Hailey and her mom fall into each other's arms, and they hug for a long time before pulling back. Mrs. Welsh’s eyes scan over Hailey. “You look so good, sweetheart.”
“Ahhh… I missed you.” Hailey hugs her mom again before she darts to her father.
Then Mrs. Welsh looks at me, and my stomach tightens. She comes at me and then opens her arms wide. “Carson, finally we meet.”
Automatically, I hug her. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Welsh.”
She pulls back. “Pft, call me Adele.”
Mr. Welsh joins us, and shaking his hand, I say, “Welcome, sir.”
“Kevin,” he mutters, then he stands back, and we lock eyes. I can feel him sizing me up.
Hailey moves to my side, placing her arm around my waist. “Let’s go inside.”
Kevin glances over the house, and as we begin to walk, he says, “Nice place, Carson.”
“Thank you.” As MJ carries a bag into the house, I call out. “The first guest room, MJ.”
“Okay.”
“She’s so cute,” Adele gushes. “I’m glad you made a friend here.”
When we step into the house, Kevin lets out a soft whistle. “Not bad at all.”
For the first time, I feel out of place in my home as I follow them to the living room.
Sitting down, Adele comments, “I love how you made the surrounding nature a part of the house. It’s beautiful, Carson.”
“Thank you,” I murmur. Then I ask, “Was the flight okay?”
“It was perfect. Thank you for sending your private jet,” Adele replies.
“You’re welcome.” I sit down next to Hailey, and she places her hand on my thigh.
Hailey catches up with her parents while I watch them. MJ comes to join us, and she quickly jumps into the conversation.
After an hour, Adele smiles at me. “When Hailey said you were quiet, she wasn’t joking.”
“Just listening and enjoying the company,” I say, forcing the corner of my mouth up and hoping it looks like a smile.
“Hailey said you were born in Russia?” Kevin says.
“Yes, I moved to Switzerland after my father passed away so I could be closer to my brother.”
Kevin nods, then says, “Family is important. Your brother lives in LA, right?”
“Yes.”
“So, I’ve planned a lot for us to do while you’re here,” Hailey jumps in.
I let out a slow breath, the nervous grip on my stomach loosening as the conversation turns to their travel plans. When I get up, they all stop talking and stare at me. “Ah… I’m going to prepare lunch.”
“You’re in for a treat,” Hailey says.
When I walk to the kitchen, my muscles begin to relax. Hailey asked me to make beef stroganoff, and while I’m cutting the mushrooms, everyone gravitates in my direction.
MJ watches me closely because she’s trying to learn how to cook.
“So, Carson, you’re in construction?” Kevin asks.
I almost cut myself, and my eyes dart to Hailey. She jumps in. “No, I misunderstood. Carson is in the private security sector. It’s classified, so he can’t really talk about it.”
I guess that’s the safer way of putting it. I don’t think her parents will handle me being an assassin nearly as well as Hailey did.
Kevin’s eyebrow pops up. “I wasn’t aware it paid so well.”
Adele gives me a concerned look. “It isn’t dangerous, is it?”
I shake my head. “I’m trained.”
“And Hailey is safe?” Kevin asks.
I nod and gesture at MJ. “MJ’s trained as well. She’s actually Hailey’s protection. Just in case. But Hailey has nothing to do with my work.”
Kevin glances at Hailey, then back to me. “That’s good to hear.”
Hailey grins at her parents. “Let me show you the rest of the house.”
When they walk away, MJ lets out a loud sigh of relief. “Never thought I’d see you sweat, Carson.”
“Shut up,” I grumble at her as I continue to cut the mushrooms.
MJ chuckles, then says, “I’ll make the rice.”
When the food is ready, and we all sit down with a plate, I listen to the banter between Hailey and her parents, my eyes glued to Hailey’s face.
Suddenly Adele pats Kevin on the leg. “You used to look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Kevin asks.
“Like I’m your whole world.” Adele smiles at me.
“She’s more than that to me,” I say, my gaze drifting back to Hailey. “She’s my sun.”
“Aww…” Adele gushes, then she looks at Hailey. “You got yourself a good one, sweetheart.”
Hailey leans over, pressing a kiss to my jaw, and then she snuggles into my side. “I got myself the best.”
Epilogue
CARSON
Waiting by my private jet, I look up when I hear an approaching car. The limo I sent stops in front of me, and I walk to the back door. Opening it, Hailey steps out, a surprised smile on her face.
“You’re back,” she breathes with relief, coating her words.
I’ve been away from home for the past two weeks and wanted to surprise Hailey because it’s our first anniversary since we met, and I want it to be special.