Page 71 of Peak Suspicion
Dalton put his hand on Bethany’s shoulder. “Come on, sis,” he said.
At the door, he blocked his parents. “Give Mira a minute,” he said, and urged them back into the hallway.
When they were alone, Carter smiled up at her. “You look great,” he said.
She put a hand to her head. Her hair was uncombed, her makeup smeared. “I look terrible,” she said.
“No. You look wonderful.” He squeezed her hand again. “Did I dream it, or did you say something to me when the paramedics were there?”
“Say something?” So he really had heard.
“I swear you told me you love me.”
Her eyes stung and her throat tightened. She was not going to cry! She nodded. “I do,” she whispered.
“That’s all I needed to know.” He closed his eyes, and his breathing grew heavy and even. She touched his cheek, and thought of how close she had come to losing this chance at happiness. Carter wasn’t perfect, but neither was she. Together, they would find a way to trust each other. To let love lead the way.
Epilogue
“Mama, I’d like you to meet Carter Ames. Carter, this is my mother, Valeria Veronica.” Mira shifted her attention from her mother to Carter and back again as she introduced the two at the café where she had arranged for them to have lunch. Carter had “just happened” to drop by as they were finishing up their meal—Mira’s plan to make the meeting between two of the most important people in her life less stressful.
Mama took Carter’s hand. “So you are the young man my daughter can’t stop talking about,” she said.
“I hope only good things.” Carter’s tone was teasing, his smile the flirtatious one she had first experienced on the night they met.
Mama returned the smile. “Oh yes, only good things. You are a superhero, saving lives, exploring the mountains. And you are studying to be a teacher, no?”
“Classes start next month,” he said.
“Carter is going to be a wonderful teacher,” Mira said. “He really has a way of communicating with people.”
“That’s a very nice way of saying I talk too much,” Carter said.
“A useful talent for someone who gives tours for a living,” Mama said. “Do I remember that correctly?”
“Yes. It’s a family business.” He glanced at Mira, then back at her mother. “While you’re in town, I want to take you and Mira on a tour,” he said. “It’s the best way to see the mountains.”
“That sounds like it would be fun,” Mama said. “And it will give us a chance to get to know each other better.”
Carter paled only slightly at this. Mira resisted the urge to praise him further. She could have told her mother about how he had taken the teenager he had rescued, Craig, under his wing. The two met up regularly now to hike or climb. And he was part of a group of search and rescue volunteers who were working with a financial adviser to strengthen the group’s financial picture.
Mama’s expression sobered. “Mira tells me you were badly hurt when that awful man attacked the two of you,” she said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m pretty much healed.” He rolled his right shoulder to demonstrate.
Mira knew the injury still hurt him sometimes, but he had worked hard to get back into shape. In fact, they went to the gym together, since she needed to regain strength in her arm once it was finally out of its cast.
“It’s good that the man who shot you is in jail,” Mama said. “He will be there for a long time?”
“He’s still awaiting trial,” Carter said. “But I think we won’t have to worry about him anymore.”
Mama turned to Mira. “And the man’s son is still here? The teacher you told me about?”
“Yes. He had no idea what his dad was doing behind his back. He recently got engaged.” Shayla still hadn’t forgiven Mira, but Mitch was friendly, so Mira hoped his influence would eventually soften Shayla’s heart.
“Carter?”
He glanced over his shoulder to the server, who held a large take-out bag. “I have to go now,” he said. He slipped his hand from Mama’s grasp. “It was nice to meet you. I’ll see you again soon.”
