She opted for honesty. “I am in excellent health,” she said. “In fact, since moving here, I’ve never felt better in my life. Getting out of the city has done wonders for both myself and Esther.”
“Okay. That’s good to hear.” He sat quietly, drumming his fingers on the tabletop.
“So why the fainting spell?” she said. “That’s what you want to know?”
“Yes.” His eyes, as brown as the rich earth in her garden, focused on her with caring intensity.
Her admission would not be easy, but she and Reed had agreed earlier that they would be the best of friends. She took a deep breath. “I suffer from panic attacks,” she said. “Not often, but when they happen they can be anywhere from slight to severe. The day you’re talking about, the stress factor was serious. I didn’t handle it well. Usually I can tell when an attack is coming and I have learned coping skills to deal with it.” She looked straight into his kind eyes. “Esther doesn’t know. Somehow I’ve avoided having a full-blown attack in front of her.”
He reached across the table and took her hand, reminding her of the walk they’d taken by the waterside last night. “Who have you seen about these attacks?” he asked.
“Medical doctors. Therapists. Even a hypnotist once. Each has helped me in one way or another.” She needed him to believe that the attacks did not affect her abilities as a mother or a landowner. “I’m a fully functioning adult, Reed,” she said. “Panic attacks are simply a small part of my life, a part I’ve learned to deal with. They don’t last long, and I believe the frequency is diminishing. Since I left Mark I’m much better than I was.”
He nodded, squeezed her hand. “Okay. I’m glad you told me.”
She wasn’t ready to admit the same thing to him. What would he do with this very private information she’d just given him? Thank his lucky stars that he’d broken off with her? Or watch her as if she were about to self-destruct?
“Again, Camryn, I’m sorry about last night. You caught me by surprise. It’s no secret that you and I feel quite differently about bringing another life into the world. My success with the two kids I’ve got is questionable, to say the least. But I’ll tell you this much...” He paused again.
She waited breathlessly.
“I really do want you to have a healthy, happy, beautiful baby. So you’d better get used to having me around.”
She felt tears forming in her eyes. He didn’t want her. He didn’t want to be any kind of father to her child. But he was a good man. He cared about her, and if she couldn’t let her mind wander to more, maybe in time, that would be enough.
“You don’t have to...”
“I’m here most days anyway. When I’m not, I’m right across the field, Cam. I can be here in five minutes.” He smiled. “Keep calm and focused on what’s important, and in a few months, you’ll have one perfect, full-term baby.”
“I’m sorry about last night, too,” she said, her voice wavering. “And thank you for what you’ve just said today.”
He stood, placed his cowboy hat back on his head. “Hope you like the stew. Now I’d better go check on those boys.” Smiling one more time, he said, “See you later.”
* * *
MARK BROUGHT ESTHER home around dinnertime the next day. Carrying her overnight bag, Esther burst through the front door. “Mom, where are you?”
Camryn came from the kitchen, held her arms open to hug her daughter. “Welcome home, peanut.”
“This was the best weekend ever!” Esther blurted out. “We went to Charles Burgers in a huge hotel. And we watched movies and this morning we went to a petting zoo. So much fun!”
No mention of having fun with her father.
“I’m glad you had a good time,” Camryn said. “Why don’t you go to your room and unpack? Supper will be ready in a few minutes, and I want to talk to Daddy.”
“Okay.” Esther gave her father a hug. “Thanks for bringing me home, Daddy.”
“Sure thing,” he said, and watched her go into the hall. Then he turned back to Camryn. “All those adventures you just heard about... I guess you know she didn’t go to any of those places with me.”
“Yeah. Brooke called and told me what happened. I was afraid something like this might...”
“Don’t go there, Cam. I’ve had a tough enough couple of days without you piling on more guilt. You have to know I feel terrible about all this.”
She exhaled, cutting off the rest of her sentence. She no longer felt angry with Mark. In fact she felt sorry for him. Esther had had a wonderful weekend, and he’d been no part of it.
“I thought Esther and Paula’s daughter, Zoey, would get along great. But I was wrong. They are very different kids. Raised differently, you know. I guess Zoey doesn’t adapt well to the word no.”
“Maybe when they’re older, Mark,” Camryn said. “In the meantime it might be best if you take Esther only when the time with Zoey will be limited. You need to make Essie feel like she’s the center of your universe when you’re with her.”
“I get it,” he said. “I blew it this weekend.” His face grew stern. “But just so you know, I’m not letting Paula go. She’s been very good for me. We think the same, want the same things.”
The words he didn’t say hung in the air between them. She’s what I need when you never could be.“You don’t need to justify your life decisions to me, Mark. You found someone who complements you and I’m happy for you.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wish it had been you, Cammie.”
She shrugged. “It was good for a while, Mark. Let’s remember the happy times. Do you want to stay for dinner?”
“No. I’ve got plans for later in Charleston. Got to get back. But before I go...”
“Yes?”
“Who’s Reed? And what’s the story with those two kids of his, Phillip and Justin?”
Camryn smiled. “I see you were with Esther long enough to learn that we have new neighbors.”
