With three deep breaths, Carter’s pulse slowed. Focusing on her fingers drawing circles on his skin, he managed to sit up a little straighter. He had to get a grip. He couldn’t allow his fear to be the first thing Kat’s grandmother would see. No way.
He moved forward, capturing Kat’s lips. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Are you okay now?”
He dropped his gaze to the floor of the car. “Just don’t leave me, okay?”
“I won’t,” Kat said fervently, dismissing his neediness as quickly as he offered it. “Come on.”
Before Carter could stop her, she was getting out of the car and bouncing excitedly around the hood.
“Here goes fuckin’ nothing.” Carter opened the car door and got out.
He shut the car door and pushed his hands into his pockets against the cold air and the sudden, colder memories of his own mother’s house, the foreboding that settled in his bones every time he was dropped off at the front door and the look on her face when she opened it, regretful and inconvenienced. Christ, he’d just been a kid, scared shitless and alone. He swallowed and fought the memories back. They were soon forgotten when the front door opened and a huge black-and-white dog came bounding out, tongue flopping and tail wagging.
*
“Reggie!” Kat squealed and crouched down to him. He whined and barked in happiness.
She rubbed the mutt’s belly until his back legs were scratching and kicking up like a lunatic. “I missed you, too,” she cooed.
“Kat!”
She looked up to see Nana Boo, dressed in a huge parka and mittens, hurrying from the door, looking as wonderful as she always did. Trevor, her help, followed with a warm smile.
“Nana,” Kat breathed, instantly at peace. She stood and allowed her grandmother to envelop her in one of her hugs.
“Angel.” Nana Boo smiled into Kat’s hair. “It’s so wonderful to see you.”
“You too.”
Kat kissed her cheek before she pulled back. She glanced toward Carter shifting on his feet and rounding his shoulders in defense. She immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him with her. His grip on her hand was painful, but she would have taken all he had to ensure he was protected and comfortable.
“Nana,” Kat said with a dip of her chin, “this is Carter. He’s my … Wes.”
Carter’s head almost toppled off his neck he looked at her so quickly. His eyes were wide with surprise, but the smile threatening the corners of his perfect mouth told Kat her words were the right ones.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carter,” Nana Boo offered with an outstretched hand and an ecstatic smile that creased her face in a thousand different ways.
Carter cleared his throat. “Nice to finally meet you, too,” he said as their hands met.
Nana Boo’s eager arms encircled Carter around his waist. She pressed her cheek against him and squeezed.
“Um, hi,” Carter mumbled, while staring at Kat over the top of the aged woman’s woolen hat. Kat smiled.
“I’ve been so excited to meet the man who’s captured my Kat’s heart,” Nana Boo whispered.
She stepped back and wiped a finger under her shimmering eyes. “Oh my.” She chuckled, observing the tears on her skin. “Silly old woman.”
“Not at all,” Carter said with a half smile.
Nana Boo cupped his cheek and tapped it tenderly. “And, darling, you’re just as gorgeous as she described.” She laughed at the speechless expression on Carter’s handsome face, and snaked her arm through the crook of his elbow. “Let’s get you inside. It’s too damn cold out here. Kat, give Trevor the keys. He’ll collect the bags.”
Carter pulled Kat with him, gripping her hand as if his life depended on it. She rubbed her palm up and down his forearm in placation. God, he’d been truly terrified when they’d been in the car. The distress was almost visible around him, evil and unrelenting. She knew where it came from; he carried it around with him like a lead weight.
Kat bit the inside of her mouth. The hate she harbored for his family made her teeth snap. They’d treated him so appallingly, never loving, caring, or nurturing him as he grew, and he now considered himself unworthy, with no comprehension of just how incredible a man he had become. It was painfully tragic.
“Was the drive good? The car was all right?” Nana Boo asked. She shut the front door behind them and pulled off her hat.
“Yeah.” Kat took a step closer to Carter’s side, knowing his need for contact. “He didn’t complain about my driving once.” She smiled when she saw him roll his eyes, his finger twirling a piece of her hair on her shoulder. “You may have even turned him into a Jaguar fan.”
Nana Boo’s eyes lit up. “You like cars?”
Carter scratched his neck. “Yeah, I, um, I dabble.”
“Carter likes motorcycles, too,” Kat interjected, ignoring the pointed look he shot her.
Nana Boo gasped. “A real-life Steve McQueen! Oh, be still, my beating heart.”
Kat giggled into Carter’s shoulder and closed her eyes when she heard him burst with laughter.
“I wouldn’t say that,” he murmured. “But I like them.”
“Well, I’ll show you the Triumph I have in my garage later.” Nana Boo winked. “You kids need a warm drink.”
Carter stared after the little woman as she scurried past them to the kitchen.