The Best Man's Baby by Holly Rayner

Author:Holly Rayner [Rayner, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-24T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

CARA

Cara told Benjamin she needed time to think about his offer. He told her to take her time, and invited her downstairs to the kitchen, where he made her a cup of tea with plenty of sugar and milk—just the way she liked it—and toast, which he buttered and then sprinkled liberally with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon.

“My mother’s famous cinnamon toast,” he said proudly, putting the plate in front of her with a flourish. “She made this for me whenever I was ill, sad, or just plain hungry.”

Cara took a bite, then another, and another in quick succession. The butter had melted on the warm toast, seeping into its nooks and crannies, and the sugar and cinnamon topping was both comforting and delicious. “Oh Benjamin, these are like little bites of heaven.”

“I know it. Does this mean you’ve made your mind up? If you stay, I’ll make you cinnamon toast every day.”

Cara chuckled. “That does sound like an offer I can’t refuse. And it’s so kind of you Benjamin, really. I just need some time to think about it. It seems so extreme—not going back to New York when my business, and everyone I know, is there.”

“You know me, and I’m here,” he said, reaching out to stroke her cheek.

She covered his hand with her own. “I do know you.” They stared at each other for a long moment, lit only by the soft glow of the hanging lights over the dining table. “And I’m grateful, really, I am. I know you want what’s best for me, and for our baby. I just need to think it all through.”

“Why don’t we go for a walk?” he asked. “The birds will be waking up soon. It’s my favorite time of day on the vineyard, when nature is waking up.”

“Would it be really rude if I said I’d rather go for a walk on my own? You’re so sweet, Benjamin, and you’re being so kind to me. I’m truly grateful. But I just want to be alone with my thoughts for a bit. I need to figure out what to do.”

“Of course that’s okay. But maybe I should walk behind you, in case you lose your way?”

Cara laughed. “I’ll be walking through straight, vertical rows of grape vines. Even a New Yorker like me should manage not to get lost.”

He nodded. “Okay. I’ll give you some space. Are you sure you’re not in any pain?”

Cara shook her head. “I’m not in pain anymore. Maybe I twisted something, sitting in bed for so long. Or it could have been gas.”

Benjamin chuckled. “Maybe it was all that ginger ale I gave you.”

“Maybe.” She took his hands in hers. “Thank you, Benjamin. See you later?”

“You bet. I’ll figure out a plan to give you a bit of space from Portia today. They fly home tomorrow morning, so if you decide to stay, you don’t have too much longer to be under the same roof.”

Cara smiled at him, then walked through the double doors out onto the patio.

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