Carter (Remington Ranch Book 3) (8 page)

He let out a little chuckle. “I guess neither of us can help being who we are, can we?”

She shook her head. “I guess not.” Her stomach chose that moment to let out a loud gurgle.

Carter laughed. “And I guess we can’t help being hungry either.” He gave the cat an apologetic look. “You’re going to have to manage by yourself for a minute while I get the oven going, kitty.”

The cat seemed to understand his words and gave a frightened little mew.

“How about you stay here with her and I’ll go put the pizza in?”

“You don’t mind?” he asked.

“Of course I don’t.” It seemed as though the cat was already attached to Carter and was looking to him for reassurance. Summer was happy to make herself useful in the kitchen. She had to smile as Carter squatted down on the floor and the cat rubbed her head against him. He was so gentle for such a big guy. “I’ll be back,” she said.

She looked around the kitchen. It was well laid out, neat and well organized. She’d always thought a kitchen told a lot about a person. This one said that Carter was no slob. She turned on the oven to preheat and checked the cabinets for a cookie sheet. She had to smile. Apparently he was no cook either. She found a cookie sheet, along with a whole set of pans and bakeware that looked as though they’d never been used. They were, however, neatly stacked.

Once the oven was ready, she slid the pizza in and set the timer, then made her way back to the laundry room. She smiled at the sight of Carter sitting on the floor leaning back against the washer as he sipped his wine. He looked up when she came in.

“I think she’s nearly ready.”

As if to confirm his assessment, the cat meowed and started to push. Summer watched in amazement as the first kitten came into the world. She felt tears sting her eyes as she watched the new mother lick her tiny baby clean and it wriggled blindly against her.

Carter looked up at her—it seemed his eyes were shining, too. “Wow!” was all he said.

Summer grinned at him. “Wow, is right!”

He reached up to take hold of her hand and she sat down on the floor beside him.

“Doc said it could be up to half an hour between each kitten.”

Summer looked at the cat who seemed to be getting to ready to go again. She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think it’ll take that long for this one.”

She was right. Within a few minutes the second kitten appeared. She grinned up at Carter and he grinned back. She loved that he seemed as awestruck as she felt. They were witnessing one of life’s miracles and she was so glad they got to share it. She watched the cat lick her second baby clean. “What’s her name?”

Carter shook his head. “I’m sure she doesn’t have one. I’ve never seen her around before tonight. What do you think we should call her?”

Summer looked at her. She was a dark tabby. “I don’t know. I want to call her hero right now. But that’s not really a girl’s name, is it?”

Carter smiled. “It should be. I think it suits her.”

The cat looked up at him and meowed.

“What do you think then, Hero?”

She meowed again.

“I guess she likes it,” said Summer. “Hero it is.”

The timer on the oven dinged.

“I’ll go get it,” she said. “Should I just bring it in here?”

“Yes, please. I’m starving, but I don’t want to leave her. I have no idea how many more kittens there are to come.”

Summer sliced the pizza and brought the whole thing in. She put the plate up on top of the washer and handed Carter a slice wrapped in a paper towel.

“Thanks.”

They munched in silence, watching Hero with her two babies. After a while, Carter turned to her with a rueful smile. “Some first date, huh?”

Summer laughed. “It’s certainly an unusual first date. I’ve never had one quite like this before.”

He looked sad. “There I go, falling below standard as usual. I’ll make it up to you.”

She smiled up at him. “This isn’t
below
standard! This is so much better! There’s nothing to make up for.”

He didn’t look convinced.

“Oh, I think there may be another one coming!” They both watched as Hero crouched again. “How many do you think there are?”

“I don’t know,” replied Carter. “Doc Lee said a standard litter is maybe three to five kittens.” He shrugged. “I don’t know the first thing about her. How old she is or if this is her first litter. I guess we just have to wait and see.”

This time seemed more difficult. Hero mewled and panted and seemed to be pushing, but nothing was happening. Summer gave Carter a worried look. “Do you think we need to do anything?”

