Where There's Hope_A Well Paired Novel

by Marianne Rice

“Never really had one.”

  “What does really mean?”

  They walked shoulder to shoulder through the streets that were decked out for the holidays. On each lamppost hung a wreath, each tree had white lights, and up ahead he could see the big tree in the center of the square, colorful lights shining bright.

  “It means I didn’t do relationships. I was the punk kid, remember?”

  “So there was never a girl who stole your heart?”

  “Just one.” He draped his arm over Hope’s shoulder and tucked her close to him.

  “You’re not talking about me. We didn’t even spend a full twenty-four hours together.”

  “It’s always been you.”

  They stopped in front of the tree, and Hope turned to look up at him. “That’s very sweet of you to say, but I hardly believe our day in New York made that profound of an impact on your life.”

  He didn’t blame her for doubting him. Most people did. But one thing Cameron didn’t do was lie. Or exaggerate.

  “Why do you think I came to Crystal Cove?”

  “Because you wanted to meet your niece.”

  “How do you think I learned I had a niece?”

  Hope cocked her head, and he could see the wheels spinning.

  “Any chance I had access to the Internet I’d search for you. Not knowing your last name or your hometown made it challenging. But time I had.”

  “And patience.”

  “This was one area where I grew impatient. Every dead end put me in a shitty mood.”

  “I can’t imagine you in a shitty mood. You’re always so...optimistic. And sweet.”

  “Thank you.” He brushed his lips across hers and reached for her hand. “I wasn’t always like this.”

  “When did you find me?”

  “Three years ago. I was still in prison so my time and resources were limited, but I found an article about The Happy Clam and saw your picture.” He still had it, folded up in his wallet. “It was the lead I was looking for. I kind of social media stalked you.”

  “Kind of?”

  “One hundred percent. Does that freak you out?”

  “If wanting to strip you naked on the street and have my way with you classifies as freaking out, then yeah. I’m freaked.” She let go of his hand and wrapped her arm around his waist.

  Relief settled in his veins and love filled his heart.

  “I didn’t contact you right when I got out because, well, I had nothing to offer.”

  “Cameron.”

  He didn’t like the sound of pity in her voice. It’s what he wanted to avoid, why he waited so long before coming to Crystal Cove. That and the orders from his parole officer.

  “I’m glad I waited. Patience, remember?”

  “You amaze me.”

  His heart skipped a beat. No one in his life had ever made him feel so wanted, so appreciated. Never his parents or tutors or friends. Not even his brother. They loved each other and had each other’s backs, but they were so different, wanted opposite things out of life.

  “You bring out the good in me. If I hadn’t met you all those years ago, I don’t know where I’d be. Not here, standing next to this cheerful tree with the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world in my arms.”

  “A bit over the top, but I’ll take it.” She lifted herself up on her toes and kissed his lips. “I suggest we get dinner to go and bring it back to your room.”

  “You don’t want to check out all the shops? Go bar hopping? Sing Christmas carols?”

  “I’m cheap and easy. A slice of pizza and you naked. That’s all I need.”

  “Done.”

  CAMERON SLEPT LIKE a baby that night, and it had nothing to do with finally having a mattress to lay on. He woke with a smile on his face and actually hummed as he showered and shaved. The weekend had been amazing. One more performance for Delaney and then they’d head back to Crystal Cove and he and Hope would continue moving forward with their relationship.

  The magic that happened in Portland would carry over to their little town. They’d spend the holidays together, make more memories, and hopefully settle down and get married. It wasn’t his initial plan to marry Hope, only to be reunited and support his niece.

  For the first time, his life was moving in a positive direction. His vision was clear, his goals laid out, and no obstacles in his path. The only thing bothering him was seeing his mother yesterday. He should’ve mentioned it to Hope but hadn’t wanted to ruin the mood.

  And their mood had been fan-freaking-tastic. It could be his age or life experiences, but sex with Hope was more than he ever expected any sexual experience to be.

