Nash had invited him for a day of boating, and his wife, Honey, had invited Marissa, a new server at their bar, the Coach House, to join them. Cam had stopped at the Coach House for a beer a few days earlier, and Marissa made no secret she was looking for more than just a boat ride. Cam had been looking forward to taking her back to his place to give her the kind of ride she was looking for. It had been a while.
He didn’t answer his mother’s question since he figured there was no point. Instead, Cam nodded to the little girl at his side. “Mom, this is Tawny.”
“Nice to meet you.” His mother bent low so her face was level with the little girl’s. “That is a pretty name.”
“It was my mommy’s favorite.”
“Well, your mommy has great taste.” Lisa Booker winked.
Tawny nodded. “She’s in heaven.”
The smile fled Lisa’s face, and she glanced up sharply at Cam. Before Cam could answer, Tawny pointed toward the table.
“Is that pie?”
Straightening, Lisa nodded. “It is. Fresh out of the oven. Would you like a piece?”
“What kind is it?
“Apple.”
“I like apples.”
Tawny tugged on Cam’s hand so that he had no choice but to follow her to the table. The only reason she gave up his hand was because his mother planted a big fat piece of steaming-hot pie in front of her. As she dug in, Cam took a step back, and his mother motioned him to the breakfast nook where they could talk. For a few moments, the two of them watched Tawny as she ate and chatted with Rufus, who’d already learned the best spot to grab crumbs was to stick close to the girl.
“What’s going on, Cam?” Lisa Booker looked at her son, a worried expression on her face.
Where did he start? She only knew snippets of his history with Iris, a few things he’d shared when he’d been arrested for selling drugs—drugs that had landed a young kid in the hospital. They weren’t his, but he’d been willing to take the fall if Iris got help because it meant Tawny would have a chance at a life with a clean mother.
In the end, the case against him had gone south, more to do with several key mistakes the police had made than anything else, and the noose around his neck had eased.
“Tawny is Iris’s daughter.”
He saw the surprise. The shock. “Oh.” And the confusion. “Why is she here with you?” His parents had never met Iris. But they knew the name considering she was the reason he’d almost gone to jail.
“Iris passed away. I don’t know the details exactly, but I’m going to assume it was the life that took her. She couldn’t get away from the drugs. Tawny was living with the grandmother, and she can’t look after her. She’s not in the greatest health. Iris wants Tawny to live with me.”
His mother inhaled sharply. “But that’s ridiculous. Where’s the father?” Her eyes narrowed. “Who is the father?”
“She’s not mine, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Cam sighed and ran his hand over the stubble on his chin. “The father has been MIA since before she was born. I don’t even know the guy’s name. What I do know is that he’s sells drugs, and he’s the reason Iris got hooked on that crap. He’s not the kind of man you’d want to leave a little girl with.”
“And you are?”
Cam frowned. What the hell? “What does that mean?”
“Cameron,” she said quietly, touching his arm. “I don’t mean that as an insult. You’re a thirty-year-old bachelor who, as far as I can tell, isn’t anywhere close to settling down. You just started your own business, and Lord knows that takes up a lot of your time. How is a child going to fit into that life?”
He was silent for a few seconds. His mother was right. He was pretty sure most folks would think the same. But that didn’t change the fact that a little girl needed help. He’d figure this out. “I don’t know.” Eventually.
“Is this even legal? You can’t just give a child to a complete stranger.”
“Iris and I were involved, you know that. I’m not a stranger.” He sighed. “As for the legalities, I don’t know. I’ve got a notarized letter from Iris and that’s it. I’ll have to talk to a lawyer tomorrow.” He paused because he was bringing up the reason for his visit. “I just need some help with her until I can get things straightened out.”
“Help?” Lisa cocked her head and gazed up at her son.
He nodded. “I was hoping you could watch her for me. I’m starting that big job on the lake tomorrow, and the last thing I need is a distraction. You wouldn’t believe how that Barnes woman—”
“A child isn’t a distraction, Cam.” His mother interrupted him, her disapproval at his choice of words coloring her own in a tone that was sharp.
Christ, he couldn’t win today.
“That’s not what I meant.”
She glanced over his shoulder and was silent for a few seconds, but Cam saw the indecision on her face. Slowly she shook her head, making his stomach tighten. “She’s a beautiful little girl, and maybe…”
“Maybe what?”
His mom turned back to him and placed her hand on his chest. She was acting weird, and that was freaking him out.
“Maybe Tawny is your completion.”
Okay. His mom sounded bonkers. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Today in church—”
At the mention of church, Cam rolled his eyes, though he was careful to keep the eye roll mental only, on account of the fact his mom had no problem giving him a piece of her mind if she thought he was being dismissive.
“Pastor Williams talked about completion. How we all need something in our lives to make us feel complete. Only then can you be truly happy.” She nodded over his shoulder. “You’ve been gliding through life on the strength of your looks and charm and a smile that makes my heart sing. I love you for all that you are. Your strengths and your faults. But you’ve been searching for something these past few years. Drifting, really. And the trouble you were in a year ago…”
“That’s over.” Cam frowned darkly. “I’m not drifting.” Insulted, he glared at his mother. “I have my own place now and my own business.”
