Eric smiled. "What are you getting to drink, babe?" Camden gave him her signature "be serious" look. "I'm on it," he replied. "Meet you at the register." Eric tugged one of her pigtails and headed straight to the Icee machine.
By the time he met Camden at the register, she had candy bars, trail mix, chips, and Combos. "Half blue raspberry, half white cherry, just as you ordered, princess." Eric was rewarded with one of Camden's true smiles. She could stop traffic with that smile. During their drive, most of her smiles seemed forced, although he would never say that to her. She would deny it for all eternity.
After paying for their snacks, Eric grabbed Camden's bag of goodies and headed to the car. Once they were settled into Eric's SUV and back on the highway, he asked gently, "Do they know we're coming?"
Camden froze. "No," she murmured.
"But you know they'll be there, right?" he questioned.
"They go this weekend every year, but I called the campground just to make sure they had reserved the campsite."
"You sure you're ready to see everybody?" Eric noticed her expression dim.
"Yeah," she replied softly.
"Three years is a long time, babe."
"I know, Eric, but it just feels like time, you know?"
He grabbed her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers, and lifted her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles softly. "I know, sweetie. I know."
Camden's eyes glistened for a moment, as if she was about to cry, but just as quickly, she reined in the renegade emotion.
"I love you, Eric."
"I love you, too, Camden."
Eric's thumb gently stroked the back of Camden's hand. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked mildly.
Camden sighed. "They're going to have a lot of questions."
Eric nodded. "We were already expecting that, babe. Are there specific questions you're worried about?" Camden stared out the passenger window a moment before looking back to Eric.
"All of them. They might hate me. What will Brody say?" A single tear escaped and trailed down her cheek.
"Brody will say lots of angry shit, but I'm sure after he's done freaking out, he'll tell you he loves you. And you may be scared to answer their questions, but once you do, you can make a new start with them."
"But there are things I cannot tell them this weekend. It would ruin everything," she protested.
Eric squeezed her hand encouragingly. "Even if you tell them EVERYTHING this weekend, nothing will be ruined. They will be thrilled to have you back," he insisted.
Camden smiled weakly. "How do you know? You've never met them."
"From what you've told me, Cam, your family is amazing. To be honest, I'm kind of hoping they'll adopt me." Camden smirked.
"You're kind of old for that, Eric, and it would kill our relationship if you were actually my brother."
Eric laughed and released Camden's hand. As he started a playlist on Camden's iPod, he said, "Why don't you try to sleep? We've got a couple more hours to go, and you tossed and turned all night." Camden took a long draw of her Icee before responding.
"Wake me when we're close?" She grabbed her pillow from the back seat and shifted, trying to get comfortable.
"You got it, honey." Eric began to hum softly, while Camden drifted to sleep.
***
Molly Shepherd finished sweeping the last of the dirt out of the camper, then yelled to her husband, Jack. "How's the fire pit coming?"
"All set up and ready to go." Jack looked around the campsite. "Wish Brody wasn't running late. I was hoping to get some fishing or hiking in before dinner."
Molly's faced softened as she looked at her cherished husband. When Camden left home, they thought it was a phase. Maybe she was stretching her wings and trying to be independent. It seemed as if one week, she was their sweet, outgoing girl, and the next she was moody and sullen. The change was sudden, immediately following graduation. Molly thought Camden was feeling a little lost, as she was no longer in school with her friends. With the transition to college looming, maybe Camden was just scared of the unknown. Within a week, though, Camden left home, and Molly never figured out what triggered the change....or the escape from home.
As the months had passed without hearing from her, they began to fear the worst, but they received a Christmas card that first year, and they knew she was okay. Molly looked forward to each birthday and holiday, knowing she would get a card from Camden, proving she was out there somewhere. Never a phone call. Never a letter. Only holiday cards, signed simply, with no additional note. Oddly, the cards had postmarks from all over the U.S. Molly and Jack had wondered if Camden travelled a lot. Maybe for work? Molly wondered a lot about Camden really. Molly imagined wonderful and terrible scenarios. It seemed to her that the absence of Camden was as physically dominating as the presence of her. Molly carried her everywhere she went.
