Coming Home

by Judith Keim

  ###

  The next summer days filled with cobalt-blue skies made Cami feel as if she was floating in a sea of happiness. Gone were the days of longing for someone she couldn’t have. Drew was present in her thoughts and in her life, even as the inn remained busy.

  Cami was working on inventory figures when Becca burst into her office. “Quick! Turn on the television!”

  Surprised by Becca’s wide-eyed look of excitement, Cami lifted the control off her desk and clicked it. “What’s going on?”

  “You’ll see.” Becca gave her a look of concern.

  The picture popped into view. A news broadcast announcer stood in front of a large photograph of Edward Kingsley. “Several women who claim he assaulted them have banded together to hire one of the top lawyers in the country, who handles cases involving sexual assault.”

  The screen showed five women of varying ages. None, Cami noted, was auburn-haired like her mother, but all were women with light eyes and blond hair.

  “Congressman Kingsley’s office has announced that he adamantly denies such actions and will fight to protect his good name.”

  A picture of Edward, his wife, and Lulu was displayed on the screen, showing a perfect, happy family.

  “Many years ago, the congressman and his wife suffered a heart-breaking loss when their ten-year-old son drowned. JoAnn Kingsley has been pretty much of a recluse since then except for her volunteer work to help organizations in their fights against cancer. All attempts to get any response from her regarding these allegations have been futile. But others are only too willing to come forward with new information about the congressman’s behavior.”

  A video clip of the congressman leaving his Washington, D.C. condo appeared next. “No comment,” was all he said as reporters clamored to get to him, shouting questions at him one after the other.

  “I’m sure this is just the beginning of a long, troubled road for Congressman Kingsley,” said the male announcer with enough regret in his voice to make Cami angry.

  She slammed her fist down on her desk. “The bastard! Do you think that’s what happened to my mother, and she was too ashamed to admit it?” Becca now knew the story about her father.

  “I don’t know,” said Becca. “But he’s got to be scared for the future. Lulu told you he wanted to run for president one day.”

  “That’s not happening now,” said Cami. “At least I hope not.”

  Throughout the day, the local TV stations pre-empted some of the regular programming to cover this salacious news. Cami was sickened each time she saw Edward Kingsley’s face on the screen.

  At the end of the work day, Cami left the inn and went to find Rafe.

  He was returning to the cabin from his vineyard when she met up with him.

  She got out of the car and ran over to him, feeling like a child again, needing her grandfather’s protective arms around her.

  “You heard the news?” Rafe said, patting her on the back.

  She pulled away and looked up at him. “Do you think he raped my mother like those other women?”

  “Come on inside,” he said. “We’ll talk there.”

  He led her inside to the kitchen. “I’ll pour us each a glass of wine. Something I’ve wanted you to try. Then I’ll tell you what I think.”

  It seemed to take forever for Rafe to wash his hands, get out a bowl of crackers, open a bottle of wine, and pour it into two glasses.

  He handed her a glass of wine and the crackers. Groaning softly, he took a seat opposite her.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  He nodded. “These old bones get sore from time to time.”

  “I’ve thought about my mother ever since I heard about Edward Kingsley’s trouble with women. Do you think she was one of his victims? That I was the result of something like that? The thought makes me sick to my stomach.”

  Rafe lifted a hand to stop her. “Hold on! Don’t jump to conclusions about any of it. Even though some signs are pointing to his possibly being your father, I don’t believe your mother was assaulted by him. I think she wouldn’t tell us who your father was to protect him, like she said. And she clearly loved you, Cami.”

  “But she was young ... maybe she didn’t want anyone to know she’d been taken advantage of ....” Cami’s voice trailed off. Even she knew that didn’t sound like the woman they both had known.

  “I didn’t tell you before, but I sent Edward Kingsley a message on his blog. I haven’t heard a word from him and probably won’t now. I was only asking him for information about his experiences in Africa. I used my mother’s name. If he’s my father, he’ll put it together. Otherwise, it’ll probably get ignored. Especially now, with all that’s going on with him.”

