An Unexpected Family

by Jenna Mindel

  “He can go on mine. You both can.”

  “That’s generous of you.”

  “Not really, just cost-effective. I have an internet, phone and TV bundle. It’d probably be cheaper to add a couple extra lines on mine instead of opening a new account.”

  “Cam—” Her pretty brow furrowed.

  “Just give it some thought.” He set his plate down and picked up a book he knew all too well.

  He remembered trying to tackle The Swiss Family Robinson in school. Opening it to the first chapter, Cam stared at the words on the page. He tried to make the letters stop jumping around and finally gave up. He couldn’t remember anything he’d ever worked so hard to understand only to give up every time, defeated.

  He’d found the movie at the Maple Springs public library and that was the only way he’d passed his oral book report in sixth grade. Watching movies instead of reading books had been one of the many ways he’d skirted his issues.

  “We can start with that one.”

  His stomach turned. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

  Her hand touched his arm. “A couple years ago, Greg’s teacher noticed his struggle with reading and recommended that he be tested. Greg is dyslexic. A mild case.”

  He’d heard the word before, but didn’t know what it meant. Not really. “Dyslexic?”

  Rose set her plate down, too. “Dyslexia can be flipping certain letters around and trouble comprehending what’s read. In Greg’s case, he couldn’t keep letters in order. We enrolled in a special class that helped tremendously. There were adults in that class, too, Cam.”

  “We?”

  “I went so I could coach Greg at home. He reads, not as much as I’d like, but he does read much better now. I know because I make sure his teachers know about his challenges and I ask them to forward their reading schedules to me, so I can read the books, too, and quiz Greg. He retains more than he used to.”

  A seed of hope cracked open. “What kind of class?”

  Rose pulled a couple of large paperbacks from the bottom of the pile. They were more like workbooks and well-worn. “We learned that it’s important to control disorientation with words you can’t picture or visualize their meaning. Sounding out words doesn’t always work for dyslexics, because they see things differently.”

  He leaned closer as she opened the workbook, pulled out a couple note cards and explained an exercise he could try that limited how many words he saw at a time. She encouraged him to focus on reading the letters in sequence before saying the word.

  “Give it a try. Aloud, though. See if there’s any difference from before.”

  He glanced at her hopeful face. She didn’t for a minute look worried or put off by any of this. Taking the note cards in hand, he reopened The Swiss Family Robinson. Blocking most of the page helped the words stay put somewhat. Following the exercise she’d showed him, he could focus a bit better, but still stumbled as he read line by line.

  She leaned over his shoulder and followed along.

  In spite of her nearness and the softness of her voice encouraging him, he only made it through the first page. He leaned back, defeated. “It’s no use.”

  “There’s more.”

  Before he could ask what she meant, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled louder. The fan flickered off, back on, then off again.

  “There goes the power.” She got up and headed toward the window to look outside. “Now it’s really going to get hot in here.”

  “We can do this another time.” His skin itched with discomfort that had nothing to do with the stifling air. Watching the fan blades slow to a stop, he wanted to bail on her right then. He felt like an idiot.

  “Oh, no. Like I said, there’s more.” Her eyes shone as she headed for her son’s room. “I’ll be right back.”

  Cam forced himself to remain seated on that couch. She looked too eager for him to bail on her now. What was she up to?

  Chapter Eleven

  Rose tamped down her excitement. Cam had to be dyslexic, much more so than Greg. It explained a lot—his creativity with food, his acumen with numbers and the reason for hiding behind his charm.

  When she came out of Greg’s room with a couple of cans of Play-Doh, he looked wary. “What’s that for?”

  She bit her lip, hoping he wouldn’t refuse. “This is something we did in class. Since the power’s out, we don’t need that much light anyway. I want you to make the letters of the alphabet with this dough.”

  He snickered. “What?”

  “Humor me.” She wasn’t backing down now. Not when she knew, not when she could prove to him that he could improve with the right tools. It wouldn’t all happen tonight, but if she could simply open the door for him to consider getting help, then he was well on his way to success.

  Cam shrugged. “I guess I’m in your hands, might as well go with it.”

  Then he opened a can and got busy making letters. A. B. C.

  “Line them up on the coffee table, while I get rid of our plates. We’ll do punctuation marks, too.” She brushed against his arm when she grabbed his plate. The power might be out, but electricity ran through her veins at that simple touch.

  He looked up, his eyes smoldering. He’d felt it, too.

  Lightning flashed again followed by a crash of thunder that rattled the windowpanes. A strong gust of wind blew in through those opened windows, making the blades of the fan spin in the opposite direction. Papers fluttered to the floor from the computer desk behind her and then the roar of rain came, but neither of them flinched.

  Rose breathed deep but it did little to calm her racing pulse. Now was not the time for romance, not when these exercises were so important. Not when Cam’s welfare was more important than whatever sizzled between them. She wanted him to want to improve, get more help. She wasn’t going to jeopardize that by falling into his arms.

  “Make both uppercase and lowercase letters. I’ll be right back.”

  Cam nodded and continued.

