When Cam was fourteen, he pulled off an incredible feat.
Only the week before, he and his brother Nash been in the kind of trouble that would sideline any kid’s life at least for a month. Maybe two. Without permission, they’d taken their mother’s shiny new red Mustang to the comic book store because Cam wanted the new Batman. It was a limited-edition release, and he’d been dying to get his hands on it since the day before, when his pal Dustin Chardis shoved it in his face. Cam managed to acquire the last one in the store while his brother sat in the parking lot, in the Mustang, which managed to acquire a nasty dent on the side panel when a bunch of teenagers rolled up in an old Ford pickup and slammed their door into the car.
Cam and Nash’s punishment had been swift and well deserved. A) Nash only had his beginner’s permit and shouldn’t have taken the car out on his own. And B) Cam was already grounded for riding his dirt bike without a helmet. No sports. No TV. No social life whatsoever. And they’d had to pay for the damages with their own money.
The look of disappointment in his mother’s eyes was worse than the punishment, and Cam was determined to do something special for her. Something to make his mother realize how sorry he was and to erase the look that made him feel like crap.
On that particular Sunday, which happened to be Mother’s Day, he got up hours before anyone else and prepared the most delicious breakfast for his mother, full of her favorite things. Eggs Benedict, roasted potatoes, biscuits and gravy. Everything was from scratch (he’d been practicing after school at his grandmother’s), with a lot of effort to make it perfect. He had flowers at the ready, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and banana cake from the local bakery for dessert. Heck, he would have baked those as well, but he knew the time crunch was too great.
At exactly eight o’clock, he gathered up a large tray and marched into his parents’ bedroom. His dad took one look at Cam and gave him the room, while his mother squealed in delight. Her smile was everything he’d hoped for. He wasn’t off the hook by any means, but his mother hugged him tightly and kissed him on the forehead, her fingers lingering on his cheeks for a few moments.
“Thank you,” she’d said quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“Happy Mother’s Day.”
His mother nodded slowly, a small smile touching the corner of her mouth. “You’re still grounded at least for another month.”
That was the first time Cam understood the power of food and the reward of doing something for someone else. It also kick-started his interest in the kitchen, and he was damn good at it. Which was something he’d forgotten until Tawny showed up. It wasn’t as much fun creating a great meal for just one person. With Tawny, he had an excuse to up his game.
Tonight, Mrs. Eddy was joining them, and now, Blue.
He’d sent her out back with Tawny and Rufus about two minutes after she’d walked into his home, along with a tall, cold glass of water--she’d been horrified when he asked if she wanted a glass of wine. He chuckled at the thought.
He pulled out a small platter of brie from the oven and had just finished drizzling balsamic overtop of it when Mrs. Eddy ambled into his kitchen. His neighbor wore another tent dress, this time in an eye-popping shade of green. Her silver hair was up in a bun, and bright pink gloss shone on her lips. Heavy jewelry adorned her neck and ears, and several bangles clinked at her wrists.
“That’s a nice green dress you got there, Mrs. Eddy.”
She set down a fresh-baked apple pie. “It’s chartreuse.”
“That’s a nice chartreuse dress you got there, Mrs. Eddy.”
“Cameron, you are insufferable.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
She looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Brie?”
“Sure is.”
“I enjoy it with roasted red pepper jelly.”
“This here is a bit different.” He winked. “I think you’ll like it.” He’d added caramelized onion and peppers.
“Whose fancy car is in your driveway?”
He was wondering how long it would take her to start in about his guest.
“Just a lady who helped Tawny and me out at the mall.”
“Just a lady.” Mrs. Eddy moved until she was beside him and could see into the backyard. “She’s a pretty lady.”
“Is she?” Cam didn’t look up.
“Nice figure. Good posture.”
“If you’re into that sort of thing.”
“All men are into that sort of thing.” Mrs. Eddy moved closer still. “She must have money.”
“Lots of it.”
He felt Mrs. Eddy’s eyes on him. “She’s not local.”
“Nope.”
“Name?”
He was saved by the bell, so to speak, when his cell phone rang. A quick glance told him it was his mother—her smiling face was unmistakable—but his hands were greasy and slimy from the toppings he’d put on the brie, and he asked Mrs. Eddy to answer for him.
Which the lady did with great gusto and importance. As she chatted with his mother, no doubt filling her in on all his business, Cam slipped downstairs to the bottom fridge and grabbed the steaks he’d marinated. When he returned to the kitchen, he sent Mrs. Eddy outside with the brie and pita squares, put his cell on speaker mode, and said hello to his mother.
“You’ve got Mrs. Eddy for dinner,” his mother said before he got a chance to say anything.
“That would be correct.”
“I’m surprised.”
“Yeah?” Cam rooted around for his barbecue utensils. “Why’s that?”
“Cameron, she’s a little old for you, don’t you think?”
Cam smiled at that. “I don’t know. She makes a mean apple pie.”
His mother laughed, and Cam’s smile widened. “And how is little Tawny?”
Cam glanced out the window. Tawny was running after Rufus, the dress she’d wanted so badly billowing around her thin legs. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile as big as the sun, and when she fell down beside the dog and hugged him, something twisted up inside Cam. He had to take a moment to answer his mother.
“She’s doing real good. Settled in.”
“Have you heard from your lawyer yet?”
