When the phone rang, he groaned a little before he answered it, but eventually he withdrew his arm from around me and stood to his feet.
“Hey, brother, what’s up?” I heard him say. “No, just watching a movie. Are you kidding me? Two homers? About time, right? I’m gonna put you on speaker.”
Settling back down on the couch beside me, Cole paused the movie and leaned back, giving me a smile.
“Say hi to Cam,” he instructed as he set the phone on the coffee table.
“Hey, sis,” my brother Charlie stated. “Settling into married life okay?”
“Absolutely,” I said, smiling at my husband. “How is Cooper?”
“Finally sleeping a little better,” he chuckled. “Of course that makes Trina happy. And me too, as a result. Do I need to ask how you two are doing, or are you still coming off your honeymoon?”
“We’ve had an eventful week around here,” Cole answered him.
“Rita didn’t leave,” I interjected, and then waited for a response that didn’t appear to be forthcoming. “Did you hear me, Charlie?”
“I’m trying to pretend that I didn’t.”
“She didn’t leave town,” Cole repeated. “She’s still here.”
“Wow, I don’t even know what to say to that. What, is she just hanging around trying to reconnect with you or something?” Cole looked at me and shrugged his shoulders, and I let out a sigh.
“That’s the million dollar question,” I stated. “You come up with an explanation, then let me know.”
“I don’t get it – is she crashing at a hotel nearby and coming around to talk to you?”
“She’s working as a waitress at the café and living with the guy who owns the pawn shop,” Cole offered. Even though I had known all that, hearing it stated out loud in that fashion still made me want to gasp.
“No, she’s not living with Jerry anymore,” I corrected. Cole immediately backed away so he could look at me, and he furrowed his brow.
“What?” he asked. “Where is she living, then?” Swallowing hard, I tried to keep calm and pretend like we were just having a nonchalant conversation.
“Rosalie let her move into the bed and breakfast.” A muscle tensed along Cole’s jaw, and his face remained motionless.
“That can’t be true,” Cole objected, at which point I simply twisted my mouth to the side and raised my eyebrows a touch.
“I was over there earlier, and she’s staying in Laura’s bedroom, just like I did,” I reiterated, still fighting to appear unaffected. Rather than argue with me, Cole stood up, raked his hand back through his hair, and started pacing. When he clenched his fist, I wondered what was going through his mind.
“I’m going over there,” he announced.
“No, you’re not,” I pleaded. “Just sit back down.”
“I have to go talk to Aunt Rosalie,” he continued, and I couldn’t help but smile at him.
“I love that you’re trying to protect me, or avenge me, or whatever this is,” I sighed, “but just let it be for now. I already made her cry today, and she had a good explanation, even if I don’t particularly like it.”
“What possible explanation could she have for letting Rita stay in her house?” Charlie interrupted then, reminding me that we were still on the phone.
“If Rita is at the bed and breakfast, she can keep an eye on her,” I began. “And, Rosalie doesn’t want her living with Jerry, because she doesn’t want people talking about her, and by default talking about me.”
“That actually does sound somewhat reasonable,” Charlie stated.
“I don’t like it,” Cole informed me, stopping himself in front of me and looking deeply into my eyes.
“Thank you,” I whispered, “for being all heroic. I adore you, Cole Parker.”
“Not enough to let me do something,” he complained. “I can’t stand feeling useless.”
“You’re not useless,” I argued. “This just isn’t a fight worth having.”
“So why did Rita say she was there?” Charlie wanted to know, and I could hear Trina questioning him in the background.
“I haven’t asked her,” I admitted. “She sold some of her things at the pawn shop, and then she told Jerry she was down on her luck and had nowhere to go. Of course, she also gave him the impression that she was some sort of southern belle, so who knows.”
“Southern belle?”
“Yeah, she’s using this stupid fake southern accent,” I added. “It’s pretty ridiculous considering the fact that she’s been in Italy for twenty years, not to mention the fact that she grew up in Philadelphia.”
