Cam’s high heels clicked on the tile floor as she walked over to where her friend stood by the long, stainless-steel work area. “Hi, Amanda.”
“Cam.” The chef turned and smiled. Then she spotted the elder Hallidays and moved to give each of them a hug. “I didn’t know you guys were coming.”
“That’s because we didn’t tell anyone. If you really want to know how a place is running, drop in. Advance warning gives people a chance to sweep everything they don’t want you to see under the rug.” Dean gave her a fond look. “How are you, Amanda?”
“Doing all right here in Mayberry.” It’s what she’d called the place when Cam first approached her with the deal to parlay six months into a career- and reputation-building job in the city of her choice. “Blackwater Lake is kind of growing on me.”
Cam knew what she meant. The people were salt of the earth and the scenery had sort of gotten into her soul. “Tales of her culinary expertise are really bringing customers into the lodge.”
“How many people could there possibly be?” Margaret asked. “This is the wilderness. Awfully far from the airport, as I was telling Camille. It took the driver forever to get here.”
“It’s quiet, for sure, but there’s something to be said for that.” Amanda warmed to her subject. “The most excitement this town has seen was when that guy checked into the hotel pretending to be—”
“Do you have the profit numbers for the restaurant?” Cam interrupted. She knew where her friend was headed with that and it wouldn’t go over well with her parents. She was still trying to live down the days when she was the tabloids’ favorite target. The Hallidays would probably never forgive her for that.
“I can show you the spreadsheets.” The chef pointed to her glassed-in office in the corner of the kitchen. “Or you can take my word that revenue is way up from this time last year. Your daughter has really turned this place around. The staff adores her.”
“It’s not a popularity contest,” her father said. “Sometimes you have to irritate people to run a business.”
“That’s the thing,” Amanda said. “Cam is great at running the business and doesn’t irritate anyone.”
Except maybe Ben. If the pregnancy test said what she thought it was going to say, he was going to be plenty irritated. No strings attached in this bargain, he’d said. A baby was kind of a big string.
“Cam?”
“Hmm?” She looked at her friend. “I’m sorry, my mind was wandering. Did you say something?”
“Yes. You look tired.”
“That’s what I told her,” Margaret said.
A gleam stole into Amanda’s dark eyes. “Is that dashing doctor keeping you up too late at night?”
“Would that be the doctor you were kissing in the picture on the front of that horrific newspaper?” her mother asked.
Cam’s chest felt tight. “I was hoping you hadn’t seen that.”
“Yes, indeed we did.” Dean fixed his blue eyes on her and there was no warmth in them. “How did that happen?”
“I have no idea.” She shrugged. “Somehow I was tracked here and the guy checked into the lodge under false pretenses to spy on me. Nothing in that article was the truth.”
“What about the man you were kissing?” Margaret asked.
That kiss hadn’t been for real, either. Cam hadn’t felt this uncomfortable, awkward and guilty since her arrest as a teenager. “That’s Ben McKnight. He’s a doctor.”
“Hometown hero,” Amanda added. “Good-looking and smart. He likes my seven-layer chocolate cake.”
“Anyone who doesn’t like it would be too dense to find their way out of a plastic bag, let alone complete medical school,” Dean pointed out.
Cam was pleased that the president and CEO of Halliday Hospitality, Incorporated, liked her friend’s cooking, but how she wished her father had a compliment for his own daughter. She knew she’d been a pain in the neck to them for a lot of years after her brother died. She knew she’d never be as good as Dean Junior, or be able to run the business as well as he would have. But she was trying to be a Halliday her father could be proud of. Didn’t that count for something?
Her best was better because of Ben, and speaking of the good doctor, she needed to change the subject before Dean and Margaret could ask more questions and trip her up, make her slip and spill the beans about their phony relationship.
“Okay, I have a lot more to show you. We’ll see you later for dinner, Amanda.”
“You’re going to love it,” she said to the elder Hallidays. “I recommend the trout. It’s going to be awesome.”
“You’re ever the humble cook,” Cam teased.
Amanda grinned. “False humility is a waste of time.”
“Well said,” Dean commented.
“We look forward to it, dear,” her mother added.
Cam showed them every square inch of Blackwater Lake Lodge, from the large suites to the pool and extensive grounds. She saved the second-story deck that overlooked the grass, shrubs, flowers and trees for last. It was nearly noon, but the Adirondack chairs were in the shade and she urged them to sit and soak in the fresh air and view. She was surprised when they actually took her suggestion.
“I love it up here,” she told them, leaving out the part where she’d used it to find her serenity when exasperated with staff who didn’t take her seriously. She sat on the ottoman by her mother’s chair. This was also where she’d found Ben, where he’d proposed the dating bargain. Where she’d accepted, desperate to find a way to be successful and prove to her father that she could be. All she wanted was to make him proud.
She didn’t think her getting pregnant was going to achieve that objective.
“This is a very beautiful spot,” her mother said.
“It is,” her husband agreed. “You’ve done a good job with this place, Camille.”
