Coming Home

by Judith Keim

  Becca approached. “How did you do?”

  “Very well,” said Cami. “I want to check these paint chips against the fabrics in some of the rooms. I figure with six different colors, only four rooms will have walls the same color, though I plan to change the look of them by moving some of the soft goods and upholstered furniture around.”

  Cami and Becca studied the colors in several of the guest rooms, checking their tones with different lighting and how the colors blended with the different fabrics in the rooms.

  “I love it!” said Becca. “With the new paint and carpet, plus rearranging some of the beds and furniture, everything will look brand new.”

  Cami let out a sigh of satisfaction. They could get away with spending little money and still accomplish what she wanted. She realized it couldn’t have happened if Nonnee hadn’t been the kind of person she was. She’d also wisely chosen high-quality case goods, like bureaus and chairs.

  ###

  Cami was working at her desk the next morning when Drew and three other men entered her office.

  “What’s up?” she asked, staring at them with surprise.

  “We heard you need painters, and we’re here to offer our services,” said Drew, grinning.

  One of the men stepped forward. “Hi, Cami. I’m Dan Thurston, from Thurston Construction. My family has dealt with Lettie Chandler for years. My crew of two and I are here to help. Becca and Drew both told me of your situation, and we’d like to offer our painting services for free. Your grandmother and mine were friends, and Gram insisted we show our support. Besides, Becca would never forgive me if I didn’t do this.”

  Cami laughed with the others. Becca had gushed to her about her boyfriend. Cami understood why. Not only was Dan decidedly handsome with his brown, curly hair and sparkling blue eyes, he was kind.

  She went over to the group. “Thank you so much for your help. I know Drew, of course, and now Dan, but who are you?” she asked the other two.

  Matt Lincoln and Juan Molina smiled as they introduced themselves and shook her hand.

  Cami stood back and beamed at them. “What a great crew. Thank you so much for your help. I’ll see to ordering the paint right away.”

  “We can begin by preparing the rooms,” Dan said.

  “Wonderful. The carpeting is being removed now to be given to charity so we don’t have to worry about that, but we’ll need to tape the edges of the baseboards, the windows, and the crown molding. The ceilings themselves are fine as they are.”

  Becca joined them. After giving Dan a quick kiss, she turned to Cami with a smile. “They’re good guys. They’ll do a great job for you.”

  “Yes, I believe they will,” said Cami, suddenly wanting to cry. She’d always loved the land, the vineyards, and the inn. But now she appreciated the people in the valley in a way she hadn’t experienced before.

  Drew stepped forward. “Want me to go to Home Depot with you? I can help you gather the supplies you’re going to need, and we can load everything up in my truck.”

  “That would be great,” she said, realizing how many cans of paint and the number of other things they would need.

  “We’ve got several drop cloths, but you’re probably going to need more if we’re to make this a rush job,” said Dan. “I figure with twenty-four rooms, we should be done within a week or so, depending on how much time we can give to it. While you’re gone, the other guys and I will start moving the furniture.”

  “I’ll help them place mirrors, lamps, and paintings in one of the storage rooms, and the furniture in another,” said Becca.

  Again, Cami felt moved to tears but she wouldn’t show any weakness in front of the men. She was the one in charge. “Okay, let’s go!” She grabbed her purse, followed Drew outside to his truck, and got in.

  Drew climbed behind the wheel and started the engine.

  Cami watched his precise movements and was reminded of Rafe. In many ways, the two men were alike—both soft-spoken and self-contained, but well aware of what was going on around them.

  “Got your colors all picked out?” Drew said.

  “Yes. They’re very different from what is on the walls now, but I think it’s going to work nicely.”

  “Ah, that artist’s touch, huh?”

  She smiled at him. “There are so many beautiful colors in the world, why not use a few of them?” She pulled the chips out of her purse. “I’m going with different shades of these—Peach Blossom, Kombucha, Smoked Oyster, Mushroom, Strawberry Cream, Green Mint.”

  Drew grinned at her. “Wow! You must have been hungry when you chose those!”

  She burst out laughing. “I hadn’t thought of it, but you’re right. I’d skipped lunch when I went to the store.”

  “I’d hate to think of the names you’d choose if you’d skipped dinner,” he teased. “Steak Red, Mashed Potato White ...”

  They chuckled together, and then a companionable silence followed.

  “Thanks again for Christmas breakfast at your house,” he said, breaking into the quiet. “It meant a lot to me.”

  “I’m glad you could come. When Nonnee was alive, we used to love to fill the house with guests on Christmas Day. I’m still getting used to taking over for her, so it was nice to have you there. Next year, I’ll recruit more people.”

  Drew pulled the truck to a stop in the Home Depot parking lot and turned to her. “I don’t want this to be too awkward, but I’d like to get to know you better.” His light-brown eyes bore into her, demanding honesty.