  She dumped the plates in the sink and then lit a couple of candles. They needed more light. Rose refilled Cam’s glass with iced tea before sitting back down beside him on the couch.

  “This is probably slamming in way too much at once, but look over those letters and punctuation. Close your eyes and picture them.”

  He did everything she asked without mocking her, or flirting. He actually took this seriously and that made Rose want to whoop and holler, but she stayed quiet, watching him.

  “Now we’ll try the index card exercise again.” Rose held her hands in her lap and waited, praying she was right.

  He repeated the same page a little faster than before. As if finally finding light at the end of a dark tunnel, Cam looked at her. “I want to know more about these classes you took.”

  Rose wanted to cry seeing the excitement and hope shining in his eyes. “I’ll find out if there are any up here. How did your teachers miss this? I mean, how’d you make it through high school without anyone testing you?”

  That light in his eyes dimmed. “I was good at hiding my limitations. I’d watch the movie instead of reading the book, and I cut other corners, too.” He leaned back and blew out his breath. “Friends did my homework and took tests for me.”

  Her breath caught. “You cheated.”

  His golden skin paled. “Pretty much, yeah. A bad habit I’d picked up early.”

  “What about your parents?”

  Cam shrugged. “They didn’t know the extent of it, only that I wasn’t good in school. I had been labeled lazy and was told that I didn’t apply myself. That was better than being called dumb, so I got by. Math kept me afloat and I managed to graduate with just barely a passing grade point average.”

  He’d hidden so much from everyone. “Well, that’s done and over. This program will make a huge difference, you’ll see.”


  He stared at her. “My reading doesn’t bother you, or the cheating?”

  “Of course it bothers me! You were young and facing all that alone when you didn’t have to. Even though the signs were all there, no one figured out why you read so poorly. Contrary to what you might think, you’re a smart man—creative and intuitive. Without your help, I would not have had near this much success with the diner.”

  He looked as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. One he’d carried far too long. He tapped the paperbacks. “Can I borrow these workbooks?”

  She nodded. “Take what you want.”

  His gaze dropped to her lips.

  Rose swallowed hard. She’d uttered dangerous words.

  “Thank you.” His voice was whisper soft.

  She needed to get them back on task and fast. “The class is not easy, but you’ll be amazed at the improvement.”

  “I’m already amazed.”

  They’d crossed a line and stepped into frighteningly honest territory. She wanted to take another step further and opened her mouth to ask if he’d consider staying on at the diner when the ringtone on her cell shattered the moment.

  Glancing at her phone, Beth MacMillan’s name and number flashed across her screen. “I’m sorry. It’s Greg.”

  He smiled as she answered.

  Rose breathed easier when her son said he was calling to make sure she was okay because of the storm. “I’m fine. It’s just rain here now.”

  Another cell phone buzzed. Cam’s.

  She watched him read the screen while Greg filled her in, something about fishing and then eating what he and Jeff had caught. Greg was glad the MacMillans had a camper, because the storm sweeping through the Straits had been rough but pretty cool according to her son.

  Cam gathered up the large workbooks along with The Swiss Family Robinson and stood. “I better go.”

  That was definitely wise, even if disappointing. “Hang on while I tell Cam good-night,” she told Greg.

  “Can I talk to him?” There was no mistaking the excitement in Greg’s voice.

  “Sure.” Rose held out the phone. “Greg wants to tell you something.”

  Cam took the phone and after a few seconds, laughed. “That’s a good-size panfish you got there. Good job.”

  Rose smiled. Of course they’d talk fishing. Cam looked so proud of Greg, listening intently to whatever it was that her son told him.

  Her vision grew hazy and her stomach suddenly went queasy as it hit her that she loved Cam. In two weeks, she’d fallen hard.

  “Got to go, bud. I’ll hand you back to your mom.” Cam then said softly, “See you in the morning.”

  Rose nodded and watched him leave, her heart a tangled mass. Now what? How could she protect her heart when she’d just given it away like a foolish girl? She could admit her feelings and desire for the future, but that didn’t mean Cam would want to share those things with her. She wanted permanence and he’d only promised temporary.

  * * *

  Rose hummed under her breath and closed the cash register. Customer traffic had trickled off to nothing by closing time so they hadn’t needed to stay late. She glanced at Cam with his messy blond hair from wearing a bandanna and her heart skipped a beat.

  He caught her gawking and grinned, but his expression softened as he approached. “I think we’re all set.”

  “Yes.”

  “Want to go fishing with me?”

  Last night’s storm had cut the heat and humidity, making today perfectly warm and sunny. A perfect day for anything out of doors, but Rose had some inside plans for the afternoon. “You go ahead. I’ve got some shopping to do.”

  “For what?”

  “You’ll see tomorrow.” It had been a long time since Rose had splurged on herself. Considering the stellar few weeks of receipts at the diner, she could afford to purchase a few things for their date. Now that she knew her heart, she’d give it all she could in giving Cam a reason to stay.

  He stepped closer. “I like the sound of that. Pick you up for church in the morning?”

  “Can we go to mine? Service doesn’t start until ten.”

  “Sure.”