“Is that all they are? Esther said this Reed guy will have all sorts of animals roaming around his place.”
“He’s a veterinarian, Mark. And this is the country. Animals are everywhere.”
“You like him? You like the kids?”
“I do. I’m adjusting to the boys.”
“No, I mean... Esther said you talk to this Reed a lot and you’ve all been out together.”
“We’re neighbors, Mark. Bufflehead Creek is a friendly community.”
“Nothing else you should tell me about?”
She glanced toward the kitchen. “Nope. Nothing else. I’ve got to check on dinner.”
“And I’ve got to get going,” he said.
“Call Esther once in a while, Mark. Or send her an email. She loves getting email.”
“I will.” He took a step toward Camryn, then stopped. “Well, bye, Cammie, till next time. Keep me posted on what’s happening with the baby. If you need anything...”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I have good neighbors watching out for me.” Okay, that last line was a bit snarky, but she wasn’t sorry she’d said it.
* * *
THE NEXT COUPLE of weeks were like a contest between the seasons. Autumn seemed determined to turn the trees into works of art before winter ushered in its first snowflakes. The ground became covered in drifting leaves that stuck to the grass and the lane and required raking. Each time Camryn tried to get ahead of the chore, one of the Bolden boys was there to remove the rake from her hand. Once even the elder Mr. Bolden assumed leaf-raking duties.
In the mornings Camryn turned on the modern electric furnace to heat the house. Now that winter was approaching, she’d been thankful that the previous owners of her farmhouse had realized the sense in updating their oil-burning heater.
She’d installed a safe, coil-type heater in her chicken coop and so far her hens had not
stopped laying eggs. The diner in town still looked forward to her arrival with dozens of free-range eggs. And Camryn enjoyed her time with the waitress she’d met when she first came to town. Plus, her produce at the weekend market was drawing praise. But there would be no more harvests now until spring, so Cam spent her gardening time turning the soil and adding nutrients for the next growing season. She’d completed two more issues of Alphabet Days and was planning the next one. She was busy, and for the most part, content.
Esther had introduced Phillip and Justin to her adored Ameraucanas, and the boys had been suitably impressed. The three kids had even devised a few chicken-and-children games that gave both groups exercise and made Esther squeal in delight. While the children followed the rules of the games, the chickens didn’t know they were playing one.
And at least once a day the Cottontail Farm goats received more attention than they ever had before. The kids fed them leftovers and watched the goats climb on bales of hay and ramble about the farmyard bleating gleefully.
A glorious fall was almost over. The holidays were drawing near. Thanksgiving had passed with the Boldens and the Montgomerys sharing cooking duties. Camryn’s November magazine cover had been a hit. And her tummy was expanding as it should, making it necessary for Cam to wear larger, bulkier clothes. This could have been the most wonderful, fulfilling time of Camryn’s life except for one thing.
She missed Reed desperately.
Oh, he came around a lot, nearly every day. She talked to him about what was going on in town and how his animal farm was growing. He asked her if the noise from his patients kept her up at night. She lied and told him no. That was what friends did—helped to make life easier for those who mattered to them.
And she was running out of answers to his continuous questions... “How are you feeling? Can I do anything for you? Do you need a ride to the doctor?”
It wasn’t that Camryn didn’t appreciate Reed’s interest. Of course she did. But her apparent, and mistaken, helplessness, and his concern wasn’t at all how she’d pictured their relationship, especially that night in Harborside when he’d held her hand and smiled across the candlelit table at her.
She found herself dreaming much too often about coming up with the perfect solution to spark his interest again. If only she knew the feminine wile, the flirtatious gesture that might make him take her hand for a reason other than helping her down some stairs. But as the weeks ticked by, Reed remained the exemplary friend. And Camryn became more obviously pregnant.
Camryn sat Esther down one night and told her about the baby. Esther reacted as Cam knew she would, with excitement and joy, and a few significant questions. “Can you have a baby with someone when you’re not married anymore?”
To that Camryn had said, “Daddy and I were still married when we decided we wanted this new baby. And we both still do, very much. We may not be a family like others you know, but we will all love this baby and you will be a wonderful big sister.”
Thank goodness Esther had taken the news without worrying about her mother’s health or the potential problems with the pregnancy. Esther didn’t ask how her mother was feeling, or if she needed help in the field. She simply talked about how different and terrific life would be in a few months when the baby came.
Sometimes Camryn wished for a break in her routine. She wanted, perhaps even needed, something to happen to change the flow of her days. Since she accepted that Reed was in her life as a protector and guardian and would never be anything more, she longed for something to occupy her mind.
Something came along on a cold afternoon in early December. Esther was in school when Camryn saw the large and impressive automobile come up her drive. Two men, whose corporate appearance reminded her of Mark, got out of the car. Both wore dark suits and overcoats, fine-looking leather gloves and polished shoes. One was slightly taller and burlier than the other, and he seemed to be in charge as he led the way to Camryn’s front door.
She might have been frightened except for the fact that Becky was with them and she didn’t seem worried.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“MISS MONTGOMERY?” the taller man said when she opened the door.
