I carry?”

“Oh. Thanks, I just have a couple of pies. I know I wasn’t supposed to bring anything, but I can’t come to dinner without bringing something.” Her innate pride always urged her to contribute, sometimes even where it wasn’t requested or needed. She baked for every school fundraising sale. The school had asked the diner for donations once, and she’d been pitching in ever since.

---