An Unexpected Family

by Jenna Mindel

  Rose sat up straighter. “What’s this all about?”

  “So, like, if he asked you out, would you go?”

  “Gregory Michael, what are you talking about?” Rose felt her insides teeter. Was this coming from her son or—“Did Cam put you up to this?”

  “No.” Greg’s nervous expression confirmed that.

  “Then why?”

  He stood up, irritated. “I don’t know, Mom. I just wondered, okay?”

  He shook his head and walked away, mumbling something that sounded a lot like forget I even asked.

  Rose blew out her breath in a whoosh. Closing her eyes, she tried to quiet her heart, but it was racing something fierce. Hadn’t she been hoping? But why would Greg ask such a thing? Unless he wanted Cam to be part of their lives, too. Permanently, like her.

  Gathering her courage, she got up and went to her son’s room. Knocking lightly on the door that was slightly ajar, she waited.

  Nothing.

  “Greg, can I come in?”

  “Yeah.”

  She opened the door wider but didn’t step inside beyond the wall of tension emanating from her boy.

  Greg sat on his bed playing the handheld electronic sports game he’d received from his grandfather last year for his birthday. Rose wasn’t a fan of video games. She’d prefer Greg to read a book. She insisted the computer be kept in the living room because she didn’t allow the bigger PC video games at night. Something about all that adrenaline seemed like a bad idea before bedtime.

  Greg hadn’t picked up the electronic game once while they were at Cam’s parents’. He had been too busy with Cam’s brothers and their antics. Her son hadn’t been shy or quiet. He’d slipped in with the Zelinsky family like he belonged there.

  Taking a deep breath, Rose gently asked, “What would you like me to do?”

  Greg shrugged.

  “Greg. Do you want me to go out with Cam or not?”

  He looked hopeful and awfully determined for an eleven-year-old soon to be twelve. “Yeah. I do.”

  Rose’s stomach took a tumble. She wasn’t about to share her similar hopes with her son, but she didn’t want to shut the door on the possibility, either. “Well, I haven’t been asked.”

  The left side of Greg’s mouth lifted ever so slightly, and he nodded.

  “Did you brush your teeth?”

  “No, but I will.” Greg dragged himself up and went into the bathroom.

  Rose rolled her head to stretch her neck but couldn’t loosen the nerves bunched there.

  Driving back to town, Cam had sounded excited about his upcoming two tournaments. One was in the beginning of August and the other was in September, after school started, but she couldn’t remember where. Maybe Greg would know now that he followed Cam’s career.

  Regardless, Cam wouldn’t be around for long, and she wasn’t sure of his plans for the fall. Once he returned to professional fishing, would Greg’s enthusiasm for the man wane or would her son simply become another fan following Cam online? Would Cam’s positive influence on Greg eventually wear off, too? Right along with his interest in them? Maybe.

  Unless she gave Cam a good enough reason to stay. It kept coming back to that.

  * * *

  The next day, Cam whistled as he walked home from the diner. Working there was pretty good. He missed prime fishing time practicing on various inland lakes, but he liked cooking for Rose. He liked planning the menus and seeing her eyes light up when he shared his special of the day with her.

  He’d stayed later again to help with inventory and put away the food order Rose had received. Good thing, too. With as many folks vacationing this week as next, they’d gone through a lot of supplies already.

  A hot breeze shifted the leaves on trees and rippled the American flags posted along Main Street for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. The sun blazed above and people filled the sidewalks, making even more heat. Tourists shopped and families hit the ice-cream parlor after a day at the beach. It was the height of summer in Maple Springs.

  He’d missed many a Fourth of July at home. This time of year, if he wasn’t fishing out East, he’d be working events like fishing expos and the like. He’d had no series events this year after last year’s disqualification had landed him at the bottom of the pile.

  It had never mattered if he came home or not, but this Fourth of July was different. He looked forward to taking Greg and Rose to the parade and then the church barbecue. Hanging out on the beach afterward until the fireworks started sounded like fun, too. He simply needed to ask.

