by Jenna Mindel
He’d teach Greg how to fish. It had kept him out of trouble as a teen, so he’d return the favor. He’d do his best to help Rose keep her diner, too, and then be on his way. Cam had nothing to offer until he redeemed not only his fishing career but his name and self-respect.
* * *
After a dinner filled with talk of the upcoming fishing trip, Rose and Greg loaded the dishwasher while Cam put away leftovers. There wasn’t much, only some salad and an extra potato. Rose had never been so thankful for Greg’s presence at dinner. Her son had carried the mealtime conversation. Cam was good with Greg, answering his barrage of questions about fishing and even asking a few questions, too, gauging Greg’s patience level for sitting in a boat.
The whole time, Rose had been all too aware of Cam. Too easily she recalled the warmth of him standing behind her with his hand guiding hers in making that butter sauce. She’d let him get too close. She’d wanted to ignore that with Cam came all that risky baggage she’d rather not unpack.
“Ready to finish up those tax returns?” Cam stood near the counter, looking completely at ease. “I can make us some coffee.”
“Yes, please.” Rose wiped down the table. Reality had a way of crashing in. She couldn’t escape yet. Those financials were the reason she was here, along with a home-cooked meal for Greg.
“You got it.” He ground whole beans and filled the coffeemaker.
“Hey, Cam,” Greg asked. “Can I watch TV?”
“Yep. The remote’s on the stand.”
“Not too loud.” Rose needed to concentrate without a TV blaring in the background.
“We can go into the living room,” Cam offered.
“This table is fine. More room to spread out.” Rose wasn’t about to get cozy on the couch. Staying in the same room with Greg only a few feet away was much safer.
The scent of fresh coffee teased her nose as she pulled the paperwork package out of her purse along with a notepad where she’d jotted down some of Cam’s tips on reading returns. Scanning those notes, she looked over the most recent year, but the papers still looked like a mash of numbers with little meaning.
“Here.” Cam set a mug of steaming coffee before her.
“Thank you.” She took a sip and smiled. “Perfect.”
“You drink yours like I do.” He smiled back.
Rose got lost in his eyes. Something sweet and caring shone there that tugged at her resolve to keep her distance. Maybe the flirting was better. She could ignore that, but this warm concern, as if he really cared, was far too tempting. It had been so long since she’d been held, and Cam had strong arms.
He sat down and pulled the paperwork closer. “Okay, where’d we leave off?”
“Something about deductions.”
“Right. Think of them as business expenses. The cost of doing business. So gross receipts minus those deductions are your profits. And what you’re taxed on.”
Rose scooted closer and pointed at the first page. “So, what’s depreciation?”
“It’s the ability to write off an asset’s decrease in value as an expense. Everything loses value over time compared to what you originally paid for it.”
Rose looked at him, finally understanding. “Ahh, I see.”
“What was your major in college?”
She laughed. “It was going to be Business.”
“They didn’t go over any of this?” Cam chuckled, too.
“I don’t know. My first semester I had signed up for only general stuff and then I dropped out.” She scanned the couch where Greg had slumped over, fast asleep. “After he was born, there never seemed to be the time nor money to go back. What about you?”
“Didn’t go.”
That surprised her. “Seriously?”
He looked at her hard as if searching for the right words. “When I said that fishing is the only thing I’m good at, I meant it. I’m not much of a reader, so college wasn’t an option. Not in my mind anyway. I pursued professional bass fishing.”
It registered that she hadn’t seen any books around his house, not even recipe books in the kitchen. Only photo albums were shelved in his study and a few fishing magazines graced the man’s coffee table near where Greg snoozed.
Greg had been diagnosed with a mild case of dyslexia in third grade. If she hadn’t gone through that experience with him, she might have let Cam’s comment go. That distinct lack of reading material pushed her to prod. “You don’t like to read or is it hard to read?”
A flash of shame in his eyes was quickly doused and he looked away, clearly uncomfortable.
Her heart twisted. She was certainly no expert, but she’d coached Greg through several exercises they’d learned at a special class. Maybe she could help, but she’d need to know what she was up against. “Cam, what happens when you read?”
He looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“I want to help. Especially since you’ve helped me with so much.” She lifted the returns to drive home her point.
He laughed then, a quick sound more like a sarcastic bark than amusement. “I’m not illiterate, if that’s what you’re getting at. I get by.”
She had no doubt he got by, but how? His joking hid vulnerability underneath, as well as deflection. He didn’t want to talk about this. How bad was it? “Were you ever tested in school?”
Cam didn’t meet her gaze. “I suppose. I was in the slow readers group.”
“If you’re willing to give it a try, I can help.”
He looked at her, really looked at her, and then it was as if a curtain had been drawn across his brilliant blue eyes, blocking her view. Then he grinned at her—wide and teasing. The flirt was back in full force. “You’d be my private tutor?”
“I’m serious.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Me, too.”
But he wasn’t. Not at all. She could see how it would be—he’d sit too close and tease like he was now and make her uncomfortable. More deflection. They wouldn’t get anywhere reading-wise.
