Cameron hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until it whooshed out in a gasp. But her initial rush of pride and excitement was immediately replaced by one of dread.
Annalisa looked dazed. She stared at the audience and didn’t move a muscle while Abbie Rollins, the outgoing Miss Snow Valley, fastened the glittering tiara on her head and draped the banner over her shoulder. One of the tuxedo clad boys placed a huge bouquet of red roses into her arms.
“Annalisa will represent Snow Valley throughout the year, beginning bright and early tomorrow morning at the hot air balloon launch,” Pastor John said, then paused when he realized Annalisa, who was supposed to have started her victory walk, stood like a statue.
He lowered the microphone and approached her, leaned down, and murmured something. Whatever he said seemed to work because Annalisa blinked and then began moving toward the runway. Her smile was strained and she clutched at the bouquet of roses, crushing them against her gown.
“Annalisa Drake, everyone,” Pastor John said and the applause renewed as he picked up the thread of his announcement. “Miss Snow Valley will be at various functions throughout the year and will be active in promoting her platform, which in Annalisa’s case, is wildlife preservation. She will also compete in the Miss Montana pageant next June and from there, could go on to the national Miss America competition. So it will be quite an eventful year for this young lady.”
Annalisa reached the end of the runway and stood still. She was supposed to do a smooth turn and make her way back toward the stage, but she didn’t.
The applause stuttered as the crowd realized something was wrong and a feeling of uneasiness rippled through the room.
Annalisa took a deep, shaky breath and her face crumpled. Cameron didn’t stop to think. She darted out from the wings and moved quickly across the stage and down the runway. When she reached Annalisa, she looped an arm around her waist.
“It’s okay,” she murmured. “Come on, let’s go back.” Annalisa spun and threw herself into Cameron’s arms, crushing the bouquet of roses between them. From the corner of her eye, Cameron saw Joyce hurrying down the aisle and gave her a quick shake of her head.
“I can’t do this,” Annalisa whispered into Cameron’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to,” Cameron said softly. “Come on.”
She took the flowers in one arm and guided Annalisa down the runway with the other, their steps echoing loudly in the suddenly quiet room. “We need a minute,” Cameron told Pastor John as she ushered Annalisa backstage. Behind them the auditorium broke into a buzz of nervous conversation.
Melodee ran over, eyes wide. “What’s wrong? What’s the matter?”
Annalisa was gasping for air between the sobs shaking her body. “I can’t do this … I can’t,” she wailed. “It’s a whole year, and then there’s another pageant and it goes on and on. I’m never going to get away from it.”
Cameron shoved the flowers into Melodee’s arms and grabbed Annalisa’s hands, holding them tightly.
“Look at me,” she ordered. “Look at me and breathe. You need to breathe, you need to calm down.” Annalisa’s green eyes were swimming in tears as she clutched Cameron’s hands desperately.
“It’s not so bad,” Melodee tried to be reasonable. “Really, it’s a few appearances throughout the year and then Miss Montana.”
“What is going on?” an angry voice demanded and Joyce burst backstage, followed closely by Roger and Kyle. “What are you doing? You’re embarrassing yourself and me, get back out there now,” Joyce hissed.
“I can’t do it, this,” Annalisa pleaded. “Please don’t make me do this.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” Joyce whispered fiercely. “This is what you’ve always dreamed about and now you’re ruining it.” She rounded on Cameron. “Do something!”
Cameron met her eyes. “I’m not going to force her.”
“Neither are you, Mom,” Kyle said, his voice like steel. He stepped forward and put his arm around his sister. “She doesn’t want to do it and she doesn’t have to.”
“He’s right,” Roger spoke up. He turned to his daughter. “It’s your choice, honey. We’ll support your decision.”
“This is just an attack of nerves,” Joyce said angrily. “Think of all you’ve worked for. Think of all the money we’ve spent. If you give up now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“There’s a whole auditorium of people out there waiting; we really need to get back on track,” Melodee broke in.
Annalisa took a deep breath. “No, Mom,” she said quietly. “You’ll regret it. I never wanted it in the first place.” She pulled the tiara from her hair and handed it to Melodee. “Monica will be a great Miss Snow Valley.”
They stood in silence backstage while Melodee walked out and had a whispered conversation with Pastor John. Then came the announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen, it appears we’ve had a sudden change of plans. Our second runner up is Katie Innis, the first runner up is Jill Brenson, and your new Miss Snow Valley is Miss Monica Snow.”
The music started again as the auditorium erupted into cheers and Cameron watched the frantic shuffling of flowers and banners among the contestants. Finally all was in order and Monica began her victory walk, the large tiara glittering on her head.
Joyce burst into tears, but Annalisa ignored her and turned to Cameron. “I’m really sorry, I hope I don’t get you in trouble.” She was facing away from her mother and did not see the venom in Joyce’s eyes as she glared at Cameron.
There was a dull ache in Cameron’s stomach. “Don’t worry about it,” she said, forcing a smile. “You did what was right for you and that’s all I want.”
Annalisa threw her arms around Cameron. “Thank you,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been brave enough to quit without you.”
“You promise to take care of yourself, okay?” Cameron whispered.
