Seeking Happily Ever After (Ever After #8) - Elena Aitken Page 0,45
inability to keep his hands off her. But as far as problems went, it seemed like a good one to have.
“Nick…”
“Yes?” He kissed her neck and any protest she was about to make dissolved on her lips.
“Knock knock!” A sharp rap on the open cabin door startled Nick into jumping backward. “Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”
Charlotte’s face bloomed hot and red in an instant. She glared at Nick, who although still standing close, was far enough away that at least they could pull off some semblance of decency despite the fact that what they were about to do before being interrupted was anything but decent. Especially considering it was Susan Johnson, the caseworker—and the one person who had the power to make life-changing decisions for them—who’d done the interrupting.
“Hi, Susan.” Nick flashed her a genuine smile, easily pulling himself together as if nothing had just happened. He offered her his hand, but quickly pulled it back when he realized the paintbrush was still in it.
To her credit, Susan took it all in stride. She shook her head and smiled. “I really am sorry to interrupt,” she said. “But it’s nice to see that your affection hasn’t been affected by having a baby around.” As if she’d just remembered the reason for her visit, she glanced around the tiny cabin. “Where is Amelia?”
“She’s with friends in town,” Nick said. “Katie and Damon Banks. They insisted I come surprise Charlotte with a break from her work.”
Susan raised her eyebrows, and still standing in the corner, Charlotte wanted to completely self-combust from embarrassment.
“I brought her coffee and muffins,” Nick said, as if that explained what they’d been doing.
“Ah, yes.” Susan nodded. “That’s how I found you up here, actually.”
Charlotte put her paintbrush down, and adjusted her clothing as best she could while Susan spoke.
“I went up to your house,” Susan continued. “At ElkView. Beautiful property.”
“It really is,” Charlotte agreed, finally able to speak.
“But when I didn’t find you, I thought I might go down to that amazing bakery we met at the other day and get a little treat while I waited. Of course, a small-town coffee shop is the perfect place to collect information as well.”
Charlotte forced the smile to stay on her face despite the fear that ran through her. Had she heard any gossip about them? Surely no one would be stupid enough to say anything.
“Is that right?” Nick must have been freaking out as well, but to his credit, he kept his cool. “And what did you learn?”
“Well,” Susan said. “I learned that these cabins here are Stephanie Starz’s newest project and that you’re working on the designs.” She looked to Charlotte, who nodded her confirmation. “I also learned that you’d just been in, Nick, and were headed up here to see Charlotte, so I took a chance on catching you both up here. Oh, and…” Susan blushed. “And maybe Stephanie Starz is here, too?”
Charlotte shook her head. “Sorry. She’s actually in the city right now.”
“Oh, that’s fine.” Susan tried not to show her disappointment, and Char tried not to smile at just how star-struck the woman was and instead, changed the subject.
“I’m sorry we weren’t home today. Will you have to come back, or—”
“Well, it is quite a drive out here…” Susan sucked in a breath. “I hate to cut your dad break short,” she said to Nick. “But would it be okay if—”
“That sounds good.” He cut her off before she could finish. “I can go pick up Amelia and meet you both up at the house if that works?”
Of course it worked. The whole point of…well, everything, was to convince this woman that they were a loving couple and the best possible choice for Amelia. Which meant, as long as it worked for Susan, it worked for her. The painting could wait.
And so could the kissing.
It was hours later by the time they finished up with Susan and Charlotte was able to get back to her painting and even later when she was able to get back to the kissing and cuddling. It had been a long day but a good one, and she was very quickly getting used to finishing a long day in Nick’s arms.
“That went well today, don’t you think?” She was tucked into the crook of his arm, cuddled with her head on his chest.
“It really did. Thank you for leaving the cabins this afternoon. I know you have so much work to do and—”