“So?” He watched from across the room, blue eyes dark and stormy.
Apprehension tingled her spine. She stopped short and frowned. “So what?”
If he thought she was going to comment about his brash actions, he was sorely mistaken. She was far from offended. Of course, now she was never going to get the tantalizing image of him out of her head. Ever.
He continued to stare, arms folded across his chest, expression grim.
“How did you make out with the party plans today, dear?”
Shoot. Who let the cat out of the bag? Cammie knew she’d have to face the disgruntled cowboy sometime, she just hadn’t expected it to be so soon.
Eying his clenched jaw, thin lips and stiff stance, she corrected her assumption. This wasn’t the cowboy she was facing, this was one hundred percent Navy SEAL.
Cammie slipped into lieutenant mode and did what any Marine would do when confronted by a heat seeking missile. She met it head on with her own projectile.
“You obviously know that’s not what I worked on today.”
Finn crossed the room in three strides, his gaze as hard as his incredible abs.
“So my mother says. What I want to know is what exactly did you work on?”
She folded her arms and tipped her head to meet his glowering gaze. “I worked in the east corral.”
Strong hands snaked out to grip her upper arms as the blue of his eyes darkened until she couldn’t tell iris from pupil.
“I thought I asked you not to work.”
“No.” She decided to keep her cool and not knock him away just yet. “You told me not to work in the stables. You didn’t say anything about the corrals.”
“What is wrong with you, Cammie?” His grip tightened and scowl deepened. “Why is it so hard for you to listen to me? Heather never—”
“Stop!” In one fluid move, she planted her feet and with a quick, jerking motion slammed her forearms into the inside of Finn’s to break his hold. “That’s the second time you brought her up today. Don’t you ever confuse me with that woman again. She left you when you needed her most. I would never do that. She didn’t know how lucky she had it. You were alive. You came home.”
She pivoted around and strode to the window, needing time to squash the emotions threatening to spill. Breaking down was not going to accomplish a thing.
A warm hand covered her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Cammie.”
His touch, his gentle tone nearly broke her resolve.
“I’m sorry, too, Finn.” She drew in a deep breath and turned to face him. “I know you care for the woman. But Heather looked upon you as a burden instead of a blessing. God, I would’ve given anything to have Tom come home. I wouldn’t have cared if he had no legs or was paralyzed. I would’ve rejoiced.” Her eyes began to fill as she touched his clenched jaw. “Heather discarded you like a piece of garbage, and you’re not garbage, Finn. Your sacrifice overseas mattered. You matter, and the sooner you realize this, the better.”
Before she gave in to the urge to cradle the man, Cammie dropped her hand, then moved past him to walk straight out of the room.
Her words may have been harsh. But she wasn’t sorry. They needed to be said.
****
The next three days flew by without incident. Since their blowout, Cammie had gone back to helping Terry in the stables and Cowboy-Sexy hadn’t said one word. In fact, when they were alone, he hadn’t said much at all.
She forced out another three sit-ups, said goodbye to Clint then left the training room. Cammie wasn’t sure if Finn was mad or just disconnected. Whatever the case, she only hoped his silence meant he was contemplating her words. She had a sneaky suspicion it was the latter, because since their exchange, they took to sleeping in the bed. It was big enough for them to stay on opposite sides without touching.
Didn’t stop her from feeling his heat, though.
“Oh, there you are, dear,” Rose said, running into Cammie in the hall. “I was just coming to find you. Finn’s heading to town in a half hour and said we could tag along. I even wrangled lunch out of him.”
“Oh, okay. I just finished my workout. I’ll get a quick shower and be back down in twenty.”
She felt a little bad for the cowboy. He was probably not happy about having to waste time for lunch.
With the help of his Uncle Bo’s people, Finn had informed at dinner last night they were almost done fixing the dam the spring rains had washed away. She knew this to be true because he was only ninety percent grumpy.
A marked improvement.