Annalisa drew back and nodded. “I promise.” She turned to Kyle. “Will you help me get my stuff together? I need to talk to you.”
He darted a quick glance at Cameron, his face unreadable. “Sure.”
***
Cameron retrieved her purse from where she’d stashed it among a stack of folding chairs and crossed behind the black curtain lining the back of the stage. Through the fabric she could see the stage lights fading as the pageant ended and the house lights came on. The audience was making a great deal of noise and high pitched squeals came from the stage as the winners’ friends and families rushed to congratulate them.
Outside was dark and the parking lot was crowded. Cameron climbed wearily into her car and turned the key, her thoughts humming as loudly as the engine. Now what?
Chapter 13
She was sitting on her bed at the B&B with the phone by her side when it rang at exactly 10:13 pm. Cameron’s hands were shaking as she answered.
Dotty’s face was livid, there was no doubt she’d already heard from Joyce. “You’d better have one heck of an explanation,” she said icily.
“I know this is a surpri –” Cameron began.
“Joyce said you told Annalisa to drop out of the pageant,” Dotty interrupted.
“No,” Cameron said carefully, trying to keep her voice steady. “I told her it was her decision.”
“That’s interesting because Joyce believes quitting was your idea.”
“I –” Cameron tried again.
But Dotty was on a roll. “Did you do everything you could to encourage her to stay in? You reminded her what was at stake? How much money and time and effort had been spent on her?”
Cameron paused and, as if sensing blood in the water, Dotty pounced. “I advise you to think carefully before you answer because I plan on making a thorough investigation and if you lie to me, I’ll find out.”
“I have never lied to you,” Cameron said wearily, “and I don’t intend to start now.”
“So what happened?”
“The pageant was not what Annali
sa wanted, it was what Joyce wanted,” Cameron said.
“That’s not your concern,” Dotty snapped. “You were hired to do a job and you failed. Not only did you fail, you deliberately sabotaged all our efforts.”
“I don’t see it that way.”
“If that’s your attitude, then this agency is not a good fit for you,” Dotty replied.
Cameron squared her shoulders. “You know what, you’re right. I think it’s best if I move on to something that really matters.”
Dotty sucked in her breath at this sacrilege. “Come in Monday and clean out your desk,” she snapped before hanging up.
***
She was trying to pack and fight back tears at the same time when there was a knock at the door. Cameron opened it to find Kyle, holding a brown paper grocery sack with the word Dove’s stamped on the side.
“Why’d you run away?” he said softly.
“I didn’t. Well … I figured she needed you and you’d be busy and probably mad and …” Cameron took a deep breath. “She told you?”
His face was grim. “Yeah, she told me.”
“I’m so sorry,” Cameron’s eyes welled with fresh tears. “I promised I’d help and then—”
Kyle looked surprised. “Wait. You think it’s your fault? You thought I’d be mad, at you?”
“Well, yeah. Aren’t you?”
He set the bag on the floor and reached out to take her in his arms. “Of course not. Cam, you’re a big reason she stood up to my mother for the first time in her life.”
She buried her face in his shirt, loving the safety of his arms.
“I don’t want you to go tomorrow,” he murmured against her hair.
Cameron drew back with a wry laugh. “Well, I might not be, actually. I just quit my job.”
“What? Why?”
“I guess your mom was pretty mad and she must have called Dotty, because then she started in on me and … you know what? I don’t want to work for that kind of person anyway.”
“I’m sorry,” he sighed.
She took a shaky breath. “I’m not. I’ll find something else.”
“It might be nothing, but Paisley is probably leaving her job at the hospital soon to help Clay with his studio. It’s PR work – fundraising, that kind of thing. You seemed excited about it when we talked to her after the concert.”
Cameron hesitated. She liked the idea of staying in Snow Valley, except the main reason she wanted to stay might not be around for much longer himself.
“What about you? I guess you’ll go back to school now?”
Kyle shrugged. “I have to think it through. Teaching school is actually a pretty good gig. Where else could I get the whole summer off every year?”
Cameron knit her brow. “Plus, where else could you find a fully furnished old lady house to meet your every need?”
“Uh-huh, I knew that was coming,” he rolled his eyes and grinned.
“So what’s in the bag?” she said, glancing at the grocery sack on the floor.
“Rocky Road ice cream, strawberry Twizzlers, and a copy of What About Bob?. Rayna said we could use the TV in the lounge, but if you don’t feel like it, it’s okay.”
“No, it sounds perfect,” Cameron said. “But I get to wear my pajamas.”
“Deal,” Kyle said. “Oh, and I brought one more thing.” He reached into the bag and pulled out a roll of aluminum foil.
“What’s that for?”
“I’m going to make you a tiara,” he said with a grin. “If you’ll show me how.”
“That’s what I’m here for, right? Former Westbrooke pageant consultant at your service.”
Kyle shook his head. “Nah. How about Cameron Elliott, one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever met – inside and out?”
She smiled.
“You know what? I’ve changed my mind,” Kyle said thoughtfully. “I’m not going to make you a tiara. Not yet anyway.”
“Why not?”
