by Gwen Hayes
What was he going to do if it was bad news?
Think positive, man.
Because, sure. Just thinking positive was totally going to make her heart okay if it wasn’t.
He hated this. Hated not being able to fix her heart. At least literally. He’d been doing a pretty good job of taking care of it figuratively, if he did say so himself. She said she’d never been happier.
Had they jinxed her heart by being happy?
Now he was being an idiot.
Sera nodded and ended the call, startling when she turned to find him in the doorway. “Miguel.”
“I know I don’t have an appointment...”
She smiled and walked toward him, setting her phone on the desk as she passed. “It’s fine. I’m fine. That was the doctor. I told you it was nothing to worry about.”
All his bones turned to jelly. He was seriously close to losing all his machismo and falling down at her feet. “Well, that’s good to know.” He wiped what couldn’t possibly be a tear out of his eye. “So quit slacking and get me that report. I’ve been waiting for it all damned morning.”
She laughed. “I thought you wanted to brainstorm it together after lunch.”
He picked up her hand, kissing the back of it quickly, wishing they hadn’t decided on a strict no PDA policy at the office. “I thought you wanted to brainstorm it first by yourself on paper.”
She leaned in, like she wanted a kiss. “Your way is not the only way.”
“Neither is yours, princess.”
A brisk knock at her door was followed by Mr. Martin saying, “Castillo, Worth, I need to see you in my office.”
They exchanged quick, worried glances before following him. They’d been getting along fine. And they’d signed the love contract HR gave them two months ago. Everything was on the up and up. Well, Mr. Martin didn’t know they’d pretended to be married on that trip, but that was no big deal.
They sat down and waited and waited and waited for Mr. Martin to say something. He kept looking at the piece of paper on his desk. He’d inhale like he was about to talk—and then nothing for long minutes.
“I had an interesting phone call this morning from Heather Tully, the owner of Camp Firefly Falls.”
Had she thrown them under the bus? For what purpose? The Tullys had seemed more than fine with everything when they’d parted ways.
“What did Ms. Tully want, Mr. Martin?” Sera asked calmly.
He pulled out two envelopes from his desk drawer and slid them over. “Your itinerary is in there. Mandatory business trip.”
Again, Sera could speak when Miguel could not seem to find the words. “I don’t understand.”
“They want Martin & Lewis Group to market their brand. It seems while you two were figuring out your differences over there, you impressed them. She said you knew how to sell the hell out of something and they want you. She said she’d never seen anyone work so hard at branding. You got the account. You’re going back to camp.”
Epilogue
Ten months later
CAMP FIREFLY FALLS OFFICIALLY STARTED its new season in two weeks, but Miguel and Sera had certain perks. One of them being that they got to come early and enjoy the scenery and brainstorm with the Tullys.
They could have stayed in the fancy lodge—which was turning into a true VIP venue, but they chose “their” cabin for the memories. Sera had been looking forward to this trip for months.
Miguel opened the door and ran into her when she stopped abruptly.
Almost a year ago, they had been awkwardly surprised by the idea of sleeping in one bed in the small cabin. She started to laugh. Really, nothing was ever going to be easy for them.
Their bed had been separated into two twins.
It became obvious from the layout of the room that the whole time they were there last summer; they could have just moved the bed apart into two. Which made so much more sense, now that she thought about it. How would the camp have accommodated single campers the rest of the season in double beds? It wouldn’t have made sense to store and move single and double beds all summer depending on the session.
“If we had tried to be logical last year, we might not be together now,” she said. “We wouldn’t have slept in the same bed.” Which started it all.
His arm came around her waist. “We would have eventually. Don’t you believe in fate? Destiny?”
“Fate is not logical. So no.”
“You wound me, princess. Are you saying you were not destined to be mine?”
She turned in his arms, standing on tiptoe to kiss his chin. “No. Destiny didn’t choose. We did.”
“You’re such a romantic.”
“You know what would be romantic? If you pushed these beds together while I go see about some different linens for it.”
After sorting out the cabin, they went down to the lake. The weather was still chilly, but they took the canoe to Elephant Rock and back before meeting Michael and Heather for dinner at the lodge. They were helping taste test the new chef’s dinner since they lost both the chef and pastry chef from last year to a Boston restaurant.
After an excellent mushroom risotto, Sera sat back in her chair with her wine.
“You look relaxed,” Miguel said, kissing her cheek.
“I think I’m becoming an outdoor enthusiast. Or maybe just a risotto enthusiast. I love it here.”
Heather poured more wine. “That’s what we like to hear. Bring this glass with you, I want to show you something upstairs.”
“Now you’re starting to sound like Layla,” Sera joked.
“Oh my gosh, did she hit on you guys too?” Heather asked. “She and her husband were both...adventurous...weren’t they? They’ve tried Michael and I all three times they camped.”
“Maybe you should add a Hedonist Week.”
Heather’s eyes lit up. “That might be fun! Maybe tomorrow we can google some naked people and find out more about how to market to swingers.”
Sera loved that Heather was always up for anything. Though swingers’ week might be too much.
