The Midnight Groom (Last Play Christmas Romance Book 4)

by Taylor Hart

  “Dang.” She wiped her mouth. “Right. Famous billionaire guy. Man, some people might think I was in one of those romance movies. Or—” She snapped her fingers. “—a Hallmark Christmas movie.” With a grin, she corrected herself. “A friendship movie.”

  He grunted. “I’m not really one of those type of guys.”

  “What type is that?”

  “Kat used to watch those all Christmas. The ones that guys like Grant Kent star in. What was his latest movie?”

  “The Christmas Girlfriend.”

  “Yeah, stuff like that—all happy, and it ends with kissing and a happily ever after. Not in the cards for a guy like me.”

  She looked crestfallen.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I hope it’s in the cards for guys like you.”

  His heart raced. “Why?”

  She blinked, and her hand went to her necklace. He wanted to ask what she was holding, but it was probably something tied to her husband or son. Her eyes met his. “Because I hope it might be in the cards for someone like me.” Her voice was whispery and a bit high-pitched. She sniffed and looked away. “Never mind.”

  It unsettled him, and he found himself telling her what he’d told his sister many times. “No. My happily ever after is getting justice for Kat. That’s all.”

  She put down her lobster and wiped her face. “That’s all you want?”

  “Yep.”

  “Forever.”

  “Yep.”

  “And what if you don’t get it?”

  He let out a sardonic laugh. “My sister says I should forgive the guy. But I will never forgive him. I will find him and punish him. I will. No matter how long it takes.” The truth of that statement burned through him.

  “I believe you,” she said with the same force. “You will find him.”

  “Dang straight.”

  Chapter 13

  Isabel was surprised when Cam suggested they take an Uber to Seven Mile Beach so they could cross off another excursion. She’d already lowered her expectations of hitting all of them.

  The beach was stunning. The white sand went on and on. Even though Isabel couldn’t walk, Cam carried her on his back as he crossed the beach, making it a game. Occasionally, they went into the ocean and played. Cam even rented snorkel equipment, and they spent two hours looking at the sea creatures.

  Now, she was resting in her suite with ice and compression on her ankle, courtesy of Cam, who insisted they were going to the dining room for dinner so she could protect him from his sister. That was the only reason she’d agreed to go.

  Grateful, she closed her eyes and tried to rest. It’d been an amazing day. She remembered the stingrays, eating lobster at the restaurant, and Cam wanting justice so badly it looked like he would move mountains to get it.

  She didn’t doubt that he would. It was obvious he’d adored his wife.

  With a twinge of sadness, she thought of how she hadn’t had a marriage like that. But she pushed that away and went back to reliving about the stingrays and the beach and snorkeling.

  When she woke up an hour later, she saw it was almost six. She bolted up, realizing Cam would be coming to get her, and kicked the ice off her ankle. Oops. Too long with the ice. She stood on her good ankle and hobbled around to the closet and bathroom, using walls and chairs to support her. Her ankle was getting better, but she knew she had another day, at least, before she could put weight on it.

  Normally, she didn’t care that much about looking good, but butterflies swarmed in her belly as she put on her makeup, taking care to deepen her eye shadow. She’d brought a couple of prom kind of dresses that her sister had insisted she bring for the dinners. If Isabel had been in charge of her own packing, she wouldn’t have any dinner attire, and she was pretty sure she would have eaten at the pizza place every night. The only reason she’d gone and hung out with the singles was because her sister had made her pinky promise to not be a hermit. The singles were the only ones who hadn’t brought their own company, so they were an acceptable default.

  She took her long hair, which she normally wore in a ponytail, and curled it around the ends. Looking at it in the mirror, she realized she liked it.

  She hopped toward the closet, getting out the navy-blue off-the-shoulder dress her sister had slipped in. It had been her sister’s prom dress. Isabel hadn’t fit into the tiny thing all those years ago, but now, it was just a bit loose. Well, she thought as she surveyed herself in the mirror, it was true. She was very thin now. Maybe too thin.