He shook his head. “Give her time. She’ll get there.”

Summer felt bad for the poor thing as she continued to pant and heave. After what seemed like ages, a third kitten appeared.

“Thank goodness!” she smiled up at Carter, but he still looked concerned.

She watched as the little thing lay there—still. Hero didn’t immediately go to lick it. Oh, no! She looked up at Carter again. He shook his head and held a hand out to stop her as Summer went to reach out. “Give her a minute.”

Summer held her breath. Hero lay still, panting and showing no interest in her latest arrival. Surely they had to do something. She let her breath out in a big sigh when Carter got up and washed his hands. He gently scooped up the lifeless little body and removed the membrane that still covered its face. Summer and Hero both watched him. The kitten still showed no sign of life. He shook his head sadly and sat back down. Summer watched through a blur of tears as he held the little thing face down and ran a finger over its chest. It seemed to sputter and a tiny trickle of liquid came out of its nose. Then it let out a little mew. That sparked Hero’s interest. Carter placed the kitten beside her and she began to lick it.

Summer wiped her eyes and grinned at Carter. “Now
you’re
the hero!”

His eyes were glistening as he grinned back. “Thank God for that!”

She nodded. “Thank Carter for that. You saved it!”

He nodded and looked at Hero who was now nursing her little ones. “I just helped. I hope that’s all of them.”

Summer nodded. So did she. She didn’t think her nerves could take that again. They sat there for a long while watching the new momma clean herself and her babies up. She looked to be done.

Carter looked at Summer. “What do you think, shall we leave her to it?”

She nodded. “I guess.” She looked at the forgotten pizza sitting on top of the washer. “Do you want me to reheat that while you wash up?”

“Please.” He held up his empty glass. “And I think we both deserve more wine, don’t you?”

“I do.”

A little while later they settled in the living room. Summer sipped her wine and watched Carter eat his pizza. He stopped and looked up at her. “Is everything okay?”

“Couldn’t be better. I’m just thinking how wonderful you are.”

He grinned. “Thanks. But why?”

She laughed. “Because you are. What you did tonight.”

“You would have done it if I wasn’t there.”

“I don’t just mean with that last kitten. I mean bringing her into the house in the first place. Being prepared to cancel our date.”

He shrugged. “I had to do that. If you didn’t understand, then there wouldn’t be a lot of point in us seeing each other at all, would there?”

She knew what he meant. “No, there wouldn’t. But you were worried I might not understand, weren’t you?”

He nodded. “I guess I was. But what matters is that you
did
understand. We took care of her, and now there are three new little kittens in the world.”

Summer raised her glass. “There are. Here’s to three little kittens.”

Carter chinked his glass against hers. “Three little kittens.”

When they’d finished eating they went to check on them. Summer peered around the door and smiled. The babies were sleeping nestled into their momma. She raised her head and looked up at them. She looked exhausted.

Carter put a bowl of food a little ways away from her and pulled the door most of the way closed. “I guess what they need now is rest.” He looked at Summer. “I guess we do, too.”

Summer looked at the kitchen clock. It was almost midnight. “I should go.”

He cocked his head to one side and gave her a knowing smile. “You’re not going anywhere. You know full well I wouldn’t let you drive home at this hour, especially not with a couple of glasses of wine in you.”

She smiled. She’d said it automatically, but she had no intention of getting behind the wheel of a car tonight. “Do you mind if I stay?”

He smiled. “I don’t mind at all. I want you to.”

Her smile grew wider. Now, they were getting somewhere. “I have to admit I have a bag in the car.”

He shook his head at her. “Well then why don’t you go get it? I’ll see you upstairs.”

Summer almost skipped on her way to collect her bag. She wanted him so badly! And it seemed he wasn’t going to offer any more resistance. He was waiting for her upstairs. She grabbed her bag and had to stop herself from running up the stairs to find him.