  Rafe sighed. “I know how much you want answers. If you’re meant to know, it’ll happen. And if it doesn’t, you still have more knowledge than your grandmother had about her family.”

  “That’s why everyone loved her so much. She made them feel like family.”

  His eyes grew shiny. “Lettie Chandler was a very special person. You’re a lot like her, Cami. Be happy for that.”

  “I know I have a lot to be thankful for.”

  A smile spread across his face, erasing the sadness that had filled it an instant earlier. “I understand you and Drew are what was called ‘an item’ in my time. I’m happy for you both. In fact, it’s something I’d been hoping for—a union between two of my favorite young people. Drew’s a fine man.”

  “Good enough for me?” She arched an eyebrow at him. He’d always teased about chasing off any young man who came courting her.

  He laughed. “I trust the two of you to treat each other right.”

  Cami excused herself and came back to the table holding two framed photographs. She set them down on the table and stood by Rafe’s chair to study them.

  She picked up the first one—a picture of her mother smiling at the camera, holding Cami.

  “She was so pretty,” Cami said sadly. With a finger she traced her mother’s auburn hair, dark eyes, and the cleft chin that came from Rafe.

  “A very beautiful young woman,” he agreed. “And very determined to do good work in Africa. She never wanted an active role in running Chandler Hill, in part, I think, because while growing up, she resented the time Lettie took with it.” He smiled at her. “But Lettie and I knew you’d be up to the job.”

  “I still have so much to learn. And even though I adore Drew, I’m not going to let him beat me in any wine contests. Adam Kurey and I are going to work together on some new varietals.”

  He laughed. “That’s my girl.”

  Cami studied the other photograph. In it, Lettie was smiling up at Rafe as they stood together near the cluster of trees in the family grove. The look of love between them lent a special glow to the picture that was unmistakable. Cami hoped that she and Drew would have an enduring love together like her grandparents. Right now, everything between them was new and tender and exciting. She smiled as she thought of Drew taking her to Nick’s for dinner. But the best part would be later, at her house.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Cami took a last look at herself in her mirror. Her strawberry blond curls were in disarray, but that’s how Drew said he liked them. Her face, browned by the sun, wore a happy expression that had been missing after her breakup with Bernard and the death of her beloved grandmother. Life wasn’t really about plans, she thought. It was about opportunities for growth when those plans went awry. And sometimes, like now, life seemed good.

  When she heard someone at the door, Cami hurried to meet him.

  When Drew saw her in her new, floral-print blouse and white jeans, he let out a low whistle. “Wow! You look great!”

  A warm feeling lifted the corners of her lips. She’d ordered the multi-colored top online, and it fit her perfectly. And if the neckline was cut a little lower than she normally wore, that was fine. Drew made her feel sexy.

  He’d made a special effort to look n
ice too. His butterscotch-brown hair, still wet from his shower, was slicked away from his face, showcasing his classic features and strong jaw. He wore what looked like a new golf shirt in a dark shade of green that brought out the tawny color of his eyes. Clean blue jeans fit his well-shaped body—a body that was perfect for her.

  They drove into town. At this time of year and even on a midweek night, there was a lot of activity. Drew found a parking spot a couple blocks away, and they walked to Nick’s restaurant hand in hand. Cami was aware that once people saw Drew and her together, the news would be all over the valley, but she didn’t care. She trusted Drew not to do anything to hurt her.

  Rafe’s youngest sister, Rose, was the hostess. She greeted them with a broad grin. “Good evening. I’ve saved a special table for you in the back corner where you’ll have all the privacy you want. Rafe told me Drew made reservations here.”

  Cami and Drew glanced at each other, pleased.

  Rose leaned toward them and in a soft voice said, “He’s very fond of the two of you,”

  and then she led them to the back of the restaurant.

  They scanned the menus she handed them and, familiar with the restaurant, quickly ordered.

