Staying For You

by Van Wyk, Jennifer

  He squeals, clearly ready for whatever she’s about to do.

  She falls on the couch and he goes down with her, bouncing a little bit and laughing a deep belly laugh.

  Cami moves off the couch so she’s on her knees next to it and immediately starts tickling Brody’s belly.

  His giggle is everything that’s perfect in the world. Uninhibited joy. As she moves away, he attacks her right back. She laughs it up, pretending that he’s really getting her. Then he jumps off the couch and climbs all over her.

  They’re both laughing and I’m staring at the two of them wondering how this happened. Neither Brody nor Issy have a hard time taking to new people, but the fact that they’ve accepted her so readily does something to my heart that I can’t explain.

  I clear my throat and they both jerk their heads in my direction.

  Cami blushes, lifting Brody off her and reaches down to right her shirt that’s ridden up slightly to show her stomach. It’s not perfectly flat or showing definition of muscles. It’s soft and rounded ever so slightly, in a way that screams woman. I feel my pulse pick up and avert my eyes when she glances up. I know she caught me staring, though.

  “It smells amazing in here.”

  “Yeah? I’m sorry that I invaded your kitchen but I figured you’d be hungry when you got in and a hot meal might warm your bones after being out in the cold weather.”

  I lick my bottom lip as she walks toward me and nod, reaching out to take Brody from her. “Thank you. If it’s as good as it smells, I imagine there won’t be any leftovers.”

  “I made a big pot, you’ll have plenty.”

  “You clearly don’t know the kind of appetite I have,” I tell her, patting my stomach. “And just so I don’t get accused of being a liar when you figure it out later, I wasn’t outside pushing snow with a shovel. The tractor has a nice warm cab. But I still appreciate the hot meal.”

  “I heard it, actually, but couldn’t see. I remember my grandpa had a tractor when I was growing up that didn’t have a cab on it so I wasn’t sure…” She looks away, sheepish and maybe a little embarrassed.

  “Either way, I’m thankful. What’d you make?”

  “Ham and corn chowder. Do you like that? I just kind of snooped through your kitchen and threw together what you had all the ingredients for. Hopefully you weren’t saving them for anything in particular,” she adds on nervously.

  “It sounds great, actually. I rarely make myself soup but it’s one of my favorite meals.”

  She beams and practically skips into the kitchen. The pot of chowder looks big enough to feed an army. I lift an eyebrow at her and she shrugs. “You said the kids’ parents were going to be here around noon and I thought they might be hungry, too.”

  She’s really incredible. My hazel eyes hold her bright blues. That pulse that picked up earlier? It’s galloping now. Thoughtful already when she came up here so I could take care of the snow. But then to care enough to have a hot meal waiting for me and my family? It’s too much. She’s too much. I hear Issy crying and it breaks our stare.

  I look in the direction of the bedroom where she was sleeping but Cami’s already heading in there. Before I can get my feet to move, she’s already coming out with a still-sleepy looking Isabelle. Her hair is a mess and her head is resting on Cami’s shoulder, pacifier still in her mouth.

  “Hi, baby girl. Have a good nap?” I coo and cup her cheek, rubbing my thumb over her skin. Holy crap, she’s cute. Rex and Chloe made one incredibly adorable kid. I almost feel a pang of jealousy that they’re going to take her home with them which means my time with my niece and nephew is over.

  She reaches a hand to me and I kiss her palm.

  “I’ll go change her pants then get out of your hair.”

  “Wait. What? You’re leaving? You made soup!” I tell her this though she obviously knows it already.

  “I made it for you,” she explains.

  “And you’ll stay and enjoy it with me otherwise I’m going to have to assume that you poisoned it and you’re plotting a way to steal The Escape from me.” I grin widely.

  “Boy that escalated quickly.”

  I waggle my eyebrows. “What can I say? You’re not the only one with a vivid imagination who can make up stories.”

  She shifts nervously on the balls of her feet, switching Issy to her other hip. “Don’t you want some time with your family? I just showed up here today without being invited. I don’t need to stick around…”

  I set Brody down for him to go play and check my phone that just buzzed in my back pocket.