“In here,” he called when she reached the landing. She followed the sound of his voice. His bedroom was cozy. The furniture was made of logs, there was a fireplace in the corner, and he’d been setting a fire there. How romantic!

He grinned at her. “I wanted to make sure it was comfy in here for you.”

“It’s lovely. Thank you.” She stepped toward him, but he backed away.

“I’ll be across the landing.”

She frowned, not sure she understood.

“In the spare room.”

“Oh!”

He chuckled. “Don’t look at me like that. I told you, we’re not going to rush it. I’m not the kind to sleep with someone on a first date—and we haven’t even been on our first date yet.”

“But…” She was disappointed, but not really surprised. She gave him a rueful smile. “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning, I guess.”

He put his big hands on her shoulders and dropped a sweet kiss on her lips. “You will. Good night, Summer.”

“Good night.” She sighed as he closed the door behind him.

Chapter Eight

The next morning Carter tried not to make too much noise while he fixed the coffee. He’d had a restless night to say the least. After he’d said good night to Summer he’d gone to bed in the spare room, but hadn’t been able to go to sleep. He’d lain there staring up at the ceiling wondering if he was crazy. He’d passed up on a date with her in order to deliver kittens, and then he’d let her stay the night, in his bed, and he’d let her sleep alone. She was lying feet away from him. He’d put money on him being the only guy in the world who wouldn’t be in bed with her. He’d tossed and turned and eventually got up and gone down to check on Hero and her babies. She’d looked up at him with an expression on her face that looked a lot like gratitude. Maybe he was just kidding himself, but it sure looked like it. He hated to think what would have happened if he had gone out and left her to deliver by herself. He was pretty sure there would only be two kittens lying beside her.

He went and popped his head around the laundry room door while the coffee brewed. The kittens were nursing. He left them to it. He was happy to have been able to help, but he didn’t want to interfere. He didn’t think momma would want to stick around for long and he didn’t want her or the little ones becoming dependent on him if they were going to go back out in the world and have to fend for themselves. He shook his head as he pulled the door to. He did know that if she wanted to stick around, he’d gladly let her. Buster and his buddies had made the shed their home, but that had been their choice. Carter would have let them in the house if that’s what they’d wanted.

He cocked his head to one side at the sound of movements upstairs. Summer was up and about then. He poured himself a coffee and set a mug out ready for her. He’d already decided that he was going to take the morning off—maybe the whole day. He was almost finished over at Cassidy’s place. He’d told the guys they could take off early for the weekend. It wasn’t like him to skip work. But then it wasn’t like him to be wanting to spend time with a woman either.

He smiled when she came into the kitchen. She was so damned beautiful. What kind of crazy was he that he kept refusing to sleep with her?

“Good morning,” she said with a smile. “How’s our new momma and the little ones?”

He loved that Hero and her kittens were Summer’s first concern. That said a lot about her in his book.

“They’re doing great. Do you want to come see?”

She nodded and followed him to peek around the laundry room door. “Aww. Aren’t they adorable?”

He nodded. They really were. “Do you want coffee?”

“I’d love some, please.”

Once she had her mug, they sat at the table in the breakfast nook.

Summer checked her watch. “I’m sorry. Am I making you late? Do you need me to get going?”

“No. I wondered if you want to go out for breakfast?”

Her smile lit up her face. “I’d love to. Don’t you need to go to work though?”

“No. It’s fine.” He was going to make an excuse, say it was a quiet day or something, but he thought better of it, deciding instead to be honest. “I probably should, but I don’t want to. I’d rather spend the time with you.”

His honesty was rewarded with the biggest smile he’d seen on her face yet. “Thank you!”

He shook his head—she was thanking
him?
Surely that should be the other way around? “I thought we could go to Pine Creek. They do a great breakfast.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Half an hour later, Carter pulled up in the parking lot at Pine Creek. Despite having told Summer that they did a great breakfast, he hadn’t actually been here in years. He knew his parents liked to eat here on Sunday mornings when they could, so it must be good—he hoped.

