by Barbara Lohr
“Want to talk about your ideas tonight?”
Bless his heart. “If you're up to it.” She pulled into the school driveway and parked in the lot.
“Of course I'm up to it, sugga. Don't you worry now, everything will be fine.”
But as they slowly made their way toward the front door, she sincerely wondered how. The man could hardly walk, although he’d never admit he was in pain. Above everything else, he had his pride. When the glass doors of the school whooshed open, the distinctive smell of pine enveloped them. The staff had made a lot of progress since that morning with the decorating. The tree brought Cameron to a halt. “Isn’t a it a bit early for a tree?”
“For some people, I guess.” The Christmas tree wasn’t at the top of her list, although she knew it really mattered to Bella. With Cameron keeping a steady pace on the crutches, they made it down the hall to the gold-etched glass door where she'd made such a fool of herself only a couple hours ago.
Lucinda Krebs glanced up. The smile came when her eyes logged in Cameron’s pink dress shirt rolled up on strong forearms. And no doubt, she noted the determination on his handsome face. Even when he was on crutches, he was a force to be reckoned with. Harper watched as he pulled himself together and became the self-possessed man that could sell the city on development strategies to move the city forward.
“Can I help you with anything?” she asked sweetly, refusing to look at Harper.
Cagey man that he was, his eyes swept the nameplate. “How are you today, Lucinda? I hope your brother’s recuperation is going well?”
“You know Lee?” Her expression adjusted even more. “How sweet of you to ask. Of course he's doing much better since he got to the VA hospital.”
“Please tell him Cameron Bennett asked about him.”
“I most certainly will.” She blinked. “And how may I help you, Mr. Bennett?”
“Would you ask Mrs. Powers if I could steal a few minutes from her day? I know she's so very busy.”
Harper steeled herself for the excuses. Instead, Lucinda slowly got up, smoothed her ladylike navy skirt and said, “If you would just excuse me for one moment.” And she disappeared from Harper’s amazed sight.
“You know, Cameron,” she murmured from the corner of her mouth. “I’d be really ticked about what I just saw, but I want this to go well for Bella.”
His eyes swung her way. “Whatever are you talking about?”
“You know darn well what I'm talking about,” she hissed, keeping her voice down. “I don't need you to tell me one more time that my Chicago ways can be more bricks than brown sugar.”
Even though she was mad, it sure felt good to see that cheeky grin on his face. “Honey, I will take your sugar anyway I can get it.”
Snatching a brochure from a side table, she fanned herself.
Cameron leaned so close; his hair tickled her cheeks, and his aftershave made her woozy. “And one more thing, darlin’. You ever buy an old-lady skirt like that and you won't have it on for long.” His expression shifted. “Which isn’t a bad idea.”
She fanned faster.
Lucinda returned and they were ushered back to the inner office. Even with the broken ankle and crutches, Cameron Bennett carried himself as if he belonged. How a man from his humble background had perfected that carriage, Harper might never know. She could hardly believe the smiling woman behind the impressive, mahogany desk was the same person who’d put her in her place that morning.
“Elaine, how very nice to see you.” His hand went out, and of course Elaine Powers reached for it.
“Cameron, it’s been too long since we saw each other. Whatever brings you here when you obviously should be resting at home.” A curious glance slid Harper’s way, and she felt, once again, inadequate. As if she’d broken Cameron’s leg herself, and then dragged the poor man down here. “Do sit down and make yourself comfortable.”
“A minor inconvenience, but thank you.” The man was a wonder. He eased himself into the chair with admirable grace.
Taking the crutches, Harper set them against the wall and sat on the edge of the chair next to him. This was definitely his show, and she was a bystander, not a comfortable feeling.
“We’ve been studying the sketches you provided for our library addition.”
“I'm so eager to hear the board’s thoughts on my suggestions.”
Okay, Harper never heard him mention any involvement in school improvements, but they had been really busy.