  After spending all day with Rose and Greg at his parents’ place, he hadn’t tired of their company. Not once. He didn’t make connections like this, especially with women. He certainly didn’t hang out much with kids, either, other than recently volunteering for two days with his cousin’s youth program.

  Turning off Main, Cam spotted Greg walking ahead of him and jogged to catch up. “Where are you headed in such a hurry?”

  Greg looked startled, then smiled. “Your house.”

  “Everything okay?” Something had to be up for the kid to seek him out at home.

  The kid nodded. “Yeah.”

  Cam didn’t quite believe him and stopped walking. “So, what is it?”

  The kid took a deep breath. “I’ve been invited to go camping with Jeff.”

  “Jeff?”

  “A friend from the program. They’re camping across the bridge and I want to go but...it’s this weekend.”

  “And that’s a problem, because...?” Cam wasn’t sure why the boy would seek him out on this. Hadn’t he asked Rose?

  Greg kicked at a crack in the sidewalk. “I don’t want to leave my mom alone on the Fourth of July.”

  “I see. So, you haven’t asked her yet?”

  “No.” Greg shook his head. “Will you do it? You know, maybe ask to take her.”

  Cam narrowed his gaze. “To the fireworks?”

  Greg smiled. “Yeah. I know if you asked, I could go camping.”

  “She might say no.”

  “No. Not if you asked.” Greg looked more than hopeful—he looked confident.

  Cam chuckled. He couldn’t blame the kid for paving his way to success. “When do you want to do this?”

  Greg shrugged. “The sooner the better.”

  “Right.” Cam checked his watch. It was early yet, but close enough to dinnertime. “Why don’t we call your mom right now?”

  Greg gave him a shrewd look. “Maybe she should meet us at your house, so you can ask her in person.”

  And make it harder for her to refuse. He had to give the kid credit for knowing his mom. “How about dinner?”

  Greg grinned. “Yeah.”

  Cam pulled out his phone and called Rose, but he kept his gaze fixed on her son, who listened intently.

  “Hey, Cam.”

  “Greg is with me and we were wondering if you’d like to meet us at my house for dinner.”

  A stretch of silence.

  The kid’s brow furrowed deep.

  “Rose?”

  “Yeah, I’m here. What can I bring?”

  “Just yourself. See you in a few.” Cam turned to Greg. “We’re going to do this together, got it?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  Greg’s steps picked up as they approached the house. The boy chattered about the upcoming camping trip with great views of the bridge. “Jeff said we’ll be able to see a bunch of different fireworks from their campsite.”

  They were no doubt staying close to shore, which narrowed the places down. Maybe the Straits State Park. Cam had been there when he was a teenager. “What’s Jeff’s last name?”

  “MacMillan.”

  Cam nodded. He’d met Jeff MacMillan Senior at the canoe outing. They’d both helped out as chaperones. Seemed like
a nice guy. His cousin John would know better if Greg would be in good hands. Cam would check on that.

  “Any requests for dinner?”

  Greg tipped his head, considering. “Cheeseburgers?”

  “You’d eat one every day if you could, wouldn’t you?” Cam chuckled.

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, you got it then.”

  “Thanks, Cam. You’re the best.”

  Warmth filled him, so he ruffled the kid’s hair. “You, too, buddy.”

  The evening suddenly looked a whole lot brighter, knowing he’d share it with two people who’d come to mean more to him than he ever expected.

  * * *

  “What can I help with?” Rose stood in Cam’s kitchen once again. This time, she watched him make burger patties instead of grilled steak. He added a pinch of spices to the ground beef before shaping, like he’d done a thousand times at the diner.

  The three-block walk to the house had given her plenty of time to think after hearing Cam say that her son was with him. No doubt Greg had put this together and Rose could only guess what he’d told Cam. Enough to wrangle another dinner invitation, but what else?

  “I thought we’d eat outside on the deck. Gather whatever we’ll need from the fridge. Greg already set the table. I’ve got my mom’s leftover potato salad and some chips, as well.”

