“They’re both going to live here?” Carmen asked in surprise.
“Yes.” I held her gaze as I spoke. “Mia’s had a difficult life, not that it’s any of your business. I’m trying to help her out.”
Father sighed quietly then downed the rest of his scotch.
“That’s nice of you, Carter.” Mom placed her hand on my arm. “To help someone like that.”
“Like I said, she’s a great addition to the house.” I held my glass without taking a drink. “I enjoy having her around. The place is too big for one person, and it’s too big for me to take care of all the time. I need someone handling it full time.” If I hired a man or an older woman, none of these questions would have been asked. But since Mia was exceptionally beautiful, especially in that cute dress she wore, all my family could do was fixate on was her looks. I guess I couldn’t blame them…since I’d done the same thing since I met her. “Now, if we’re finished talking about her, I’ll give you a tour of the rest of the place.”
I said goodbye to my family on the doorstep.
Father clapped me on the shoulder. “Come by the winery for lunch sometime.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I said goodbye to my sister next. “See you later.” I hugged her, despite how much she annoyed me over dinner.
She returned the embrace then spoke to me with a smile on her face. “Look, all I’m saying is, that woman is not only gorgeous…but she can cook like a chef. She knows how to make a mean drink, and she keeps the house spotless. If I were you…I would be all up in that.” She kissed me on the cheek then walked out with Father.
I ignored what she said and turned to Mom. “Sometimes I wish I were an only child.”
“No, you don’t,” she said with a chuckle. “Your father and I would obsess over you even more.”
“True.”
She hugged me around the waist, over a foot shorter than me just the way Mia was. “But she does have a good point. You could have a maid do that for you…or have a wife do that for you.” She rubbed my back before she pulled away and looked at me. “I try not to ask you too much about your personal life. Your father gets angry at me. But I don’t want you to get caught up in work and luxury and forget there’s more out there. Money and looks will fade…but love never dies. Your father was just like you when we first met, but once he settled down and had a family, he became a much happier version of himself. That’s the only advice I want to give you.”
“And you want me to marry Mia?” I asked incredulously. “You met her one time and tried her cooking. I don’t think that’s enough interaction for an arranged marriage.”
“Of course not,” she said. “But when I saw her, I hoped that…it doesn’t matter.” She patted my chest with her palm before she stepped back. “Just keep an open mind, Carter. The only time a soul is complete is when it finds its second half.” She walked out toward my father, who wrapped his arm around her waist as they headed to the car. He opened the door for her, got her inside, and then they drove off with Carmen in the back seat.
I headed back to the kitchen and saw Mia shut the dishwasher before she turned it on. The place was spotless like it was before she started dinner. The leftovers were placed in the fridge, and the counters had been cleaned off. “Where did you learn to cook?”
She turned around at the sound of my voice. “The internet.”
“My family really enjoyed it. Mom was impressed.”
“Well, that’s flattering.” She washed her hands in the sink, scrubbing them with soap before she patted them dry with a kitchen towel. “I was a bit nervous to see your family. Wasn’t sure how they would be. But they’re lovely…like you.” She hung the towel on the hook then turned back to me, looking beautiful in the dress she wore. The apron was gone, and her high ponytail kept her hair out of her pretty face.
“I’m sorry about my sister. She’s a weirdo.”
She chuckled, her cheeks blushing. “No, her candor was refreshing. Besides, who doesn’t like a compliment?”
“And she’s straight by the way. I would understand why that would be a surprise to you.”
“Come on, Carter. She was just being nice.” She placed her hand on my biceps and gave me a gentle rub.
The second she touched me, my body hummed to life. I loved feeling those fingertips, loved feeling that womanly touch. The embrace was innocent, practically meaningless, but those little touches made my entire body feel warm.