  Cameron finished packing up his few belongings and took his third new shirt off the hanger. The dark blue tie he wore Friday night matched the light green shirt. He didn’t mind buying a few extra button-downs, figuring they’d be good for holidays and date nights with Hope, but ties were never really his thing. He bought two this weekend and didn’t think Delaney would mind, or even notice, that he wore the same one twice.

  Lopping his backpack over his shoulder, he did one last quick look about the room to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything and headed down toward Hope’s room. An EMT stood outside the room, the door open and a barrage of voices and confusion filling the air.

  His chest tightened and he dropped his bag in the hall, running toward the scene. “Hope! Delaney!” If one of his girls were hurt...no, he wouldn’t think that way.

  To his relief, he spotted Hope leaning over the figure on the gurney. Rich. His eyes were open, but his skin was pale and sallow. Diane stood at his head, holding his hand and rubbing his shoulders while two EMT workers listened to his heart and took his blood pressure.

  “Hope. What happened?” He rubbed her back with concern.

  “Nothing,” Rich huffed. “They...worry too much.”

  “We think he had a heart attack. They’re bringing him to Maine Medical Center. It’s only a few miles away.” She picked up her father’s limp hand and rubbed it between her hands.

  “Delaney?” Cameron couldn’t see all the way into the room with the gurney in the way.

  “I need to go to the hospital with Mom and Dad. I feel awful.” Hope closed her eyes and lowered her head.

  “I’ll bring her and stay with her. You go with your parents.”

  “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t. I offered.”

  “I always...” Rich gasped for air. “Liked that boy.”

  “I’ll let Delaney know.” Diane kissed her husband’s cheek and rounded the corner.

  “We need to bring you in, Mr. Windward. Miss, if you’d like to meet us there, you can park at the ER. I’ll let the staff know you’re coming.”

  “Thank you.” Hope tucked her father’s hand under the blanket. “Mom and I will be right behind the ambulance, okay?”

  “I’m...fine.”

  Delaney came over and hugged her grandfather gently before the EMTs wheeled him down the hall.

  “I’m so sorry I’m going to miss this performance, honey.” Hope hugged Delaney tight and wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “It’s okay. You’ve already seen me twice. It’s not like anything will be different today.”

  “Cameron will bring you over to the theater and to the hospital to visit when you’re done, okay? Gramps will be fine though, so don’t let that worry you. He’ll need to take it easy for a bit, but he’s fine.”

  “He told me he would be okay.” Delaney sniffed and wiped her eye with the back of her hand.

  “Your gramps is too stubborn to let anything happen to him. Knowing him, we’ll be back home tonight. We’ll probably beat you there.” Diane hugged her granddaughter tight and turned away, unsuccessfully hiding her tears as well.

  “I wish there was something more I could do.” Cameron comforted Hope, holding her close to his chest.

  “You are. You’re taking care of my girl. She and my parents are the most important peopl
e in my life.” Hope looked up and gave him a sad smile. “And you. You’re part of my heart as well. If anything were to happen to any of you...”

  She buried her head in his chest and sighed.

  “Your father will have my head if we’re not there to bail him out of the hospital soon.” Diane had her coat on, her purse over her shoulder, and her hand on the door.

  “I’m coming.” Hope said a few quiet words to Delaney and hugged her again. “Oh, the room. We need to check out by noon. I didn’t have a chance to pack up our stuff.”

  “I’ve got it. You go look after your dad.”

  “Thank you.” She kissed him and left. It was the first time they’d kissed in front of her mom and Delaney, and it felt natural and comfortable.

  “Thank you, Cameron,” Diane added before she followed Hope down the hall.

  It didn’t take him and Delaney long to pack the suitcases and toiletries. “You sure you have everything you need for your dance?”

  “It’s all in here. Mom packed it up as soon as I took it off yesterday.” Delaney patted the garment bag and small bag next to it. “The rest we can come back for.”