  Rose wanted them to attend church together. Not only tomorrow, but many more Sundays. With Greg home next weekend, maybe he’d go again before leaving for the next tournament. A family image of the three of them in church stirred sweet like a dream come true.

  Cam had once thought fishing the only thing he could do well. That was before the light at the end of his dark reading tunnel had shone. If Cam pursued those classes, his world could grow beyond fishing. Would he see the opportunity he’d have here in Maple Springs? If Cam accepted her offer to run the diner together. It was what she wanted, it’s what she’d ask on their date. No more waiting.

  His phone buzzed, so he retrieved it from his pocket. “It’s my mom. I’ve got to take this. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Okay.”

  He squeezed her shoulder and left, phone to his ear.

  Rose stripped off her apron and looked down at the T-shirt and jeans she wore. They’d stayed relatively clean and that was saying something considering that she’d served a lot of barbecue brisket specials that included a round cup of drawn butter for Cam’s salt potatoes. She had her own plate tucked away in the fridge for later.

  Right now, she had to get moving. She didn’t want to be late for her first hair appointment since moving here. She needed a trim and maybe a highlight, something to brighten up her dull look. She wanted a new dress, too. Something casual yet pretty enough to make Cam want to stick around. She’d do whatever she could to make sure what had started with Cam not only grew but lasted. Forever.

  Grabbing her purse, she headed out the front door of the diner, locking it behind her. When she turned, she spotted Cam’s sister heading her way.

  Rose waved and waited.

  Monica waved back. “Hey, Rose, what are you up to?”

  “I’ve got a hair appointment, then shopping.”

  “For your date with Cam?” She grinned, looking a lot like her brother.

  “How’d you know?”

  Monica rubbed her hands together with glee. “Cam told Mom and she told me. Can I tag along and help?”

  No doubt, Rose looked like she needed help. She’d never be labeled as fashionable these days, not when she wore clothes until they wore out. Style didn’t matter anymore. Considering her daily uniform of T-shirts and jeans or shorts, comfort and function had become her priority.

  Rose glanced at Cam’s sister. She dressed impeccably and her sun-streaked long blond hair and manicured nails were perfectly coifed. It was no wonder Monica offered her assistance. It wouldn’t hurt to have some female advice she could obviously trust.

  Rose looked into kind blue eyes and gave in. “Sure. Why not?”

  “Great. Which salon?”

  “The one around the corner.” Rose hurried her steps to keep up with the long-legged Monica.

  “That’s where I go. They’re actually a client of mine and they do good work.”

  When they walked inside, three women warmly greeted them. Before Rose could say a word, Monica took charge by introducing her, then ushering her to a seat with one of the three beauticians.

  Rose reached out and shook the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  The woman grimaced when she scanned Rose’s work-roughened hand. “We’re running a special on manicures today.”

  Rose shook her head, but Monica butted in. “She’ll take it. Throw in the manicure on me.”

  Rose pulled her hand away. “I don’t need one.”

  “Oh, yeah, you do.” Monica and the beautician chorused in unison.

  The three of them laughed, but Rose stalled. She wasn’t sure how to take Cam’s sister, who was bossy, pushy even
, but also kind.

  Monica rolled her eyes. “I know, I’m sorry to prod, but Mom is hoping, we both are, that well, you and Cam... What I’m trying to say is that you’re good for him and I hope you two get together.”

  They hadn’t been on their first official date yet, but it was nice to know Cam’s family was in her corner. Very nice, indeed. “So, you want to be my fairy godmother before the ball?”

  Monica nodded. “Yes. That’s exactly it, if you’ll let me.”

  Warmth washed through Rose. Monica might have some hard edges but she was soft underneath. “Let’s hope your influence helps, because it’s what I want, too.”

  “Good.” Monica narrowed her gaze. “Now, what were you going to do with the color of your hair?”

  Rose shrugged. “Highlight. Or maybe blond?”

  “Honey, with your sweet skin tone, you could easily carry off platinum.” The beautician handed her a picture of gorgeous white-gold hair.

  A zip of daring surged through Rose as she looked in the mirror at her cap of mousy brown. She’d never liked the naturally dull color but had worn it for years now, hoping to go unnoticed. Hoping to keep her heart safe. Yet here she was, putting her heart out there one more time. They said that three times was the charm and it couldn’t hurt to look her best.

  Glancing at Monica, who nodded with approval, Rose squared her shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

  * * *

  All the way to church, Cam kept glancing at Rose. He’d thought her pretty the moment he first saw her, but this stylish woman sitting in the passenger seat made him nervous. Real nervous. Her transformation reinforced how little he had to offer her.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, I’m just looking at you and your hair.” Her newly bleached blond hair made her lightly tanned skin glow. A good amount of that skin showed in a sleeveless dress that didn’t quite skim her knees. He thought he’d seen that same outfit hanging in the window of one of the shops on Main.

  “You don’t like it...”

  He took in the sweep of really blond bangs. “Oh, I like it. I like it a lot.”

  She smiled, then gasped when his tires hit the raised rumble strip in the center of the road. “Hey, keep your eyes on the road.”