  Liv: We’re about five minutes away.

  I don’t bother replying to her just to say okay. It’s something that drives me nuts. One of my pet peeves. We don’t have to reply to every single text we receive if all we’re going to do is acknowledge it. My sister knows this so she won’t be concerned. The read receipt went through. “Not really,” I joke then rush to explain when her eyes widen comically. “I’m kidding. They’re not leaving again until tomorrow anyway.” I shrug, as if I don’t care either way whether she stays or goes back to her cabin. Even though, I really don’t want to see her leave yet. I should probably be monumentally concerned about that – especially because I know my family. They’ll definitely read into the situation and assume things. “Besides, my sister is a huge reader and I’m sure she’d love to meet you.”

  She bites her bottom lip and glances at the door. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude. I can leave and no one would know.”

  “Intruding would be if you weren’t invited. Which you were. Stay, please? You made this huge pot of soup and helped me out this morning. Consider it part of my payback.” I go for my most boyish grin. The one that even my sister can rarely say no to. It works. I see her shoulders drop in defeat and her subtle nod when she whispers, “Okay. Fine. You win.” I want to fist pump which immediately makes me nervous. I can’t allow myself to get attached to Cami. She’s not here for good. She’s temporary.

  “I do love winning.”

  “But just for that, you have to change her.” Cami thrusts Isabelle into my arms with a smirk and I chuckle, doing as I’m told.

  Chapter Ten

  Cami

  I feel like I’m meeting my boyfriend’s family for the first time but it’s not even close to the truth.

  My stomach is in knots and my nerves are causing everything inside me to feel like it’s on fire.

  What was I thinking making soup and offering to help like I’m Owen’s girlfriend or something? I’m almost embarrassed for myself. I must look like I’m so desperate for attention to him.

  I make Owen stick to his promise of changing Issy’s diaper wondering what in the world I am doing here. My gosh. Did Scott mess with my head so much, not giving me a minute of attention that I’m willing to basically become a nanny for kids whose parents I’ve never met just so I can spend some time with their sexy-as-sin uncle?

  I ask to use his restroom even though everything inside me is screaming for me to leave. I’m already in his home, he’s made it clear it’s okay for me to stick around for a little while, but that doesn’t mean I’m okay with meeting his family looking like a ragamuffin — or at all for that matter. I should leave. There’s no reason for me to stay.

  At the same time, I can’t get myself to truly want to leave. Geesh. I’m a mess. I’ve never teetered back and forth between decisions so often in my life.

  Stay or go.

  Stay or go.

  I roll my eyes, realizing that I just need to suck it up and grow up already. I’m overreacting, I’m sure, but I’ve been made to feel in the way in the past and that’s hard to move on from.

  I do my business, wash my hands, then lean over the counter in the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. I wince, wishing I’d have spent at least a second of time on getting myself ready before I made the last second decision to come up here and help Owen with the kids. I don’t even know why I did that. Something in me just told
me he would need a helping hand. I hadn’t given myself even a moment to feel nervous or second-guess my decision. I just got into my coat and boots and trudged through the deep layer of snow to the lodge.

  I shake my head, telling myself to relax. There’s no reason I need to overthink this. Owen was simply being nice, asking if I would stay after I made lunch and watched the kids so he could clear the snow. I blow out a final breath, whisper to myself, “Stop being weird,” then try to tame my hair by running my fingers through it. I splash some cool water on my face, too, hoping to make myself look a little more presentable. It’s not because I’m trying to impress anyone but I’m certainly doing them a favor by making sure I don’t look like I just rolled out of bed.

  I hear voices when I exit the bathroom and suck in a breath, pressing a hand to my stomach. “Why am I here? If I could turn back time,” I murmur.

  “Would you find your way?” I hear a deep voice ask.

  I spin around to see an incredibly handsome man before me, smiling so wide a dimple is showing in his cheek. He has short, cropped dark hair, tan skin, and deep brown eyes.

  “What?”

