Cowboy Take Me Away(79)
Kimi had already started running the water and squirted in the soap.
“I’ll dry,” Carolyn said.
“But you always wash.”
“Yes, I always wash and dry when I’m home in the summer so it’ll be nice not to have to do it all myself.” She wrapped her arms around her sister and squeezed. “I’m so happy you’re here. Even if it’s only for a couple of days. And just think, next time you come back? You can stay with me.”
Kimi turned her head and grinned. “The West girls getting wild! So when do I get to meet my future brother-in-law? Geez. That sounds so weird.”
“I still can’t believe he’ll be my husband.”
“Bet you’re looking forward to the wedding night.”
Carolyn’s cheeks heated and she focused on drying the first plate.
“Holy shit, Caro, you already did it with him!”
“Ssh!” She threw a look over her shoulder. “Not so loud!”
“Oh, hell. It’s not like they can hear us.”
“Language!”
Kimi rolled her eyes. “So, I wanna know all about it. What it’s like. If it’s as—” she pressed the back of her wrist to her forehead and swooned back dramatically, “—rapturous as all the girls claim it is.”
The image of Carson staring so intently into her eyes as his body moved inside hers sent a blast of heat through her.
Then Kimi got right in her face, blonde curls shaking. “Aha! It is! You’re thinking about it right now!”
“Can we talk about this later?”
“Fine, but you know I ain’t gonna let this go.”
The phone rang and Carolyn walked over and picked up the receiver. “Wests.”
“How’s my beautiful fiancée?”
She smiled and sagged against the wall. “I’m good. Surprised to hear from you. Kimi and my Aunt Hulda are here. We just finished lunch. What are you doing?”
“I’ve actually gotta pick up a part. I wondered if you could meet me for a half an hour or so. I wanna run something past you.”
Carolyn glanced over at Kimi. “Is it okay if I bring my sister? She wants to meet you.”
“Sure. In fact that’ll work out because Cal is ridin’ along with me.”
“What time and where?”
“Say an hour at the Ice Cream Palace?”
“Can’t wait.”
“Me either. Later, sugar.”
“Bye.”
“You are grinning like a cat licking cream, Caro.”
“He just makes me happy.” She wandered back to the sink. “Let’s get these done. I need to pretty myself up since I’m meeting my fiancé. Oh, and he’s bringing his brother.”
Kimi scrubbed a handful of silverware. “Go. I’ll finish this.”
Carolyn changed into a sleeveless shirt covered in daisies and white pedal pushers with a ruffled hem below the knee. As she fashioned a headband out of a silk scarf, she watched Kimi fluff up her shoulder-length ringlet curls. She hadn’t changed out of the Bermuda shorts and white eyelet blouse she’d traveled in.
“How is it that you look older than I do?” Carolyn complained.
“Right. I look like a chubby-cheeked cherub.” Kimi slicked pink lipstick on her lips. “The eyeliner makes me look older. And I don’t know why you’re complaining. You always look sophisticated.” She gestured to Carolyn’s outfit. “Did you make that?”
“Yes. You like it?”
“I love it. I’m jealous that you’re so talented with a needle and thread. I think Aunt Hulda has given up that I’ll ever be a seamstress of your caliber.”
“Oh pooh. You’re just impatient.”
Kimi looped her arm through Carolyn’s. “I’m impatient to get the hell out of here. Let’s go.”
Aunt Hulda appeared to be dozing in the rocking chair. No sign of their mother. She must’ve gone back to her room. As they passed through the living room, Aunt Hulda said, “Carolyn, when you get back we need to work on your wedding dress since the wedding is in two days.”
“I know. We won’t be gone long.”
Once they were in the car, Kimi pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Thank God. I’m dying for a smoke.”
“Kimi!”
“What? Everyone smokes.” She lit up and blew a stream of smoke out the window.
“But you’re sixteen.”
“So?”
“Swearing, smoking… Are you drinking too?”
“Sometimes.” She took another drag. “But I’m not having sex…unlike some people.”
“I’m almost nineteen.” Her grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Besides, we are engaged.”