by Judith Keim
Drew looked at her and grinned. “So far, day number one of living together has been great.”
“So far?”
“We still have a few more hours to go.” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
Cami laughed and welcomed him into her arms.
Later, after a hastily put together dinner, they worked to settle Drew’s things in the closet, a couple of designated drawers in her bureau, and in the bathroom.
“Looks like everything fits,” said Drew. He placed his sneakers on the floor of the closet and gazed at the shelves filled with her shoes. “You think you have enough shoes?”
She bit her cheek. She studied the footwear, lined up in varying colors and shapes. “I need them all. Each pair is meant to go with a specific outfit either for work or for casual times.”
He shook his head. “Women and shoes. I don’t get it.”
Cami lifted her hand. “Hold on. You brought a tool box here, along with your tool belt?”
“Yeah, well you never know when I might need them,” Drew protested.
She arched her eyebrow at him. “Case closed.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
###
Living together was a great idea, Cami thought, watching Drew and Sophie play fetch on the front lawn. It had taken her a few days to get used to the way the bathroom looked after Drew took a shower, or how his clothes never quite made it to the hamper. In return, though, Drew helped her with the cleanup after dinner and was becoming very proud of his grilling capabilities. And, of course, Sophie loved him and the extra attention he gave her.
Things at the inn were good too. Laurel was handling weddings nicely, Imani had become an indispensable part of the team, and Becca was her right-hand person whom she could trust with almost anything. For the first time in several months, Cami felt herself relax in her role. And when a postcard arrived from Rafe telling them he was having a wonderful time, Cami decided it was time for a little vacation herself.
Sitting on the deck with Drew one night watching the sun set, Cami turned to him.
“Let’s go to the coast for a couple of days. The wedding party at the hotel will be gone by noon on Monday. We could leave that afternoon and come back Wednesday morning. What do you say?”
“I like the idea, but only if I can get Rafe’s nephew to be on site.”
“He lives right there,” Cami said, confused.
“I mean handling the tasting room as well as overseeing the office.” Drew gave her a thoughtful look. “I’m wondering if Taunton Estates Winery shouldn’t expand the tasting room by offering more than snacks. Maybe a regular lunch, someday.”
“It’s something to think about. But can it wait until Wednesday afternoon?”
He chuckled. “I’ll let you know. In the meantime, we can have our own stay-cation here. Come here, Cami.” He set down his glass of wine and patted his legs.
Smiling, she hurried over to him and settled in his lap. She loved the way he held her, giving her a sense of protection at the same time his kisses made it clear how much he’d like to see her undressed.
Cami sighed and got to her feet. “If you want dinner, I’d better get to work. You’re grilling salmon tonight, OK?”
“That’ll be fine. I’ll use a little flavored olive oil and seasoning rub and then I’ll serve it with a lemon wedge.”
“Sounds delicious. I’ll take care of the salad and garlic bread.” As Cami walked away, Sophie made a dash for Drew. Cami knew without turning around that he’d picked her up. They were so adorable together.
The anticipation of a mini vacation with Drew kept Cami busy as she went through the weekly financials. Though she checked numbers daily, she liked to track weekly figures for future planning. August was a busy month, but the best wedding months were February, June, and September.
When the intercom buzzed, she paused. “Yes? What is it?”
“Are you free? I need to show you something,” said Becca.
Cami knew from the sound of Becca’s voice that the news wasn’t good. “Okay. I’m here.”
A few moments later, Becca marched into Cami’s office and slapped down a magazine on top of Cami’s desk. “Better read this.”
Cami opened the local travel magazine to a page marked A Dream Wedding and stared at a picture of Bernard, Vanessa, and a young woman Cami recognized as one of Justine’s bridesmaids. Her stomach tightened.
Nan Richards was a pretty girl whom Cami remembered as being competitive with the others in Justine’s wedding party. She’d overheard Nan make a few statements about who had the best tan, the nicest dress for the wedding, and other petty details Cami had thought silly at the time.
