“Are you hungry?” Joyce said, washing her hands at the sink. “Let me fix you a plate of food. I made chicken.” Before they’d even answered, Joyce began making Carrie a plate anyway.
This moment with Adam had been so nice. Carrie wished that Sharon had given him a chance tonight. She wished his sister hadn’t been so upset. Carrie hadn’t spent time in Sharon’s shoes, but she did know what it felt like to contemplate a future without a family of her own. She knew how frustrating it was to see Adam taking what he had for granted. But ultimately it wasn’t Adam’s fault Sharon was having trouble getting pregnant. Did Sharon realize Adam’s feelings on the matter? He wanted to do more, he just didn’t know how.
“Need anything to drink? Water?” Joyce pulled a glass from the cupboard.
“I’ll have a water, thank you,” Carrie said, looking at Adam for agreement. When she did, she could hardly pull her eyes away. He had that inquisitive expression still, as if he were trying to figure her out. Little did he know there wasn’t much to figure out when it came to Carrie. She was an open book. On the phone interview, he’d asked her all kinds of questions about herself to determine whether she was a good fit for his children. She wished that she could ask him some questions now. There was so much she wanted to know about him, but she didn’t dare ask. After all, she was working for him.
Chapter Seventeen
To ease stress consciously take time to relax. The moon was hidden behind the snow-filled clouds, making the windows a velvety black. The only light outside was the lamplight on the walk, illuminating a patch of snow. Inside, however, the living room was aglow with the warmth of the Christmas season. The tree lights glistened against the green of the Christmas tree, the crystal and glass ornaments sparkling in their light. The stockings Carrie had made with the children had dried and she’d hung them on the mantle amidst the greenery and berries. Carrie sat down on the sofa and folded her feet under her. Most of the time she did that to keep warm, but tonight, the fire in the fireplace sent a wave of heat toward her.
She’d eaten supper, and she was glad to see Adam joining them for some family time. Walter was playing the last round of his marble game and Joyce had shooed them away from cleaning up, telling them she really didn’t mind and it would go faster with fewer people underfoot. She sent them all back to the table to finish the game, and Adam and Carrie had decided to head into the living room and wait for the others. Adam set her mug of coffee onto the table and then positioned his cell phone next to his own mug. It was out of place there, screaming out its imposition. She didn’t want it there because she knew that if given the choice between being there and work, he’d choose work.
Adam lowered himself down beside her, causing the cushion to slant, and she could feel the pull of her body toward him, but she fought it, shifting in her seat.
“The house looks very nice,” he said, looking around the room. “I haven’t had a chance to really enjoy it, but I’ve noticed.”
A fizz of happiness swelled in her chest. He’d noticed. When he’d originally said she could decorate, she’d thought he didn’t care, but now she wondered if he was just too busy to be worried with it. He seemed to like what she’d done. Adam was quiet and reserved, not offering much about himself, but his warmth made her feel like she knew him. He sat beside her, his cheeks rosy from the heat of the fire, a slight stubble showing on his face. He pulled his mug from the table and balanced it on his lap, his fingers dwarfing the cup as he held onto it.
“I wish Joyce would’ve let us help,” she said, smiling despite herself.
“She’s like that,” he smiled. It was good to see Adam relaxed, and she was happy to be with him.
Walter laughed in the kitchen, and it made her smile. But it also made her realize that Adam wasn’t playing the game with his family. Did he feel obligated to keep her company? Carrie suddenly wondered if she was intruding.
“What’s the matter?” he asked just as she could feel the sting of the splotches as they returned.
“What do you mean?” She couldn’t think of anything better to say, but she knew he’d seen the splotches—they disclosed her emotions whether she wanted them to or not. He waited as if giving her more time to formulate a better answer. “Do you want me to let you have a little family time?” she asked.
“No, why? It’s nice to have some company over coffee.”
“I like being with you too,” she said, looking down at her mug, but inside she wanted to squeeze her eyes shut and shake her head. He’d said he liked having a cup of coffee, and she’d just said she liked being with him in general. She pressed her lips together to keep any more of her thoughts from slipping out. His quiet laughter caused her to look up, and when she did, she realized he was smiling at her—a big, happy smile. She’d not seen his face light up like that before.