The Sometime Bride

but not so large a couple could get lost in it. And the fourth bedroom, which was currently used as an office, and two upstairs baths were inviting and well maintained.
    Mike felt he was bursting at the seams as he took it all in. He’d always heard buying real estate was an emotional experience. Had witnessed that enamored expression on the faces of many of his clients. But never in a million years did he dream that besotted feeling would happen to him.
    Carrie would love it. He just knew it. Though her current place was charming, it was nowhere near big enough to accommodate a large family. And this house here, situated at the crest of a sleepy knoll, was not only roomy enough for plenty of children, all the rug rats Mike secretly hoped he and Carrie would make—it also afforded the same stunning view of the mountains.
    Mike went downstairs and walked out onto the back patio, eyeing the one accoutrement that had cinched the deal from the moment he’d hit the property line. Fanning the border of the house’s perimeter was a neat arrangement of flowers and shrubs. And behind those—gleaming in the sunlight—stood a freshly painted white picket fence.

Chapter Seventeen

    Carrie picked up her office phone and dialed. Though she quite obviously sometimes gambled with her heart, when it came to business dealings, Carrie was exceedingly cautious. Before she went and did anything involving money, she needed to make certain her hunch was accurate.
    “Hello?” Jack Davis answered.
    “Jack, good morning. This is Carrie, Carrie St. John.”
    “Why, Carrie!” he said, sounding genuinely pleased to hear her voice. “How are you? That son of mine behaving himself? ’Cause if he’s not, I’m still available, you know.”
    Carrie chuckled. “Oh Jack, you are bad.”
    “Thank you, my dear. So, what can I do for you this morning? Time to start practicing our wedding march already?”
    Carrie blanched before remembering she’d impetuously invited Jack to walk her down the aisle. An act she still wasn’t sorry for. Mike’s dad was adorable. “Oh no, not that. But I’ll certainly let you know.
    “Actually, I was calling with a question—about Mike.”
    “Mike?” Jack exclaimed. “Well, I can’t completely promise you I’ve figured that boy out. But go ahead and shoot, if you’d like. I’ll do the best that I can.”
    Carrie hoped she wouldn’t disillusion her prospective father-in-law by seeming too forward. But, in for a penny, in for a pound, she told herself. “It’s about the British West Indies. The Cayman Islands, specifically.”
    Jack seemed to be waiting on the other end of the line. Not commenting, just waiting for Carrie to finish. She wasn’t sure if this was good but decided to press on ahead.
    “Anyhow, I realize Mike has an interest in the Caymans—”
    “That so?” Jack butted in. “Didn’t know he’d discussed it with you.”
    Ah, Carrie thought, then there was something to discuss, and something to her gut feeling after all. “Well, he mentioned it somewhat. Some time ago, actually. But I could tell, even at the time, how very important it was to him.”
    “I think Mike’s just recently found what’s most important to him.”
    Carrie colored at the compliment, despite the fact Jack couldn’t see her. “I appreciate that, really I do. And Mike is very special to me. Extra special. I hope to marry him.”
    Jack was quiet for a moment before speaking. “That’s wonderful! He’s asked you, then?”
    “Well, uh…not exactly. But let’s just say I see it coming.”
    “Then I say, your vision’s twenty-twenty, my girl.”
    That extra bit of reassurance warmed Carrie through and through. “But because I love him, Jack, I’d hate to think of Mike giving up any long-term dreams on my account.”
    “Oh, now, fluff,” Jack said, huffing into the phone. “Don’t you go worrying your pretty little head over that. I never really believed the boy was going to open that dive shop anyway.”

    Carrie hung up the phone after thanking him and promising Jack she’d let him know just as soon as they’d scheduled the wedding rehearsal. Wedding rehearsal? They still hadn’t invited half the guests. The ones who would fill in the slots Wilson’s missing family would have occupied. Oh well, Carrie decided, she could think of that tomorrow. Today, she had some phone-calling to do.
    “Mary,” she called into the next room. “Do you have a moment to come in and make some