  As they sipped wine while they waited for their entrees, conversation between them was easy. The table Rose had chosen for them turned out to be perfect. They had a view of the other tables in the restaurant but were not easily visible to other patrons.

  As Cami finished her game hen, Bernard and Vanessa came into the restaurant. Cami tensed. She had no desire to talk to them. At the art show, she knew Bernard had approached many of the artists about doing a bigger, better show at Rod Mitchell’s place next year. It was surprising to her to see how blatantly aggressive he’d become about taking business away from her. Vanessa was no better. Cami had lost a bid for a wedding to her just last week. It was frustrating, but Cami couldn’t jeopardize future weddings and her business by cutting costs to a break-even level.

  When Bernard spotted them, instead of sitting where Rose indicated, he remained standing. Pointing in their direction, he said loudly, “I want a table over there, next to them.”

  “I’m sorry–” Rose began and then stopped when Bernard marched right past her to the table next to Drew and Cami. Vanessa followed behind him, giving her a little wave.

  Bernard took a seat at the table and gestured to Vanessa to take a seat.

  Rose hurried over to them.

  “We’ll sit here,” Bernard announced.

  Rose gave Cami an apologetic look and handed menus to them.

  Bernard smiled at them. “I thought it would be nice to sit together. It gives me an opportunity to talk to you about a plan I have to do some joint advertising with the two of you.”

  Cami, who’d just taken a sip of water, choked.

  Drew frowned at Bernard. “What do you mean by joint advertising? Why would we want to do something like that?”

  “Actually, it was my idea,” corrected Vanessa. “With the three wineries so close together, I thought we could advertise them as a group of places to go for excellent wines, weddings, and special events.”

  “I’m not interested,” Cami said firmly. Who knew what kind of games Vanessa and Bernard would play? She didn’t trust either one of these people. Perhaps Lone Creek Winery wasn’t doing as well as everyone thought.

  “I’m not interested either. The reputation for Taunton Estates wines is stellar,” said Drew. “Frankly, we don’t need to team up with anyone else.”

  The look Bernard shot him wasn’t pleasant. He turned to her, giving her a smile that she now detested. “Cami, surely you see how beneficial working together would be.”

  “For you, maybe,” she replied. “But as Drew says, Chandler Hill can stand on its own reputation.”

  “Are you upset because we’re taking away some of your business?” Vanessa shook her head. “I’m surprised you don’t see the benefit to everyone involved in the venture. It’s a mistake not to work with us. You’ll regret it.”

  “Yes. You’ll be sorry,” said Bernard in an ominous tone that sent a shiver through Cami. She wasn’t sure what was going on at Lone Creek Winery, but she’d ask Becca to follow up.

  As Bernard and Vanessa placed their orders, Drew said quietly, “Let’s get out of here. Shall we go to your place?”

  Her appetite gone, she nodded.

  After taking orders from Bernard and Vanessa, Rose turned to them. “What else can we get you?”

  “The check, please,” Drew said.

  “I’m sorry your private dinner has been interrupted,” Rose said softly. “Rafe has already taken care of the bill. You’re free to go.”

  “How nice. Thanks, Rose.” Cami picked up her purse.

  Drew held the chair for her, and they walked out of the restaurant together.

  On the sidewalk, Drew turned to her. “Joint advertising? What was that all about? Do they think we’re crazy? Lone Creek Winery has a terrible reputation.”

  “Rod is trying to build his business before he turns around and sells it. I don’t think he’s doing well, even though Vanessa has stolen a few weddings from me. One bad wedding will hurt the others, and I don’t see how she can do what she promises at the prices she’s offering.”

  “I’ll talk to Rafe about it, but I know he’ll agree with us.” Drew put his arm around her. “I hope the evening hasn’t been ruined.”

  She smiled up at him. “It’s just about to begin.”

  ###

  Cami decided to look at the figures and results of the advertising campaign for Chandler Hill. Vanessa had suggested new social media ads, and some of them had turned out to be very rewarding. With the website updated and valuable relationships at both local newspapers and travel magazines, the numbers were looking more than satisfactory.