  There was a knock at the door, and she felt a bit nervous. When she pulled it back, there was the gorgeous guy. He’d trimmed his beard, so it was now just at that sexy length around his face. His hair was combed back. He didn’t have a tux on or anything, but he had on some nice black pants, a white shirt, and a sport coat. His smell was even more amazing, something spicy and cinnamony.

  He looked her up and down in a non-creepy way, the exact opposite of how Dave had looked at her the night before. “You look nice, Isabel.”

  Heat rose in her cheeks, and she tried to act like she had earlier, when they’d been filthy from the ocean and beach and neither had noticed. “Thank you. You too.” She turned and looked at the heels before her. “Hmm.” She opted for flip-flops, knowing they would look silly.

  Cam lifted a hand. “Wait, I’ll be right back.”

  She guessed he had forgotten something, but when he returned, she saw he’d traded out his nice shoes for flip-flops too. She laughed. “Awesome.”

  He grinned. “Let’s go.”

  * * *

  Not long after Isabel and Cam got seated, Cam’s family met up with them: his sister, Alicia, his brother-in-law, Craig, and his nephews, Paul and Jon. Cam introduced Isabel matter-of-factly. Her foot was propped up, providing an easy lead-in as to why Cam had missed being with them all day.

  His sister had even looked pleased he’d helped her. They chatted for a minute and then ordered when the server came by. His sister started asking Isabel a couple of personal questions about where she was from and what she did.

  When they got to the family part, she swallowed and tried to avoid Cam’s sad gaze. “Uh, I was married and had a son named Sam.” The words got stuck in her throat.

  Cam put his hand over hers. “It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it right now.”

  She put up a hand and took a big breath. “I’m usually fine talking about it now. It was almost five years ago. They, um, drowned in a river.”

  For a moment, no one at the table said anything. His poor nephews looked really uncomfortable.

  Alicia stood and rushed to her, throwing her arms around her. “I’m so sorry.” She pulled back, a soft look on her face. “You poor girl.”

  Isabel smiled; Alicia hadn’t said it in a patronizing way. “Not a girl, thirty. I’ve gotten my fair share of wrinkles the past couple of years.” She sounded like an idiot, but what was there to say in this firehouse of warmth?

  Alicia’s husband, Craig, said, “I’m sorry too.”

  The boys nodded.

  Isabel pushed away more of the emotion. “Thank you.” She knew it sounded forced.

  The conversation went back to small talk about their ranch in Cheyenne and how Craig used to do bronc riding. Paul and Jon did it too, and they excitedly told her all about it. They also played football. Naturally, the conversation turned to how Cheyenne High School had done in the fall season. Sadly, they had not won state that year.

  When the food came, they oohed and ahhed over it. The boys ordered more and more until their dad told them to stop so they wouldn’t be sick.

  “Can we go hang out with friends, please?” Jon asked.

  “Yeah.” Paul glanced to the side, and Isabel noticed a group of kids waiting for them.

  Alicia smiled at them. “Yes, but I’ll be coming to check on you, so be good. And don’t do stupid stuff.”

  “Be respectful, and remember how to act appropriately,” Craig said.

&
nbsp; Isabel smiled as she watched the family scene.

  Cam pushed each of them as they walked past. “I’m going to be checking on you guys too.” He made an “I’m watching you” gesture.

  “Okay, sheesh.” Jon grinned, looking a tad mischievous. “We’ll be good.”

  “Yeah.” Paul grinned too, and then the boys were hightailing it to their friends.

  Alicia shook her head. “I’m glad they’re having fun, but I don’t know the kids they’re hanging out with, and that makes me nervous.”

  “They’re fine,” Craig said, looking more relaxed, draping an arm around Alicia. “Plus, now I can kiss you and dance with you.” He stood and pulled her up.

  Alicia blushed. “Fine,” she said, but first she came around the table to Isabel, pulled her into another hug, and whispered, “I’m really glad it worked out for you and Cam to go today.” She hesitated. “Cam told me earlier that you have some things you want to get checked off for your trip.”

