After All - Romancing Manhattan

“When your grandfather died,” I say, nodding. I’d met Carter’s paternal grandparents a couple of times when they visited New York. They are the only family I’ve ever met of Carter’s.

“That’s the time,” he confirms. “I inherited the building from him. They used to own a huge house on the golf course nearby, but as they aged, it became too much for him to keep up with.”

“So he bought an entire building?” I ask, stunned. “I didn’t know they were that wealthy.”

“Granddad was a brilliant surgeon and earned more money from his breakthroughs in brain surgery than he could ever spend. But he was humble with it,” Carter says with a smile. “He wasn’t really a boastful man. But he and Grandma lived comfortably. This building was really an investment for him. He liked to dabble in real estate after retirement.”

“Some people never fully retire,” I murmur, watching the waves pound into the sand. “And this is a lovely place to spend some time.”

“Let me go brew you some coffee,” Carter says before kissing my cheek. “It’s early yet.”

“Someone pulled me from bed in the wee hours of the morning,” I remind him with a laugh.

“I wanted to get here as soon as possible, so we could spend as much time as possible here. I’ll go get that coffee.”

He walks inside, pulling the heavy glass door closed behind him, and I sit in a comfortable chair and keep my eyes on the water. The sun is up, but not high in the sky yet. The water is deep blue, and churning away, as if it’s a moody woman in the morning, who hasn’t had her coffee yet.

I take a deep breath, pulling in the salty sea air, and feel myself relax against the cushions, already lulled by the sound of surf and the warm air swirling lightly around me.

Yes, Florida in winter is absolutely a good idea.

“Here you go,” Carter says as he carries two steaming cups of coffee outside, on a tray with a variety of pastries as well.

“When did you have time to go to the grocery store?”

“I called yesterday,” he says as he settles into a chair next to mine and takes a sip of coffee, crossing his ankles on the ottoman. “They stocked the kitchen and brought you some clothes as well.”

I raise a brow at him over my mug. “Clothes for me?”

“A couple dresses, in case we decide to go to dinner, and some bathing suits for walking the beach. Nothing too crazy.”

“You had someone shop for me.”

I blink, wondering if I should be offended or touched.

“Problem?”

“I don’t know,” I say truthfully and reach for a cherry Danish. I bite in thoughtfully and enjoy the sweet on my tongue. “It’s . . . disconcerting. The thought of having someone I don’t know choose clothes for me.”

“I won’t do it again.” It’s as simple as that. I watch the breeze flutter through his dark hair. His eyes are calm. “I just wanted to surprise you. But from now on, I’ll give you a heads-up so you can pack accordingly.”

“I love the surprise.” I pop the last bite of Danish in my mouth and sigh, sinking back farther into my chair. “And I appreciate you bringing me. I was getting very tired of winter.”

“Do you enjoy the beach?”

“I don’t know. I’m a midwestern girl, and we didn’t get to the beach often. But I’ve often thought that I’d love to have a place to go in the winter, to escape the snow and the people.”

“Not a city girl, either?” He does look surprised now.

“I love the city. It’s exciting and fast paced. So much to see and do and learn. But sometimes, I long to be somewhere quiet, like this. I mean, isn’t it nuts that after just a two-hour plane ride, we’re in seventy-degree weather, pretty much alone?”

“These units are all full right now,” he says with a grin. “They’re privately owned, and just about everyone loves to snowbird here in the winter.”

“Well, it feels like we’re alone.”

“You’re right.” He glances around thoughtfully. “I think it’s because these balconies are built to be private. It’s a nice place.”

“Haven’t you been here before?”

“I have, six months ago when Granddad passed, and I met with his attorney. I was surprised he left me so much.”

“Why? You were his only grandchild.”

“Because my father’s still living. I assumed it would all go to him.”

I shift in my chair, facing Carter. “Did he leave your dad anything?”

“Plenty of money,” Carter says with a nod. “Not that he needed more of it. The will was just a surprise, that’s all. I decided to keep this unit for myself. I figured Gabby would get a kick out of coming here a few times a year.”

“She would love it,” I agree. “She’d also love redecorating the inside.”