He came around and opened Summer’s door for her. She slid down and smiled up at him. “Who’d have thought our first real date would turn out to be breakfast?”

He smiled back, wondering who would ever believe him that he was taking her out for breakfast, after she’d spent the night at his place, and he still hadn’t slept with her?

Inside, the hostess greeted them with a smile. “Carter! It’s good to see you in here. And…” She did a double take as she looked at Summer and obviously recognized her. “Oh! It’s good to see you, too. Welcome. Will it be a table for two?”

Carter nodded. Grateful that she didn’t seem to be about to make a fuss.

“How about a corner table?”

“That’d be great, thanks.”

They followed her. The place was quiet, just a few tables were occupied and she led them to the very far corner away from the others. She turned to them with a conspiratorial smile. “Is this okay?”

“Thank you. This is wonderful. We do appreciate it,” said Summer.

Carter smiled. It was perfect. He’d been a little nervous on the drive over here as to whether they would get to eat in peace, or whether Summer would be recognized.

Once they were settled, Jean—he remembered her name now—brought them coffee and menus. “The special is the eggs benedict.” She smiled at Summer. “But if there’s anything you want that isn’t on the menu, you just say so. We’ll be glad to make whatever you’d like.” She looked over her shoulder, as if to check no one was listening. “We’re thrilled to have you here. Anything you want, you just let me know.”

Summer smiled back at her. “Thank you. I’d love the eggs benedict, please.”

“Coming right up,” said Jean. “And you, Carter? Do you need a minute?”

“I’ll do the same.”

Once she’d gone, he smiled at Summer. “Is it like this everywhere you go?”

“Not at all. This is wonderful. She’s so nice.” She shrugged. “Sometimes people make a big fuss and I wish I’d stayed at home. Other times people make a big deal of not saying anything, but they nudge each other and whisper, and that gets pretty uncomfortable too. This is just perfect.”

Carter was glad. He’d hate for her to feel uncomfortable.

She sipped on her coffee and smiled at him. He wanted to pinch himself. Was he really sitting here having breakfast with Summer Breese?

“Do you have any plans this weekend?” she asked. “I was thinking I’d like to go down to the park and have a look around.”

His heart sank. He’d promised Mason that he’d help him with the horses. Family came first, without question, but right now, he was wishing he hadn’t said yes.

Summer’s smile faded. He must have been quiet too long.

He didn’t want her getting the idea that he didn’t want to spend time with her. “I’d love to go with you, but I need to help Mason at the ranch.”

“I see.”

He had the feeling that she really didn’t see. “You could come with me if you like? We’re working in some of the horses. You could watch? Though I don’t know how much fun that’ll be. We could head on down to the park when we’re done.”

Her smile returned. “I’d love to watch.”

He nodded. He hoped Mason wouldn’t mind.

Jean returned with their food, making Carter smile. Although his parents liked to eat here, his mom always complained about how slow the service was. He should tell her to come with Summer if she wanted to speed things up.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“This is great, thank you,” said Summer with a smile. “It looks wonderful!”

Jean was obviously pleased with the compliment. Carter loved that Summer wanted to make her feel good. She definitely wasn’t one of those celebrities who was difficult or demanding.

While they were eating, a couple came in and Jean led them to the other side of the restaurant, seating them as far away from Carter and Summer as she could. He noticed that it didn’t stop them from glancing over every now and then. He hoped they weren’t going to come over. He was enjoying this and didn’t want any intrusions.

Summer grinned at him as she finished her food. “That was wonderful!”

He grinned back. “It doesn’t look like there’s anything wrong with your appetite.”

She shrugged. “I enjoy my food. I always have. Though I must admit I’m used to at least getting on the treadmill every day to work it off.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “I don’t suppose you feel like taking me to your gym, do you?”

He nodded slowly, uncertain as to what kind of reception she might receive there.

She looked a little disappointed and he realized that this might look like the second time in ten minutes that she was asking to do something with him and he was being less than enthusiastic in his response.