  A single eyebrow raises and I want to stare at it. I’ve written that exact mannerism more times than I can count but rarely see it in person. Now I know why people love reading it. “Turn back time… the Cher song?”

  I shake my head and laugh. “Big Cher fan, huh?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

  He shrugs, smirking. “Nah, I’m just quick to pick up on things. I’m Ethan, Owen’s brother-in-law.” Ethan sticks out a hand for me to shake and I grasp it in mine.

  “Cami. Nice to meet you.”

  “Same. I hear you helped our boy out this morning so he could clean up the snow and somehow found time to make us lunch.”

  I blush, nodding. “It wasn’t any trouble.”

  He throws his head back and laughs. “Right. I’m very aware of the trouble my son can get into.”

  I shake my head in protest. “Promise. He was a perfect angel. Issy was asleep so we just played together. And he helped me make lunch, too.”

  “Are you sure you’re talking about my son? He wasn’t into everything?” he asks, doubtful.

  “Oh, he was.” I laugh. “But he was good. So, Brody’s yours?” I ask, then feel like an idiot because we just established that. He doesn’t seem to pick up on the stupid question though.

  He beams, smiling proudly. “That he is.”

  “He’s adorable.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Cami?” I hear Owen’s voice call.

  “She’s here. With me,” Ethan says, grabbing my arm and tugging me behind him to follow him to the living room. “Coming.”

  The second we get to the living room, I pull my arm from his hold and stop dead in my tracks. It’s full of models. I’m pretty sure of it. A tall man in glasses is holding Issy, a smile is spread wide across his face as he bends low, nuzzling his nose close to his daughter’s face. A beautiful auburn-haired woman is next to him, leaning in close to pepper her with kisses on her other cheek. A blonde woman is holding Brody. She’s incredibly beautiful also, and has features that remind me of Owen. “Hey.” I lift a hand and wave.

  Owen moves to stand next to me, lifting an arm and pointing to everyone. “My pain in the ass sister, Olivia.” He grins down at me when he hears her protest with a “Hey!” but then continues on with the introductions. “My good friend Rex and his wife Chloe, Issy’s parents. And it sounds like you already met Ethan, Liv’s husband. He was my friend before he was hers, but that’s a story for later.” His smile is impish and I chuckle when Olivia and Ethan roll their eyes at the same time as if were perfectly timed and planned. “Everyone, this is Cami. Cami’s from Tennessee and is staying up here for a while.”

  Olivia’s eyes narrow on me then widen and I watch as she looks at Chloe, nods her head in my direction, and raises her eyebrows. I’m pretty sure she mouths the words, It’s her. Owen mentioned his sister was a reader and her reaction makes me wonder if she’s read my books before or if she knows who I am.

  “Cami?”

  I nod my head and move to shake Olivia’s hand but she has other plans. She tugs me close, hugging me to her. I know my eyes are wide when I step back and look at Owen who’s looking at his sister like she’s lost her mind.

  “Liv, geesh, don’t scare the poor girl.” He pulls me next to him with his arm around my shoulder, squeezes once, then drops his hand.

  “Owen,” she snaps, seemingly annoyed with him. “You didn’t tell me Camilla Moore was staying at The Escape.”

  “I… what?”

  “Camilla. Moore.” Olivia points to me and I feel a flush creep up my cheeks.

  “Hi.” It’s stupid of me to say. I’ve already greeted everyone but I’m a tad embarrassed by the attention and my nerves are ramping up.

  “It’s you, then?” Olivia asks excitedly. “You’re one of my favorite authors. I’ve been a fan since the beginning, read everything you’ve published. What are you doing here? Are you writing? What are you writing now? Is it a new series or the same people? Holy crap, are we finally going to get Ryan and Lindsay’s story? I’ve been wanting that one for years! Please say yes. They need their HEA. They really do. Please?”

  “Liv!” Owen snaps back at his sister. “Re-lax.”

  “I’m sorry! I’m just so excited.”

  “Not to sound like less of a fangirl than Liv, here,” she grins, shoving Olivia away from me, “but I read your books, too,” Chloe announces, taking a step closer, but not quite as close and in my face as Olivia was — or, rather, is considering that she moved right back to in my face territory.