“What are you talking about?” Charlie laughed. “Grandma said Rita was from right here in St. Louis.” I looked over at Cole, and he just exhaled loudly as he sank back against the couch and folded his arms across his chest.
“Well, have you got a minute, and are you sitting down?” I chuckled, while Cole pretended he was laying his head back to take a nap. I pinched his leg, and he winked at me.
“Actually, can you hang on a second so I can put you on speaker?” Charlie wondered. “Trina keeps asking me what you’re saying, so this way maybe she’ll leave me alone.”
“Cole, has she learned to cook anything?” Trina asked as soon as Charlie adjusted the phone.
“Are you kidding?” he teased. “She can’t even make a sandwich without screwing it up.”
“Aw, she’s not quite that bad,” Trina giggled, and Cole gave me a funny expression.
“Yes, I did mess up some sandwiches, can we just forget about it?” I pleaded. “Anyway, we were talking about Rita, before you rudely interrupted us.”
“She’s just trying to change the subject,” Cole insisted with a laugh. “Go ahead, tell them about Rita.”
“Let’s just say, I have some very good circumstantial evidence that St. Louis Rita is really a runaway from Philadelphia named Darlene,” I began. “There was a letter glued in the back of the book Cole got from you, Charlie, and when Cole and I went to that address in Philadelphia… It was just surreal, I’ll say that.”
“Wait…hold up,” Charlie interjected. “You’re telling me you found a letter in a book and somehow convinced Cole to let you drag him to Philadelphia? Buddy, she must have you wrapped around her finger.”
“Yes, like a yo-yo,” I agreed. “He strays away a little, I just snap him back in.”
“Oh, come on,” Cole argued. “Taking her to Philadelphia was my idea. It seemed like a good plan to head off her crazy whims ahead of time.”
“So it’s even worse,” Charlie laughed. “She’s so far in your head, you’re doing what she wants before she even asks.” At that Cole just looked at me rather disgustedly, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Don’t torment Cole for being a wonderful husband,” I ordered Charlie. “If you want to torment him, make it because he went to watch the Phillies while he was there.”
“Ugh, why did you have to tell me that?” Charlie moaned, while Cole just shot me a look of exasperation.
“Anyway, back to my story,” I continued. “As it turned out, the letter was to a runaway named Darlene. I saw pictures of her, and she really does look remarkably like Rita.”
“Looking like someone…that’s pretty circumstantial,” Charlie echoed Cole’s previous sentiments.
“I agree completely, and I was skeptical too, but it just made sense. She told her sister that she was leaving to make something of herself, and that she might become a flight attendant.”
“But plenty of people want to be flight attendants,” he protested.
“People named Darlene Camden?” I asked. “People who have a father named Charlie Camden?” The other side of the line was registering complete silence, and Cole reached out to take my hand for moral support.
“Charlie Camden?” Charlie finally repeated.
“Yes, Charlie Camden - I met him,” I added. “He’s really a wonderful man, and… I think he’s our grandfather.”
; “But you don’t know for sure,” he responded quietly. Perplexed, I stared down at my hand inside Cole’s and wondered how I could convince Charlie that I was right, when I was still having a bit of a time convincing myself.
“How could I know for sure?” I finally offered, causing Cole to slide his arm around me and pull me closer to him. He kissed me on the temple and then rested his head against mine.
“Ask Rita,” Charlie suggested.
Ask Rita, as if I could do that.
“I can’t ask Rita,” I said more to myself than Charlie. At that, I heard the baby begin to wail in the background, and Trina’s attempts to calm him.
“Cooper’s crying, so I’ve got to go,” Charlie stated. “Cole, it’s no wonder you’re not watching the game, since you’re a Phillies fan now. Unbelievable! I’ll talk to you guys later. Oh, and Camdyn – just find out for sure. Ask Rita.”
Ask Rita. That’s easy for him to say. I couldn’t ask Rita.