She read the article with growing dismay. Nan was quoted as saying the wedding planning at the Lone Creek Winery was the easiest and classiest in the valley. She went on to say she’d been in a wedding party at another known wedding venue in the area and compared to it, Lone Creek Winery offered the best advice and the most for the money. She explained both Vanessa and Bernard had helped her plan and execute a wedding with an elegant European flair. Descriptions of wedding details were offered, and then the article ended with this quote from Vanessa: “A dream wedding is what every woman wants. Here at Lone Creek Winery we strive more than others to give our bride and groom everything they need to make their day special.”
Nan was then quoted as saying: “Older properties tend to do the same thing over and over. Try something new, something better, and make your wedding dreams come true.” It showed Nan in a beautiful, white dress with a lace veil and kissing a nice-looking man.
Studying the photograph, Cami shuddered. It was a picture of a perfect bride and groom set against a background of flowers on an oversized trellis that looked exactly like the one Cami had had constructed at Chandler Hill.
“Well, what do you think?” said Becca, pacing the room. “What an ungrateful, backstabbing bitch! I got Vanessa the job, and she’s turned on us.”
“I think we need to call the editor of the magazine and arrange for her to come see us. It’s time we got a little more publicity anyway. And with the governor’s daughter booked for a late September wedding, we have plenty of ammunition with which to fire back. After you make that call, why don’t you phone Justine? I’d like to hear what she knows about the wedding that took place at the same time as Samantha’s wedding here. I bet there’s a lot more to the story than this.”
A slow grin spread across Becca’s face. “Sounds like a plan. I like it.”
After Becca left, Cami leaned back against her chair and let out a long sigh. All the training and insight Vanessa had been given at Chandler Hill was now being used against them. And Bernard? He’d do anything to get back at her for refusing to become involved with him. He was that kind of guy. She wondered how she could have been so stupid not to have seen that earlier.
Fighting frustration, Cami turned back to her computer. Imitation might be a form of flattery, but she hated it had come to this.
###
Monday morning was bright and clear with a promise of more days like it to come. As Cami bid goodbye to the parents of the bride, she held back the urge to do a little dance. As soon as she could get packed, she and Drew would leave for the coast. Becca and Dan had agreed to stay at the house to take care of Sophie.
The rugged Oregon coast along the western edge of the state had three regions: north; central; and south. Cami had opted for the city of Cannon Beach in the north with its long, sandy beach, shops, and restaurants. But, really, she didn’t care where they stayed. Any place with Drew would be special. Away from the pressures of their work, they’d have a better opportunity to get to know each other in a different setting.
They left McMinnville and headed for the coast. Taking the coastal route would be a little slower, but it would give them the chance to see the Central Coast too. Maybe they’d even buy some Tillamook cheese to take with them. In the Cannon Beach hotel she’d booked, they’d be able to g
aze at Haystack Rock. If they were lucky, they’d see the tufted puffins nested on the rock. Spring was the best time to see them because, during mating, their gray bodies brightened with color. But now, in late August, the puffin chicks would be ready to fly to open sea with their parents. She’d brought along her binoculars hoping to see them.
Cami smiled at the memory of Nonnee’s delight at the birds on a trip they’d once taken to the coast. Never one to miss teaching Cami a life lesson, she’d pointed out how fast and furiously the stocky birds had flapped their wings to keep themselves aloft. “Just when life seems to be dragging you down, darling girl, you need to flap your wings as hard as they’re doing. Don’t ever give up. Hear?”
Recalling that moment, Cami filled with determination. No matter how much competition the inn faced, she’d work to succeed. And it if meant flapping her “wings” like a puffin, by damn she’d do it.
“A penny for your thoughts,” said Drew turning to her for a moment.
Cami smiled at him. “If I said I was thinking about puffins, what would you say?”
