Kate was impressed as she climbed in the carriage with a plush red interior. The driver, all decked out in white tails and a hat, closed the door for them. Instead of fighting it and thinking of everything she should be doing, she settled back on the seat and enjoyed the moment.
Now, she truly felt like Cinderella. Wait, that would make Lucas her Prince Charming, and she’d already decided that could never be. As the horses’ hooves clipped along, she shoved the troubling thought to the back of her mind. Why ruin this one magical moment with reality?
A few minutes later, Lucas leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Are you enjoying your surprise?”
His breath tickled her neck, sending an army of goose bumps down her arms. “I am.” The admission rolled easily off her tongue. “But I don’t know if Molly would be excited about a carriage ride.”
“Sure she would. What little girl wouldn’t want to ride in a horse-drawn carriage?”
“Perhaps.”
“I guess I’ll just have to work a little harder. I’m sure I can come up with an idea or two sure to impress a little girl and a big one, too.”
Kate’s stomach fluttered. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to let herself imagine that Lucas was her Prince Charming and this was the carriage taking her to the ball. After all, fairy tales weren’t true. Everyone knew that. This would just be pretend.
When Lucas stretched his arm out behind her, she gave in to the dream and leaned back. Her head rested on him and shivers of awareness cascaded down her spine. She closed her eyes, willing this moment to go on and on. They could just keep going, leaving their troubles behind. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she envisioned them riding off into the sunset together. If only fairy tales came true...
“And what has you smiling?”
Kate’s eyelids fluttered open. She’d been busted. It was almost as if he could read her thoughts, but even if he could, there was no way she’d confirm how she’d been daydreaming about him pulling her closer and pressing his lips to hers.
She crossed her fingers before telling a fib like she’d done as a child. “Just enjoying the day.”
All too soon the ride was over. Lucas gave her a hand down. It was then that she realized they hadn’t stopped in the same spot where they’d started.
“It’s time for lunch and I know the perfect thing to have on our outing.”
He treated her to a hot dog with the works. They settled on a park bench and quietly ate while the world went by without any notice of them. When they’d finished, Lucas took her by the hand and they started walking. He smiled, appearing very relaxed. She hadn’t seen him in this good of a mood since...well, ever.
After they’d walked a little ways, she couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Where are we going now?”
“You’ll see in just a moment.”
Soon carousel music lilted through the air, giving the day a surreal feeling as though all was right in the world.
“Come on.” He pulled her closer to the colorfully painted merry-go-round.
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
How could she resist when he looked like an excited child himself? Laughter bubbled up in her throat, and she let him lead her by the hand. But when he paid for her to ride the merry-go-round, she hesitated.
“I can’t ride that.”
“Why not?”
“It’s for kids.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you aren’t a kid at heart? Besides, you wanted examples of things you can do with Molly on a budget. This is one of them.”
“True.” She really did like the idea. She’d been to a carnival as a little kid with her father and she’d loved riding the carousel, especially the horses that went up and down. “But that doesn’t mean that I have to ride one.”
“Give me your phone.”
“What? Why don’t you use your own?”
“It will be simpler this way.”
“What will?” The man certainly wasn’t explaining himself very well today.
“I’m going to take some photos for you to show Molly.”
“I don’t know.” What would Molly think? Her mother off playing without her. Guilt riddled her. “What if it upsets her?”
“You have a good point.” Then he snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it. Just don’t show her the pictures with you in them. And make sure you promise to bring her here as soon as she’s healthy enough.”
Kate wasn’t so sure. But so far nothing else was helping to cheer up her little girl. Even the surprise of her father showing up had worn off. Kate was getting desperate to give her daughter hope. Maybe Lucas was right. Maybe this outing would give her the ability to paint a picture in her daughter’s mind of the fun things they could do...together.
She wouldn’t be an absentee parent like her father...or her mother. Even though they had shared the same house, her mother had been so wrapped up in her own world that she’d never had time for Kate.
She glanced over at Lucas. What would he be like as a father? Probably terrific, if today was any indication. Not that she would be sticking around to find out.
While riding the merry-go-round, she noticed a small crowd forming nearby. Cameras were flashing. It took her a couple of passes to realize they were talking to the city’s mayor and his young family, who were most likely campaigning.
A niggling thought started to churn in her mind. Something Connie had said about a little more press coverage and they’d have a sold-out venue. With all of those reporters, it surely wouldn’t be that hard to get coverage, but it would have to be something really good.
When she got off the ride, Lucas was waiting for her with a bouquet of balloons fastened to his hand. One of the reporters sent an inquisitive look in Lucas’s direction. So his Bachelor of the Year status was still giving him quite a bit of notoriety, or was Lucas Carrington normally that notable of a figure in the Big Apple? Which left her wondering if she should play upon his fame—after all, it was for a good cause.
He smiled, looking proud of himself. “Admit it. You had fun.”
“Yes, I did. You’ve made this an amazing day. Thank you.”
He handed over the bouquet of rainbow-colored balloons. “Does this mean I’m forgiven for being a jerk the other day?”
He had really hurt her, but the more she got to know him, the more she realized he truly was a good guy.
“It depends...” When his gaze dipped to her lips, her thoughts scattered.
“Maybe this will help convince you.”
Lucas’s hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. She willingly obliged. Her breath locked in her chest as she waited. Hoping. Longing.
It that moment, the world slipped away. It was just the two of them on this enchanted day. His head lowered. Her chin tilted upward.
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