“Such a good sense of our history.” Then she folded her hands in front of her as if she were praying. “And what brings you here today?”
“Elaine, I...we are here at your request. Apparently, Bella had a problem here at school yesterday, and you wanted to speak to us?”
Her mouth twitched as if choosing her words very carefully. “Why yes, we were quite worried when we couldn’t find her. Considered calling the police. I cannot tell you how concerned we were.”
There’s a difference between concerned and irritated, Elaine.
Legs crossed, Harper began bobbing her right foot.
“I can only imagine. Now, I do hope that if a situation ever arises again you would call me. The police have enough to do, and we wouldn't want to trouble them with something so trivial.”
“You are so right, Cameron.” Elaine hadn’t looked her way since she sat down. Harper was invisible.
“And I know you will be appalled to hear about the physical bullying that went on. Harper, darlin’, would you share what Bella told you yesterday?”
In halting speech, she retold the sad story about the insult, Bella’s response and the bullying. The word bullying was dropped onto the principal’s desk like a live bomb.
Elaine Powers flinched, her administrative composure showing signs of wear. “I'm sure we can straighten out the situation, Cameron. I will have a talk with Tiffany’s parents and assure them of course that you have attended to this on your end. We want all students to feel secure in this educational environment.” Nostrils flaring, she acted as if she were hearing this for the first time, which fried Harper’s brain.
“Excellent, and I will check with Bella just to keep up on your progress. I’d like to think that the children in Bella’s class have been taught to respect each other.”
“Absolutely.” Mrs. Powers’ chin came up as her neck extended. “That is my goal as well.”
“Yes, I so appreciate everything you do for the well-being of the students.”
When had this meeting turned into a love fest? Harper felt the words flow back and forth like syrup on a warm stack of hoppin’ Johnny cakes, the kind only Connie could make. Not content to leave it there, Elaine walked them out of her office, where she again told Cameron how wonderful he was and how lucky Bella was to have him for a father. The implication of course was that Harper was just an inept, incidental bystander.
But Cameron wasn’t finished. “Oh, one more thing, Elaine. Feel free to discuss Bella’s school progress or anything of a confidential matter with Harper. Our wedding ceremony is coming up, and very soon, Bella will be calling her mother.”
The delight in the principal’s eyes indicated this was the first time she’d heard the news. “Why, of course. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Harper could hardly contain her laughter when they strolled out through the lobby. The men were placing a Christmas angel at the top of the tree, and she stopped to take full stock of their efforts. At that moment, she could have soared to the top of that tree and joined the angel.
Then her professional nature took hold and she stood back. Sure, all the required components were on that tree. Red and green glass ornaments. Brilliant lights in all colors. Felt ornaments that looked handmade, with names of staff and students. All well-intended, but in Harper’s eyes, standard.
She could do a lot better. She would do a lot better.
“Hey, babe.” Cameron cocked his head toward the door that swung open when they hit the pressure pad. They walked through
. The cold air outside felt welcome and overdue.
Resting one hand lightly on his back, she mumbled, “What a lot of horse pucky.” They turned toward the parking lot.
“I knew something was smelling in that room.” Chuckling, Cameron sniffed the air. He’d handled everything so well but at a price. The meeting had taken something out of him. Teeth gritted, he swung across the lot.
“How are you feeling?’ she asked.
“Fine. Everything’s fine.” Of course he would say that.
“Are you taking the pain medication?”
No answer. “Cameron, the doctor gave you that medication so you would take it. How can you get better when you’re tensing against the pain?” Taking his crutches, Harper opened the front door of the SUV. But when she went to take his elbow, he looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Harper, darlin’, I can handle this myself. ”
She dropped her hand. “Of course. I’ll, ah, just stick these in the back.” Pushing up off his left foot, he managed to leverage himself into the front seat. Unable to watch, she walked around the back of the SUV and got in. By the time Cameron snapped his seatbelt shut, his forehead was beaded with sweat.