“Right.” Hadn’t she thought that his flirting was preferable to genuine concern? Not this time. Not when he used it to shut her out.
Cam looked down at the scattered tax returns. “Shall we finish up?”
“Yes.” She nodded toward the couch. “I’d better get Greg home.”
As Cam recapped what they’d gone over, Rose watched him closely. He hid behind that charm, masking the real man under those good-time smiles. She liked glimpses of the hidden Cam, the real Cam, a lot more.
What would happen if she turned the tables on him, gave him some of his own treatment? She really should help him, for all he’d done for her. Taking a deep breath, she laid her hand on his arm. His skin felt warm and strong, but tense, like a string pulled too tight.
His gaze flew to hers.
Rose smiled at the panic in his eyes and forced her hand to remain still. “If you’d like to work on reading together, let me know. Greg has issues, too, so I’ve learned some methods that may help.”
He stared a moment longer.
Rose didn’t look away. She couldn’t read his expression, either.
Giving her a slow smile, Cam covered her hand with his own. “You’re the only one I’d call.”
Her breath caught. Okay, so her plan backfired, but in this heart-pounding game of chicken she wouldn’t flinch first.
Maybe she was the one with the disorder, attracted to yet another wrong man. Cam was definitely wrong for her. A man after the thrill of competition and prize money, he’d never stay home. A man who preferred flirting to being real with a woman—would he stay true?
Bested, Rose blew out her breath and stood, gathering up her paperwork. “I’ve got to go.”
Cam stood, too. “I can drive you home.”
Shaking her son’s shoulder to wake him, she glanced o
utside. The sun had set but it wasn’t yet dark. “Thanks, but I’d rather walk. Thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” He accepted her refusal of a ride without teasing her further and walked them to the door. “See you tomorrow.”
“Bright and early.” Rose led a sleepy Greg outside, but glanced back and waved good-night. She caught a look of such defeat on Cam’s face that it sliced through her, sharp and painful.
He hadn’t seen her, but she’d seen him with startling clarity. The real Cam was a hurting man. Rose couldn’t deny the strong urge to help him as he’d helped her, but by doing so, she’d expose herself to a world of hurt if she let this attraction grow into something she couldn’t handle.
Whispering under her breath, she prayed for God’s guidance and then she prayed for Cam. He’d admitted to trying to be a better person. What other regrets lurked beneath that charming facade he showed the world, and did she dare find out?
* * *
The following day at the diner, Cam kept his distance from Rose as best he could. It wasn’t too hard since they’d been busy from the moment they opened up the doors. Still, the woman was scary. He’d never admitted his reading issues to anyone, yet he’d told Rose.
He’d never been comfortable with his failings, but admitting his trouble with reading hadn’t bothered Rose. She hadn’t viewed him as some idiot. Quite the opposite, in fact. If he was smart, he’d forget the softness that had crept into her eyes when she’d figured him out. He’d forget her offer, too.
He didn’t for a minute doubt that her offer to help him read had been heartfelt and genuine. Accepting would only lead to more admissions of how low he’d sunk to get by. Cam didn’t want to lose Rose’s good opinion. Not by a long shot.
It had taken every ounce of his willpower to switch gears once she’d laid down her challenge along with the burning touch of her hand. He’d fought fire with fire, yet he’d been the one burned. Consumed with desire to be more than he was. A man he could never be—
“Hey, Cam, you look like you know what you’re doing.”
A familiar voice scattered his thoughts. Cam grinned at his cousin Tommy. “Of course I know what I’m doing. You here for lunch?”
“Got out of work early, so you can pick me up at home later. Got any walleye back there?” Tommy nodded toward the kitchen.
Cam chuckled and handed him a plastic-covered menu. “Nope, but the special is a tuna melt with onion rings.”
“Sounds pretty good. But really, what are you doing working here?”
At that moment Rose breezed over to put in an order, so Cam cupped her elbow to keep her from darting off to the next table. “Rose, this is my cousin Tommy. He’s going fishing with me and Greg.”
“Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand. “Make sure he gets home safe and sound.”
Tommy returned the handshake. “We’ll take good care of your boy. Cam said this is the first time he’s gone. If anyone can teach a kid to fish, it’s me.”
Rose glanced at Cam and then burst out laughing. “Ah, now I see the family resemblance. Cam said the same thing.”
“Just speaking truth.” Cam grinned.
“I appreciate that.” Rose had a teasing glint in her eye. “Got to run, looks like someone wants their check.”
After she’d gone, Tommy gave him an all-knowing nod. “Now I get it.”
“Get what?” Cam scanned the new order for two more specials and a chef’s salad.
“You work for one pretty lady.”
Cam glanced at Rose settling a bill at the cash register. Her smile lit up her face. She had a lovely face, beautiful even. Looking closer, he detected a hint of makeup today. Not a lot, but a smudge of smoky color defined her pretty green eyes. The light green top she wore was more feminine than those baggy T-shirts she usually wore. This one showed off her trim waist and the slight flare of her hips—
He frowned. What was up with that?
“Well, slide me under a nickel.”
“What?” Cam got busy making those two specials.
“You’re sweet on her.”
