Page 48 of Carly's Heart

All her insecurities about money came flooding back in, leaving her certain she was inadequate in her bright floral sundress and strappy flat sandals. Her floppy white straw hat made her feel like an absolute hick. She was totally out of place. She pivoted on her heel and headed back to the house. As she passed close to the barn, the youth inside called out.

“Ma’am? Ma’am? I spoke with Birch. He says to meet him in the visitor center. He’ll be there in five.”

She waved acknowledgement. Birch might be there in five, but she’d be at home. No way was she prepared to deal with all this money. What happened to the man she’d admired? When had he gotten rich ... richer, and how had she missed it? He never flaunted his money, but from someone with a very modest background and income, all this was too much.

She was storming back to the house to wait inside when a horn tooted. A shiny red, dual wheeled, 4X4 truck pulled up and parked on the grass behind the house. The door opened and Birch jumped out.

“Where are you headed?” he asked, striding toward her. “Jimmy said you were headed to the visitor center.” He moved close like he was going to kiss her.

She stepped back, nearly tripping in her haste. “Um. I was going to...” she snapped her mouth shut. She wouldn’t lie, but she couldn’t tell the truth either. “Never mind.”

“Were you leaving? You just got here. Mom texted that she was playing with Layla.”

She wished he sounded accusatory, but he didn’t. He sounded ... bewildered. She sighed. “I was leaving.” She did not want to go into this right now. Or ever. She was a waitress. He was ... whatever he was. Clearly, he was above her pay grade. The difference in income shouldn’t matter, but it made her grossly uncomfortable.

“Why? I have the whole day planned out. I want to spend the day with you, and Layla.” He waved to the west of the house. “I wanted to watch her play on the play structure I put in the week the house was finished. I did it for you, and Layla. I’m not messing around here. I want you to know, in no uncertain terms, that you and your daughter are important to me. A play place was one way to show you how important you are to me. I want you in my life, Carly.”

She swallowed hard. It was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her. Even her parents’ plentiful words of love and praise hadn’t hit this deeply. “Oh.” The single syllable was barely audible once she forced it past the lump in her throat. But the expense he’d put into the play area made her uncomfortable. Inadequacy pinched her shoulders together.

She stared down at the ground but could feel his eyes on her like a caress.

He slipped a finger under her chin and lifted her face. She stared into his eyes, wished she was anywhere but here.

“What freaked you out?” His brow wrinkled in concern. “First the other night, and just now, I can tell something scared you. We should talk about it.”

His hands were warm on her shoulders, driving away part of the chill threatening to overcome her. Tears formed in her eyes. She blinked them away, hoping he didn’t notice.

“What is it?” He massaged her shoulders and then trailed down to grasp her icy hands in his warm ones. “You can tell me anything. I swear.”

She shook her hands free and dashed away her tears before they could fall. She didn’t want to talk about it. “I was just ... overwhelmed by everything. I didn’t realize your work was such a big thing.” She shrugged.

“Let’s go for a ride. We’ll show Layla the horses later. Mom is so excited to be with her.”

“Is that your truck? What happened to Big Blue?” She realized he’d had this truck at the wedding.

“Oh, I’ve still got Blue. I won’t part with her anytime soon. She’s had a total overhaul. This is my company truck. The one I use when I need to make an impression. Red’s got all the bells and whistles. Top of the line.”

“Ah.” She pretended she understood the need to look important rather than being who you were.

“Frankly, I’d rather drive Blue. Remember Rusty from high school?” He laughed.

“Um. No. As far as I know, you’ve only ever had Blue. I’ve only been in town for six years. Remember?”

“Really? It seems like longer.” He shrugged. “Unrequited love will warp your sense of time.” He chuckled. “I’m glad I found you. Hop in and we’ll hit the barn first.”

She looked him up and down. He looked incredible. Polished boots and a brand new hat. Neatly pressed jeans and a pristine, navy-blue button-down shirt with a discrete logo for his ranch on the pocket. He reminded her of a rich television Texas rancher. Where had the real Birch gone?

“Am I dressed okay?” She brushed her hands down her dress. Again, she felt inadequate beside this fancy man. She was unnerved by the changes in him.

“You look amazing. Pretty, sexy, adorable.”. He lifted her hat and dropped a kiss on her forehead. He set the hat back on her head and adjusted it with a soft smile. “Stop fretting. I’m the same person I always was.”

Yeah, one who drives a truck worth more than everything I own. She banked her nerves and climbed into the tall truck. Thank heavens it had chrome running boards. She wasn’t short but it was a long way up and she was wearing a skirt.

Birch climbed in and buckled his seatbelt. “Buckle up.”

“We’re only going five hundred yards.”

He gave her a raised eyebrow look and she fastened her belt. She wanted to bolt or tell him how unnerved she felt, but he chatted away about how he’d worked hard with his grandfather to build his ranch. She kept her fears to herself.

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