Yet with each block they traversed, alarm zinged with ever-increasing speed along Claire’s nerves until by the time they pulled into his mother’s driveway she was buzzing with tension.
“Relax,” Linc murmured as he turned off the car. “No one is going to eat you alive.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she retorted more sharply than she intended. “You’re wealthy and socially prominent. I’m a nobody who cleans your house.”
His eyebrows rose at her vehemence, but then he nodded. “Thanks for reminding me. There’s something I forgot to do.” He flashed her a mischievous grin. “You’re fired.”
Taking his dismissal in the manner he intended, she smiled in return. “I’ve never been fired from a job before.”
“Never?”
“I’m an exceptional employee. Every boss I’ve ever worked for has given me glowing performance reviews.”
“Of course they have,” he murmured in a fond tone.
Linc opened his car door and started to get out but then noticed that she hadn’t moved. He reached out and caught her hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Come on.”
She slipped from the car and went to stand on the brick walkway that stretched from the driveway to the front door while Linc got Honey from her car seat. He moved with confidence and care, having done this dozens of times.
Claire then realized how long this moment had been coming. She just hadn’t seen it. Linc had never been just her employer. He’d been her friend. Someone who cared about her and Honey, who’d invited himself into her life.
This flash of insight bolstered her courage. She would face his mother with her head high, confident in the knowledge that she was the woman he loved and intended to marry.
“It’s about time you arrived,” Bettina called from the living room. “Sawyer tells me you two are engaged.”
Claire glanced at Linc as the three of them crossed the threshold and entered the room. The next ten minutes would tell her how the rest of her life would play out. Linc gave her a reassuring smile before answering his mother.
“We are, indeed,” Linc said, his satisfaction bolstering Claire.
If this amazing man loved her, she could face whatever the future held.
“Wonderful.” Bettina got to her feet as they neared and her gaze met Claire’s. She held out her arms and Claire hesitated only a second before stepping into the older woman’s embrace. “I just know you and Linc will be so very happy together,” she whispered, giving Claire a hard hug before letting her go.
“Thank you,” Claire murmured, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions.
Bettina sat down as Dolly appeared with a bottle of champagne and crystal flutes.
“We are going to plan the most lavish wedding this town has seen in years,” Linc’s mother stated. “Claire will have a dozen bridesmaids and the most expensive gown we can find.”
While Bettina began mulling over ideas for the venue and potential wedding planners, Claire sipped her champagne and held Linc’s hand. A surge of fondness and belonging flooded her as she realized the acceptance and family she’d craved for so long were going to be hers.
“Thank you,” she murmured, resting her head on his arm.
“For what?”
“Making me a part of your family. I love you so much.” She tilted her head back and met his gaze. “I never thought I could be as happy as I am right now.”
“I’m the lucky one. We belong together. You and Honey make my life complete.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“I like belonging with you,” she agreed, thinking how the Robbins family had come full circle now that she’d returned to Charleston.
She couldn’t wait until she and Linc were alone so she could share with him what Sawyer had found out. Yet as excited as she was by the news that she had a connection to the Charleston elite, it no longer determined who she was. For that, all she needed to do was gaze into Linc’s blue eyes to see her true self reflected there. His love was all she needed to accept that she was exactly where she should be.
* * * * *