  “I’d like that,” she said simply. The quick kiss he’d given her at Christmas held the promise of something more. Remembering her dismal failure with Bernard, she added, “We could start out by simply being friends.”

  “Okay,” he quickly agreed. “As I told you earlier, I’m not ready for anything more.”

  “Deal,” she said, giving him a warm smile. Friendship was a fine idea.

  Inside the store, while Cami worked with a store associate to get the proper quantities and colors of paint, Drew filled a cart with drop cloths, paint brushes, paint pans, blue painters’ tape, rollers, and other equipment they would need.

  An hour or so later, they were ready. Drew stacked paint cans in the bed of his truck and placed the bags of supplies in the backseat.

  “Looks like a Christmas sleigh,” said Cami, climbing into the passenger seat.

  Drew laughed. “I’m glad Dan and his crew could help me. We’ll get the job done as quickly as we can.”

  “Good. We have a couple of spring weddings coming up. A girl from California is getting married here. It’s been on the books for almost a year. The bride and groom are coming here for Valentine’s Day weekend to go over a final checklist.”

  “Owning the inn must be pretty exciting,” Drew said.

  She wasn’t sure how to answer that. “In many ways it is, but what interests me most are growing grapes and making wine. I’m resigned to the fact that I can’t devote much time to it until everything else is running smoothly. My grandmother was clear about that.”

  “It must be nice to have so much family,” said Drew, his voice wistful. “Sam has been great to me, but I wonder what it might have been like if I’d had a regular family.”

  “Well, my family isn’t exactly regular, but it’s more standard than yours. Still, I wish I knew who my father is. That would fill a gap I’ve always felt.”

  Drew gave her a sympathetic look. “I understand.”

  ###

  The next morning, Cami put on an old pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, and sneakers and headed over to the inn. She’d accept only so much free help. She was skilled at painting in small, difficult areas and would be relieved to do something to help the painters.

  When she went to the second level of the inn, she found rock music blaring and a busy scene as four men worked in two rooms.

  She approached Dan. “Hi! I’m here to help.”

  He looked surprised. “Okay, you can do the work in and around th
e shelves in the alcoves. We need someone with a careful touch to do it.”

  She grinned and saluted him. “Hand me a paint brush and a small roller, and I’ll get to it.”

  Two hours later, her back sore, she sat with the guys in the corridor sipping a cup of hot coffee. Becca kept them well supplied with it and a selection of cold sodas.

  Drew came over and sat down beside her. He smiled and swiped the top of her nose with a finger. “Got a dab of paint on you.”

  “Mushroom,” Cami said, taking a painting cloth and rubbing her nose.

  He laughed. “Here, you’re making it worse. Let me do it.”

  Cami sat very still as he studied her face and then gently took a cloth to the smudges on her nose and cheeks. At his touch, heat raced through her and settled in her core.

  “That’s it. I’ve got it,” he said, pulling away from her.

  “Thanks. I’d better get back to work.” She left the men in the hallway, but from inside the room she was painting she could hear Dan speaking in the hallway. “What was that about, Drew?”

  “Nothing,” he said with such conviction that, for a moment, her feelings were hurt. Friends, she reminded herself. We’re just friends.

  ###

  By the end of the week, Cami’s body was stiff and sore, but she felt great about staying with the painting job until it was done. Now, the new carpet was being laid. The smell of fresh carpet, both satisfying and too pungent, was tickling her nose.

  “Scott, Drew, and Dan will be here the day after tomorrow to help resettle the rooms,” said Becca. “I just reconfirmed with them.”

  “Great. The carpet will all be laid and vacuumed by then.” Cami put an arm around Becca’s shoulder. “I appreciate your help. My grandmother had a friend like you. I hope we share that same kind of bond.”

  “You’ll never know what it means to me that you’re giving me an opportunity to participate in the inn’s success.”

  “If we do well, it’s only right for you to benefit with bonuses, profit sharing, and other rewards.”

  “For what it’s worth, I’m going to work my butt off.”

  Cami chuckled. It’s exactly what she had in mind when she’d included those arrangements as part of her contract with Becca. She was a little younger than Cami, but Becca had a no-nonsense attitude about her that Cami guessed was her New England upbringing. Whatever it was, they clicked as friends and work partners.

  ###

  Four days later, Becca and Cami inspected each of the refreshed rooms. “Wow! It looks spectacular,” said Becca. “I don’t know how you did it, but while each room is very different, they look as if they’d been designed this way.”

  Cami studied the effect of their work. The darker paint on the walls offset the prints in the bedspreads and the colors in the upholstered furniture. But rather than having the rooms overly color-coordinated, Cami had changed up that blandness for an edgier look by exchanging some of the furniture between rooms, adding new color to them. They’d even switched around the artwork and added new pieces from local artists. The effect was stunning.

  “Jonathan should see the rooms now. He wouldn’t believe it,” said Becca. “I hear he’s working at a hotel in Portland. Maybe I’ll invite him down here for a look.”