“You going to order or what?”
Tommy laughed. “Yeah, give me the tuna. You make that plate look awfully pretty, dude.”
“Thanks.” Cam spotted Greg filling water glasses and waved the boy over. He’d skipped group today, so he could go fishing right after close.
Let Tommy see what came with being sweet on Rose. If anyone knew Cam wasn’t ready for a family, it was his cousin. They’d fished together since they were kids. Tommy had even joined Cam in a few tournaments as his co-angler. The guy was happily married and wedged in tight here in Maple Springs with his own business to run, so he couldn’t get away often. Tommy knew how hard it was for Cam to have a serious relationship, because there hadn’t been any.
Jess, the new waitress, also put in an order. “Two more specials.”
Cam nodded. He introduced Greg to Tommy and wasn’t surprised when the boy slid into the next seat.
“We’re taking your boat, right, Cam?”
Cam nodded as he constructed two more tuna melts.
“He’s got a pretty sweet boat, don’t he?” Tommy sipped the diet cola Cam had served him.
Cam smiled. He’d fished well at a regional tournament where he’d won it. He’d fished clean because he’d had a different observer in the boat each day instead of a co-angler. Polygraphs on big wins were commonplace and although Cam had beat them before, he didn’t take chances if he didn’t have to.
“Coolest one I’ve ever seen. So, what kind of fish are we after?” Greg tried to sound like he knew what he was doing.
“I tell you right now, kid, the only fish worth fishing for is walleye.”
Greg’s gaze flew to Cam’s. “What about bass?”
“All fine and good if you’re after some trophy, but if you want to eat well, you want walleye.”
Cam chuckled. “Pike are good, and fun to catch.”
Tommy snorted. “Aw, come on, man, pike will hit anything. No skill there.”
And so the conversation continued. Cam filled orders while chatting with his cousin and a couple other guys seated at the counter about where the best fish were biting and which lures to use.
Greg soaked it in with wide-eyed wonder until Rose tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, Mom, this is Tommy.”
“We’ve met.” Rose smiled. “I need you to bus some tables while Chris is washing dishes in back.”
Greg’s shoulders drooped, but he didn’t complain. He got up and did his mom’s bidding.
“Good kid,” Tommy said.
“He’s a great kid,” Cam said.
Greg had been a big help this morning. Cam made a mental note to check with Rose if anyone had applied for the cook position today. He glanced at Greg as the kid cleared a table. Cam looked forward to showing the boy how to fish. He looked forward to fishing for the fun of it and today promised a good time of relaxation.
It had been a couple days since Cam had been out on the lakes, putting in practice time. He needed to get out there more, though. Fishing wasn’t only something he enjoyed, it was work. His work, and he looked forward to returning to it this weekend with good results. He had to fish well.
Chapter Six
After closing the diner, Cam and Greg hurried with cleanup along with the busboy. Jess demonstrated a heart of gold by helping out, too, so they could get out of there quickly. By 2:20, everything was done. Cam was ready to go and Rose was...where?
He looked around but didn’t see her, so he nodded to Greg. “You might want to grab a sweatshirt. It can get cool later on the water.”
“Be right back.” Greg ran toward the stairs, only to be met by Rose holding out that very thing to her son.
“I’m heading over to Linda’s attorney’s office in case you get b
ack before me.” She’d slipped on a tan-colored blazer over her green top and jeans. Her lips were slicked with a rosy-colored gloss.
He wouldn’t mind finding out if it was flavored. Shaking off that thought, he realized her extra care with her appearance today made sense. No doubt, Rose wanted to make a good impression on the attorney. This pretty new look had nothing to do with him.
“We’ll be home much later than that. I’ll have my cell and you’ve got the number.”
“Yes, and here’s mine.” Rose tapped her phone, making his buzz.
He added her personal number to his contacts, right above the diner. “Got it. Any bites on the ad for a cook?”
“No.” Rose pursed her lips, catching his focus yet again.
“My mother agreed to fill in this weekend, by the way.”
Rose stared at him, slack-jawed. “Really? Wow.”
“Her parents managed a golf club once upon a time, so she grew up helping out in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” Cam shrugged. “She’ll work with me tomorrow, then take over Thursday through Saturday. I’ll be back Monday. And you’re not to pay her—I’ve got this. Okay?”
“Okay.” Rose squared her shoulders as she turned to her son. “Be careful, Greg. Listen to Cam and Tommy. And wear—”
“I know, a life jacket.” Greg finished her sentence.
“Have fun.” Rose leaned toward her son, but he pulled back. She bit her bottom lip and glanced at him with worry and motherly concern all wrapped into one helpless look. “So, he doesn’t need a license?”
Cam stepped close enough to catch a hint of her perfume. It was the same sweet and flowery scent. “No. He’s under seventeen. Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. I promise.”
“I’m holding you to that.” Her voice might be soft but the intensity of it came across loud and clear.
“Awww, Mom.” Greg rolled his eyes.
Cam smiled, but didn’t discount Rose’s feelings. She’d entrusted Greg to his care and that was huge. He wasn’t going to let her down. “We’ll see you later.”