  Only they needed to be checked out by noon, and she needed to be at the theater in fifteen minutes. “How do you feel about me dropping you off and then running back here to check out and load up my truck?”

  “That’s fine. You can’t come backstage anyway. Mom’s just been dropping me off and lurking outside the hallway.”

  “Lurking?” Cameron chuckled.

  “Yeah. All the nervous moms do that. It’s kind of embarrassing. The older girls’ parents don’t do that.”

  “I promise not to lurk.” He handed Delaney her coat and ushered her out the door. “You’ll have to tell me where to meet you after the show. Your mom’s been doing that, and I’m not sure if she’ll be back before it’s over.”

  They walked briskly down the street and into the back door of the theater, weaving their way through the hallways. “It’ll be packed and crazy, but I’ll find you over here when it’s done.”

  “You sure?”

  “Totally.”

  “Is this where I’m supposed to say break a leg or something?”

  “If you want,” Delaney giggled.

  “I never thought I’d say this about ballet, but it’s really nice. Looks like a lot of hard work too. You’re talented.”

  “Thanks. I gotta run.”

  “I’ll meet you right here when it’s over.”

  “See ya.” She waved over her head and jogged down the hallway to the dressing room.

  He’d see her in a few hours. So why the prickle in the back of his neck?

  Cameron turned and walked back to the hotel, feeling alone and worried. About what, he hadn’t a clue.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  ONCE AGAIN THE GIRLS—AND guys—earned themselves a standing ovation from the audience. Pride filled his soul as he applauded his niece. Hope had raised her well, supporting her daughter’s dreams and talent and still fulfilling her own career.

  She’d called before the performance started. Apparently Rich was giving the staff a hard time, threatening to walk out of the hospital if they didn’t release him. He was cranky and wanted to go home.

  Diane was afraid of another heart attack and had insisted on driving back. Hope didn’t want her mother behind the wheel in her frazzled condition and offered to drive. Cameron had reassured Hope he’d take care of Delaney and drive her home as soon as the show was over. Anxious to get back to Crystal Cove, he milled around with the parents, now familiar with some, and he reciprocated the friendly exchange of compliments.

  “McKenna and her friends think quite highly of you.” He didn’t know what to make of Shelby Franklin. Nice, but she seemed the type to gossip, or to investigate until she got to the heart of the truth of the gossip.

  Cameron didn’t have anything to hide—he didn’t think—so it didn’t worry him. But if Hope hadn’t been open about his past and their current relationship and Shelby was hedging, he wouldn’t bite.

  “Delaney has a nice core group of girlfriends.”

  “They’re good girls. Impressionable as well.”

  Keeping his hands tucked in the pockets of his coat, Cameron nodded in agreement. Not much he could say to that. The girls were twelve. It was a tough age. Still young and innocent, but flirting with the dangerous side of being a teenager.

  The throng of dancers interrupted them as the little ones exited first, searching for their parents. Then Delaney and her friends herded behind. She spotted Cameron and her face lit up, causing a flutter in his stomach. The Windward girls sure knew how to wrap a man around their finger.

  “Did you see me almost mess up my pirouette?”

  She could’ve blundered the hell out of the dance and he wouldn’t have had a clue. “I saw perfection is all.”

  “Yeah, well, you don’t really know much about ballet.” Delaney cringed. “Sorry. That was rude. I meant—”

  “No apology necessary. You’re one hundred percent correct. I don’t know what it’s supposed to look like, but whatever you did, you looked graceful and extremely talented.” Apparently, that was the right thing to say because she gave him a hug before dropping her dance bag and shrugging into her coat.

  It was the first hug he’d exchanged with Delaney other than the quick thank you one-armed hug she gave him after she opened her birthday present. This hug was from the heart, no prompting and not an obligatory gesture.

  Those butterflies were having a heyday inside his core.

  “Delaney!” a loud voice called from behind the pack of girls and parents. “Is Delaney Windward still here?”

  “Ms. Karen, I’m here.” Delaney made her way through the crowd, Cameron at her heels, and waved to a slender middle-aged woman.