He laughed and reached over and squeezed her hand. “By the look on your face, I’d say you’re thinking about a whole lot more than birds. Want to talk about it?”
Cami shook her head. “It can wait.” She had no intention of ruining this special break with Drew with talk of troubles.
They stopped at a little seafood restaurant and brewhouse north of Tillamook. The red-painted door on the rustic building sided with weathered, gray clapboards beckoned them inside.
“Is the bar okay? The tables look pretty full,” said Drew, standing inside the doorway.
At her nod, he led them to the bar.
The bartender greeted them and handed them menus. “Hi, folks. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the local pale ale,” said Drew. “How about you, Cami?”
“The same.” She studied the menu. “Mmmm ... I’m going to have a bowl of clam chowder. I’m saving crab for tonight.”
“Guess I’ll have a cup of that and a fish sandwich,” said Drew. “Love all this seafood right off the boats.”
Sitting at the bar with him, Cami saw Drew as a stranger might. With caramel-colored hair and light-brown, alert eyes, he reminded her of a lion. She smiled at the thought. In many ways, he was her protective lion. Strong and kind, he boosted her self-confidence when she sometimes felt overwhelmed.
Their food came quickly and efficiently.
As Cami savored the creamy chowder, she drifted into and out of the conversations going on around them. It felt marvelous to just float along in a state of contentment, knowing these people were not about to make demands on her. They were not her guests, and she was not responsible for their happiness.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The hotel wasn’t fancy, but that suited Cami just fine. She wanted simple. After they unpacked and settled in, Drew said, “C’mon! Let’s take a walk on the beach.”
Cami grabbed a light sweater and headed outside with Drew. Puffy clouds, like dollops of whipped cream on a sea of blue-gray, drifted across the sky, playing a game of hide and seek with the sun. Though the weather was pleasant along the shore, the temperatures were moderate—in the low seventies—and an onshore breeze made it seem cooler when the sun was hidden by the clouds.
Cami breathed in the salty air and let out a happy sigh. The smooth sand beneath her bare feet was warm from the sun. Seagulls swirled in the air, their gray and white bodies circling above them as they called to one another with raucous cries. Cami recognized a couple of black oystercatchers walking along the shore in search of unsuspecting candidates for their meals. She’d always admired their solid black bodies, bright red beaks, and pink legs. Most of all, she was fascinated by their eyes, which had a bright yellow iris and red eye-ring.
They were only one of a number of shore bird species in the area searching tidal pools and the edges of the water for mollusks and other tidbits.
Drew took her hand.
She smiled at him, and they headed south to get a closer look at Haystack Rock. Its craggy surface rose from the water, a huge reminder of the volcanic lava that had formed it and the more than two thousand other stacks along the coast. She knew that because it had been a science quiz question in the fourth grade.
Because of the low tide, Cami and Drew were able to walk to the base of Haystack Rock. Above them seagulls squawked, and puffins flew in and out of the grassy coverings hiding their chicks. Suddenly a large number of seabirds took flight from the rock, circling nervously as a bald eagle glided above the surface of it, looking for an easy meal.
“Wow,” Drew murmured softly. “Nature is putting on a show for us.”
They stood silently, watching the eagle until it flew away in search of another meal. With its departure, birds flew onto the rock once more and resumed their noise as if this threat had never occurred.
Cami followed Drew back to the sand, and they headed in the opposite direction toward a bar Drew had read about. The sun was lowering in the sky, and though it wouldn’t set for another two hours, the clouds at the horizon had captured some early pink coloring.
At the Whale’s Tale bar, they found seats on the outside deck and sat among the group of tourists exclaiming over the nice weather and the beauty around them. Cami liked being reminded of such things. Living at Chandler Hill where every scene seemed worthy of a postcard picture, she realized she’d forgotten how to relax enough to simply enjoy her surroundings.
“Nice spot,” said Drew.
“It’s gorgeous,” agreed Cami. She lifted her glass of pinot noir in a salute to him. “Hopefully, the weather will hold.”
