“How are you making it?”He held her tight.
“I’m okay.” She relished the comfort she felt in his arms. “I’m glad you’re here.”
It was true. And true was something she was determined to be with him. Open and honest and herself. Just as she’d been on the ride from Windswept Bay to here. With Dave, she’d tried to be the person he’d wanted…went against her personality and it hadn’t worked out so well. Thank goodness.
“I’m glad I’m here too. I couldn’t stay away. I wanted to be here for you if you needed me.”
She looked up at him and everything in her shouted that she loved him. Shouted it with joy and certainty. But it was too soon. And still she knew it was true.
“I needed you.” It was short and simple and as close to the truth as she would let herself go.
“I like the sound of that.”He kissed the tip of her nose and then her lips, briefly. “I’m thinking I’m ready to kiss you proper, maybe a repeat of the kiss in the stable the night the colt was born but I also don’t want to overstep any boundaries.”
She smiled and then pulled his head down.
But he paused, just above her lips. “We’re going to dinner and discuss this long-distance dating issue we’re about to face.”
“Okay, after you kiss me,” she said just before he did as she asked and kissed her.
She gave into the kiss and thought her knees would melt beneath her. But Cam had her tightly in his arms and there was no way he would let her fall. She knew that. Knew it with every fiber of her being.
“I was right. I told the others you’d be back today.”
Drake’s voice broke into the moment and Lana was sad when Cam instantly broke the kiss. He didn’t let her go but instead kept his arm around her shoulders as they faced her oldest brother. Drake wore a wide smile.
“Do you have a problem with that?” Cam asked.
Drake shook his head, his eyes touching Lana. “No problem at all if you treat her right.”
“Drake, I don’t need you in my love life.”
“I’m not in it. Just throwing out a friendly warning.”
Cam held out his hand. “I admire your looking out for Lana.”
Drake shook his hand and Lana glared at both of them.
“I don’t want my brothers involved in this,” she demanded, suddenly feeling that old smothered feeling coming over her. “I know they love me but—”
“Relax, Lana,” Cam said. “I understand what you’re saying. I’m just telling Drake I admire him and your brothers looking out for you. But what happens between us is between you and me. I’d never do anything to harm you, and he needs to know that. From here on out, he’s out of it.” Cam nodded at her, his brow wrinkled as his serious gaze probed hers. “Right, Drake?” he said to her brother without taking his gaze off her.
Drake chuckled. “Right. I hear you loud and clear. Matter of fact, I’ll head back to the sale and leave you two alone. If you feel like coming out to the sale, come on over. Hey, are you taking her out on a date and then heading back to your ranch?”
“I planned to get a hotel and stay in town.”
“No, that won’t do. My house is the one across the street from the entrance of the ranch. I have plenty of room. I’ll leave the light on for you. Really, you’re welcome to stay.”
“Okay, that sounds good. I’ll be there.”
Cam looked back at her and she sighed. “I am so sorry. I never thought about inviting you to stay with one of the guys. I was so excited to see you again, that’s all I was thinking about.”
“It’s okay. Is it all right with you if I stay at Drake’s? You were pretty upset there.”
“It’s fine. But do not let them meddle in my life.”
He tugged her back into his arms. “I’m not letting them do that. This is you and me and no room for your brothers. Or your dad.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I like the sound of that.”
He bent his head and kissed her again.
“Hey, they’re kissing?” she heard Brice say somewhere in the distance.
“Yes, they were,” Drake told him. “But if I were you, I’d give them some privacy. They’re neither one feeling particularly enthusiastic about interference.”
She couldn’t help laughing softly. Brothers. She loved them—every snoopy, bossy, interfering one of them.
“Did you say you’d come to take me to dinner?”
Cam nodded and took two steps back and opened the passenger door to his truck. “If you’re ready, I’m ready.”
He didn’t have to ask twice. She walked past him and climbed inside his truck. With a dazzling smile, he closed the door, strode around and climbed into the cab.
He looked across at her. “This truck hasn’t felt right since you got out of it.”
“I’ve missed it too. And you.”
He took her hand. “Best cross-country drive I’ve ever had. Now, where are we going to eat?”
She thought of all the places in town to go and decided on Italian. It was the only restaurant in town she hadn’t eaten at with Dave and therefore it was a good place to have her first date with Cam. Of course, as luck would have it, the first couple she saw as the waitress led them to their table was Dave and Kimberly.
Her steps faltered but that was just because she was startled. Other than that, she felt nothing. Nothing but relief.
They were led to a circular booth and they slid into the seat. Cam rested his arm across the back of the booth and leaned close. “Did your steps falter because of the guy and woman who are now glaring this way?”
Lana breathed in the scent of Cam, loving the scent of him and the feeling of security and awareness she felt with him so near. She smiled at him. “Are they glaring, really? I hate to admit it but yes, I tripped because I wasn’t expecting to see them here. Dave hates Italian. But other than being startled, I felt nothing else. Except relief.”
“Really?”
She nodded and smiled broadly. “Really. And oh, what a freeing experience that is.”