She wanted to shake her head and make sure her hearing wasn’t playing tricks on her. Had the daunting Dean Halliday just given her a compliment? “We have a way to go, but things are looking up. No more hemorrhaging money. Waste has been cut and the budget trimmed in a way guests won’t notice. I’ve hired a trustworthy accountant, who assures me that if things continue as they are, next year we’ll be in good shape.”
Her father nodded. “The staff looks efficient and it would show in more than the books if that wasn’t the case. The grounds and public areas are well-maintained. It’s a property that Halliday Hospitality can be proud of.”
He’d all but said he was proud of her. She wanted to grin from ear to ear and maybe do a little happy dance, but that wasn’t what Hallidays did. The thought of dancing made her a little nauseous and all the joy imploded.
“So tell us more about the doctor you’re seeing,” her mother said. “I didn’t read the dreadful article. I do hope there won’t be any more of that.”
“I’m sure it won’t happen again,” she assured them.
“We’re going to hold you to that.” Dean put his feet up on the wooden ottoman. “Now, how did you meet Dr. McKnight?”
And so the third degree began. “We met here. He’s staying at the lodge while having a house built in an exclusive luxury development that overlooks Blackwater Lake. His medical specialty is orthopedics. He grew up here in town and came back because he loves it so much.”
Everything she’d said was the truth. Her parents had never been overly into her feelings, so maybe facts were enough, because defining her feelings for Ben was difficult. She was grateful for his help. She liked being with him and missed him when they weren’t together. He was funny and sexy and made her heart beat faster whenever she saw him. Just thinking about him quickened her pulse. She’d never felt this way about any man. Ever.
“I imagine he’ll be pretty busy during ski season.” Dean looked at his wife, who nodded. “We’d like to meet him.”
Her stomach dropped and when it bounced back up there was a huge knot in it. “How long are you going to be here?”
“A night. Maybe two,” he said.
“I’ll notify housekeeping. There’s an unoccupied suite.”
“We took care of that. Our luggage has already been delivered there,” her father said.
“It was a noble attempt to change the subject, though.” Strangely enough, there was a twinkle in her mother’s eyes. “You’re not going to get out of introducing us to your doctor. We promise to be on our best behavior, right, dear?”
“No. I intend to have a word with the man who is interested in my daughter and find out why he’s interested.”
Of course her father thought it was about money, because no man could possibly be interested in her for any other reason. Of course there was a reason, but they’d never guess it. In all fairness, they had as much reason to distrust her suitors as she did. But her deal with Ben was new and different. When she’d agreed, it never occurred to her that they would have to pretend in front of his family, which had been hard enough. Now they’d have to do it for hers.
“So, will we see him for dinner?” Her mother crossed one leg over the other.
“Yes.”
She’d played the part for the McKnights, and now it was his turn. It was incredibly important to keep up the pretense with her parents, especially after hearing that she was doing a good job. Now wasn’t the time for how screwed up her personal life was to come out.
There was reason to believe she was pregnant by a man who was building a big house for resale, not a family. And she had taken his help and advice in order to get the career she wanted in a place that was far away from Blackwater Lake. If that wasn’t messed up, she didn’t know the meaning of the words.
“I’ll let Ben know to meet us for dinner here at the lodge. Seven o’clock?”
“Perfect,” her mother answered.
She’d do her best to keep her parents from finding out this situation was anything but perfect.
* * *
“Do you like that label, Mother?”
Cam sat on the love seat across from her parents in their suite. She’d put her own wineglass down on the coffee table and hoped now wouldn’t be the time they actually noticed her. No way she wanted to explain that she wasn’t drinking alcohol because she might be pregnant.
Margaret took another sip of the red. “It’s quite good, Camille. A wonderful choice.”
Her father was having something stronger from the suite’s full bar. “This is an excellent Scotch.”
“I’m glad.” She smiled. “And since there was no advance warning of your visit, you know we didn’t get it in just for you. No special treatment. Every guest is treated in the same special way.”
“The Halliday Hospitality mission statement.” He nodded approvingly. “I propose a toast.”
What? she thought. No. Not that. But both of them held out their glasses, so she picked hers up. “What are we drinking to?”
“The hotel business in general, Blackwater Lake in particular. To better times ahead.”
Her mother and father clinked glasses, then held theirs out to her. Her crystal wineglass tinkled when she touched theirs, but she only put it to her lips without drinking. She could fake this. It occurred to her that she was getting pretty good at faking life in general. Look at her and Ben. They’d successfully fooled everyone into believing they were in love.
Being spotted together had required an investment of time in each other’s company. She’d begun to look forward to seeing him after a stressful day at work. He actually listened to her troubles, which was better than talking to herself in the serenity place. She enjoyed his sense of humor, his smart and practical approach to problems.
If she were being completely honest, she grew breathless and weak-kneed at the sight of him and ached for him to hold her. Kiss her. Since making love to her in the mountains, he’d only touched her because they were pretending to be in love.
But for Cam it was feeling less and less like a pretense, more and more like...
“Are you all right, Camille?” There was concern in her mother’s voice.
