“Is this your twin-sis way of asking what my intentions are?”
“Absolutely. Dad might have been a little too preoccupied to ask himself.” A smile lit up her face. “Calling him Dad feels amazing. Especially since he isn’t a total loser like Yost.”
Carter couldn’t help it, he laughed, bringing on a few curious glances. “You’re refreshing, Jayne. I’m really glad you came to Charleston, whatever the original motivation.”
“You’re avoiding my question. Will you ask her to move in with you? You’re smitten,” she declared. “It’s all over your face.”
Again his gaze drifted to Paige. She and her father had been so serious, but that seemed to be over now. While he watched, her father pulled her up into a big hug. Carter let out the breath he was holding.
He was well past smitten.
“So when will you tell her you love her?”
“Boy you caught on to that little sister role quickly enough,” he muttered.
“And I’m right,” she insisted.
“Says who?”
“Oh, come on. You are not going to stand here and tell me you were in it for the job? I was right there when she got that confession out of Yost for Detective Lewis. You were losing your mind.”
“Shh,” he admonished, glancing around. No one was close enough to overhear. “She did that for you,” he said.
“And for Melissa,” Jayne added.
“True,” Carter agreed. Paige had gone into that meeting for those reasons and more. She might call him a hero, but her protective tendencies, her desire to see the right thing done, were just as strong as his.
Life would be amazing if she was willing to stick with him. He couldn’t be sure she was interested in that kind of change right now. She’d just gained a sister and a new perspective on her parents. They needed time.
It was possible her feelings didn’t match his, although when they kissed, when they talked, the connection went so deep. He was at his most vulnerable with her and had never felt so safe with any other woman. He didn’t want to believe that was one-sided, but they hadn’t known each other long.
He would wait for her. Find another line of work if that made her feel better. He’d promise her that. Whatever she needed, he’d do it for a chance to explore all of the feelings blooming between them. She could take her time and he would show her in dozens of ways how much she meant to him.
He caught Jayne staring at him and said the first thing that came to mind. “A woman with her background might not be interested in a future with a professional investigator.”
“You do know that if you guys made a thing of it, you wouldn’t have to work.”
“That’s not me. I’m not after her money.”
Jayne laughed. “No one’s accusing you of gold digging. But having options is always a good thing. You could be the full-time lifeguard at the Coker family pool.”
“Stop it.” She was surprisingly good at being an annoying little sister. He had to admit she made a good point about options. He just had to find the courage to tell Paige how he felt and what he hoped for their future.
“There, that’s the determination,” Jayne said pointing to his jaw. “I had to convince myself to stay. And your encouragement on that helped me a great deal. Let me do the same for you now.” She patted him on the shoulder. “Take a chance, Carter. You are too good together. That kind of synergy and affection and, yes, love isn’t something to walk away from.”
“You’re a good sister,” he said.
“Nah, I’m just selfish.” She grinned when he scowled at her. “I have a sister, but I’ve always wanted a big brother and, Carter, you fit that to a tee. Go get your girl.”
Feeling lighter and filled with hope, he went to intercept Paige as she slipped out onto the porch, away from the crowd.
“You pulled it off,” Carter said. He joined her at the railing of the porch overlooking the creek. “Everyone’s having a great time. Especially your parents.”
His warm palm touched the small of her back and smoothed out the last bit of angst she carried from her conversation with her father. “I’m glad. And it’s only because of you that we’re all here to enjoy it as a family. A family of four.” She turned, her gaze scanning the room until she spotted her sister standing with Cora.
“You amaze me, Paige. Not every daughter could stand here and look so delighted and at ease with her dad after what you’ve been through.”
“He’s my dad. And now he can be hers too. I need to focus on the good stuff ahead of us rather than all the things we missed in the past.” She shifted closer, smiling up at him. Not caring a wit about gossip or rumor, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “A really smart man once told me family is a choice. Love is a choice.”
“And happiness?” He touched his forehead to hers, resting his hands lightly on her waist.
“Especially happiness,” she said. “I had no idea what Mom would do with Jayne. The relationship they’re forging is more than I could have hoped for either of them. And again that’s on your shoulders.”
She let her hands glide over those broad shoulders. His strength went far deeper than his physical attributes and she wouldn’t have survived this without his help. Life could turn ugly in a blink and she was determined not to leave anything important unsaid from this point forward.
No more secrets.
“I know it’s too soon and most people would say I’m star-struck, or worse that I’m a cliché, but I’ve fallen in love with you, Carter Oakes.”
His mouth curved into a wide smile and there was a happy twinkle in his eyes. He brushed a light kiss over her mouth, so light she thought she imagined it, and then shifted so they were more appropriately standing side by side. But his hand was wrapped tightly around hers.
“When I took this job, you were a client,” he said, his voice low. “I’m not even sure exactly when you became so much more to me. I tried to keep myself in check, keep my hopes reasonable. Despite all of that effort I fell in love with you too.”
She tipped her head up to study him. “Is love supposed to be reasonable?”
“Apparently not for us. Seriously, Paige can you handle what I do? I want love to be enough, but I’m a practical man. More than anything, I want you to be happy. Deliriously happy every day for the rest of your life.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest. To be part of Carter’s life every single day? That sounded like perfection, like a true partnership. It sounded like every dream in her soul coming true.
“If my happiness is your goal, you’ll definitely need to stick around,” she said. “I’ve seen you in action, Mr. Guardian Agency.” She curled her body toward him, her fingers trailing over his tie. “I know how capable you are in the field and in the kitchen.” She winked at him, soaking up his rumbling laugh. “You are great at what you do and I would love to be the person you come home to every night.”
His lips parted, and she charged on. “Every night that you can be home. If you’re giving me a choice, Carter, I choose you. No matter what kind of work you do.”