He smiled. “Hey, don’t get me wrong. I’d love to. I just don’t know if the guys in there would know how to behave themselves around you.”

She smiled back. “That’s okay. I’m sure you can protect me. I’m just glad it’s the guys you’re worried about and not the girls.”

He gave her a puzzled look.

She laughed. “For a minute there I had visions of you not wanting to upset all your female admirers by taking me in with you.”

He had to laugh at that. “I don’t have any female admirers.”

“I don’t believe you for a minute! I’ll bet you do really, don’t you? You’re not trying to tell me that there isn’t a woman in there who follows you around begging you to go out with her, are you?”

His smile faded as he remembered Melanie.

~ ~ ~

Summer’s smile faded too. “Oh!”

“No! It’s not like that. I’ve been working out in there for years. I’ve never been interested in the ladies and they’ve never been interested in me.”

She gave him a skeptical look.

“It’s true! They know I’m not in the market, so they don’t bother.” He sighed. “Well, they didn’t. Until you. They realized that I might be back in the market, so there’s one girl who wants me to take her out, but I’m not going to.”

Summer felt bad. She’d felt a momentary jealousy and had only intended to tease him. She was pretty much convinced there were quite a few women who were interested in Carter. How could there not be? He was gorgeous looking and a genuinely good guy. She hadn’t meant to make him uncomfortable, and she certainly hadn’t intended to make herself feel uncomfortable about some nameless girl at the gym who might be her competition for Carter’s affection. She couldn’t help wondering now, if
she
might be the reason that Carter didn’t want to sleep with her? Maybe he was keeping his options open?

He held her gaze. “What are you thinking?”

She shook her head. “That I wish I’d kept my mouth shut. I was only teasing, but now I feel jealous.”

Carter laughed. “Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?”

She sighed. “Probably. But that just makes me feel stupid.”

“Oh, darlin’, I’m sorry.” He reached across the table and took hold of her hand.

She couldn’t help but smile at the way his huge hand engulfed hers. She met his gaze and squeezed. “Please don’t be. It’s just me being silly. I like you. I know lots of other women must like you, too. I’m just a visitor, I’m an oddity. I know that…”

He held her gaze. “You’re special is what you are. You’ll have to forgive me. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. It’s just the thought of
you
being jealous over
me
seems a little far-fetched. You know? You’re the big country star. I’m just the yard guy. The guy at the gym.”

She shook her head firmly. “No. Look at it from my perspective for a minute, would you. I am the country singer, I’ll give you that, and that might seem great from the outside. But from where I sit, it’s not so great at all. It means I don’t get to be me. I don’t get to ever have anyone care about me just because I’m me. I get guys who want to date the country singer, but who never know or care who I really am or what I want…”

“But I…” Carter started to interrupt, but she held a hand up to stop him.

“Exactly. I know! You’re not like that. You like me, you care about me, you couldn’t care less that I sing or that people know me. That’s why it matters so much to me. You’re amazing, and part of me thinks that you’re too amazing to want to get caught up in the circus that is my life. You’re genuine and you’re real and that makes you more likely to want a girl who works out at the gym with you, than to want me. And that’s what makes me jealous!” Her voice was raspy by the time she’d finished. That was a lot to say in one go, but she’d needed to say it—for her own sake as well as Carter’s. She was getting clear about how she felt. He
thought
that she was the prize, just because she had some silly singing career, and all the money and fame that went with it. She
knew
that, in fact, he was the prize, and not just because he didn’t care about any of that!

He stared at her for a long moment.

“Sorry,” she said. “Sorry, I ranted at you, and sorry that I got jealous.”

His slow smile spread across his face and he relaxed. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you jealous.” He pursed his lips and looked away for a moment.

“What?”

He looked back at her with a smile. “I kind of like it though.”

She laughed, relieved.

He was looking away again. She followed his gaze. The couple who had just come in kept looking over at them. She sighed. She shouldn’t expect to escape from prying eyes completely.