“Yes. Why?” Please don’t ask why the level of my wine hasn’t gone down.
“You had the strangest expression on your face. Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m fine,” she lied. She should be getting used to it, but deceit didn’t come easily to her and never would. “My mind was just wandering. I’m sorry. I was thinking about Ben.”
“So, the two of you are getting serious?” There was wariness on her father’s face. “I wasn’t aware that something like this was part of your career trajectory.”
How to answer? Cam wondered. Things were getting serious, but not in the way he was talking about. “I’m enjoying Ben’s company. The reality is that I never expected to meet someone like him here in Blackwater Lake, Montana. In fact, nothing about this place is the way I thought it would be. I even went camping.”
“With Ben?” her mother asked.
“A Halliday in the wide-open spaces,” her father mused. “Not in a hotel.”
“I know, right? That’s the first time in my life that I didn’t have four solid walls around me and a bathroom.” But she’d been with Ben and that was enough.
Margaret glanced at the delicate, diamond-trimmed Rolex on her wrist. “Is he as handsome as the photograph on the front page of that horrible newspaper?”
“Better.” Cam smiled, picturing his boyish good looks and sigh-worthy grin. “It doesn’t do him justice. Pretty soon you can judge for yourself.”
“Then I’m even more anxious to meet him. And it’s just about time to go downstairs. I think I’ll take a few moments to freshen up.” She stood and went into the other room.
Moments later there was a knock on the door and her father asked, “Did you order room service?”
“No. Maybe Mother did.”
“She would have said something to me.”
“I’ll see what’s going on.” She was closest to the door and went to open it.
Mary Jane stood in the hall, twisting her fingers together. “Thank God it’s you,” she whispered. “Your father scares the crap out of me.”
“Join the club. What’s up?”
“I need to warn you—”
“About?” Dean Halliday was right behind her. “Ms. Baxter, for many years I have frightened employees and I’m very good at it.”
“Yes, sir.” Blue eyes behind the black-framed glasses grew wide.
“Now, what is the problem?”
“Mr. Halliday—” M.J. glanced first at him, then Cam. “There are a bunch of reporters and photographers in the lobby.”
“What in the world—”
“They’ve been badgering the hotel staff, attempting to get quotes. As far as I can tell they’re trying to support a story in which Cam—” She hesitated. “I mean Ms. Halliday—that she’s in trouble again.” Her voice hardened when she met the gaze of the CEO of Halliday Hospitality, Inc. “With her parents.”
No. No. No, Cam thought. Not this. Not now. Think. Problem solve. What would Ben do?
She glanced up at her father. “We don’t have to go down to the restaurant for dinner. I’ll order something from room service and—”
“Absolutely not.” He shook his head. “Thank you, Ms. Baxter. You did the right thing.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And for the record?” he said. “You have nothing to be afraid of on my account.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” She smiled at him, then looked at Cam. “Call me if there’s anything I can do.”
“I will. Thanks. I owe you.”
She closed the door. “Dad, really, I’ll call Ben. He can come up the back way and meet us here.”
Dean shook his head again. “Hallidays don’t sneak around. We face things head-on. We don’t avoid even sleazy reporters who are looking to write a sordid story about my family in order to sell newspapers.”
“Okay.” She decided to share Ben’s wisdom after the last paparazzi ambush. “Publici
ty is good. Even the bad stuff. It’s important to get our name out there.”
“Not in those sordid papers. Not when the name is Halliday.”
“Curiosity can boost reservations.” It was worth one more try.
Her father looked grim. “Let’s get this ordeal over with. I’ll fill your mother in.”
Cam watched his back as he left the room and realized that it was a terrible thing when a person lost hope. She’d been so close to getting what she wanted, so close to an assignment in Los Angeles, New York or Phoenix. Now the same seedy reporters who had ruined her life before were sabotaging the career she was moving heaven and earth to resurrect.
And then there was Ben.
He was the one she was most worried about now. This wasn’t what he’d signed up for when they made their bargain. She should be glad they weren’t a real couple, because it was becoming more apparent that it would really hurt when he dumped her for being constantly pursued by the press. No guy who wasn’t in it to get his name in the paper could put up with this.
Now he had to meet her parents with the press photographing everything. At least she could control who else was around when she broke the news to him that he was going to be a father.
Chapter Thirteen
There was something wrong with Cam.
Ben had heard it in her voice when she’d called about having dinner with her parents. He didn’t know if it was about them being here or another issue with the press.
He was sitting by the fireplace waiting for the Hallidays in the lodge lobby and it would have been hard to miss the reporters and photographers milling around and grilling the employees for dirt on the family. One of them had said to a colleague that he’d been staking out Cam’s parents, just waiting for them to meet her for a face-to-face about the doctor she’d been slumming with in Blackwater Lake, Montana.
Ben had to smile at the reporter’s irony. He had a heck of a nerve talking about slumming considering how the guy made his living.
Although Ben had to admit that he was a little nervous about meeting Cam’s parents. Considering that their relationship was based on a mutually beneficial bargain, he shouldn’t give a rat’s behind what her parents thought of him. But he did care.
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