Leaving the men at the table, she and Heather checked out the newly finished rooms. The rustic luxury of the lodge was really going to be an asset to them.
In one room, a gift bag sat on the bed. Sera’s name on the tag. “What’s this?”
“It’s not from me. I’m just playing my part by getting you up here.”
“Your part?”
Sera pulled out a box; inside was a dress. A fairly simple blush pink dress. The glance she gave Heather was answered with a “duh, put it on” look.
Heather handed her an envelope. “I have to go check on something.” And she was gone before Sera could pin her down for more answers.
The envelope was a statement piece. Heavy and lined with foil inside. The card inside was written in fancy calligraphy.
Put on the dress. Come to the boathouse.
A fission of excitement bubbled in her belly. Miguel was up to something. She didn’t care to guess, but probably she should wonder. And come up with the correct response. She hated being caught unaware.
Miguel had been the best boyfriend she’d ever had, surprising himself more than anyone else. He seemed to like being in a committed relationship. She’d gone into the whole thing knowing she’d have to give him room. Knowing that there would be bumps and she shouldn’t overreact. And they had occasional arguments—but he hadn’t wavered once since the night he took one plane to get away from her and one to come back.
She swallowed hard against the rising lump in her throat as she found the side zipper of the dress. It fit her well. It was old-fashioned. She felt a little like Baby from Dirty Dancing in it.
What was he up to?
They’d exchanged I love yous and condo keys before Halloween. He’d met her mom at Thanksgiving and introduced her to his family at Christmas. The Castillos had taken the Jewish thing pretty well and wrapped all her Christmas presents, of which there were many, in Hanukah paper. She w
asn’t going to quibble about it—they were sweet.
Things were going well for them. She didn’t want to jinx it with thoughts of the future.
And she was sure he didn’t want to either. This was just some romantic gesture he’d cooked up since they’d fallen in love here.
Relax, Sera. Count to ten.
There were shoes and a shawl next to the door of the lodge. She assumed they were for her—everyone else had scattered. So she crossed the lawn to the boathouse. It was alit with impossibly even more lights than last year. Heather had a thing for stringed white lights.
“Hello?” She walked further into the room and the music started.
Time of My Life.
Miguel stepped out dressed like Johnny Castle.
“Are you kidding me right now, Castillo?”
He grinned. “I know how much you like cheesy.”
Sera started shaking. Every step that brought him closer made her quiver more. The weight on her chest had better be anxiety and not some kind of morbid heart attack.
Not now. Not tonight.
He stopped in front of her. He kept swallowing and he was shaky too.
“What’s...” she had to clear her throat, “why are you holding a picnic basket?”
He opened up one side. She’d expected turkey sandwiches. Maybe s’mores fixings. Instead, a little fuzzy head popped up.
She choked and caught a bunch of girl feelings. “A puppy?” She lifted the little guy out and noticed a key fob attached to his collar. She brought the puppy to her chest and started crying. Why was she crying? “What’s the key for?”
“The Prius.”
She snuffled on her inhale. “You’re giving me a puppy and a Prius.”
Miguel nodded, reaching over to the scratch the puppy’s chin. “I thought about taking you to Paris. Reenacting the proposal we came up with last year, but I didn’t know a legal way to get you there without you knowing. And I wanted to surprise you even though you don’t like surprises. But kidnapping seemed like overkill.”
The puppy licked her face. “Oh.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t know what to say or how to react. I don’t know what I’m going to do with a puppy right now.”
“Did you not hear the proposal part?”
She pretended not to hear him this time either. The puppy wriggled. “He’s so cute. Why did you give me such a cute puppy when it isn’t practical—?”
“Sera, you can be practical about a lot of things. Loving me isn’t one of them. I’m going to do this now. Don’t hyperventilate.” He got down on one knee. “Will you take me, the puppy, and the Prius and start the life we began dreaming about last summer? Will you marry me?”
Fifteen minutes ago, she worried that she didn’t know the proper response. One minute ago, she’d wished he’d stopped saying proposal. She wasn’t ready. He wasn’t ready. They weren’t ready. Now she knew the proper response, but could she say the words? “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. And I’ll even let you lead sometimes.”
There went the laugh lines, the dimple, and his hand into his pocket to pull out a ring box.
She wondered if they came back to Camp Firefly Falls for their tenth anniversary, it would be free.
Want More Camp Firefly Falls?
July 29: Crushing on Cooper by Violet Vaughn
When Allison Nelson’s failed bakery leaves her career in limbo she takes a job at Camp Firefly Falls. It’s a trip down memory lane to return to the camp she attended during her childhood, but she gets more than she expected. A corporate retreat arrives, and Allison is forced to sink or swim in a new romance with her first love. But a casual summer fling doesn’t go as planned, and she dives in with her heart, even if she’s too scared to tell Cooper about her son and a past full of failure.
Cooper Marshall spent the last decade as the golden boy of snowboarding winning multiple Olympic medals. When he decides to settle down and take a suit-and-tie job, he’s sent on a retreat to Camp Firefly Falls. More than fond memories of the camp await him, and he discovers his childhood crush that got away. He makes the move he should have years ago, but Allison is not the Allie he remembers, and the weeklong fling she insists upon keeps him at arm’s length. When her reason is revealed he must decide if he can take a chance on love.