Could I?
Chapter Ten
Enjoying my morning run with Cole the next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Charlie told me the night before. He had been absolutely correct in saying that the only way I could find out the truth beyond a doubt was to talk to Rita. Still, I had doubts about whether or not I was willing to make that happen, or more importantly, whether or not I could manage to be in her presence for more than two minutes straight without becoming an anger-filled mess. It was a lot easier to remain calm about Rita’s failures as a mother when she wasn’t staring me in the face, spouting some phony accent, or calling me honey or darling. Or, the worst offense of all – calling me her Camdyn.
She really didn’t have anything to gain by being in Tennessee, anyway. She had to have known she wasn’t going to be able to form any sort of relationship with me. Besides, if she wanted to start over and have a relationship with any of us, it would have made a lot more sense to begin with Charlie and Trina. She might actually have a shot at creating some sort of bond with Cooper, since technically she hadn’t abandoned him yet.
Regardless, it felt like she had nothing to gain, and I had everything to lose. Since that was the case, I had no desire to speak to that woman. None.
“Cam,” Cole stated forcefully, and I glanced over at him just in time to witness his wide eyes, but not quickly enough to catch the meaning of him interrupting my thoughts. Without another word, he placed his right hand against my ribs and shoved me hard enough to send me at least five feet off the trail, where I landed on my hands and knees in the leaves that remained from the previous autumn. Within a couple of strides he was next to me, pulling up my hands and checking them for scrapes while I stared at him with a half-crazed expression.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, “didn’t you see it?”
“See what?!” I exclaimed, shaking. “I hope it justified throwing me and scaring me half to death, whatever it was.”
“It was just a king snake, but you almost stepped on it,” he explained. “Please tell me I didn’t hurt you.”
“Only my pride,” I muttered, brushing at my clothes. “You might want to lay off the weights, Hercules.”
“Now I feel like a jerk,” he muttered, grabbing my face and forcing me to look up at him. “You’re sure you’re alright? You’re shaking.”
“I think that’s a natural result of being thrown around like a rag doll,” I told him, smiling up into his face. “I’m fine, really. I mean, as long as the snake is gone. Otherwise, I’m about to go into hysterics.”
“It’s gone,” he laughed as he pulled me to my feet, “although I might have enjoyed witnessing the hysterics. You really should watch where you’re going. I could tell you were deep in thought, because you weren’t gawking over at me like you normally do.”
“Gawking! I don’t…” I started, but then his beautiful smile forced me to sigh. “Okay, yes, I gawk at you, I admit it. I can’t seem to help myself. If you would try not to be so darn attractive…” At that, he shook his head, laughing even harder.
“Try not to be so attractive?” he wondered. “I haven’t done anything except roll out of bed and brush my teeth. What exactly is it you want me to do?”
“Absolutely nothing,” I said, grabbing his t-shirt in both my fists. “Just pretend you don’t notice me staring at you, okay? It’s way easier when you don’t love-shame me.”
“Love-shame you,” he repeated, chuckling at me. “I will never shame you for loving me, crazy woman. What were you thinking about? Rita?”
“Bleh, yes,” I admitted. “Charlie was right when he said I couldn’t find out the truth without talking to her, but I really wish I could think of some other way.”
“Well, I’ll stand beside you while you confront her, you have my word on that,” he insisted, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“No, I think it will be easier without you,” I told him. “You hear a cross word out of her, and your protective instinct is going to make you want to throw her out a window.”
“So instead you’re going to relegate me to the sidelines so all I can do is worry about you?” he complained, resting his forehead against mine. “That’s not very nice.”
“Who said I was nice?” I breathed, giving him a mischievous grin. “Besides, I’m doing you a favor.” Pulling away from him, I took a step back toward the trail.
“Doing me a favor?”