Twenty minutes later, ponytail swinging behind her, Cammie stepped off the last step just as her hostess appeared.
“Ah, don’t you look nice, my dear.”
Cammie looked down at her jeans and red tank and shrugged. “Thanks. It’s the sandals.” She transferred her gaze to the smiling woman. “I figured they were better than combat boots for trying on dresses.”
“Good thinking.” Rose laughed, linking her arm with Cammie’s and drawing her toward the door. “And good timing, too. Finn’s bringing the truck round front.”
They walked off the deck just as he stopped the truck. More than happy with getting in and on the road, Cammie knew she couldn’t, not with his mother watching. She slid in next to him and said, “Hey you,” then leaned close and planted a kiss half on and half off his lips. “You were up early. I didn’t hear you leave.”
She didn’t know what else to say, besides, it was the truth. Before she could pull away, his hand grasped the back of her head and pulled her toward his tempting mouth again. Shoot. She’d wanted to avoid a head on kiss.
But his warm, teasing lips weren’t the biggest problem. Sinful fingers lightly brushed her neck, spreading tingles over her body, waking those damn butterflies again.
He broke the kiss and smiled. “I didn’t want to wake you. After last night, you earned a sleep in.”
Heat rushed into Cammie’s cheeks so fast she thought her head might fly off. She was blushing? What the heck? She never blushed. And the man was getting way too much enjoyment out of insinuating their sex life in front of his mother.
Just you wait, Navy, she thought. He released her and she sat back in her seat. One of these days, she was going to turn the table.
“Okay, Mom, where to?” he asked as they drove down the driveway.
“Drop us off at the boutique in town,” his mom replied.
The cowboy didn’t answer but his knuckles whitened as he gripped the wheel.
“This way you can go to the feed store or wherever you need to,” she continued. “We’ll meet you an hour later at the diner for lunch.”
Rose went on about how Cammie was going to enjoy the homemade specials, but all the while Cammie was busy wondering why Finn had stiffened up. The cowboy had a problem with either the boutique or the restaurant. Yet, whatever bothered him, he didn’t say a word. In fact, he remained quiet for the rest of the drive.
Forty minutes later, they pulled up to a cute little clothing shop with a pink and brown awning. Cammie turned to give him the dutiful kiss and told herself it was surprise, not disappointment shooting through her when he made no attempt to meet her lips. She kissed his cheek and said good-bye before following his mother to the sidewalk.
After the truck disappeared down the street, she turned to his mother. “Okay, why do I get the impression Finn isn’t crazy about this store?”
Rose smiled and locked arms with her again. “You are a very astute woman, Cammie,” she said in an odd tone, leading her toward the entrance. “Finn used to live above this boutique with the owner. This is Heather’s shop. She has the best fashions in town.”
It was too late for Cammie to react; Rose was already pulling her inside the nicely lit, tastefully decorated pink boutique. Suddenly, it occurred to her why his mother had chosen this shop over the other clothing stores they had passed. She wanted to show Cammie off; to dangle her in front of the woman who had broken her son’s heart.
&
nbsp; The same perverse need shook through Cammie, but she shot it down. That was none of her business, even though she already disliked Heather for abandoning a wounded Finn when he’d returned from war.
The woman’s action was so foreign to Cammie, she could be from another planet.
“Rose, how nice to see you again.”
Cammie eyed the stylish blonde who had spoken from behind the counter. Her shoulder-length hair framed a delicate face, which housed a pair of green eyes any shamrock would prize.
Okay, she doesn’t look like a monster.
“Heather, how lovely to see you, too.” Rose gave the lady a quick hug, then turned and brought the woman closer.
Finn’s ex was a good two inches shorter than her, despite the blonde’s pink stilettos.
“This is Cammie,” Rose introduced. “She needs a special dress for tomorrow.”
A friendly gaze regarded her with interest. “Hello. I’m Heather. What’s the occasion?”
Before Cammie could respond, Rose piped up, “It’s her engagement party. She’s marrying Finn.”
