He sighed. “This call is going to take a while. I probably won't be done until late tonight.”
Mia thought for a moment, then smiled at him. “Take care of business,” she said. “I'll still be here tomorrow. And I won't have the kids. No distractions.”
He looked at her, and a slow smile filled his face. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”
She grinned and shrugged. “Just yesterday. But feel free to tell me again.”
“You're amazing.” His eyes danced across her face as if he were taking her in and couldn't get enough of looking at her. “You are the best thing that's ever happened to me.”
Mia's chest swelled, and her heart nearly burst with joy.
“You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, too,” she whispered leaning forward and kissing him.
That's when the guilt hit. She should tell him, but she couldn't find the words. She shifted off of his lap, moving to the seat beside him as the kiss ended.
“Carter, there's something...” Her words faltered, and her courage to tell him failed him. Now wasn't the right time anyway.
“What?” Carter asked, his head popping out of the shirt as he put it back on.
“It can wait until tomorrow,” she said, putting on a smile. “Go take your phone call.”
He looked at her for a moment before nodding. “Okay. Thank you for understanding.”
With a smile and a quick kiss on her cheek, he opened up the car door and stepped out. Brian was still standing off to the side with a phone in his hand. Carter took it and held it up to his ear, somehow
transforming into the businessman in front of her eyes.
She slowly buttoned up her shirt and exited the car. Carter was at his drafting table, having an animated discussion. He turned when he heard the car door close, and he smiled at her. She nodded and waved before leaving the barn to go collect the kids.
Tomorrow, she decided. It had to be tomorrow.
Chapter 32
Mia
Mia stood in front of the ranch house and took a deep breath. The smells of hay and clean mountain air filled her lungs, and she tried to steady herself. Today was the day. Today she was telling Carter.
The kids were at school, and she'd told her boss she was taking the rest of the day off, so there weren't any distractions. Today, she wasn't getting sidetracked by cars or kids or anything. Today, she was telling him that he was the father of her baby.
Just thinking the words made her heart stumble. She still wasn't sure how he was going to react, and that uncertainty gnawed at her. She loved him, and she was terrified that he might push her away because of this.
He didn't want children. He'd said it in interviews and even to her directly. She wanted him to be in her life, to be in their child's life, but she understood if he didn't want to be. This was something he had been very clear on not wanting. She wasn't sure how he was going to respond.
Mia glanced around the ranch. It seemed quieter without the kids here. She realized it wasn't just the lack of kids, but that security wasn't as present. There always seemed to be a uniformed presence haunting around the house and grounds, but today she couldn't see anyone.
She shrugged. It was odd, but she was kind of glad for it. The last thing she wanted was an audience for this. The security teams were usually very discrete, but this was between her and Carter.
Mia tipped her chin up and set her shoulders. This was happening. It was time.
She walked confidently up to the front door and opened it. She was expected, so she didn't feel the need to knock. The alarm system beeped twice as the door opened and once more when the door shut.
“Carter?” she called out. The house appeared empty.
“Upstairs,” came the reply. Her heart did a somersault in her chest, and she had to try her best not to throw up. For a moment, she considered running back out to her car, but that would only delay the inevitable.
Mia paused for a moment at the bottom of the stairs, trying to center herself. She closed her eyes and tried to think positive thoughts. She wanted this baby, even if he didn't. She could do this.
It took more courage than she cared to admit to take the first step. Her hands shook on the wooden railing as she ascended. She walked past the big bedroom and down the hallway to the room he used as his study when he wasn't in the barn or the garage.