Free Carl: Caveman Instinct series 2.5 by Hazel Gower Page A

hiding the fact that they were staring.
    “Mr. Ranch, I’ve been told by my guards how you treat Annabelle. I expect things to change. If I hear of you speaking to her in any fashion other than respectable, I will make sure you will be waiting in the unemployment line.”
    Mr. Ranch blubbered, opening and closing his mouth. “How dare you speak to me like that. Who do you think you are?”
    Right now, I was happy to be a Silverman. “I dare because Annabelle is an amazing woman and soon to be my wife, Mrs. Silverman.” I loved watching Ranch’s eyes widen as recognition of who I was sank in.
    “Sil…Silverman,” he stuttered.
    I knew my grin was huge as I nodded. “Carl. Dr. Carl Silverman. I will be Annabelle’s husband.” I didn’t hold my hand out. I wasn’t shaking this man’s hand.
    It was good to be a Silverman and have the power the name held.
    * * * *

Annabelle
    My mother was driving me crazy. She was feeling better and nagging me constantly for information about Carl. He’d gotten her a nurse to look after her and help when she got out of hospital. Mum had called me every day to tell me what she and her nurse Henrietta got up to, but Friday last week had been her last day and then mum had been so busy with baking for the fair, that she hadn’t had the chance to grill. Today though, right after work, she pounced. Mondays already sucked, as it was the day the children were most restless after the weekend, but having to deal with my mum’s questions when I didn’t even know all the answers was making me crazy. I’d held her off for days and it was now Wednesday, and I knew I couldn’t not answer her phone call.
    “Mum, I promise Carl hasn’t been my secret lover for a year. I have no idea why he told you to plan our wedding since he hasn’t even asked me to marry him. I have known him for close to three weeks. He kidnapped me and blackmailed me into moving in with him.”
    “Bellie, you always did have a good imagination.” I groaned at my mother’s patronizing voice. I gave up. I wasn’t arguing with her.
    “Sure mum. I wanted to say thank you for your help at the fair on the weekend. The children raised enough to pay for the whole year to go on camp.”
    “No worries. I’m happy to help. I know some of the children’s parents have it tough and couldn’t afford to send their children if they had to pay.”
    “You’re right mum, that’s one of the things I’m so grateful to Carl for. He made a huge donation. The children are so happy.”
    “That’s great.” She sighed loudly into the phone. “I’m so glad you found him, Bellie. I was worried you’d become that old spinster lady with all those animals.”
    “Mummm,” I groaned.
    “What? I’m just saying now I know I’ll have some grandbabies.”
    “Mum. Don’t get your hopes up. Carl is amazing and my stomach flip flops every time he’s near, but I’ve only known him for a short time, and I’m scared.”
    “Oh Bellie, what are you scared of?”
    “Everything. The way he makes me feel every time I’m with him. How quickly I’ve fallen for him. Who he is and what I am. Mum, what if I wake up and this is all just a dream, or he realizes what a mistake he’s made by taking me and I’m not who he wants?”
    “Oh baby, I’m so sorry.”
    “Mum, why are you apologizing?”
    “Annabelle, I should have been more stable. I should have ingrained in you, that you’re amazing. You are the most kind and caring person I know. You love and you love with your whole heart. Anyone would be lucky to have you Annabelle. You shouldn’t be worried about any of what you said, because if Carl has spent any time with you, he’ll know what I just said is true and that he’s the lucky one. You, my daughter are the best thing I ever made.”
    “I love you mum. Thanks,” I said, trying, and failing, to hold back sobs.
    “Honey, what’s wrong?” Strong arms wrapped around me and I sank into Carl’s embrace.
    “I didn’t think