“Well, good. And for the record, I love Italian. Maybe we can talk Levi and Jessica into letting us serve Italian at their bachelor/bachelorette party. If we have it at Paradise Grill he can cook anything—speaking of that we have to plan the party. Now that your dad is okay.”
“Sounds good. I need to call Jessica and I love that idea for the party.” Looking at him, she couldn’t help thinking about how it would be if they were planning their own wedding party. She looked away, not wanting him to see her thoughts. She knew he was serious. He’d made that clear.
Her gaze ran straight into Dave’s. He didn’t look happy. But instead of feeling good about the possibility that he might regret what he’d done to lose her, she felt sad that he was there with Kimberly and looked so unhappy. Lana broke eye contact and looked at Cam. She felt so very blessed to have met him. “Cam, I need to tell you that I hate that my dad had a heart attack but I’m so very glad I’ve gotten to know you. I really feel blessed that you’ve come into my life.”
He had his arm on the seat behind her and turned so that he was slightly facing her and his gaze was fully on her. “No more than I feel.”
The waitress brought their waters and they told her it would be a few minutes to decide what they wanted to order.
A sudden commotion rang out, drawing their attention to Dave and Kimberly’s table. Kimberly had stood and glared at Dave as she shouted something at him, and then she picked up her water glass and tossed it in his face.
Lana gasped. This was so unexpected. As Kimberly stormed past their table, she halted and glared down at her. “The womanizing fool. I don’t know what I was thinking. You can have him back if you want him. I’m done.”
Neither she nor Cam spoke as they watched her storm out of the restaurant.
Dave looked mad as he stood and dabbed his shirt with his napkin. He tossed it on the table and strode past them, stopped and turned toward them. Cam’s finger
s dropped to her shoulder.
“You look good, Lana. I hear your dad is going to be okay. I’m glad.”
She felt nothing but sorry for him. And though she had once fought the desire to toss a drink in his face, she was so glad she hadn’t done it. She realized that it would not have been worth it to her. He was never going to have a good life if he didn’t change. She was more than ever glad she’d found out his ways before she’d made the mistake of her life. And he was acting like there had not just been a big scene and he was wearing Kimberly’s water on the front of his shirt.
“Thanks, Dave. He’s doing good. And I know that he and my brothers gave you a hard time back last year. So that’s big of you to say that.”
“Just because I didn’t get along with him doesn’t mean I don’t wish him well.”
“Thank you. Dave, this is Cam. Cam Sinclair, my…close friend.”
Cam held out his hand and after a hesitation, Dave shook it. “Nice to meet you,” Cam said with all the ease and confidence of a man who had nothing to fear. He nodded toward the front door. “Looks like you may have some fences to mend.”
Dave’s expression grew troubled again. “Yeah, maybe so.” He looked from Lana to Cam. “Well, I better go.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Cam said.
“Bye, Dave,” Lana said, glad the awkward conversation was ending and relieved when he moved on.
“I’m not sure whether to wish them well or that they’d be better off without each other. Sadly, he’s really charming when he wants to be. And Kimberly, I thought she was my friend, but friends don’t do what she did. Still, all I can think is how grateful I am that my eyes were opened. I just saw his charm and was blind to the warning signs that he had problems.”
“There are always consequences to bad behavior. I’m glad you got out.”
She touched his face, not caring who in the restaurant saw her. “Can we really have only known each other for barely eight days? I’m so glad to know you.”
He took her hand in his. “It’s true but I feel like I’ve known you a long time…in a good way.”
She chuckled. “I’m glad to know that. So, how much time are you going to spend in Windswept Bay?”
“If you continue living there, then I’m going to be there as often as I can.”
“Oh, that sounds good.”
“Hey, I’m serious. I’m warning you now, I’m about to pursue Lana Presley here or there. Until you tell me to leave you alone. I want to see where we go.”
“I like the sound of that.”She liked it so much.
Chapter Fourteen
The next day, after fixing her dad breakfast of oatmeal and a banana, she met Cam at the barn and they saddled up and rode out over the ranch. This part of Texas was full of green grass after a generous wet winter and oak trees dotted the grazing lands. Lana loved this land.
“I spent a lot of time out here, helping herd cattle and checking fence. I also spent a lot of time out here just riding and sitting by this stream and daydreaming.” She pulled her horse up beside the pretty stream that snaked through the Presley Ranch.
“You seem to love it here. This is a lot like my ranch. I hope you’ll come see it.”
“I do love it here and I would love to come see your ranch one day. But I spoke with my school and I’m going back to Windswept Bay. At least until the end of the year. Dad doesn’t need me here. He wants me here but the last thing he needs is me trying to tell him how to eat. He’s a young man, and though he scared me, I know I don’t need to come back here and live on the ranch. I like my independence. Besides that, I’m hoping he’s about to step out and start dating.”
Cam let his horse drink out of the stream. He had one hand resting on his thigh and the one holding the reins he had resting on the saddle horn. He looked so handsome. She wasn’t sure what he was going to say to her decision.
“Then when do you head home?”
“I’m leaving Friday. I told my principal that I’d be at class next Monday.”
“You’ll need a ride.”