“And I’m proud of you for growing those roots. But you need an anchor. Something to keep you grounded. Something more than just…”
“Just what?”
Lisa Booker seemed to consider her words carefully. “Cameron. Have you ever been in a real relationship before?”
“Relationship? What the hell does a kid have to do with a relationship?” He was not having this conversation with his mother. He’d tried the relationship thing once, and it had almost landed his ass in jail. He’d loved Iris…in his own way. It might not have been what his brother Nash shared with Honey, but then not everyone was the same. Not everyone felt the need to give away every part of their soul. Did that make him defective? Hell, he thought it made him smart.
“Can you watch Tawny tomorrow?” His question was terse and frustrated as he swung around.
“No.”
The one-word answer had him swinging back to his mother so damn quick, it took a few seconds for his eyes to focus. When they did, the expression on his mother’s face made him feel like an asshole. It was a mixture of disappointment and resignation and something he couldn’t quite pin down.
“Your father and I are leaving in the morning for vacation. If you paid attention to anything other than what’s going on in your life, you’d know that.”
Shit. Fuck. Damn. He vaguely remembered something about them driving out to California in the RV and doing a tour of wine country.
His mom stepped forward and reached for him, placing her hands on either side of his face. She smiled, a slow, tremulous lift to her mouth. “She’s precious, Cameron. Take care of her. I have faith in you.”
“But…”
“You’ll figure it out.” She stepped back. “Now, your father is running errands, and I have to finish packing. I’ll check in with you, I promise.”
He watched as his m
other said goodbye to Tawny and then disappeared from the kitchen.
“I’m full.” Tawny slid from her chair and came to him. “Can we go now?”
Cam’s head was all over the place. What the hell was he going to do with the kid tomorrow? Tawny tugged on his hand, and he looked down at her.
“Hey, you want to go for a boat ride?” He flashed that smile his mother had been talking about, but it did nothing for the little girl. She shook her head and grabbed his hand.
“I don’t like boats,” she whispered, those huge eyes of hers wide with alarm.
“Yeah? How come?” He was careful to keep his tone gentle.
“I don’t know. I just don’t.”
“Have you ever been on a boat?”
Again, she shook her head, and this time, it took a lot for Cam to keep the even-keel thing going.
“You sure you don’t want to try? We can bring Rufus and you can meet my brother Nash and his wife and their little baby boy, Gabriel.”
“I want to go back to your house.”
He noticed fatigue etched around her little mouth, and her eyes were glassy. She yawned, and something hit him in the gut. It hit him hard. And with it came a healthy dose of fear. He was all this little girl had, at least for now, and he needed to get this right. She’d been through too much already.
“Okay,” he said quietly. “Let’s go.”
Cam scooped her up into his arms and, with the dog trailing at his heels, made his way outside. A few minutes later, he was headed back to his place, a sleepy girl in tow and a head full of doubt. What the hell was he going to do with the kid tomorrow? His mother had told him he’d figure this out, but Cam wasn’t so sure he could. His jaw clenched tightly.
About the only thing he was sure of was that he had to try.
4
Blue didn’t sleep well. She tossed and turned and, by the time four a.m. rolled around, was frustrated and fed up. She hadn’t had a night like this in months, not since David passed, and after a mental battle with herself, gave up and took two sleeping pills. She hated medication, but hated lack of sleep even more.
As it was, when she finally woke up, she wasn’t shocked to find the sun streaming in from the balcony, warming her face. Blue rolled over with a groan, one eye open as she tried to focus on the blurry clock that read quarter to eleven.
Crap. She bolted upright and damn near fell on her ass as she scrambled from bed and jogged to the large garden doors that opened onto her balcony. Peering through them, she saw several men digging out the gardens, all dressed in shorts, tees, and work boots. A dog ran around them, playing with butterflies, and paused, ears perked forward as Cam Booker walked into her line of sight.
She shrank against the wall and then, feeling foolish, gave herself a mental smack as she leaned forward again. It wasn’t as if the guy had X-ray vision. He was shirtless, and his deeply bronzed skin glistened with sweat. His thick hair was covered by a ball cap, and khaki shorts hung loose on his hips, giving her a peek at the top of his boxers. Which were plaid. He smiled at something one of his workers said, and his white teeth and generous mouth did funny things to her. Cheeks pink, she swore and took a step back. What the hell was wrong with her? She was ogling the man as if he were a yummy piece of candy.
Blue made a face. She didn’t even like candy.
“Come on, Blue, get your head straight.” She would shower and then go apologize for her bitchy behaviour on Saturday. Once that was done, she’d leave Cam to the job and wouldn’t think about him again. He was just a man she’d hired and nothing more. She didn’t even know the guy. She didn’t want to know the guy. And after her behavior on the weekend, she was pretty sure he didn’t want to know her either. Seeing him with the little girl had intrigued her was all.
Bluebell Barnes wasn’t in the market for a relationship of any kind. Wait. She took another step back and shook her head vehemently. Relationship? Where the hell had that word come from? She didn’t do relationships. David was as close as she’d gotten, and even then she wasn’t sure she’d done it right.