  Nervous butterflies assaulted Isabel, and she didn’t know why. Just thinking of spending more time with Cam made her feel fluttery.

  “We have some things we’re doing tomorrow,” Alicia said at a normal volume, “so I’ll just plan on seeing you guys at night in the dining room.”

  Isabel smiled. “Sounds good.”

  Alicia waved at them as they went to the dance floor. Craig was not a small man—probably around Cam’s height—and Alicia stood at roughly five-ten. She was wearing a pink satin dress and had her blonde hair up.

  Isabel suddenly felt awkward. “If you want to go dance, I won’t feel bad about it.” She pointed to the singles’ table, which rang with laughter. “I bet Dave can introduce you to some more women to rescue.”

  Cam gave her a “really?” kind of look. “Not interested.” He smirked. “I could go get him for you, though.”

  “Ha,” she said.

  He snapped his fingers. “Hey, we could do a piggyback dancing thing.”

  She let out a short laugh. “Uh, no.”

  “How about we go to the deck, then?”

  Cam had procured a wheelchair, so she sat in it, and he pushed. The sun was down, but the deck was lit up. People mingled in groups that ebbed and flowed, and even though they’d had a long day, she didn’t really feel tired.

  He stopped next to one of the pools and pulled her back next to one of the lawn chairs. “Do you want to transfer to a lawn chair so you can put the ankle up?”

  “Definitely lawn chair.”

  He helped her into it. Much to her own displeasure, Isabel compared Cam’s gentlemanly side to Rick’s. She hadn’t thought about that part of Rick for a long time. At least, not in comparison with other men. Probably because she hadn’t really dates since. Not that this was a date.

  Cam sat next to her in a different chair. “How’s the ankle feeling?”

  She shrugged. “The funny thing is that I really haven’t had a chance to think about it. I mean, when I put pressure on it, I get pain, but—” She smiled at him. “—you’ve made this an amazing day. Thank you.” More feelings threatened to overwhelm her, and she blinked them back. “Dang, I’ve been so emotional.”

  He grinned and leaned back, putting his feet up on the chair. “It has been a good day.” He closed his eyes, and both of them relaxed for a bit.

  She couldn’t believe how this trip was turning out so differently than she’d expected.

  Without opening his eyes, Cam asked, “So it’s zip-lining at Mystic Mountain tomorrow?”

  “Yep.” She appreciated that he’d remembered the list.

  “After that, the Incan ruins, right?”

  She sighed, thinking of all the walking that would require. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to wrap it and walk more.”

  Cam shrugged. “It’s fine.”

  She sucked in a calming breath and closed her eyes. Her ears drank in the sounds of people walking on the deck, clanking dishes from the dining room, and music.

  It was peaceful.

  “It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow.”

  She opened her eyes. The holidays were always harder. “Sam could never sleep on Christmas Eve.”

  “Sounds about right.” Cam’s hands were behind his head, and he was looking at the stars. “My sister was right, though you can’t tell her. This cruise was a good idea.”

  She didn’t want to probe into how hard this last year had been for him. “Yeah.”

  Silence reigned for several minutes. Cam cleared his throat. “Orion’s Belt.”

  She looked up. “What?”

  He pointed off to the right in the sky. “Orion’s Belt.”

  If she squinted, she could see three stars in a row. “I don’t know about stars.”

  “As you know, I grew up on a ranch, too. My dad and I—” His voice hitched. “My dad and I would spend hours on our horses at night, just riding, looking up at the stars. That’s Orion’s Belt, and next to him are his dogs. If you look hard enough, you can see the Little Dipper to the north of it.”

  She saw it and smiled. “That’s cool.”

  He grinned and gazed up at the constellation. She wondered how many times he and his wife had done this.

  “Tell me about Sam,” he said suddenly.

  Isabel shifted in the lawn chair. “What do you want to know?”

  “Anything.”