She smiled. “Yes, I will. But I can rent a car—”
“I can take you back. I need to go help finish getting everything set up at the riding stables.”
“I’d love that—if you’re sure.”
“I’m absolutely sure.” He tipped his hat back and squinted in the sun. “I actually agree with your decision. For now, anyway. I think you needed to gain your own independence.”
His words helped. “Thank you. That makes me feel better.”
“Maybe we can get back to the bay without a storm this time.”
“Maybe, but the last one worked out just fine. Perfect, actually.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
By Saturday evening, they were pulling into the driveway of her home. He kissed her at her front door and promised to call later that night.
She went inside her house and dropped her small suitcase by the door. It was almost March and that meant she’d committed to staying in Windswept Bay until the end of school term at the end of May. And then what?
In her heart of hearts, she hoped things continued to work out between her and Cam.
There was a knock on her door and she hurried to open it. She’d let Jessica know she was about to be back in town. As she swung the door open, Jessica and little Kevin stood there, beaming. His dog Roscoe sat behind him with a big doggy grin on his face.
“Welcome home!” they said together, clearly having practiced for the moment. Kevin was jumping up and down. He raced across the threshold and grabbed her around the thighs.
“We thought you was never coming home again,” he gushed. “Everyone in class got excited when Momma told them you were coming back.”
“Well, that’s all good to hear.”
Jessica came in and hugged her. “They really did miss you. Even though you’re the teacher.”
Lana chuckled. “They’ll miss you too when you head off on your honeymoon. Y’all come on into the kitchen. I need to make some tea.”
“Can me and Roscoe go play on your back porch?”
“Sure you can, just stay on the patio in the light.” A few minutes later, she and Jessica were making tea while the laughter of Kevin and the barks of Roscoe sounded outside.
Jessica sat at the kitchen island. “So, tell me all about it. And tell me about you and Cam. You’re dating now?”
Lana had talked to Jessica on Thursday and filled her in on much of what was going on. “Yes, can you believe it? I know it’s fast but, Jessica, I love him. I haven’t told him yet but he’s perfect for me in so many ways.”
“I thought so from the moment I met him,” Jessica said. “I just thought the two of you would fit. Like Levi and I do. Oh, Lana, I love him so.”
“Well, I am thrilled for you and Levi, and for me and Cam but we are taking it slow. I’m here till May for certain. And from there, I’m not sure. We shall wait and see. I just can’t jump into something this quickly.”
“I understand. I’m thinking the opposite. I can’t wait until next week. Come with me and Levi’s sisters Monday. I’m trying on dresses. I didn’t want to do it until you were home.”
Lana was touched deeply. “I can’t wait.”
The week passed in a whirlwind as she and Jessica, along with all the Sinclair sisters—Jillian, Cali, Shar, and Olivia—all met and went to the bridal dress boutique together. It was a fun-filled day and in the end Jessica found the perfect dress. Lana saw one she adored and it called to her heart. This would be her dress when her wedding day came.
Max made it home from his mission two days before the bachelor/bachelorette party and everyone was relieved.
Cam had been getting worried about him, she could tell, and he’d told her one night at dinner that Max had told him it was supposed to be a short mission but it ended up being longer. Not being able to know any details about what he did was hard on them, especially when he was gone longer than anticipated.
&nbs
p; The night of the party, Bert and his staff had outdone themselves. And everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. He’d fixed an array of dishes including seafood and Italian. This had been the perfect idea.
Under the lights of the deck, where the dancing was taking place, Cam took her in his arms and they moved slowly into the outer edges of the crowd.
“Well, we helped with our part,” he said. “Good job.”
“I’m so glad we did this. You had a great idea. And everyone is so happy to celebrate with them. They’re at ease and happy, and they are so completely ready to get married.”
“Yes, they are.” Cam kissed her then, slow and gentle, and then moved them into the crowd to dance with their friends.
On Saturday, Cam and his brothers gathered once more at the resort for the wedding. Levi was a nervous wreck. He’d been calm and at ease the night before at the party but today, as the sun started to set and they stood in the sand waiting for the bridesmaids to appear and then Jessica, he could see the tension in his brother.
Leaning forward, Cam whispered, “Relax. What’s the matter with you?”
Levi grunted. “What if I fail her? Jessica and Kevin have been through so much.”
He couldn’t believe his brother was saying this. “Levi, you’re not going to fail them. You know that. The fact that you’re worrying about it just shows how much you care. I’m happy for you. So shake it off. Your bride is about to walk this way.”
The music started and Jillian appeared, as the first bridesmaid. Levi inhaled and a smile touched his lips. “You’re right. Thanks. And you’re next, big brother.”
Cam chuckled. “If I’m so lucky.”
His sisters each looked beautiful as they marched up the aisle between the rows of friends sitting in the white chairs with peach ribbons. When Lana stepped into view, his pulse pounded like the thunder of the raging storm they’d come through during their road trip. If Levi felt half for Jessica that he felt as he watched Lana walking down toward him, then his brother was madly in love because Cam had lost his heart and would never be the same.
With This Promise (Windswept Bay Book 7) Page 11