Click for more information.
Aug 12: Skinny Dipping Dare by Zoe York
Navy SEAL Wyatt Henderson had signed up for a guys-only week of fishing and hiking and beer at his buddy’s favourite camp in the Berkshires. Nobody said anything about campfire songs and kitchen duty and crafts at noon. Retro Throwback Week at Camp Firefly Falls is almost enough to drive him around the bend, and that’s before the beautiful hippie in the girls’ cabin next door decides he’s no fun.
Tegan Bennett can’t stand the insufferable, grumpy, gorgeous military man who wakes up every morning at dawn and takes up far too much space in her general vicinity. So when he throws down a dare, she takes it—and lobs him one of his own. It’s on like Donkey Kong. Camp rules? Out the window. Along with her bikini top.
Is one week at summer camp enough to turn his frown upside down and tame her wild spirit? A lighthearted, sexy, opposites attract romp complete with a midnight dining hall ice cream raid.
Click for more information.
Excerpt from Crushing on Cooper by Violet Vaughn
~*~
My forks clatter in the pan I’m holding as I finish making the dessert. I think about the lake just yards away and decide to wander into the dining room to gaze out at it. When I do, I notice a guest at our adult camp walking down the dock. He’s in swim shorts, and I have no doubt he’s about to dive in. Alone. I huff in annoyance. One of the rules every guest hears upon arrival is that there is no swimming alone. This guy is blatantly breaking the rule, and I can’t stand by and watch it happen.
I return to the kitchen in a hurry, and the pan I was holding thuds in the sink. The screen door that leads out of the kitchen squeaks open as I walk out. When I get around the corner, water splashes as the guy dives in, and my teeth grind as I clench my jaw. I can’t exactly let him have it—he’s a paying customer, after all—but I sure can make it clear this sort of behavior can’t be tolerated. Our insurance policy won’t allow for it.
I jog across the distance to get to the dock, and I’m breathless as my feet pound over the wooden deck. As I get closer to the guy, I notice his broad shoulders, and long arms are rippling with well-defined muscles as he strokes. He stops at the round inflatable float and holds on to it, which gives me my chance.
“Hey!” I yell.
The man turns toward me, and while he’s probably fifty yards away, I can tell he’s attractive. I call out, “You can’t be out here alone!”
He tilts his head at me and then begins to swim back toward the dock. I take a moment to appreciate his fine form from this direction. He moves like an athlete, and my anger fades as he gets closer. I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a hot guy. Especially since looking is all I get to do these days. When he gets to the dock, water splashes near my feet as he grabs onto the edge and lifts his face to me.
He frowns as I say, “I’m sorry, but—” I know him. Those blue eyes are burned into my memory for life. Could it be?
A grin covers his face, and he asks, “Allie?”
“Oh my god. Cooper?” A tingle rushes through me, because Cooper was the closest thing to first love a thirteen-year-old girl can have. He was also my brother’s best friend, a year older, and so not into me. I soften with nostalgia, and my voice is calm when I say, “You’re not supposed to swim alone. Our insurers don’t allow it.”
He lifts his hand and says, “Help me out.”
I reach for him without thinking, and when his cool fingers wrap around mine, I realize my mistake. I try to jerk away, but Cooper’s too fast for me, and he yanks hard. I lose my balance and let out a yelp before I fall in. I’m dressed in a white cotton chef’s coat and the black-and-white-checked polyester pants I’
m required to wear for work. The wet fabric clings to me as I come up for air. Cooper is laughing when I do.
I can’t help it, and I laugh too before I say, “You haven’t changed a bit.”
Cooper glances down at my chest quickly, which makes me realize I’m wearing a bright-red bra under my shirt, and I think it’s showing through the wet white fabric. He waggles his eyebrows as he says, “You sure have.”
Considering the mosquito-bite breasts I had at thirteen require underwire now, I know what he means. And my cheeks heat as if I’m thirteen again. I splash water at him with my hand. “I can’t believe you pulled me in.”
He shrugs. “You said I can’t swim alone, so I found a friend.”
“Yeah, well, I’m getting out.” The dock is firm in my hand as I tug myself over with the intention of hauling myself up instead of swimming to the ladder.
“Hang on, Allie.” I turn to Cooper, and he says, “Swim out to the float with me. I’m not ready to get out yet.”
Memories flood my mind. I was the timid girl who followed the rules, while Cooper was the complete opposite. He convinced me to do just about everything I ever got in trouble for as a child. But clearly I didn’t learn a lesson, because I say, “Okay.” I remove my shoes, and they thud on the dock when I toss them there.
I was a swimmer in high school, and even though my clothes are awkward, I have no trouble making it to the float. Cooper gets up first and reaches down to hoist me up easily, the way he used to do when I was a kid. I bounce on the inflatable trampoline as I land, and I push my loose strands of hair out of my face as I move back onto the sun-heated surface. Cooper lies down, and I do the same before I turn to face him. I say, “So.”
