Valentine's Dream. Carmen Green

step up from working in guest services. They talked about mutual acquaintances and family. About Madison and Becca, her two young children. About Benson. They reached the quiet and orderly suburban community in Westchester, which lay immediately north or the city, in about forty minutes.

      “You’ll have to take me to the station. I left my car there this morning.”

      Grace gave Carter directions. Her late-model Honda Accord was among only five cars remaining in the commuter lot. She got in and started the engine, and Carter followed closely behind her as she headed home.

      They finally reached Grace’s house in a quiet residential neighborhood of spacious detached homes. The raised ranch, which she and Benson had considered their starter home, intending to move once he felt more secure in his position as one of several deputies in the mayor’s office, was on a quarter-acre lot set back from the street. It had a modest circular drive and was landscaped with several trees that provided a natural but subtle screen from passing vehicular and pedestrian traffic. There was still quite a bit of snow around the property.

      Grace turned into her driveway, and Carter pulled in behind her, turning off his engine. She thought that he would get out of his car to say good-night, and when he didn’t, she climbed inside instead. Immediately, the suburban stillness closed in around them. The warmth from the car heater began to quickly dissipate.

      Grace wasn’t sure why, but she waited for Carter to say something first.

      “Before I forget, I have something for you,” Carter said. He reached behind her seat and grabbed a small, gold-toned shopping bag with red-and-gold ribbons tied to the handles. He set it in her lap.

      Grace stared at the bag without touching it. She felt a peculiar sensation, a cross between surprise at the unexpected gift...and suspicion.

      “What is it?”

      “It’s the goody bag the company prepared for all the guests. I took one for you.”

      She looked at him and half smiled in exasperation. “First Carmen and now you?”

      “Who’s Carmen?”

      “Oh...never mind. Why are you giving this to me?” Grace asked, poking through the red tissue paper to look inside.

      “Because there won’t be a thing in the bag that I want or can use. The goody bags are for the women guests. It’s yours.”

      “Thank you. But isn’t there someone else you can give it to?” she asked.

      Carter shifted in his seat so that he could fully face her. His gaze was thoughtful, but also faintly amused.

      “Is that your way of asking whether I’m seeing anyone?”

      Grace turned her head away in a haughty manner. “I wasn’t trying to be nosy.”

      “There is someone I’m interested in. The relationship is still new, but I have high hopes,” Carter explained.

      “Well. That’s nice,” Grace murmured, checking to make sure she had all her things. Taking her house keys from her purse, she added, “You never liked any of the women Benson tried to set you up with.”

      “Benson had no idea what kind of woman I want.”

      “He could be opinionated, but I know he meant well.”

      “I know he meant well, too,” Carter agreed.

      Grace realized she was waiting for Carter to elaborate on who he might be dating. He changed the subject instead.

      “Tell me about the kids. How are they?”

      She suspected this was a diversionary tactic so she’d stop tiptoeing around the issue of his personal life. She sighed in resignation. “Good. Becca is—”

      “Going to be a heartbreaker.” Carter chuckled.

      “My father says the same thing. Of course, she’s got him wrapped around her finger. Madison is going to be tall, like Benson.”

      It was a natural comparison, but Grace felt awkward saying so. Carter never missed a beat and didn’t appear to find the reference uncomfortable.

      “I bet he’s a handful.”

      “Sometimes. He’s got more energy than he knows what to do with. Definitely all boy.”

      “Do you think I could see them while I’m here? They probably won’t remember who I am.”

      “I think they might. You must have promised Madison you’d take him to a basketball game, because he talks about it now and then.”

      “I’d like to keep that promise.”

      “I wouldn’t worry about it,” Grace demurred. She played idly with the gold ribbons on the gift bag. “I owe you an apology.”

      “Why?”

      “I never thanked you for sending Becca that sweet Valentine’s Day candy last February. Or that little stuffed lamb for her birthday. She’s very attached to it. It’s filthy—” she broke out into a rich laugh “—but I’m afraid to wash it. She might throw a fit.”

      “Then I wouldn’t if I were you.”

      She glanced at him openly. “And I never thanked you for the flowers and candy you sent me, either. It was very thoughtful, Carter.”

      He shrugged, embarrassed. “No need to thank me. I hope you enjoyed everything.”

      “I loved the flowers. Never got any of the candy. The kids beat me to it.”

      Carter laughed again. For some reason, it made Grace feel good that she could make him laugh. Carter had always struck her in the past as too serious.

      “I guess I’ll have to do something different this year.”

      “Don’t,” Grace quickly said. “It’s not your responsibility.”

      He sat up straight in his seat. “I’m sorry. I forgot that you might be seeing someone.”

      “I’m not. At the moment,” she said, quickly qualifying her answer. “The kids and my job take up a lot of my life. That’s not a complaint, by the way.”

      He silently nodded. “How’s Marjorie?”

      “Marjorie is doing fine. She adores the children, of course. I don’t know what she would have done if her only child had died before making her a grandmother.”

      “Do I hear a bit of—”

      “No, you don’t. Marjorie can sometimes have a one-track mind, but don’t you think it’s understandable that she misses Benson?”

      “What you’re saying is, she hasn’t let him go yet.”

      Grace sighed. “Maybe we can’t expect her to. How do you put a time limit on grief?”

      “How about you? Do you hold him in your memories?”

      She stared straight ahead out the windshield. “I have two children with Benson. Of course I think about him. They remind me every day of my life.”

      “That’s not what I mean,” he said quietly.

      Grace searched blindly for the door handle. “You know, it’s really late, and I better go in. And you still have to drive back to the city. I appreciate the ride, Carter. It was nice of you to go out of your way.”

      He lightly touched her shoulder, and it stayed her as she glanced back at him.

      “I’m serious. I’d like to see the kids. Do you think that’s possible? I have to return to Chicago in about a week to wrap up some business and arrange for the move here. Can I see all of you before I go?”

      There was an element of appeal in his voice that touched Grace because it came across as sincere. But rather than responding, she found herself weighing the ramifications.