by Jenna Mindel
Rose had surprised him by calling just a little while ago. She’d asked if he’d meet her at the beach today if he wasn’t busy. He’d asked why the waterfront instead of the diner, but Rose hadn’t answered. That didn’t bode well and he hoped to God the Deans hadn’t ripped that place away from her.
He spotted her on the beach and his stomach tightened. She looked prettier than ever holding her sandals in one hand and swishing her feet in the water.
Her worried gaze slammed into his.
He waved.
She waved back with the slightest of smiles.
When he finally reached her, Cam buried his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. “Hey.”
Rose smoothed her super-blond hair. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” He had so much to tell her, but that would have to keep until he knew why she’d wanted to meet. “How about you? How’s the diner?”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. Sheila’s doing a good job.”
“Better than me?” He couldn’t help it and had to tease.
Rose gave him a real smile then. “No, not better than you.”
“Good.” He breathed easier. “The Deans still bothering you?”
“Haven’t heard a word since...” She looked down at her feet.
Since that day.
“We’re all managing just fine.”
Without him.
“Good.” Never one with words, he was at a loss what to say next. He’d missed her, but didn’t think she’d welcome hearing about it. Rose seemed distant, wary.
“Maybe we can sit?” She gestured toward a bench not far from the water.
“Sure.” He sat down after she did, keeping a polite distance between them. He looked out over Maple Bay where a gray sky met calm gray waters. There wasn’t a breeze, which was too bad; a slight chop would make it perfect for fishing.
The wooden bench creaked when Rose turned toward him. “Cam, I wanted to apologize for the way I reacted after seeing that article.”
He blinked and his pulse kicked up a beat or two. This was a nice way to start. “I wish it would have come from me instead of you finding out the way you did. For that, I’m truly sorry. It’s not something I’m proud of. Not at all.”
“I know.” She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. “I asked Greg not to call you again, until after I spoke with you and made sure you didn’t mind. I didn’t want to do that over the phone and since Monica told me that you’d come home last night, I called.”
“I had to get my gear. I’m heading for Virginia next week.”
“That’s right. Greg’s looking forward to following your progress.”
His hopes that maybe they could regroup and move forward sunk. “So, this is about Greg?”
She looked up, alarmed. “He wants to talk to you, see you before you go, but I don’t want him hurt, not if you’re busy and would rather not be bothered.”
“Is that why you chose to meet here, so I wouldn’t run into your son at the diner? Did you think I’d taken an interest in Greg only to get to you?”
“I—” Her eyes widened at his sharp tone and her mouth fell open. “Well, yeah, maybe. It’s happened before.”
She’d lumped him in with those other men in her life and he couldn’t say he blamed her. He hadn’t been truthful with her when he’d had the opportunity. Something he’d always regret.
They fell silent and he glanced at her luscious mouth, remembering the feel of her lips against his as if he’d just tasted them.
He couldn’t stand this. “Rose, I love Greg. He’s a good kid and I’d like to help where I can. And I love you.”
She closed her eyes. “Please don’t.”
“I know you’re scared. I am, too.”
Her eyes looked bright and shiny when she opened them. “You’re right, I am scared. I’m scared of making the same mistakes I made with Greg’s father. My son looks up to you, Cam, he needs you, but I won’t ruin that for him by throwing caution to the wind when it comes to my needs.”
“I’m not Kurt.”
“I know that but—”
He brushed back her bangs with his fingers until she looked at him. “Rose, I’m not Kurt.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “It’s hard to let all that go.”
He imagined it must be and words were inadequate, but he’d try. “Now, more than ever, I need to honor God with my fishing. He gave me a second chance and I have to take it.”
“I understand. Really, I do.” Rose still looked hurt, though. And skeptical.
“You don’t trust me to do it right, do you?” He wished she’d never seen that article.
“Cam—” She blew out her breath, but didn’t continue.
He couldn’t blame her for doubting him. What proof did she have that he’d changed? Nothing yet. He had to prove he was worthy not only of her trust, but everyone else’s, too. Things were different now. They had to be.
Seeing her, though, made him want to take the easy route and rush things along. He wanted her to be his without the prep work that lay before him. Always looking for shortcuts, Cam might battle the tendency to cut corners for the rest of his life. A future with Rose was bigger than any tournament he’d ever fish and he’d do his part to get there the right way.
Starting now. Instead of arguing his case, he simply took her hand and listened. “Go on.”
She gave his hand a squeeze before pulling away. “I forgive you, really, I do, and I know all that is in the past, but I still need to guard my future. It’s not like we won’t ever talk again, I just—I’d like you to be there for Greg, if you’re willing.”
That spoke volumes. She trusted him with her son. “I am willing. I’d be glad to talk to Greg anytime he needs it. I’m here for a couple days, maybe I can take him fishing.”
Rose nodded. “He’d love that.”
“What about you, Rose? What would you love?”
She looked him square in the eye. “You already know the answer to that.”
