Caroline rode in the front seat of Gary’s SUV, picking at her fingers anxiously. “What am I going to say to her? I’ve made such a mess of things. I should go back to my apartment and my old life and forget all about any of this.”
“You could do that,” Gary agreed, fairly certain that’s not what the young woman next to him really wanted to do.
“Yeah, I could do that,” she sighed.
Making the turn into his private drive, Gary’s heart leapt into over-drive at the sight of his parents’ car parked behind his house. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath. “Mom and Dad are here.”
“Your mom and dad?” she gasped. “Oh, no!”
“Relax. They already know what happened; I phoned and filled them in after everything had been taken care of with Harvey and his accomplices. We go in, and we act normal, and you don’t have to explain anything.”
“I’m not sure I can do this, Gary. I think I should go; really.”
“Then go up and pack your things, and I’ll take you home,” he pacified. He couldn’t make her stay, even if Candy still needed her. This was something the two women would have to work out between them, and he fully intended to stay out of it.
Parked in the garage, Gary climbed out and locked the vehicle when Caroline had exited the other side. Walking beside her, she seemed to move at a snail’s pace. “Oh, look! They’re building a snowman!” he observed, indicating his father and stepson. “I think I’ll go help, and you can take care of things inside.”
“I thought you were taking me home!” she stated loudly.
“I will – go get your stuff and we’ll go when you get back down,” he called as he plowed through the deeper drifts, towards the work in progress. “Hi, guys! Need a hand?”
Watching him go, Caroline could feel the angry flush on her cheeks; just great. He left me to face his wife and mother alone, the two people she felt had more reason than anyone to hate her at the moment.
Entering through the back door, she found the women seated at the table, along with Lanelle. The group fell silent as soon as she stepped inside. “Hello,” she said politely, removing her jacket and hanging it on a hook. “I’m here to gather my things, and then Gary is taking me home.” She walked stiffly past them, wiping at an escaped tear as she turned the corner and clomped up the stairs.
“She’s leaving?” Lanelle stated in shock, still not fully understanding what all had taken place over the few weeks that the girl had been a part of their household.
Staring at her mother-in-law, Candy sighed heavily, who only gave her an exaggerated shrug before she said quietly, “Maybe you should go talk to her, Candy dear. Be sure everyone will be happy with that decision.”
Biting her bottom lip, Candice followed the blonde calmly, then knocked quietly when she arrived in front of the closed portal.
“Who is it?” Caroline called from the other side.
“You know who it is,” Candy giggled. “It’s me.” Grasping the handle, she opened the door a crack and asked, “Do you mind if I come in?”
“Not at all,” the other girl sniffed, doing her best to hide her sorrow.
Closing the wooden panel behind her gently, Candy inhaled deeply and let the breath out nice and slow before facing her employee. “Caroline, I know I made a big deal when Gary brought you here,” she began.
“Under false pretenses,” Caroline filled in. “Don’t forget that part.” She had begun stuffing clothes into her suitcase, but stopped as her shoulders shook. Crying, she sobbed, “I’m so sorry, Candy. I never meant to put any of you in danger.”
“Hey,” Candy shot back, taking the girl’s arm and pulling her to face her. About six inches shorter, she looked up at the tall blonde, and smiled. “I can’t believe you’re crying over this! We are fine, no one was hurt; the bad guys are in jail, or will be once they get out of the hospital,” she laughed.
“Stop it,” Caroline pulled her arm away. “You guys would have had a great Christmas without me around to ruin it for you,” she challenged.
“Christmas is tomorrow, silly,” Candy reminded her.
“Yes, I know. Today is Christmas Eve. Oh my God, and it’s your anniversary. I’ll get a cab home and you can have Gary for the rest of the day,” she offered, returning to her packing.
“Is that really what you want?” Candy pushed the issue. “You don’t seem very happy about it.”
“I just don’t think you guys will want me here after all I’ve done,” she blubbered, her words slurred and unclear.
“After all you’ve done? Scrubbed every floor and flat surface in this house. Cleaned the carpets, the tubs, the toilets… the drapes. Oh, and taken excellent care of my mother and my son; neither of which is a small task.”
She had never in her life wished she had been taller than she did at that moment. Reaching up, she brushed the hair out of the other girl’s face, then laughed as her own tears spilled over onto her cheeks. “Crazy Caroline, don’t you know? I never would have made it out of this semester if it hadn’t been for you!”
“You don’t mean that,” Caroline pushed her hair behind her ear and faced her new friend fully. “I really didn’t do much.”
Shaking her head, Candy wrapped her in her arms the best she could. Fortunately, Caroline didn’t fight her and accepted the hug graciously, then asked, “Are you sure you want me to stay here?”
“Only if you want to,” Candy beamed. “Gary says we can afford to keep you on, and I really do appreciate all the help. Honestly, I think I would be doing at least one or two classes over if you hadn’t been here to help get me through finals.”
“And nearly get you –”
“Shh,” Candy interrupted her. “I told you, we’re fine, and all that wasn’t your fault… exactly. I’m glad they were caught and the guys who burned our apartment won’t be doing that to anyone else; so thank you. And please, stay and be our nanny.”
The corner of her mouth twitching, Caroline could feel her heart flutter. “You know, Candy; I don’t have much family to speak of, and I don’t have many in the way of friends either. But if I ever had a little sister, I think you might be what it would be like.”
“Does that mean I can call you Carol?” the shorter girl giggled. “I’ve noticed that Daks does.”
“Yeah, he does, but he can’t say the rest.” Biting her lip, she could feel her tears ready to make another appearance; “Ok, you sold me, you can call me Carol. A friend of mine once told me that nicknames are a show of affection.”
“Yes, they are,” Candy agreed, giving her another squeeze, then inching towards the door. “I’ll let you put all your stuff back in the drawers and we’ll see you in a few minutes so we can have dinner.”
“Oh, right!” Carol nodded, her smile wide. “I’ll be right down,” she agreed as the door clicked closed.