The annual camping trip was doubly difficult for her. While Jack had Brody for companionship, Molly spent the weekend left to her own devices. She reminisced about the many years she and Camden spent the weekend getting meals together, talking about school and boys and the future. While Jack and Brody were in the woods doing "manly things", Camden had shadowed her mother, forging a bond Molly thought would never break. She never imagined she would go a month without speaking to her only daughter, let alone three years.
When they finally accepted that Camden wasn't coming home, Jack had become even more attached to Brody. It was as if, because he had lost one child, he was going to do everything within his power to spend time with the other one. That was a little difficult the first two years, as Brody had been overseas in the military. This last year, though, Molly's boys had done some serious bonding. It didn't ease the loss of Camden, but having Brody home filled a special hole in their lives.
"I'm sure you guys can fish first thing tomorrow, Jack. You know he would have come earlier if he could have."
Just as Molly finished speaking, she and Jack heard the rumble of an engine. Their campsite was pretty secluded, so Molly thought the car must be headed their way.
"See, Jackie. He couldn't wait, either. I bet he got someone to cover for him at the bar."
Jack lifted his hand, shielding his eyes from the sun. "I don't think that's Brody's Jeep, Molly."
Molly's eyebrows drew together in confusion. Sure enough, a red SUV pulled into the campsite and parked next to the trailer. Molly's confusion turned to shock as the doors to the SUV opened. The driver was an attractive, blonde young man, about six feet in height. An air of confidence exuded from him as he headed around the front of the car. He was dressed casually in khaki cargo shorts and a slate gray fitted tee. The sight that stopped Molly's heart, however, was the beautiful golden haired girl that stepped out of the passenger side.
Before she could register what was happening, Molly had dropped the broom and was running across the campsite. Apparently Jack had the same idea, because they arrived at Camden almost simultaneously. Eric stood to the side as Camden and her parents hugged and cried. He knew Camden had needed this for a long time. He had been encouraging her for more than two years to get in touch with her parents and brother. He was thrilled that she finally had decided to visit them.
He'd seen pictures of them, of course, but seeing Molly in person, Eric realized that she was the future version of Camden, if Camden had dark brown hair. She even had Camden's striking green eyes. Camden had obviously gotten her dad's blonde hair, but thankfully not his height. Her five foot six inch stature was a perfect fit. Jack Shepherd was over six feet tall and in terrific shape. Camden had mentioned on more than one occasion that her dad had been a firefighter, and the physical work showed in his muscular physique.
Molly was the first Shepherd to regain control of her emotions and step back from the group hug. She gestured to the picnic table nearby, as she wiped tears from her cheeks, and the four moved to sit. Camden and Eric sat facing Molly and Jack. Eric could sense Camden's unease. The hugging had been easy, but next came the q
uestions. He knew she feared that the most. Sure enough, Camden placed her hand in his and squeezed it, silently asking for his support.
Molly's eyes were shining, and Jack couldn't help but smile. Three years was too long to go without seeing your baby girl. He looked across the table at his beautiful daughter, and words began tumbling from his lips, like water flooding through a crumbling dam.
"Where have you been? Why didn't you write? We have been worried sick, not knowing if you were okay. Your mother cried for months! Did you go to college? Are you happy? Are you okay?" His voice trembled as the last question trailed off.
Camden began to shake, trying to form the words to even begin explaining the last three years of her life. She tried to begin telling him where she and Eric lived, but she felt as if something was stuck in her throat. Eric let go of her hand and tucked her under his arm. His fingers gently traced circles on her arm.
Molly knew there were many questions that needed to be answered, but she didn't want to push Camden and cause her to run away again. And based on Camden's reaction, she definitely was not ready to answer Jack's questions. Molly grabbed Jack's hand and reached across the table with her other hand to grasp Camden's.