They hadn't gone far when Harper’s stomach growled. The crisis past, she was starving.
“Have you eaten lunch?” Cameron asked.
“Not really.”
“Me neither. Let’s stop at Back in the Day for a late lunch. Get some of their rosemary chicken salad.”
“Are you sure?” That would mean getting out of the car. Right now, she wanted to see him settled and comfortable.
“It’s past the lunch hour so we should be able to get a seat.”
He was only doing this for her because he knew she loved their chicken salad. Although it took a while, finally they were seated at one of the funky tables with mismatched chairs. The food was fabulous, the air always smelled of fresh bread, and she loved it. Slugging down some root beer, she started eating the chicken salad, savoring the crunch of the celery and currant, along with the tang of rosemary. Cameron did the same. The confusion and hurt of the past twenty-four hours faded.
“Wait until I tell Bella,” Harper said between bites. “She’ll be so relieved, and she's got a hair appointment with Adam.”
“Isn't she a little young for a hair appointment?”
“When the kids at school say your hair looks like a rat’s nest, it's time to call in the big guns. This was Adam’s suggestion.”
Cameron's laugh relieved the tension. For a second, things weren’t screwed up. For a second, it was just Cameron and Harper, not a holiday season that had become tense beyond belief. Smiling, she reached to wipe a dollop of mayo from the corner of his mouth, and he kissed her hand. It was as if a pilot light flicked on in his eyes, and suddenly she wanted him more than lunch.
“Everything okay at work?” she asked, just to get her wandering mind back on track. Cameron always had three or four renovations going at once. He usually barreled from project to project, checking plans and conferring with his project managers.
“Rick’s holding down the fort. He’d call if there was an issue. What about you? You stopped at the library?”
“I did.” And she took him through some of the ideas she’d picked up. “Those bags I brought home are full of a lot of stuff to work with. Now, I have to pull it all together and sell each woman on the revisions.”
Made her tired just to think about it. But the food helped, although she couldn’t finish the ciabatta bread.
“Maybe we should spread everything out in the TV room.” Reaching under the table, he squeezed her knee. “Then again, maybe we should just spread out.”
“We could do that.” His hand warm on her thigh brought some options to mind. “But Connie will be there. And Jack.”
Rolling his eyes to the ceiling, Cameron smiled. “Think I have a solution.” Getting Connie on the phone, he asked if the two of them could drive over to Pace Lighting in Pooler to look at some lighting fixtures for the library. “Tell him we need some new cans in the ceiling, and I want to add a ceiling fan.” His hand inched higher, and she squeezed her eyes shut, knowing what she wanted for dessert.
Thank God the ride home was short or she could have veered off into the live oaks that draped moss over Victory. When they pulled into the driveway, Jack and Connie were just leaving in their black pickup truck. They waved.
Like a couple of guilty teenagers, they hustled through the garden, crutches and all. Going up the back steps took some time. He absolutely would not let her help him. But impatience made her body thrum, especially certain lady parts. “Did I tell you how cute you look in your little black skirt?” he whispered once they were inside.
“No.” She gulped. “Not yet.”
“Slip it off, darlin’.”
So she did. “And this shirt, Cameron?” She ran her hands up the placket of his Oxford cloth shirt that Lucinda had so admired.
“Yes, Ms. Kirkpatrick.”
“History.” As she unbuttoned the shirt, the warm musky smell that was uniquely Cameron washed over her. Ever nerve ending in her body said hello.
But when she went to kick off her new shoes, his hands stopped her. “Let's leave the shoes. Just for now.”
Her mouth went dry with anticipation.
Yanking his shirt from his slacks, he grabbed the crutches. In no time, they were in the TV room where apparently he’d be sleeping for the next few nights. Fighting all those stairs was just too difficult right now. Jack had opened the sleeper sofa, which Pipsqueak thought was just great. But right now, the dog must be napping up in Bella’s room, her favorite spot. The green sofa felt like returning to the scene of the crime. Heck. She’d never think of this sofa in the same way again.