He reached for her and pulled her close, his arms tightening around her waist, breath tickling her ear. “Because I’m not done kissing you yet,” he said, and as his mouth came down to claim hers, Cameron forgot all about the tin foil. This was way better than a tiara.
Additional Works
By Jeanette Lewis
Visit Elidryn.com for more information, read the blog, and to get newsletter updates.
About the Author
Jeanette Lewis is a pen name used by author, Janet K. Halling. Dreaming up stories has always been one of Janet's favorite things. Other favorites include her family, good friends, crisp Autumn days, decadent desserts, and having adventures. Jeanette’s author page can be found at: amazon.com/author/jeanettelewis
A Touch of Love
Cami Checketts
Dedication
To the speech teachers of North Park Elementary and Birch Creek Elementary who have nurtured and taught my sons. Thank you for your patience, expertise, and diligence.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Christina Dymock for putting this group together and sharing her many talents to all of us. Thank you to the Snow Valley ladies, I feel honored to be amongst you. Thank you to EpubMasters for their fabulous editing.
Chapter 1
Luke scowled at the sign stenciled in the window. That Healing Feeling. What a bunch of voodoo. The entire window was a hand-written billboard for the products and services offered: foot zoning, essential oils, massage therapy, candles. The list went on in every color imaginable. It gave him a headache, but he needed a present for Kazlyn’s birthday. She and Ty would be in town for the Fourth of July. He had a little over a week. If he needed, he could run to Billings, but this place had struck him as something that Kazlyn would love. If anybody needed relaxation, it was his little sister.
He pushed the door open. Of course, there was soothing music with some kind of tribal drums and flowing water, and the place smelled of lavender. The music reminded him of his frequent trips to the beach when he lived in LA. The beach was about the only thing he’d liked in California. The lavender made him think of his mom. His shoulders instantly lowered.
The shop was empty, so he perused the shelves. Maybe he could buy Kazlyn some essential oils, which promised to soothe, and a massage. He’d happily play basketball with Ty for a couple of hours while Kazlyn came to be pampered.
Mrs. O’Hare bustled out of the back room, her tiny stature and flaming red hair distinctive. She grinned widely at him. “Luke! It’s great to see you? How’s your mom?”
“Good, thanks.”
“Tell her hello for me. I’ll call her so we can go to lunch.”
“She’d like that.” A woman appeared behind Mrs. O’Hare, and Luke’s jaw dropped. He forced himself to keep speaking to Mrs. O’Hare. “Are Kevin and Molly ready for the wedding?”
“They might be, but I’m not!” Mrs. O’Hare laughed.
Luke laughed with her but couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful woman who must be the massage therapist. She was average height with a strong build, the definition in her arms and legs obvious with the sundress she wore. Her hair was wild—golden-brown curls springing in different directions and she had a smattering of freckles across her nose that added to her beauty. But the thing that really drew him were her eyes. A deep brown, like a mahogany wood. They seemed to be sharing a joke with him.
“Thank you, Annie.” Mrs. O’Hare turned and gave the woman a hug. “I feel so much better. I’ll see you next week.”
Annie smiled sweetly at the older woman but made no response except for a squeeze of the hand and a nod.
Mrs. O’Hare pressed Luke’s arm as she walked past. “Annie’s the best. I’m sure she’ll help you feel fabulous.”
Luke glanced at the older woman, unable to stop his grin when he noticed the mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’m looking forward to it.” He turned back in time to see Annie’s eyes sparkle before she looked away to study some massage accessories on display.
Mrs.
O’Hare slipped out the front door and Annie moved to a desk and picked up a sheet of paper. She walked to Luke and handed it to him. It was a price sheet, listing the prices for different massages and foot zoning.
“Oh, okay.” Luke concentrated on her face, hoping she’d look at him again. He really wanted to hear her voice for some reason, see if it was as intriguing as the rest of her. “I’m trying to find a good present for my little sister’s birthday. She’s…high-strung, so I thought a massage might help.”
Annie nodded and pressed her finger next to a massage and foot zone combo for eighty dollars.
“Yeah, let’s do that one, and how about some relaxing kind of oil to go with it?”
She briskly walked to the essential oil display, chose a bottle labeled tranquility, and handed it to him. Her hand brushed his, and he liked the feel of her soft fingers.
“I’ll take it.”
He grinned at her, and she returned his smile, then hurried to her desk. She filled out a gift certificate for the treatments and a receipt for everything. Luke watched her, becoming more and more unnerved with the silence. Had he offended her somehow? Her smile said no, but why wouldn’t she speak?
She pointed to a price of $86.28. Luke whipped out his debit card and handed it over, deliberately brushing her fingers. Her cheeks tinged red and she gave him a shy smile before running the card through the machine.
The silence thrummed in his ears. He wasn’t usually the talkative sort, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. “I shouldn’t have said that my sister was high-strung. She’s great and her boyfriend really helps her chill. She works too hard and expects too much of herself, so that’s why I thought something relaxing would be a good birthday present.”
Annie still said nothing, but she gave him that beautiful smile and nodded as if she agreed with everything he said.
Summer in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance Anthologies Book 2) Page 27