He did know, and boy was he grateful it was still true. He had a chance. They had a chance. One day, there’d be no stopping him from earning the prize of Rose’s heart.
* * *
The passing of Labor Day announced the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. It also brought new challenges for Rose. Sheila, her cook, gave her notice to leave for culinary classes by the end of September. Rose had placed an ad, but it really didn’t matter who she hired. No one could replace Cam with his wild-colored bandannas and ardent smiles. He’d been the pulse of this diner, making everything beat with vibrant warmth.
He’d been the pulse in her, too, bringing her back to life. She missed him more than ever and looked forward to seeing him again when he came home from a tournament in Tennessee. Picking up where they’d left off was another matter, though. She was still afraid of the long distances that came with loving Cam. The what-might-happens still had a hold on her.
Even with Greg back at school, he and his friend Jeff still fished the waterfront nearly every day. Rain or shine, they were out there casting from the public docks. Greg used the fishing tackle that Cam had given him, as well as some new lures Cam had sent for Greg’s birthday. He hadn’t forgotten the date, which was more than could be said for Kurt.
A couple of times, Greg brought home fish he’d caught and couldn’t wait to tell Cam. Jeff’s dad had cleaned them, but Greg cooked them. He’d learned how to fry fish from his camping trip but learned how to broil it from Cam’s instructions over the phone.
The two spoke a couple times a week. Listening to them compare fishing notes, Rose felt adrift navigating these waters alone. She spoke to Cam, as well, but she purposefully kept it short and friendly. She hadn’t for a moment forgotten the words he’d told her when they sat on that bench over a month ago.
Cam had said that he loved her and she longed to believe him, yet once he qualified for next year’s professional series, he’d be home even less. She’d seen the fishing schedules online and Southern tournaments started in January.
Greg followed Cam’s progress online, too. He’d placed well in the earlier two of three regional open tournaments. Her son had explained that Cam needed the cumulative points from all three regional opens to place him in the top five in order for him to even qualify for next year’s pro series. That one more tournament to finish had started two days ago.
Part of her wanted him to lose, even though it wasn’t right to wish defeat on anyone. She wished Cam wanted what she wanted, but she didn’t want it by some default of circumstance. Cam needed a win.
Her waitress waved as she left. “Bye, Rose. Have a good weekend.”
“You, too, Jess.” Rose locked up the diner and peered out the large window overlooking Main.
It had been a cold and dreary Saturday. A good day for a nap, which she planned to take now that she’d closed up shop. Through rivulets of rain running down the glass, she noticed the maple trees across the street had started to turn. Patches of gold and peachy-orange leaves fluttered at the top. It wouldn’t be long before the whole tree blazed with fall color.
Time to head upstairs with the leftover tomato basil soup from today’s special, which had been paired with grilled cheese. It was good, but Cam would have made something with more pizzazz. He’d promised to teach her how to cook, but that had been cut short. Her decision, not his.
The thought of spending an evening with him, cuddled up in front of the fireplace at his house, sliced sharp with longing. She’d been smart to stall things between them. If she missed him this badly, it would have been worse had they been truly serious.
She let her forehead rest against the cold glass of her front door and sighed. Who was she trying to kid? In spite of everything, she still loved him. Her feelings for Cam had neither changed nor lessened. Maybe she hadn’t been so smart after all.
She grabbed the leftover pot of soup and headed upstairs, where Greg watched a baseball game on TV.
“What’s that?”
“Tomato soup. Want some? I can make grilled cheese to go with it.” She could handle a basic grilled cheese sandwich.
“Sure.”
Rose went about fixing lunch for herself and Greg. When they were both seated with food in front of them and prayers said, Rose tipped her head. “No fishing this afternoon?”
“Nope. I don’t want to miss Cam’s final weigh-in. It’ll be live online in a couple hours.”
“Ah.”
Greg had watched the last two days’ worth of results on the computer. Cam had done well, but had stayed just north of the middle of the pack. Seeing him smile, seeing him bleached and browned from the sun, even online, made her heart ache.
When they were finished eating, Rose put the soup in the fridge. “I’m going to lie on your bed and read.”
“Okay, sure, Mom.”
She tucked herself under the covers and cracked open a book she’d been reading. She hadn’t made it further than a few pages when her eyelids grew heavy.
“Mom! Mom, come here!”
Rose awoke with a start. She blinked and heard her son’s call again.
“Mom, you’ve got to see this.” He stood in the bedroom’s entrance now, his face flushed with excitement. “Come on, hurry.”
Rose sat up and yawned. Still daylight outside, but only barely. “What is it?”
Greg grinned. “Come and see.”
She followed her son into the living room.
He pulled out the chair at the computer desk for her and hit the play button on-screen. “Watch this.”
Rose watched a video clip of an interview with Cam. He hadn’t won, but came in a close second. When asked about his comeback from disqualification, Cam glowed as he gave all the credit to God, who had not only redeemed his soul, but had given him a chance to redeem his career and end it on a high note. An honest one, he said.
Rose felt her stomach flip. End?
