I nodded slowly. “That’s what I thought.”
Unable to handle any more of this conversation, I stormed out of the house and drove toward the city. Wiping tears from my eyes, I blasted the music to drown out the thoughts in my head.
When I finally stopped the car, I realized I really needed Carter. I immediately dialed him. Thank God he picked up.
His voice was low and sexy. “How did you know I was thinking about you?”
“Carter…”
He could tell that I’d been crying. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“I should’ve never come home.”
“Why are you upset?”
“My mother. She’s saying things to try to brainwash me.”
“Things like what?”
“She thinks I’m crazy for considering your offer. She thinks you’re only after the money.”
There was a long moment of silence before he spoke. The anger in his voice was penetrating. “I can’t even begin to tell you how irate that makes me. First of all, I wish this money situation never existed. Second of all, I’ll sign whatever is needed to prove I have no interest in that money. To be honest, the money part sickens me a little. I just want a life with you, Kendall. I’ll sign any dotted line to get that.” His voice cracked, “Just tell me where to fucking sign, Perky.”
I let out a long breath into the phone. “Just talking to you makes me feel better. I miss you so much.”
“You want me to come there? I’ll tell the airline it’s a family emergency.”
“I don’t want you to lie to get out of work.”
“I wouldn’t be lying. You are family to me now, the most important thing in my life.”
That made my heart melt.
“Thank you for offering, but I think I still need a little more time alone.”
“Okay, but if you start to feel like you need me, just tell me. I’ll be there in a matter of hours.”
“Thank you. That makes me feel better to know that you would do that for me.”
“I’d do anything for you, Perky. Anything.”
“Oh, I know. Even knock me up.”
“No, that would be for us. The more time that goes by, the more I want it. And I sure as hell am looking forward to working on it. God, that’s gonna be so much fun.”
When I laughed, he said, “Is that a smile I hear?”
“Can you even hear a smile?” I giggled.
“We’ll get through this together. I promise. And in case you didn’t hear me back in Florida, I’ll say it again. I love you. And if we have this baby together, nothing will matter more to me. I would never turn my back on my child.”
“Okay…I hear you.”
“Maybe give yourself a break from thinking about it for a couple of days. Sometimes, when you’re trying hard to figure things out, overthinking it makes you more confused. You need to stay away from your mother, go some place quiet and relax. The answer will come.”
Carter was right. I needed away from the ranch.
“I think that’s a good suggestion.”