His brow furrowed. “We’ve had so little rain, I’m beginning to worry about the grapes.”
“I think we’re going to have an early harvest.”
“Looks that way. I didn’t say much to Rafe about it because I didn’t want him to have an excuse to cancel his trip.”
Cami lifted her glass. “Here’s to him and a fantastic harvest!”
Grinning, Drew clinked his wine glass to hers. “Yes!”
Sitting comfortably, finishing the last of their selection of appetizers, Drew said, “I’m ready to go back to our room. Are you?”
“Yes. I’m beginning to be so relaxed I don’t want to do anything else.”
“Anything?” Drew teased.
She laughed. “We’ll see.”
###
Later, in their hotel room, Cami stretched like a well-fed feline. She’d found she had a lot more energy than she’d thought. She turned to Drew lying beside her. “I love you, Drew.”
He brought her closer to him. “Love you, too.”
Cami knew from his experience with Vanessa, he wouldn’t say anything about marriage, but still she wanted to know where she stood with him. “Do you think ... Where are we going with this?”
He rolled over on his side and cupped her face in his hands. “I love you, Camilla Chandler. I really do. But I’m in no position to ask you to marry me. Not yet. I’m working on a couple of plans, and then I’ll be ready, if you are.”
“What plans? You’ll still work for Rafe, won’t you? He needs you. I need you.”
“I’d like property of my own,” Drew said. “Rafe and I have talked about my buying a section of land but I want more than that. I intend to talk to him about it after he returns from vacation.”
Cami desperately wanted to be able to tell him about Rafe’s plans, but she couldn’t. She’d promised to keep it a secret.
Drew broke into her silence. “Hey, sweetheart, trust me. I’m not about to break your heart. You’re too precious to me.”
“I know,” Cami said, wishing she felt more secure about their relationship. Bernard had dumped her in a hurry, and though Drew was a much different man, he could change his mind about her too.
###
The next morning Cami was deep asleep when she was aroused by something tickling her cheek. She brushed it away. “No, S
ophie. Not now.”
She felt a tug on her earlobe. “Better wake up, Sleepyhead. It’s another beautiful day.”
Cami groaned, rolled over and faced Drew. He grinned at her. Wearing a white tee-shirt and cut-off jeans, and with his hair still wet from a shower, he looked ... well ... delicious.
Her smile grew wider when she realized he was holding a cup of coffee out to her. She sat up. “You sure know how to wake someone up.”
He laughed. “You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to disturb you. But it’s nice outside and this is our only full day here at the beach.”
She took a sip of the steaming hot liquid he’d offered her and let out a sigh of satisfaction. Sunlight streamed through the blinds on the sliding-glass door in tempting, lemony stripes that promised more of the same. Her thoughts turned to the inn. Normally, the first thing she’d do after getting up was to check for messages and take a quick look at the numbers. She pushed those thoughts aside and patted the bed beside her. The first thing she was going to do today was give Drew a morning kiss he’d remember. She set down her coffee cup and nestled in the arms he held out to her. At home, they’d each be doing a different task, but this was vacation, and she wanted to enjoy it.
###
After a lazy breakfast, Cami and Drew took a long walk on the beach. Sun glistened off the waves rolling into shore, shore birds scurried along the hard-packed sand at the water’s edge, and in the distance Haystack Rock was a majestic presence.
Cami had been to the beach plenty of times, but it had never seemed as magical as it did right then. They ambled across the sand. She knew from her old science class that the tidal pools here were special because of the gifts from the sea they held. In addition to the red, green, and brown algae, the pools were home to limpets, sea urchins, and other species.
Standing beside Drew, Cami studied one of the tiny pools. “Look! A sea star! My favorite! And it’s a sign of good luck!”
“Cool,” said Drew, squatting for a better view.
“Because Coos Bay and Sunset State Park are among the best places to find things like this, it’s special to find such a treasure here.”