"Later. We'll talk about the hard stuff later," she said, the command in her voice not lost in the softness of the delivery. Even Jack knew that Molly meant business. Camden's body visibly sank in relief. Molly looked at her husband and her daughter, then finally to the handsome man currently reassuring Camden.
"In the meantime, are you going to introduce us?" Molly smiled.
Camden was in shock. They weren't going to push for answers right now. She was more than happy to put off the uncomfortable conversation until later. She reached over and squeezed Eric's hand again.
"This is Eric," she said. She looked at him, her eyes filled with emotion. "He means more to me than anyone in the world," she sighed.
"Well," Jack put out his hand. "Anyone who means that much to our little girl is all right by me." Eric's hand met Jack's in a sturdy shake. "Welcome to the family," Jack stated. Eric's lips tipped up at one end, and Camden stifled a giggle.
"I've been telling Camden for years that I hoped you would adopt me," he chuckled.
Molly stood and reached over the table to give Eric a hug. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear, "for bringing her home." Eric nodded in acknowledgement.
Camden's eyes searched the campsite. "Where is Brody?" she asked. Eric noticed the wistfulness in her tone. She had missed her close relationship with her brother the last few years. Eric couldn't count the number of times he had laughed until the point of tears while listening to Camden recount stories of her childhood with Brody. He was really looking forward to meeting the man who had always been her protector.
"He's running late," Molly replied. "Oh dear," she said suddenly. "We need more food."
"Mom, don't worry about it," Camden replied. "We knew we were unexpected guests, so Eric and I brought a cooler with our own food."
Molly tsked at her. "I am making my girl's favorite glazed salmon and Gram's potato salad for dinner. You will not be eating something from your cooler." Turning to her husband, Molly asked, "Jack, do you mind running to the store with me? Eric and Camden can set up their tent....you did bring a tent, didn't you?"
Eric and Camden dutifully nodded, and Molly continued. "We should be back just about the time they finish."
"Anything for you, my dear." Jack pulled Molly to him and pressed a kiss to her forehead. He looked at Eric and Camden. "Anything you can find, you can eat. Any tools, you can use. Make yourself at home." He nodded at them before tucking Molly's hand in his. Camden stood and walked cautiously to her parents. Molly pulled Camden to them, and she and Jack hugged Camden tightly, reluctant to leave her even for a moment since she had finally returned. Jack nodded at Eric before leading Molly to their truck. There was a spring in both their steps as they made their way to buy groceries for Camden's favorite meal.
***
Chapter 3
Brody laughed as he looked in his rear-view mirror. Tiffany and Stella may not be related, but they could pass for twins, and they both loved being naughty. It had been a good idea to invite them on the family camping trip. He couldn't take one more year where it was just him and his parents. It made it too obvious Camden wasn't there and wasn't coming.
When he was a kid, the family camping weekend had been his favorite weekend of the summer. It kicked things off and started the summer with awesome memories. He and Camden had counted down the days from spring break until the trip, and these woods were filled with his memories of her. The last couple of years had changed the camping trip from his favorite weekend of summer to his most depressing one. Camden's absence was like an unspoken elephant in the room, and Brody was sick of missing her.
Tiffany giggled, drawing his attention to the rear-view mirror yet again. His mom wasn't going to be thrilled that he was bringing along Shane and the blonde bombshells in the back seat, but at least the campsite wouldn't seem so empty. Not to mention he might get some sex out of the weekend. God knew he needed to get laid. The hours he had been pulling at Shane's bar, added with the ones he was working to get his fledgling construction firm off the ground, were killing him. No one told you as a kid how hard it was to reach your dreams. Shepherd Construction would succeed, though, or Brody would die trying.
Tiffany leaned forward, pulling him from his wandering thoughts. Her magnificent rack looked as if it was about to escape her skimpy tank top. "Do you boys think we could stop for lunch?" she asked breathily. Her voice reminded him of Marilyn Monroe during her happy birthday performance for the President. She trailed her fingers down his neck. Brody tried to keep his eyes on the road, but her cleavage was acting like a siren call. Tiffany continued whining. "I like camp food as much as the next girl, but before you take us away from civilization for two days, I'd like my last meal."
