I start the engine, and then only do I glance up. I take in the dead expressions the two men have while staring at us.
Reversing away from them, I say, “Get me everything you can on them. I’ll take care of it.”
When I drive away from the squatter camp, Dimpo says, “Mister has a nice car.”
“Call me Carson, Dimpo,” I say.
“Okay, Mr. Carson.”
The corner of my mouth lifts as I steer the car toward the boarding school.
When we pull up to the campus, Dimpo presses her face to the window. “Whhhaaa… look, Ma.”
“Eish, it’s too much. Thank you,” Thandi says, still looking overcome with emotion.
We get out, and I watch as Dimpo takes in everything with a look of pure wonder.
“Let’s get you settled,” I say, and they follow me to the office.
The headmistress leads us to the room they’ll be staying in, and walking inside, I set their bag down. “Unpack. I need to talk to the headmistress,” I say to Thandi and Dimpo.
Indicating to Lekgari to come with, I step outside the room, then turning to the headmistress, I say, “Thank you for all the help.”
“Oh no, thank you. I’ll take good care of them,” she replies.
She better. I paid a small fortune to the school to make this happen.
When the headmistress walks into the room, I lock eyes with Lekgari. “I need you to make sure everything goes well for them. Let me know what your fee is.”
“I will.”
“Also, let me know if they need anything.”
Lekgari nods. “Don’t worry about them. I’ll make sure they’re safe. If anything happens, I’ll let you know immediately.”
“Please.”
Lekgari grins at me. “You’re doing a good thing. They won’t forget it.”
Dimpo comes out of the room and gives me another hug. “Thank you, Mr. Carson.” She looks at me as if I’m her hero. “I knew you were a good man.”
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I give it a squeeze. “Let Mr. Lekgari know if you need anything.”
“Are you leaving again?” she asks.
“Yes, I can’t stay long.”
I just wanted to make sure they’re safe and taken care of, but I need to get back to Hailey.
Thandi comes out, a wide grin on her face. I’m bombarded with more thank yous and hugs, and then they walk me to the car.
“Take care of them,” I tell Lekgari again.
“I will. Don’t worry.”
“Send me that info,” I remind him.
“It will take a while.”
I get another hug from Dimpo, and crouching down, I lock eyes with her. “Study hard, Dimpo.”
“Yes, Mr. Carson.”
“And have fun.”
“I will, Mr. Carson.”
When I get into the car and start the engine, I take a last look at Dimpo’s smile, and then I leave them in the care of Lekgari.
Chapter 29
HAILEY
(3 Months later…)
After seeing everything I wanted to see in Croatia, I’m back in Saint Luc.
MJ drives the SUV Carson provided for us past the cabin I used to stay in, and I point toward it. “That’s where I lived when I met Carson.”
“It’s cute,” she says, her eyes scanning over the house. “I can see why you loved it here. It’s pretty.” When she steers the car around the bend and Carson’s home comes into view, her eyebrows pop up. “Nice.”
I haven’t seen it in five months, and the sight makes me feel a little emotional.
The front door opens before we’re even at the driveway, and Carson steps outside. My heartbeat increases as my eyes drift over him. I haven’t seen him in two weeks because he had a contract to take care of.
I missed him.
Carson walks toward us as MJ brings the vehicle to a stop, and then he opens my door. With a wide smile, I rush to get out and throw my arms around his neck. He wraps me up in a tight embrace, pressing kisses along the side of my face. Turning my mouth to his, we fuse together and pour our love into a deep and searing kiss.
By the time we pull apart, MJ’s already taken all the bags into the house.
“I missed you, baby,” Carson says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders.
Walking toward the house, I tease him, “Not half as much as I missed you.”
“Have you thought about what I asked?”
Carson wants MJ and me to move in with him. He said we can use the private jet whenever we want to travel.
I’ve thought about it long and hard, weighing all the pros and cons like I always do.
I nod as we walk into the house.
Carson pulls me to a stop, and his eyes lock on my face. “And?”
I take a step closer to him and take hold of the lapel of his jacket. Staring up into his eyes, I nod. “Yes.”
His lips instantly curve up, and then I’m swept up in his arms, and he spins me in a circle. He chuckles, and the sound I don’t hear often warms every part of my heart.