A flash of pain flittered through the blonde’s blinking eyes, but a moment later it was gone.
“Oh, how nice.” Heather’s tone was sincere. “How is Finn?”
“Wonderful,” Cammie replied, feeling it was time she joined the conversation. “I’m one lucky woman.”
“Yes, you are. I’m glad he’s doing good.” Heather took Rose’s hand and added, “I want him to be happy.”
“I know, dear, and he is. Leave it to a Marine to bring out the best in my boy.”
Heather’s gaze snapped to Cammie. “You’re a Marine?”
She tried not to laugh at the blonde’s shocked expression. “Yes, I am.”
“Wow, you must be something special. I mean, well, we all know how Finn feels about the Corps, Brett aside, of course.”
“Cammie actually met him through Brett,” Rose stated.
“Brett is…was my Commanding Officer.”
Heather’s emerald gaze was nothing but friendly. “What a small world.”
“True.” Cammie tried to find another reason to hate the petite beauty, but came up lacking. The woman seemed very nice, with the exception of leaving the man who loved her when he was broken.
“Well, let’s get started.” Heather turned and walked toward a rack of clothes on the back wall. “I already have a few dresses in mind for your build.”
My build?
What was that supposed to mean?
Chapter Eight
Cammie resisted the urge to glance down at her body. No, she wasn’t paper thin, but Tom had never complained. He had worshiped her. And she knew without conceit she’d garnered lots of admiring glances from plenty of men. Including Finn. So, why was she being so sensitive all of a sudden?
Because you’re jealous.
She stopped dead, sandwiched between two round racks of clothes. What a ridiculous thought. She wasn’t jealous of the petite, fair-haired beauty. In order to be jealous of Heather, Cammie would have to have feelings for Finn, which, of course, she didn’t. He was just the brother of a friend.
Having put everything into simple prospective Cammie felt better and even managed to make the most of her shopping time.
Forty-five minutes later, she carried two bags of clothes as she and Rose headed toward the diner.
“Here’s Finn’s truck. Let’s put your purchases in there before we go eat,” Rose said, opening the cab door.
Cammie deposited the bags inside, then shut the door, and followed Rose into the brightly lit diner. Glasses clanked, dishes rattled and a collection of mouthwatering aromas hit her, but they all disappeared from thought when she caught site of Finn.
He sat in a corner booth, hat hanging on the silver coat rack attached to the outside of the red leather seat. He rose on their approach, gaze friendly yet guarded.
“Hi, hun. Were you waiting long?” His mother lifted on tip toe to kiss his cheek.
He stepped aside to let Cammie in. “No. I just arrived and grabbed the last booth.”
Again, he made no move to kiss her. That was twice in the past hour. Big deal, she told herself. They weren’t really engaged.
“Mmm. Smells great in here.” She picked up a red-trimmed menu from the table. “What do you recommend?”
“You can never go wrong with their special,” Rose answered.
Her son was mysteriously quiet.
Cammie looked at him, but his gaze was trained on his menu. Her heart constricted and a sudden need to make the cowboy feel better rose to the surface.
She slid her hand onto his thigh. Muscles stiffened under her palm, but he still wouldn’t look her way.
“So…I met Heather. She seemed nice.” Cammie watched his jaw tighten before she continued. “I made some great purchases.”
Silence. He didn’t move. She cupped his chin and forced him to face her. She had to; his mother was frowning at him from across the table.
“I hope you like the dress I picked out for the party. It’s the same color as your eyes.”
Cammie tried to convey her remorse in a glance. Whether he noted it or suddenly realized they had an audience, Finn finally smiled and gave her a quick kiss.
“You’d look great wearing a duffle bag. I’m sure whatever you picked out will be fine.”
His words reminded her of a humorous incident involving Brett, and after they all ordered the special, she shared the memory.