Brody saw Shane roll his eyes. Tiffany sounded as if she was headed to the electric chair. "Last meal," Shane muttered. He asked Brody continually where he found these "bimbos" all the time. But Brody definitely wasn't ready to settle down, so he would give her whatever she wanted until he got whatever he wanted from her. And the sex with Tiffany was pretty damn good, so he would probably keep her around another month or so.
"Sure, sweetheart," Brody said. Tiffany rewarded him with a huge, artificially whitened smile and leaned back in her seat, her surgically enhanced breasts pushed forward. He noticed Stella chuckle, but as she shifted, he realized she wasn't laughing at Tiffany. Stella was laughing at some book she was reading.
Stella was as beautiful, if not more so, than Tiffany, although Brody had a feeling all her parts were natural. She was slightly more subdued than Tiffany, and she was much more intelligent. She was funny and sarcastic and outgoing. When Brody had first met the girls, he had been interested in Stella, but he realized immediately that she was a forever kind of girl. Tiffany, on the other hand, was like the female version of himself. When he decided to invite the girls on the trip, he had thought Stella would be perfect for Shane.
Shane had never been the type to be a player, and he wasn't getting any play while working at his bar. There were always single girls around, but Shane was determined his bar would be successful, and this first year had been all work and no play. Brody decided Shane needed some playtime, and since Shane was the forever kind of guy, it just made sense that he needed a forever type of girl. With any luck, both Brody and Shane would get laid this weekend.
"Guess we're going to be even later," Brody said to Shane. "Hope mom doesn't mind too much. I'll make it up to dad by doing something with him early in the morning."
Shane just shrugged and began searching the signs they passed for a restaurant the girls would enjoy. He hoped the weekend went well. He needed something to take his mind off business at the bar. He'd been working 80 hour weeks to get it making a profit, and this was the first time in the last year that he was comfortable leaving someon
e else in charge for the weekend. He really hoped he didn't regret taking the time off work. He was stressed about the cell signal at the campground. If Javier needed to reach him for an emergency, he was screwed. Brody said coverage was spotty at best at the campground.
"Ooooh!!! Take this exit," Tiffany squealed. She started bouncing in her seat, singing the praises of some restaurant she was dying to try, and Shane tried to tune her out. He had no idea why Brody always picked shallow, fake chicks, but this one was getting on his nerves. The other Doublemint twin wasn't as bad, but he could already feel a headache from the short ride listening to Tiffany.
***
"Oh my God," Camden whined. "I didn't remember setting up the campground taking this much energy!"
Eric laughed at her. "Quit being a baby. Moving into our apartment was much harder," he reminded her. "It's on the third floor, and we didn't have help." Eric opened their second camping chair and sat down. He grabbed Camden's hand and pulled her into his lap.
"Come here you big, baby," he teased. "I'll massage your shoulders."
Camden lifted her hair out of Eric's way. She moaned softly as his magic hands worked the knots out of her achy muscles.
"Stop being naughty," Eric whispered in her ear. Camden giggled and turned to face him. She tucked her knees to her chest and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm nervous," she confessed.
"I know, baby," Eric replied. He kissed her eyebrow. "The hard part is over, though, right?"
Camden sighed. "The hard part will be seeing Brody. He's going to be pissed."
"I would be, too, if my baby sister cut me out of her life for three years."
Camden stiffened. "Whose side are you on?" she demanded. Eric began rubbing her back in soothing circles.
"Yours, sweetie. I am just being the devil's advocate. I know it will suck, but you have to let him be pissed for a little while. He'll forgive you," Eric encouraged. "People always forgive the ones they love. I'm a prime example. I forgive you all the time." Eric grinned at her, and Camden relaxed into his comforting hold once more. He put his arms around her and began tracing figure eights on her arm.
Only You Page 2
