Page 5 of No More Secrets
He wasn’t sure if it was just the knee-jerk physical reaction to her or something else. Either way, it was a complication and one he didn’t want to make time for. He had worked hard to get himself to a balanced place and he had a feeling that someone like Summer Lentz could destroy that sweet spot with just a smile from those glossy, full lips.
He’d have to keep his distance there.
Carter decided to buy himself a little more time and distance by moving her car out of the drive and into the garage.
He pushed the start button and the car and its stereo came to life. She had been listening to classical from a playlist on her phone. It struck deep when he realized it was Beethoven’sSilence, a personal favorite.
When he had come home from Afghanistan — broken and battered — the wordless symphonies of long-dead greats had soothed and strengthened, restoring his soul as his body healed.
He was a man who believed in signs.
He just didn’t know what to do with this one.
CHAPTER THREE
“Your phone was still in the car,” Carter said, pulling it out of his pocket and handing it to Summer who was admiring the dining room table his father had made. “I think you got fifteen texts and emails between the car and here.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiling up at him. “The magazine never sleeps.” She scrolled through her messages. “I can take care of these later.”
“I’ll show you to your room,” Carter said, nodding toward the staircase. He waved her in front of him and they started up the stairs together.
“You’re the first door on the right.”
It had been his room growing up. Overlooking the front yard, the large window and sloped porch roof had offered the perfect late night escape for a teenager with secret plans.
The side window afforded a view of the neatly trimmed pasture and the small, bi-level barn. Every Saturday, June through October, Blue Moon Bend’s environmentalists, organic-hungry yuppies, and vegetarians descended on the farm and the little barn to pick up their share of Pierce Acres’ produce and enjoy a little bit of farm life.
The double bed with its wrought iron frame had been his, as had the writing desk under the window. He put her suitcase on the bed and her laptop bag on the desk.
“This is really nice, Carter. Thank you for letting me stay with you,” Summer said.
“Think you’ll be able to sleep without drifting off to the sound of traffic and sirens?”
“It’ll be an experience, that’s for sure,” she laughed.
He liked the sound of her laugh and how it filled the room. He’d only recently begun to realize how quiet the farmhouse was at times.
“I’m assuming you’d like an upstairs tour, too?”
“Yes, please,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her.
He led her back into the hallway where she poked her head into the bedroom across the hall. It was set up as an office with a desk angled to take in the view of green fields and clumps of forest.
“Is this your office?”
“Mostly. But my mother uses it, too. She’s bringing dinner over tonight so she can meet you.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Summer said.
“Yeah, well, she may end up interviewing you, so watch out.”
“Noted.” Summer smiled, her eyes dancing.
“Mom keeps our books and runs payroll. We’re thinking about redoing the second floor of the barn next to the house to use as a bigger office. A ‘center of operations’ as Mom calls it.”
“Do you have a lot of people who work for you?” Summer asked, as they continued down the hall.
Carter pushed open the second door to reveal the main bathroom. “Joey and I are the only full-timers. She runs the riding program and takes care of the horses. Then we have a half-dozen part-timers who help out. My brother Beckett — he’s coming to dinner tonight, too — gives us some hours every week and Mom pitches in a lot.”