  “I always love meeting fans,” I say, wondering if they read my last few books. Because if they did, they’re probably no longer superfans. Those books sucked, man. I’ve come to accept it as it is. Sometimes we lose our mojo or inspiration. For me, it was the fact that I’d completely fallen out of love with love.

  “We so are, aren’t we Chloe?” Liv’s excited voice interrupts my soon-to-be internal battle. I know I need to have a better attitude about my own writing and thus, my life. Coming up here’s sole purpose was to snap myself out of it. Get back to me. To Cami.

  Chloe nods when Olivia nudges her in the side. “Yup. Fans.”

  “Thank you,” I murmur.

  “Cami made soup!” Owen suddenly shouts. All eyes turn to him and I’m so grateful for the distraction.

  “I love soup!” Rex says. It’s the first time he’s spoken to anyone but his daughter since I walked in the room. Even when we were introduced, he barely gave me a head nod. I can tell he’s not rude, just focused on his daughter.

  “It smells amazing,” Ethan says, eyes on me. They’re a deep brown and all-knowing. He winks and I chew on my bottom lip when he gives me a subtle nod of his head and small smile. He heard me wishing to turn back time and questioning why I’m here in the first place. I can tell he knows I’m unsure about being here.

  “Thank you. It’s nothing special, but I figured you’d all be hungry after traveling.”

  “It was really nice of you. And, truly, thank you for helping with the kids. I know it’s a lot of work but I’m so glad you were here so that Owen could open up the road for us.” Chloe’s voice is quiet, but just like Ethan, she seems to be all-knowing. There’s something about the two that remind me of each other, too. I’m just not sure what it is, though.

  “I was happy to help,” I say, ducking my head.

  “Okay,” Owen says, clapping once. “Let’s get some lunch then you can relax for a while.”

  We follow Owen to the kitchen where he’s already pulled out a stack of bowls and plates. A loaf of bread is set out, also, as well as some crackers.

  I take the lead and start ladling soup into bowls and Owen hands them to his family.

  “Water okay for everyone to drink? I think I need to hydrate after…”

  “A week of boozing?” Owen teases his sister.r />
  She glares at him. “Shut up. But, yes. Good golly, you’d think having a husband who owns a bar would mean that I have a high tolerance for alcohol but clearly I haven’t been a good bar wife.”

  “You’re perfect,” Ethan says, nuzzling his nose into her neck.

  Owen gags. “Brother is right here. How’d you like it if Rex started that shit up with Chloe?”

  “Wait, you’re brother and sister?” I ask Ethan or Chloe, whoever wants to answer.

  “Long story, again, but yeah, they’re half-siblings,” Owen explains.

  “Sounds like maybe I’d have book material if I just hung out with y’all.”

  “Word,” Chloe says. “It could be an entire series.”

  We all sit at the table, Brody pulled up next to us where Olivia is helping him eat some chowder. It’s relatively quiet for several minutes as we all eat. They talk a little about their recent vacation to the Caribbean, which for the first time in my life doesn’t sound as wonderful as it normally does. Not even after the heavy snow that fell overnight. I’m content. Happy. I’m where I want to be. Right here at The Escape, relaxing and enjoying the nature that’s around me.

  “Would you go back?” I ask and they all look at each other.

  “I think so. It was great to get away, be alone together. And it helped that we had great weather. It’s a beautiful island.”

  “I have never been out of the US,” I admit.

  “Really?”

  “Nope. But I have my passport.”

  “Just like in While You Were Sleeping!” Chloe giggles.

  “Exactly like that. Man, isn’t that a great movie?”

  “The best,” both women agree with me on a sigh.

  We move into discussions of our favorite movies, especially our shared love of holiday-themed movies, while Owen brings the pot of soup to the table, filling up everyone’s bowls with a second helping. I have a tummy full of warmth not only from the ham and corn chowder we’re eating.

  “Delicious,” Owen praises, pointing to his half-full bowl with his spoon.

  “Thank you.”