“Yes, that’s right.” Camryn quickly greeted Becky before turning her attention back to the man who had removed his gloves and held his hand out to her.
“My name is Vincent Palermo,” he said. “I represent a company called Agri-Crops out of Atlanta.” Motioning to his partner, he added, “This is Tom Speer, my associate.”
“What can I do for you?” Camryn asked.
“May we come in? We brought along a friend of yours to make you feel comfortable. I hope that was all right.”
“It’s okay,” Becky said. “I know this seems strange, but these men explained why they are here. I wouldn’t have led them out here if I’d suspected anything was wrong.”
“Well, at least three of us know what this visit is about,” Camryn said, uncomfortable that she was the only one in the dark about this unannounced arrival. “But yes, you may come in.” She stood back and let the men and Becky inside. She wondered what they thought of her warm living room with the Christmas tree lights adding a soft glow to the fire in the fireplace. She and Esther had just decorated the tree, a beautiful Fraser fir, last night.
Vincent Palermo, with graying hair stylishly cut, and a body that looked sculpted from an expensive gym membership, took a seat when Camryn offered it to him. His associate, Tom, younger, blond, with alert green eyes, seemed eager to please.
“What’s this about?” Camryn asked. “What is Agri-Crops?”
“We’re a conglomerate of food growers,” Vincent said. “Our corporate office is in Atlanta, but we have subsidiaries across the southeastern US. Our goal is to produce the best quality food through technology and smarter labor practices. We want to grow larger food staples and rarer vegetables.”
He smiled, presumably at the confused look on Cam’s face. She was suddenly suspicious of the man and his slick way of talking.
“Let me explain,” he went on. “There is a saying in modern farming these days. If you’re not moving forward, then you might as well be going nowhere. Our goal is to move farming into the twenty-first century with state-of-the-art equipment and data gathering.
“In short, Mrs. Montgomery, we want to cut labor costs in half by developing newer and smarter farming procedures.” He paused as if waiting for her to catch up. “Have you seen a modern combine, Camryn?” He smiled again. “May I call you Camryn?”
“That’s fine. No, I haven’t. I don’t have the need for a combine. I harvest my crops with hand tools. If I eventually need big machines, I can always hire someone to come out and help.”
“Yes, you probably could,” Vincent said. “But the combines I’m talking about have computer screens on board. They continuously collect data, map the layout of the farm and measure productivity of crops. It’s quite amazing, really.”
She couldn’t argue. Farming machines with onboard computers probably were a sign of the future. But how in the world did that affect Camryn’s small acreage? “I’m sure you have a point,” she said. “I suggest we get to it.”
“We are developing three hundred acres adjacent to your hundred acres,” Vincent said. “As you probably know no one lives on those three hundred acres. We were able to purchase the land without displacing anyone. And we were also able to get a soil sample from just across the property line. The sample is from your soil, Camryn.”
“If you are going to tell me my soil is rich, I already know that,” she said. “I have ‘sampled’ it myself by actually growing crops and selling my produce at the local farmers market.”
Vincent gave her an indulgent smile, almost as if he were finding her folksy ways charming but not effective. She glanced at Becky, whose face revealed nothing.
“I’m here to offer you a deal,” Vincent said. “Y
our soil, being so close to the estuary nutrients of the low country, is more than rich, Camryn. It’s what we like to call agricultural gold.” He shifted on the chair, crossing his legs. “I want to buy your acreage, Camryn. It’s perfect for introducing crops that have previously been rare in this country. We can produce vegetables that would be considered delicacies.” He turned to his partner. “Tell her, Tom.”
“That’s right, Miss Montgomery. In your soil we can grow pomelos, cherimoya, Chinese cabbage, vegetables that have always been considered too expensive to import for the average market.”
She sat straighter. “Interesting, but my property is not for sale, Mr. Palermo.”
This time when she looked at Becky, her friend nodded. “I told him that, Cam.”
“Real estate deals are public record, Camryn,” Vincent said. “I know what you paid for this parcel, and I’m willing to offer you twice that amount.”
Twice! Camryn shuddered as she took a deep breath. What she could do with three-hundred thousand dollars! And then her senses returned and she answered her own question. Nothing. She would no longer have her farm, the way of life she’d established here. “I’m sorry, Mr. Palermo,” she said. “But my family lives here, on this property, in this house.”
“We’re not interested in displacing you, Camryn. You may keep the farmhouse, your chicken coops, the barn. All we want is the land. But we want all of it. We won’t negotiate for parcels smaller than what remains of the entire one hundred acres.”
Camryn had been sitting on a straight-backed chair, but she stood now and faced Mr. Palermo squarely. “I appreciate your interest,” she said. “But my land is not for sale. I know my gardens seem small to someone like you, but I have plans to expand.” She smiled. “Besides, I love it here, even without the technical know-how of growing exotic vegetables.”
Mr. Palermo took her hint and stood, as well. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a card. “Keep this anyway, Camryn. If you change your mind, the offer will still be good.”
Baby Makes Four Page 15