  Sitting back in her chair, gazing out at a sparrow taking a dip in the fountain in the garden, Cami wondered what her grandmother would think of the many updates she’d made to the business and the inn itself. It was so easy to get the word out to everyone today. That’s why she knew she was right not to share advertising with Lone Creek Winery. One misstep in social media meant a huge effort to change opinions again. That cost money, and she didn’t have any extra. Activity had increased, as had the need for additional staff.

  When the phone rang, she picked it up and said in her professional, cheery voice, “Cami Chandler! May I help you?”

  “I think you can,” said a deep, male voice. “I’m Paul Gardener. I work for Congressman Kingsley as his assistant. You sent him a message recently regarding his time in Africa. May I ask why?”

  Cami’s heartbeat galloped. She gripped the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. “My mother did a lot of work there, and I believe she knew him. I’m trying to put together some family history about her and thought that perhaps he could help.”

  After a long pause, the man said, “Are you aware of all the recent publicity regarding the congressman? The allegations and the women coming forward with untrue claims?”

  Cami forced her voice to be strong. “Yes, I am aware of that, sir. But it has nothing to do with me. I’m not interested in anything like that.”

  “I see. I’ll report back to the congressman, and we’ll get back to you with a response. Thank you.” He clicked off the call before she could ask any questions.

  Hope, like a burning blaze, spread through her. Maybe she’d get some answers after all. She decided not to mention the call to anyone else, especially Rafe and Drew. They wouldn’t want to see her hurt.

  Hugging the secret of the phone call to herself, Cami went about her business for the next several days. The wedding of one of Justine’s bridesmaids was about to take place, and she wanted everything to be perfect. From a modest family, Samantha Eldridge had approached Cami hesitantly about having her wedding at Chandler Hill. She explained how small her budget was and asked Cami if she could work within those limits . Cami’s heart went out to her.

>   They planned a small, mid-week wedding for twelve people. Samantha’s parents were divorced and had been for a long time. Sam’s uncle on her mother’s side was stepping in for her father. The rest of the wedding party would consist of Justine and George, one other bridesmaid from Justine’s wedding and her boyfriend, her fiancé, Curt Thompson’s, parents, and his two younger brothers.

  When the front desk clerk alerted Cami that Samantha’s mother and uncle had arrived, Cami hurried out of her office to greet them. At a distance, she could tell from their dazzled expressions they were impressed with their surroundings and made a silent vow to make this a memorable experience for them.

  “Hello, welcome to the Chandler Hill Inn,” Cami said, brightly.

  “Such a beautiful place,” commented Samantha’s mother, Irene, a small, attractive woman with short brown hair. “I’m so happy that Samantha could have the small, intimate wedding she’s always wanted. She told me I have you to thank for it.”

  “It’s my pleasure to welcome you to what I’m sure will be a lovely event. Samantha was very clear on what she wanted.”

  “A headstrong girl. Always has been,” said her uncle. He held out his hand. “Patrick O’Hare. Pleased to meet you.”

  His blue eyes rested on her as they shook hands. Dark hair was swept away from a face that was pleasant though not handsome.

  “I understand that you will act as father of the bride.”

  Patrick’s lips thinned. “Yes, the sonofabitch doesn’t even have the decency to attend his own daughter’s wedding.”

  “It’s for the best,” Irene interceded, placing a hand on his arm. “He would’ve ruined it for everyone.”

  “Got a drinking problem and a loud mouth,” explained Patrick.

  Laurel approached them. After Cami introduced her to Samantha’s mother and uncle, she said, “You’ll be in capable hands with Laurel. She’s here to see that your every wish is met.”

  “Ah, a fairy godmother,” said Patrick, giving Laurel a wink that made her laugh.

  Satisfied that things were off to a good start, Cami said, “I’ll see you later. Enjoy the afternoon.”