  “Wonderful. You haven’t left. I need you to do this evening’s performance. Three girls from the northern Maine studio got food poisoning and can’t dance. Can you stick around a little longer?” Karen gave Cameron a stern look that he was afraid to deny.

  “Uh, sure. What time do you need her back?” It didn’t seem she was giving them a choice.

  Karen tipped her head, her face softening when she spoke to Delaney. “Be back at four-thirty. That gives you three hours to refuel and rest. You can leave your costume with me.” She held out her hand, and Cameron gave her the bag.

  The biting wind hit them hard when they got outside. The temperature had dropped and the gusts had picked up, chilling him to the bone.

  “Do you have anything in particular in mind for lunch?”

  “I’d love a pizza, but I think Ms. Karen would have a heart attack if I had something so greasy before I dance.”

  “What would she approve of?” He wanted to get Delaney out of the cold and tell her about her grandfather. He also needed to call Hope and let her know they’d be back much later than expected.

  “Grilled chicken. Salad. Maybe a roll.”

  “I’m sure we can find that around here.” He reached out his arm to drape over Delaney’s shoulder like he’d seen many other dads do to their daughters, but held back, not wanting to push her if she wasn’t ready for that kind of affection from him.

  The hug was a good first step.

  Delaney spotted a chalkboard sign advertising chicken salad and French onion soup outside a funky bistro.

  “Can we eat here?”

  “Anywhere you want, honey.”

  The endearment slipped and he worried it was too much, but Delaney didn’t seem fazed. The food came shortly after they ordered, and Delaney showed no sign of stopping.

  “Your dance teacher said you needed to rest. We don’t have the hotel rooms anymore, but you can lie down in the back of the truck. It won’t take long for it to warm up.”

  “I’m too excited to nap. I got picked to dance tonight, do you know what that means?”

  “I figured it’s because you’re talented.”

  “And Ms. Karen and the
other dance teachers think so too. They picked me to fill in. This is so cool. Can I borrow your phone to tell my mom?”

  “Of course.” He handed her the phone, ashamed he hadn’t called Hope already.

  Cameron sipped his soup as he listened to Delaney give her mother a detailed account of everything that happened before her dance, during, and after, including Ms. Karen asking her to dance again tonight. He prayed Hope wouldn’t be mad at him for committing to it without speaking to her first.

  “My mom wants to talk to you.” Delaney handed the phone to him.

  “Hey, how’s your dad?”

  “Stubborn man. The doctor said it was a mild heart attack and we caught it early. He refuses to check into the hospital closer to home. Mom made him promise to see his doctor first thing in the morning.”

  “I’m glad it wasn’t more serious.”

  “Me too.” Hope let out a deep sigh. “Thank you again for being there for Delaney.”

  “There isn’t another place I’d rather be. Well,” he stopped before he said too much in front of the impressionable twelve-year-old sitting across from him.

  “Those are two of my favorite places as well. With Delaney. And with you.”

  There were words he wanted to say. He glanced at Delaney who watched him intently and kept the conversation about her.

  “I hope you’re not upset about us committing to tonight. I should’ve asked you first.”

  “If you had waited, Karen or the other coaches would’ve found someone else. You made Delaney’s day. She’s over the moon excited. It’s an honor to be asked. So thank you again for spending the last few hours of your weekend with her.”

  “I’ll call you when we’re on our way home tonight.”

  “I owe you.”

  “I can think of a few ways you can repay me.”

  He couldn’t believe he let that slip out. Hoping Delaney didn’t catch on to the innuendo, he cleared his throat and ended the call with a friendly goodbye.

  “So now what?” Cameron pocketed his phone and took out his wallet to pay the bill.

  “Do you mind if we go to a store I saw last night? They had a lot of Nutcracker ornaments. I wanted to get one for my mom. It will be our first Christmas tree in our own house, and she said she doesn’t have a lot of ornaments. I brought some money with me.”