  With another smile, she said, “Sam was the best kid. He was rowdy and loved soccer and football and basketball and superheroes. He was Superman that last year … before.” Her mind bubbled with memories of Halloween night—including her fight with Rick.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Aren’t we past the lying yet?”

  It unnerved her how close she was feeling to Cameron already, and yet so not close. Why not tell someone? She hadn’t even told her mom and sister. After everything had happened, it felt pointless. For some reason, she felt safe enough here to let it out. “I told you I was going to divorce Rick. Well, we got in a fight Halloween night, and I was just remembering it.” She shook her head. “It’s so random the things you remember.”

  “That’s true.” He turned on his side. “What was the fight about?”

  “We were both upset about whether we should leave the candy dish on the step or not, and he pushed me down in front of Sam.”

  “What?” Cam jolted to his feet.

  Isabel bit her lip. “Cam, just sit.”

  He sucked in a breath, then sat abruptly.

  “It was my fault.”

  “The hell it was. You know it wasn’t.”

  She let out a light sigh. “Fine. I do. After almost five years of therapy, I know it wasn’t. I don’t even know why I just said that.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Sometimes, it just feels like I’m right back in all of it.”

  Cam exhaled, then took her hand. “It’s okay.”

  She sniffed. “My mom always tells me I just need a little bit of grace. I don’t know if my mom’s talking about grace for me … or grace for Rick.”

  Chapter 14

  Later that night, after Cam helped Isabel to her room and she insisted she was fine, Cam went to his room and tried to go to bed. It was almost midnight, and he wanted to rest before hauling her around all day, even if he was happy to do it. Sleep was impossible; his thoughts kept teetering between Isabel and Kat. After that, he’d gotten back up and found himself at the internet café. It had sounded good to try to take a break from the PIs, from all of it. But what could he say? He was weak.

  He checked the twenty-plus emails from various guys that had the same information. Usually, he fired a guy after a couple of months because they would get stopped at the same place the others had. Right now, he had a new PI from New York. His name was Stone Kenney, and he was pricey. Cam had brought him in and paid for everything. He was an ex-Navy SEAL and a retired police detective. Stone was in his mid-sixties, divorced, and even more cynical than Cam had become. Cameron had felt like he might be the guy to dig
deep and find the truth.

  Stone’s emails were dismal. He had found nothing so far, except what the others had found. It was like the guy with the tattoo had just left town or something.

  Cam had heard this before, from the police and dozens of other PIs, but now it felt like it was sinking in. What if they never found the guy? What if he never got justice for Kat’s murder? Or the baby? The thought depressed him.

  On a whim, he googled “Isabel Kind Fort Collins.” It brought him the story in the form of a lengthy article about river danger, including a blurry picture of police pulling fuzzy bodies out of the water. The center of Cam’s chest hurt for her. He couldn’t imagine.

  Well, yeah, he could. But after hearing about how her husband had been, Cam had felt worse for her. Of course, he’d felt a lot of pain thinking about losing the child he never knew, but how would it have been to lose a child he did know? She was still on this quest for healing even after five years.

  Alicia had been right: grief affected everyone.

  He walked out of the café, back into the fresh air. It felt good. He strode toward his suite and checked his watch—almost one thirty.

  To his surprise, when he got to the pool with the deck right by their suites, Isabel was sitting there in the wheelchair, all the way against the edge of the deck. Her hair was back in a ponytail, and she stared out into the night. She was beautiful. No. He didn’t like thinking that. She was broken. Just like him. Not sleeping because, he could imagine, she couldn’t stop thinking either.

  Quietly, he turned and went to his suite without disturbing her. On this kind of night, all you needed was fresh air and to be alone.

  Chapter 15

  Zip-lining would be dicey, to say the least. Probably the sketchiest excursion on the list, considering Isabel’s ankle. But true to his word, Cam had just piggybacked her to and from the launch points. For anything that required more than a couple of hops, he carried her.

  Now, they were waiting for their next zip line. The company who hosted the zip lines had a total of seven platforms that took you all over the jungle. Cam and Isabel were only on number three, and it kept getting better and better.