He shook his head. “We managed to get a temporary guardianship in place, but there’s still a lot to figure out. She’s on vacation right now but will look after things when she gets back.”
“And who is the woman you have over for dinner?”
“Woman?” His gaze moved to Blue. She was near the large oak tree and bent low to listen to whatever the little chatterbox was sending her way. Her dress clung to her body like skin, pressed tight because of the wind. And her hair was loose, flying this way and that, obscuring a face he knew was about as close to sex-kitten territory as was possible. She was so much more than that. His chest tightened at the thought, and he gave himself a mental shakedown.
This was dinner. That’s all. Nothing more. Nothing less. He was just thanking her for helping him and Tawny out.
Okay, big guy. If you say so. His sister-in-law’s voice rang through his head, and he frowned.
“Cam? You there?”
“Yeah.” He grabbed the platter of steaks once more. “I gotta get the meat on the barbecue, Ma.”
“Who’s the woman?”
He winced and looked up at the ceiling. His mother was stubborn as hell and wouldn’t give up. He could lie, but what was the point? A) He was a shitty liar and B) This was Crystal Lake. Half the town probably knew who was at his house for dinner, and she’d find out sooner rather than later.
“Bluebell Barnes.”
“The widow Barnes? The woman who hired you for that big job?”
“That would be the only widow Barnes in Crystal Lake, Mom.”
There was a pregnant pause, and then he heard his mother clear her throat. “She’s your boss, Cameron.”
Great. The full Christian name was never a good thing. “Yes, she is. I’m doing her landscaping and her decking.”
“I hope that’s all your doing.”
“Christ, Mom. Really?”
“I’m just saying I haven’t heard good things about her is all. Macy Darlington told me she’s on a committee with her and that the woman doesn’t talk to anyone. She’s thinks she’s better than them.”
“Maybe that’s because Macy Darlington is a snob and the rest of the women give her attitude. This is a small town, Mom. It’s pretty cliquey.”
His mother ignored him.
“You do know David was old enough to be her father and then some. That she was a showgirl in Vegas, or a stripper even. And that Edward—”
Okay. Cam was shutting this down. “I’m not doing this with you, Mom. You don’t know anything about Blue. And as for Edward, that guy is a grade A douchebag.”
“That may be, but getting involved with her will be messy.”
“I’m not involved.” He clenched his teeth, and a muscle worked its way along his jaw.
“She’s at your house for dinner. I’d call that involved.”
“Not in the way you think.” He sighed. “Look. I know you mean well, but, Mom, I’m a big boy, and I can look after myself. Blue helped me out with Tawny, and I invited her for dinner as a thank-you. There’s nothing more to this. Honestly, Bluebell Barnes is the last woman in Crystal Lake I’d get involved with. Too much trouble. You don’t have to worry.”
Liar.
The word slipped through his brain as he ended the call and tossed his cellphone on the counter. He scowled, grabbed the steaks, and turned around.
Blue stood there with an empty glass in her hand. For a few seconds, the two of them stared at each other in silence. Gradually, Cam became aware that his heart was beating hard against his chest and a guilty flush crept up his skin. Had she heard his conversation?
“Hey,” she said softly. “I just wanted a refill and to see if you need any help.” She headed for his fridge and grabbed the Brita before pouring herself another tall glass. Blue nodded toward the tray of steaks and the pan of potatoes ready to roast. “You’ve got hidden talents, Booker. Who knew?”
“Everyone’s got stuff to hide.”
“That’s the trouble, though, isn’t it? Some things should stay hidden.” She paused. “The brie is lovely, but you better come and get some before it hardens.”
With that, she headed out once more, and Cam exhaled and followed in her footsteps. He tried not to notice the gentle sway of her hips as she walked. Or the way her hair rippled down her back and danced in the breeze. Her skin was like alabaster, smooth and white and soft. She was like a Nordic goddess.
Nordic goddess?
Cam made a face and opened the barbecue. Now he was spouting shit that belonged in one of those damned romance novels Mrs. Eddy had stashed all over her house.
He had no interest in Blue other than what a normal, healthy, red-blooded American male would have. A physical reaction to a beautiful woman. That was it, nothing more. Besides, his mother was right about one thing. The Barnes family was a complicated mess, and Blue was at the center of a storm, something Cam had already witnessed. He thought about Edward and his threats. About his filthy mouth. Things would get ugly.
He turned and watched Blue. She was a tough woman. He sensed that. She could look after herself. At least he hoped so.
In the end, Cam pushed all thoughts of Blue and her family and that sexy-as-hell mouth aside. He grilled their steaks to perfection, as well as the vegetables and potatoes. Blue volunteered to toss the salad, and the four of them sat down to eat.
This time when he asked Blue if she wanted a glass of wine, she said yes. He obliged and sat back as the power of food and the connection it created took hold. Mrs. Eddy and Blue got on well. The conversation was lively and animated, and little Tawny ate it up. In that moment, he realized how lonely his life had become, which was weird because up until now, he’d been perfectly happy with just him and Rufus and the occasional overnight visitor of the female kind.
He hadn’t been this relaxed or entertained anyone other than the guys in a good long while—and they were happy with cold pizza and beer. Blue had a sense of humor and a sharp mind, and he enjoyed the meal more than he thought he would. He enjoyed her more than he thought he would.
Maybe, he thought, just a little too much.