“God, get in the shower already,” she mumbled to herself as she headed toward her large bathroom. “And stop talking to yourself.”
Twenty minutes later, she was on her way to the kitchen, Giselle meowing passionately as she ran past Blue. By the time Blue got there, her cat was waiting by empty bowls, tail swishing in annoyance and that look in her eye that said, I will pee on something if you don’t feed and water me.
She filled Giselle’s bowls, grabbed a yogurt from the fridge, and wandered over to the large bay window that overlooked the backyard. Yep. The crew was still there. So was the dog. And Cam. She swallowed a lump of yogurt and sighed. Why was she so focused on Cam Booker? But she knew, didn’t she? She’d seen the look in his eyes. Saw the reflection of what pretty much everyone in town thought of her. Bluebell Barnes was a rich, spoiled, bitchy gold-digger who’d married for money, and now that her husband was dead, she was spending it like water down the drain.
They didn’t know this renovation was something she’d discussed with David and that he’d taken great pleasure in helping her design the new gardens. Or that the only quiet moments she had were out there, away from judging eyes and the vehement dislike David’s son had for her. This meant something. It reminded her of David and all she’d lost, and damned if she was going to let anyone make her feel bad about any of the decisions she made.
But for some reason when it came to Cam, it mattered, and she hadn’t even known that until she’d shown up at his office. Something about the man sparked a flame inside her, and she’d done what she always did when cornered. Blue assumed the mantle that had been cast over her. She let it slide across her skin and sink into her pores. She’d played into every assumption he had. She knew the only reason he hadn’t told her to go to hell was because she’d booked this expensive job and he needed it.
God, what a mess. She had to make it right and then move on. She would leave the project in his capable hands, direct him to deal with her business manager, Jason, who she’d hired back after he promised not to make any decisions without consulting her first. That way, she wouldn’t have to speak to Cam again. She’d go on about her business and forget that Cameron Booker existed.
With renewed purpose, Blue finished her yogurt was about to head out back when the doorbell stopped her in her tracks. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and, puzzled, she reversed course and strode to the front of the house. A quick glance out one of the windows beside the door didn’t shed any light, and, with a shrug, she opened up.
The little girl from yesterday stood there. “I have to pee.” She was dressed in a pale pink top with grape-colored stains across the chest and a multicolor skirt that hung to her knees. Little princess sandals adorned her feet, and her hair sprang from her head, spiral curls bouncing in all directions as she tapped her toes impatiently.
“I have to pee,” the little girl said again and then pointed to the side of the house. “I don’t want to go in there.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “There’s spiders.”
Blue spied a bright green porta-potty and frowned, wondering why on earth Cameron Booker would bring the girl out to this job site.
“Can I?” The little girl squirmed in obvious discomfort. “Pretty please?”
Feeling foolish, Blue nodded and stepped back. “Of course. Come in. I’ll show you where the bathroom is.” She led the way to a small powder room off the main foyer and smiled to herself, listening as the girl sang softly to herself. When she was done, she stood in front of Blue and wiped her hands down her skirt as she looked around.
“Your house is big,” she said. “It’s like a castle.”
To a little girl, Blue supposed it did.
“Do you have apple juice?”
“Do I…” Blue stumbled over her words as those big exotic eyes settled on her.
“I’m thirsty.”
“I think I might have some orange juice.”
“I like
oranges.”
She was forward for such a little thing. “Okay. But first I need to know your name.”
“My name is Tawny.” She scratched her head, and her small brow furrowed. “What’s yours?”
“Blue.”
“Blue?” Tawny giggled. “That’s not a name, silly. That’s a color.”
Blue couldn’t help but smile because the little girl’s laughter sounded like heaven trickling down a stream.
“If I was a color, I’d be purple,” Tawny said, yanking on Blue’s hand. “Can I have the orange juice now?”
She got Tawny settled at the kitchen table and rummaged through her fridge for the container of orange juice, as well as some fruit. She cut up an apple, washed some strawberries, and peeled a banana. The little girl’s eyes widened when she saw the fruit and whispered, “Thank you,” and got down to business, happily working her way through the entire plate. Blue watched her from across the room, transfixed by the little fingers and ruby-red lips. Tawny ate with such joy, talking to each strawberry before she ate it and playing a game with her banana, that Blue couldn’t help but smile. Heck, she wouldn’t be human if she didn’t.
But the smile was bittersweet because it made her think of things long buried. Sudden, swift pain sliced through her, and she turned away, busying herself at the sink—which was clean. However, she scrubbed it like a demon and didn’t let up until the doorbell rang out again.
She wiped her hands just as her cell pinged and scooped it off the counter. Tawny was still chattering away to the strawberries, so she slipped away and headed for the front door, answering the call as she did so.
Edward’s voice filled her ear. It was curt, dismissive, and loud. “I thought we agreed not to go ahead with the landscape job.”
Blue made a face and swore under her breath. The last person she wanted to get into it with was David’s son. “I didn’t agree to anything, Edward, and I don’t recall asking for your advice.”
“I told you specifically not to do anything. You need to learn to listen.”
The Thing About Trouble Page 3