Page 11 of Smoky Mountain K-9
“Oh, that’s funny.” She wiped her eyes.
He grinned and added a bird to his painting with a swish of black. “You think I can paint an elephant?”
Mara snorted again. She’d like to see him try.
His smile widened, and he reached for the white, mixing it with some black.
Fifteen minutes later, he had several gray blobs on top of poles, with long appendages coming off their fronts. Mara, though, had added shading to her trees and outlined her elephants.
“We’re definitely giving mine to the two-year-old. She’ll be less likely to protest.” Carter eyed her work.
Mara giggled and started painting in her animals.
Over the next thirty minutes, they talked as they worked, laughing and enjoying their evening. Mara was surprised at how relaxed she was. She’d expected things to be more awkward—like most first dates she’d been on. But Carter was quick-witted and easy to talk to. All too soon, they were putting their paints away and leaving the elephant enclosure with their semi-dry paintings.
Their tour director, Alyssa, led them through the zoo to the front entrance and thanked them all for coming. Mara preceded Carter through the gate and headed for his truck.
They deposited their paintings on the backseat, then got in. Mara rubbed her hands together and bounced her knees, trying to chase away the chill. Carter cranked on the heat before pulling out of his space.
“So, tell me more about these nieces of yours,” he said once they were on the highway headed north. “Which sibling do they belong to?”
“My middle brother, Jameson. He’s got the two girls, Desiree—Desi—and Addie. He has an infant son, too—George.” She missed those kids, even though she saw them at Christmas. At their age, they changed so fast. Every time she video-chatted with them, the girls both looked like they’d grown an inch, and George had figured out some new thing that made him even cuter.
“Do you have other nieces or nephews?”
“My older brother, Kiernan, has two sons—Miles and Beckett. They’re eleven and nine. My sister, Hannah, has one of each—Cassidy and Keegan. They’re the same ages as Kiernan’s kids.”
“I bet it’s a lot of fun at Christmas.”
She nodded. “It’s very loud.”
He chuckled. “I bet. I always wanted siblings, but my parents had trouble having kids. I spent a lot of time with my cousins, though, growing up. We don’t see each other as much now as I’d like, but it was nice when we were young.”
“I’m glad. I can’t imagine what it’s like to not have that bond. My brothers drive me crazy, but it would be weird without them. And I talk to my sister almost every day.”
Carter shrugged. “You get used to being alone, I guess. I still talk to my cousins, but we don’t get together much. Over the holidays when we can. I went home for Thanksgiving this past year, but had to work Christmas and New Year’s. I’m hoping to go back for Easter, though.”
“I was home for Christmas. It was great. I got my dose of baby snuggles.” Her heart ached for what would likely never be for her. It was hard to be around her siblings and their families sometimes, but she would never avoid them to save herself the reminder of the future she’d lost when Blake died. Seeing the kids’ delighted smiles and hearing their belly laughs soothed something in her soul.
“No babies for you?”
She frowned. “I’m a widow, remember?”
He shrugged. “That doesn’t mean you can’t remarry. Or have a baby on your own. Or adopt.”
“I wouldn’t want to raise a child by myself. It’s hard enough with two people. As for remarrying—I don’t know. Blake was supposed to be it for me. I guess maybe if the right man came along, I would.” She cast a glance at Carter through her lashes, watching him as he drove. Her words rang in her head, and she couldn’t help but wonder if this was the start of something that could lead her back to that. He’d certainly piqued her interest.
She slammed the door on those thoughts. There were no expectations with tonight’s date. None. This wasn’t supposed to turn into anything. She shouldn’t even be entertaining those thoughts.
And yet, she wanted to know more about him. Wanted to see him again.
Mara turned and looked out the window, glad it was dark so he couldn’t see the thoughts on her face. What a mess she’d gotten herself into.
Five
Carter pulled his truck into Mara’s driveway and put it in park, reluctant to end their evening. This had been a much more delightful experience than he’d anticipated. Mara was smart and funny, talented, and easy-going. They’d talked almost non-stop all night. He couldn’t remember a better first date.
Not that this was a date. They’d agreed they were just fulfilling the obligation of the auction—nothing more.