I paused to grin at him briefly, and then I stepped out to turn fully onto the trail again, almost planting my foot in the center of a black, scaly coil. Emitting a scream, I jumped back, tripped over my own foot, and landed on my left hip, where I promptly began scurrying backwards like I was a kindergartener practicing a crab walk. When that snake didn’t move at all, I finally glanced up at my husband to see him doubled over and trying to catch his breath. Rising to my feet, I marched up to the snake and prodded it with my foot. When nothing happened, I pushed harder, flipping it over and revealing the hollowed-out form underneath. Reaching down to grab it, I turned to Cole and slung it at him.
“That was really cruel,” I managed to scold him with a bit of a pout.
“That was payback for the cold shower you gave me the other day,” he explained, still laughing. “I told you I wouldn’t forget about that.”
“You threw me halfway across the woods for a joke? How is that funny?”
“My strength got away from me, I will admit.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about me gawking at you today, mister.” At that, he just swept me against him and grabbed my right hand, his other arm secured firmly around my waist. Shaking my head at him, I feebly attempted to pull away, while admitting internally that my heart wasn’t really in the effort.
“You don’t want to stay mad at me,” he said, refusing to release me.
“You’re wrong about that,” I growled, “and if you think I’m going to stand out here slow dancing with you in the woods after you tried to scare me to death, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“How mistaken am I?” he asked, unwilling to let me go as he pressed against me. Struggling to catch my breath and still shaking a bit, I made one last attempt at freeing myself.
“Take a guess,” I ordered, a bit distracted by his biceps, especially once I started thinking about how easily he had shoved me. I lifted my hand and traced my finger over the curve of his muscle, and he leaned down until our faces were close together.
“I knew it,” he whispered. “Gawking again.” I considered rolling my eyes, but quickly lost interest, because as soon as he started kissing me, I gave up all pretenses of being mad at him and let myself fade into the moment.
-§-
It was nearing three o’clock when I finally made my way to Rosalie’s bed and breakfast, mentally prepared to tousle with Rita. We hadn’t really conversed with one another in a civilized way for close to ten years, and even then it hadn’t been anything of substance. While we went from one designer storefront to another, she told me what fashions were last season and which styles
were up-and-coming. Other than that, it had mostly been a string of “Gianni this” and “Gianni that” as she bragged about her Italian husband’s business holdings, properties, cars, and the like. She hadn’t talked about anything of interest to me, and she certainly didn’t talk about herself. She didn’t ask how my grandma was doing, or make mention of Charlie. Only once did she mention my dad, very briefly, when she said something about me when I was a baby. It had been an unusual comment for her, but her sincerity didn’t last long, so I lost interest.
Now, though, would she tell me the truth? She didn’t have any impetus to do so, and since she was already masquerading with the peachy southern accent and the weird sob story, I had no assurances that she would sell me anything less than a tall tale painting herself as the victim. Surely she wouldn’t have the guts to spout that idiocy at me, though, knowing full well what I thought of her.
Breathe, Camdyn, I reminded myself as I pulled into the driveway. Rosalie’s car was out front, which usually meant that she would be running to town or had been recently. At the very least, I thought that Rosalie and I might be able to have a moment together, so we could hash out the hard feelings from the day before. I was still fairly hurt that she didn’t clear her actions with me, or at least explain in advance, but part of me could understand what she was doing. It was a very small part, but I was attempting to be rational.
Stepping up onto the front porch, I took the time to knock and waited at the door. My mind immediately flashed back to the week before, when I had showed up unannounced so Rosalie could talk some sense into me about Rita. She had made meatloaf for me to take home, and the apple pie, and the world seemed right for a moment. When the door swung open, she met me with sad eyes, one hand on her hip.
“Honey, I’m so sorry,” she began, but I didn’t wait for her to finish before stepping up and wrapping my arms around her and feeling her return my hug.
“Don’t do that,” I instructed. “I don’t doubt your motives, and I can’t be angry with you for trying to protect me.”
A Reason to Forget (The Camdyn Series Book 3) Page 13