  There’d be no béarnaise sauce made today. “A nice simple meal. I’ve actually fried a hamburger before.”

  “Would you like to take over?” Cam asked.

  “No way. She’ll burn it.” Greg came in from the deck.

  “Whoa, Greg, that’s pretty harsh.” But Cam’s eyes shone with mirth.

  Rose appreciated Cam coming to the rescue, but her son spoke truth. “I’ve burned many a frozen patty in my day and I don’t have a clue how to grill. My father always took care of that.”

  Cam washed his hands and then grabbed a couple small zucchini. “I could teach you.”

  Remembering how nervous she’d been when Cam tried to teach her how to whisk, Rose shook her head. “No. That’s okay.”

  “Greg, could you go into the garage and grab some pop from the fridge and take it out back? Here’s an ice bucket—fill that up, too.”

  “Sure.”

  Rose watched her son leave, then turned her attention to Cam at the sink. He cut the ends off the zucchini and then thinly sliced them.

  “I was thinking...” He paused, looking serious.

  Rose braced for what might come next. Did it have anything to do with Greg seeking him out?

  Cam quit slicing and looked at her. “If your offer to help me read still stands, I can help you cook better.”

  Her insides pitched. That would take time. A lot of time spent together. He only had two tournaments the rest of the year, maybe... “When would you like to start?”

  “Right now. In the lower cupboard where you’re standing, there’s a grilling basket. Grab that and I’ll show you an easy way to grill vegetables.”

  She searched and held up the small, sort of flat metal basket. “This one?”

  “That’s it. Normally, when I grill zucchini, I make long strips and throw them right on, but this will be easier. Here, slice this red pepper, and I’ll cut the onion.”

  Rose fetched a small cutting board, and then cleaned the pepper of seeds and sliced it like she would for a garden salad.

  “That’s good. Now throw them together in the basket, drizzle with some olive oil, salt and a dash of black pepper and it’s ready for the grill.”

  “How much olive oil?” She’d covered the veggies with a bit of salt and pepper.

  “A little less than you’d use for a salad.”

  She nodded and followed his instructions, adding a dab more. “I don’t know. You make it look easy.”

  “Thank you.” He grinned as he grabbed the tray filled with condiments and potato salad, chips and buns. “Bring the plate of burgers and veggies and let’s go grill.”

  Grilling was a lot easier than she’d thought. For one thing, Cam’s grill had better flame control. The burgers sizzled with brief flare-ups of fire, but nothing like the inferno of her parents’ grill. So, obviously the right utensils and equipment played a role.

  Cam arranged the burgers on one side and the basket of veggies on the other, then closed the lid.

  “So, that’s it?” Her father used to make a fuss about the importance of manning the grill, keeping close watch and constantly flipping the meat.

  “That’s it. We’ll check on it in a bit.” Cam poured a fizzy glass of pop. The ice cubes cracked as he handed it to her.

  “Thanks.” Rose took a sip. She glanced from the pretty table with an overhead umbrella shielding the mesh seats from the hot sun to the deep backyard that was outlined by a hedgerow of bushes. His back deck and yard looked bare, but she saw potential. “It’s peaceful out here.”

  Cam stood next to her. “Yeah, I think so.”

  “Room enough for a small garden.” Some yard decor even.

  “Hmm. Yeah, maybe. Or more roses.” He winked. He was always winking at her, teasing her, making her pulse skip.

  Cam didn’t look like a gardener, and reality had a way of slipping in. “You don’t use all this much, do you?”

  “Not really. I grill when I’m home, but it’s not like I entertain or anything.”

  “You need a dog,” Greg piped up.

  Cam laughed. “Right.”

  “Don’t you like dogs?” Rose would love to have a dog, but not now, not living in the apartment over the diner.

  Her parents had a small terrier mix that had followed Greg around like a puppy. Her son was the only one who’d throw a ball for more than a few minutes.