“During my last tour, as you can imagine, Brett was always pulling pranks. So this one time, we’d just gotten back from a non-combat mission. I was hiding in a pile of duffle bags when he came in and sat down at his desk to do paperwork. I waited until he was halfway through the page before I jumped out and scared the captain stripes off him.” She smiled and shook her head. “You should’ve seen him. The papers went flying, the pen shot across the tent and he fell off the chair and landed on his butt. And the best part was, I had Corporal Jennings catch it all on my phone.”
Light reached Finn’s eyes for the first time that afternoon. “This I’ve got to see.”
She pulled out the device and scrolled through her videos until she found the right one, happy to prolong his good mood.
“Here it is.”
She placed the phone on the table for everyone to see, then pressed play. Over the next several minutes, the three of them laughed each time they replayed the video and were still talking about it when their lunch arrived.
Rose cut into her chicken pot pie and asked, “Do you have any photos of Brett on your phone?”
“Yes, plenty.” Cammie accessed her album before pushing the phone back toward the woman.
“I just love photos.” His mother sat there smiling as she ate and scrolled. “This one’s interesting. What in the world are you doing on Brett’s shoulders?”
Finn’s fork hit his plate, and he started to cough.
Cammie grinned as she patted his back and looked at his mother. “We were in the playoffs.”
“Playoffs? What playoffs?” The cowboy twisted to face her, eyes narrowed.
“The chicken-fight playoffs.” She turned the phone for him to view.
He shook his head, a small smile teasing his lips. “Did you win?”
“Of course.” She sat back in her seat and raised a brow. “We were Battalion champs.”
Still smiling, Finn pushed the phone back to his mother. “Why am I not surprised?”
“We were also undefeated in tag team sparing matches.”
She was not at all surprised Brett had kept the wins to himself. He wasn’t the type to boast. A trait she was discovering ran in the family.
“Cammie, dear, who is this man you’re with?”
Rose looked up, her gaze curious, as once again, Cammie’s phone made its way back across the table.
“His uniform looks like Finn’s. Is he a SEAL?”
The delicious lunch turned to lead in Cammie’s stomach. She knew the photo without looki
ng.
“Yes…he was. That was Tom, my fiancé.” She clung desperately to her dissipating calm. “He died a few years ago.”
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. What happened?”
Wishing she was anywhere but here but unable to be rude because it wasn’t in her genetic make-up, Cammie answered, “We were supposed to have leave together, but a mission came up and I had to go to Kandahar. Tom surprised me and met me there for a brief lunch, that’s when the bomb went off,” she paused to draw in a breath, noticing the concern in Rose’s eyes matched that of her son’s. She swallowed as images of the fallout flashed through her mind. “He died instantly. I was considered one of the lucky ones. Only three people survived out of thirteen. Although, how do you consider yourself lucky when the doctor tells you you’ve lost a child you didn’t even know you were carrying.”
Her vision blurred and throat closed, making it impossible to say more. In fact, she’d said too much. Why the hell had she revealed all that?
“I’m sorry, dear.”
Rose’s hand was warm as she grabbed Cammie’s and lifted it to place on her son’s.
“If ever there were two people deserving to be happy, it’s the two of you. I’m so glad you’ve found each other.”
Cammie glanced at the silent cowboy. A fresh onslaught of tears threatened at the look of compassion darkening his eyes. She cleared her throat and swallowed twice, trying to think of something appropriate to say.
“I guess I have a soft spot for squid.”
He rewarded her with that sexy, lop-sided grin. Her insides stirred as he brushed away a lone tear that slipped down her face.
“Lucky me.”
They were still staring at each other when the waitress brought their check. Finn released her to pay the bill. She didn’t even bother to make sense of her emotions. They were too muddled to dissect. Instead, Cammie grabbed her phone off the table and was slipping the device into her pocket when she noticed a familiar petite blonde standing by the register paying for take-out.
“Uh oh. Heather.”
“Oh dear.” His mother twisted in her seat to watch.
Cowboy-Sexy Page 6