Cam proceeded to tell the announcer that he was stepping down from professional fishing.
“What are you going to do?” the man asked.
Cam looked right into the camera. “That all depends on one very special lady.”
Rose gasped and covered her mouth. Cam had quit his fishing career for her? To be with her and Greg? He didn’t look sorry about it, either. Cam looked happy.
“Maybe now you’ll believe that he really loves you, Mom.”
Greg seemed far too grown-up for a boy who’d recently turned twelve.
Rose looked at her son and smiled. This time she didn’t wipe away the tears streaming down her face. Speechless, all she could do was laugh.
Greg did, too, until her cell phone rang and her son handed it to her.
It couldn’t be Cam. Scanning the screen, Rose saw that it was his mother. Helen called to see if Rose had seen Cam online. More tears of joy and when Rose finally disconnected, she looked at Greg.
“You going to call him?”
Rose nodded. “A little later, though, don’t you think? I mean, what if he’s still at the weigh-in?”
“So?”
“So...” Rose bit her lip.
“Call him, Mom.” Then her son left for his room, giving her privacy.
Rose glanced at the computer screen. Greg had hit Pause after Cam’s interview was over, but the image of him with his arms raised in triumph remained. She ran her finger over the screen and whispered, “I promise you won’t regret this.”
Rose tapped Cam’s name in her contacts and waited. Her heart hammered in her chest. She’d leave a message if she had to.
“Hey.” His voice sounded soft amid the rowdy sounds surrounding him.
“I saw it, Cam. I saw you just now. Greg and I watched your interview. I—” Emotion stuck in her throat, cutting off her words.
“I’m coming home, Rose. For good.” More noise.
She needed to let him go so he could celebrate his last tournament. “I’ll be waiting. And Cam?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.” She could hear him breathe in and could easily imagine a smile spreading across his handsome face. That was enough for now. “See you soon.”
“Tomorrow, Rose. I’ll be home tomorrow.” He disconnected.
She closed her eyes and whispered her thanks to God. Then she replayed Cam’s interview again to make sure she hadn’t been dreaming.
* * *
Cam entered the diner through the back door. He still had his key. After arriving home in the early-morning hours, Cam had grabbed a few hours of sleep while Rose was at church. He’d showered before calling her moments ago to say he was on his way. At the foot of the stairs, he heard the door open above, and Rose stepped out.
He set down the gift bags he’d brought and smiled. “Hey.”
She raced down the steps and launched herself into his arms. “I missed you so much. It never got better, the missing you.”
“I know.” He held her close and breathed in her scent. Sweet and flowery and still dangerous.
She pulled back, looking amazed. “I thought you’d planned to fish next year if you qualified.”
He was pretty amazed, too. “That was the plan.”
“Then what—”
Cam ran his lips lightly over hers. “I just didn’t want to do it anymore.” Never before had he been this certain of a decision. He looked up the stairs and spotted Greg waiting above.
He waved the kid down. “Come here, buddy.”
“That was awesome, online.” Greg tromped down the stairs.
Rose shifted to pull away, but Cam didn’t let her go. He made room for Greg and embraced them both. “It’s good to be home.”
“We’re going out to celebrate. The three of us.” Cam grabbed the gift bags and followed Rose up the steps to her apartment.
Greg zeroed in on those bags. “Are those for us?”
“Greg!” Rose scolded.
Cam chuckled and handed the boy the larger of the two. “This one’s for you.”
“Iced tea?” Rose started for the kitchenette.
Cam stopped her by circling his arm around her waist. “I’m fine. Stay here, okay? I have something to give you, too.”
“Wow, Cam. Thanks.” Greg pulled out a black parka with a matching pair of bib overalls and waterproof gloves.
Rose shook her head. That gear must have cost a mint.
“For ice fishing,” Cam said.
Rose smiled. “I figured as much.”
“Is that one for Mom?” Greg pointed to the small bag.
Cam handed it over. “It is.”
Rose looked inside and pulled out a book. The Swiss Family Robinson copy she’d lent him.
“I read it, Rose. Start to finish. And two more books, as well.”
Her eyes filled with tears but he could read the pride there. Pride in him. “When?”
“I found one of those classes you and Greg took, so I enrolled. It was one of the toughest weeks of my life, but worth it. I’m going to do a follow-up downstate. Look inside the cover.”
One tear escaped. Running down her cheek, it fell on the fifteen-thousand-dollar check he’d signed over to her and placed inside. She sucked in a breath and then stared at him. Hard. “Your prize money?”
He grinned. “If your offer still stands, that’s my first installment toward buying into the diner. It can go toward legal fees if the Deans go through with their threat to contest. Either way, I want to help you fight them. I want to be your partner, Rose.”
“Of course the offer still stands.” She jumped up, grabbed a folder from the desk behind them and handed it to him. “But there’s no need to fight. Look at this.”
Aloud, he read the letter from her attorney, Linda’s lawyer, announcing that the estate had been closed. He glanced at her, proud that he’d read it without once stumbling.