  “I love dogs, but I was never home enough before—” Cam didn’t finish the statement. “I’d better check the grill.”

  Rose closed her eyes and hoped.

  It didn’t take long for the burgers to cook. Cam only flipped them once, explaining that they stayed juicier that way. The charbroiled aroma made her stomach rumble as she watched and learned. The veggies looked as good as they smelled, with slight grill marks on them. With the basket, nothing was lost to the flames below. Cam dumped the contents into a bowl and handed it to Greg to place on the table.

  When they sat down to eat, Cam bowed his head. “Let’s pray.”

  He recited the same singsong prayer he had before. It was the same one his family had said in unison at yesterday’s cookout, too. Once finished, he passed the plate of cheeseburgers.

  Rose accepted it, taking one, but she was curious. When it came to his faith, how serious was he? “Do you always pray that specific prayer before meals?”

  “Grace? Yeah, why?”

  Rose shrugged. “Do you ever pray free-form? You know, like just talking to God?”

  “Sure, but those are quiet prayers.”

  Rose smiled at that answer. Cam had depth.

  “These are good. Mom, I can’t believe you helped make these.” Greg took another huge bite.

  “Thanks. Never too old to learn something new, I guess.” Rose took a bite of her cheeseburger, but her gaze connected with Cam’s. What were those quiet prayers of his? Could they include her and Greg?

  “Yeah, about that.” Cam nodded toward her son. “Greg’s got something to ask you.”

  Rose turned toward her son. “You do?”

  He shifted in his chair. “Ummm. Jeff MacMillan’s mom invited me to go camping with them this weekend. Can I go?”

  Rose leaned back in her chair. “Who is Jeff MacMillan?”

  Greg looked to Cam for help.

  “They are a family at church. I’ve met Jeff Senior. He seems like a good guy.”

  “Yeah, and Cam said he’d take you to the fireworks.”

  Rose glanced between th
e two of them. So, this is what Greg’s matchmaking the night before was all about. Her son knew how much she looked forward to watching the fireworks over the bay. Did he really think she’d refuse his camping trip because of those fireworks? She’d have gone by herself, no problem, but going with Cam would be special.

  They had it all worked out.

  “I’ll need to talk to Mrs. MacMillan.”

  “So, I can go?” Greg prodded.

  “As long as you give me her phone number. I want to meet her before you leave.” Rose wasn’t taking any chances.

  “Yessss!” Greg gave a pointed look at Cam.

  Cam nodded, perfectly at ease, as if this wasn’t a big deal. “I’ll call my cousin John and get the scoop. You and I could make a day of it. Catch the parade, church barbecue and then the fireworks.”

  Rose willed the butterflies in her stomach to stop fluttering and hoped she sounded casual. “I have two tickets. Your mom gave them to me.”

  “Then it’s a date.” Cam smiled.

  Her spine stiffened. She’d sworn off dating until Greg was much older. But with one glance at her son’s pleased face, Rose knew better than to refuse. Nor did she want to.

  Rose smiled back. “Yes. I suppose it is a date.”

  Chapter Ten

  The next day, the diner was busier than ever. Folks poured into town for the Fourth of July weekend even more so than he remembered. They poured into Dean’s Hometown Grille, too. The diner was set up to seat thirty-eight comfortably with room for forty, but his last count had been forty-five. Rose and Jess were maneuvering around extra chairs that had turned four-tops into six.

  His phone buzzed from inside his pocket for the second time in the space of half an hour. He let it go to voice mail. Flipping a large order for half a dozen burgers, Cam didn’t have time to check and see who had called. Not now anyway.

  He finished building today’s special—a turkey club paired with thick bacon and avocado along with a side of potato salad he’d made this morning after slipping that fresh turkey in the oven. He’d given the air-conditioning a workout. Cam rang the bell. “Order up.”

  Rose approached. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He gave her a warm smile and enjoyed the rosy glow that covered her cheeks. He liked making her blush and it was far too easy to do. He watched her walk away and listened to her laugh at something an old guy said as she delivered his order.