The sun slanted through the plantation shutters in creamy bars. After peeling off her lime green top, he ran his hands down her body, sighing her name as if he’d just created it. “Harper, Harper. I can’t wait until I can call you my wife.”
“I know.” Ever so gently, she pushed him back. “But maybe stuff like this will get boring. You know...we’ll be old married people. We might get tired of…stuff.”
“You think?” His eyes dropped while she settled next to him. “You mean this?” And he kissed the tender warm skin on her tummy.
She squirmed. “Nope, not that.”
His lips trailed a damp path up to her collarbone. She thought she heard her skin sizzle. How could she be wet and hot at the same time?
“When does Bella have to be picked up?” he whispered against her ear.
In short tense gasps, she told him.
“Plenty of time,” he said with satisfaction. “I do not like to rush things.”
“Oh, I know.” Arching her back, Harper gave herself. In her heart, in her soul, she was already his wife.
She’d never tire of his kisses, the way he fingered her hair, the way he paid homage to her body as if she were the most precious thing in the world. The cast made things a little tricky but they managed. “I always knew you were a creative girl,” he whispered after a particularly inventive move.
“I make things up as I go.” The story of her life.
He didn’t seem to mind. “I loved you from the moment I saw you.”
She snorted.
“I did so, sugga. From your kitten ears to that swishy tail. You were so cute in that costume. I did want you.”
“Come on, you wanted me gone.”
“Maybe. But not for long.” His eyes darkened. “You’re the beat of my heart, darlin’. Every damn breath I take.”
Harper was liking this. “Always?” She fingered one of his damp curls.
His groan ran the length of their entwined bodies. “Not long enough,” he whispered. “More. I want more.”
Somehow, her bags of goodies from the fabric stores ended up under them. By the time they were stretched out thirty minutes later, sweaty and panting, ribbons were tangled in her hair and fabric swatches littered the floor.
<
br /> She glanced at her phone. “Good grief. I’ve got to run.” He watched her scramble into her clothes.
“Bye, darlin.’ ” Cameron’s eyes were flagging. “Give my best to Elaine.”
“Nope. I'm keeping your best.” Laughing, she threw some clothes at him. “Get something on before we come back.”
All the way to Bella’s school, she relived the afternoon delight. How amazing that she didn’t run right over the curb.
Chapter 7
When Harper opened the door of Salon 5400 Saturday morning, Bella popped through under her arm and skidded to a halt. She couldn’t blame her. Adam’s salon was magical. The little girl’s eyes widened.
“Come on in, you two.” Adam beckoned to them from the side coffee bar. Caramel mocha scented the air.
Eyes darting around the room, Bella was too busy taking in the decor to budge. Huge mirrors with hammered tin frames hung on the walls at each station. The floor was black, liberally marbled with silver. All the chairs and stations were a deep, sumptuous black, but every knob and pull was hammered silver. Five other hairdressers worked in Adam’s salon, but the other stations were empty since the salon wasn’t officially open. From the floor to the ceiling, the only other color beside the silver was a funny hot pink.
Dressed in black dress pants and a gray mock turtleneck, Adam looked the epitome of cool. “Harper, he matches,” Bella whispered, tugging on Harper’s hand. “Adam matches the furniture.”
“Of course.” One hand on her back, Harper gently propelled Bella forward.
“Want to have a seat, Bella?” Adam patted the black-cushioned chair, now holding a pink booster seat.
Harper gave another little nudge. “Go on, sweetie. Let's get this party started, right?”
Why hadn’t she done this earlier, instead of struggling with Bella’s hair and failing? Standing over to the side, Harper couldn’t wait for the magic to begin. Adam had met Bella before, but she’d never been to his salon. “You can hit the coffee bar, Harper.”