  “Don’t waste your time,” scoffed Cami. “He reminds me of my old boyfriend. If he bothered to come, it would be only to criticize.”

  Becca gave her a steady look. “So, what was the deal between you two?”

  Cami shrugged, trying to fight off the old hurt. “It turned out to be a one-sided relationship. At any rate, Bernard is in France, and I’m here.”

  “A Frenchman, eh?” Becca said, wiggling her eyebrows.

  “I hope never to see him again,” said Cami, meaning it. She hated that she’d wept in front of him when he refused to come to America with her when she’d needed him most.

  “Well, don’t look now, but Drew is heading our way.” Becca gave her a sly look. “He’s worth more than the other guy any day.”

  As Drew approached, Becca slipped away. He waved to Cami. “Hey there! I thought I might find you here. Everything looking okay?”

  Cami smiled. “Better than I’d hoped.”

  He stepped to her side and looked into the room she’d been inspecting. “It looks great. Nice job, Ms. Artist. Say, I was wondering if you want to have dinner with me tonight. I’m hungry for some pasta at Nick’s.”

  “Funny you should mention pasta. How about coming to my house instead? I’ve got pasta ready to go, and Darren has cooked up a crab sauce for it that is to die for.”

  “Sounds great,” Drew said. “I’ll bring a bottle of wine. Anything else?”

  “No, we’ll make it a nice, relaxing evening. We have guests coming to the inn later in the week, but we’re pretty empty now.”

  “Okay, deal. What time do you want me there?”

  Cami checked her watch, wanting to give herself time to take a shower and get dressed in something more sophisticated than blue jeans. “Let’s say seven.”

  Drew tipped his head. “See you then.”

  Cami watched him walk away. His tall, erect figure moved with confidence without any sign of the swagger she’d sometimes seen in Bernard.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  As soon as she could, Cami left the inn with the crab sauce Darren had packaged up for her, checked in at The Barn, and headed home. Even though they were just friends, Cami wanted to look nice for Drew. It had been a while since she’d had a date, and it felt good to have a man’s interest, even as just a friend.

  Sophie greeted her with howls of indignation that she’d not been allowed to accompany her to work. But with Sophie’s curiosity and new paint and carpeting, Cami had decided not to take her.

  She swept the dog up in her arms and crooned to her. Sophie gave her a mollified look and responded with warm, forgiving licks of her tongue on Cami’s cheek.

  “Okay. Time for us girls to look our best. First, you need to go outside.”

  Even though a staff member had taken Sophie for a walk at noon, Cami hurried Sophie out of the house. Cami had thought about putting in a doggie door but didn’t like the idea of Sophie being alone outside and exposed to either birds of prey or other creatures who might find a miniature dachshund an edible treat.

  Inside again, Cami fixed Sophie’s dinner and then headed into her bedroom. Standing in front of her closet, she looked over her slacks and sweaters and decided on a pair of winter-white slacks and a black turtleneck. Black always brought out the color in her light-red hair.

  She laid the clothes on her bed and went into the bathroom to draw water into the large, deep tub. A nice soak would do wonders for the soreness that still lingered in her body from painting.

  Sophie came into the room, jumped up onto the side of the tub, and looked in. “Not for you,” Cami warned her. “Here, you lie down on the mat.”

  Stepping into the tub, Cami sighed. It felt great. She lay back against the tub and kept the warm water swishing around her with a stroke of her hand and the movement of her feet. She let her thoughts drift. She and Bernard used to share times like this in the deep tub in the apartment she’d rented. He was, she admitted, a good lover. She missed that in her life. As much as she was looking forward to an evening with Drew, she knew it was not a real date. How could it be? They’d promised one another to be only friends. Besides, being with a man right now would detract her from the important work she had to do.

  Sighing with regret, Cami turned her thoughts to the upcoming visit from the bride and groom who’d booked a wedding in early May. She was counting on it being handled well and was relieved the guest rooms at the inn were now in order. The bridal party was renting all thirty rooms. The six in the main house would be for family only. The twenty-four rooms in the wing would be for the wedding guests.

  The alarm she’d set on her phone sounded, startling her out of her reverie. She opened the drain on the tub, stood, and stepped onto the bathm
at. Sophie scrambled to her feet and began licking Cami’s toes. Laughing, she nudged the dog away. “Okay, little one. We can’t waste any time. I need to get some things ready for our guest.”

  She went through her usual routine of moisturizing, spritzing perfume behind her ears, brushing her teeth and putting on eye makeup.

  After she was dressed, she studied herself in the mirror. She’d thought about wearing the pendant Rafe had given her for Christmas and chose the diamond earrings instead. Go for simple, but elegant, she thought.

  In the kitchen, Cami pulled out the wine glasses, assorted silverware, china, napkins, and placemats. She’d been taught from an early age that each was important. Nonnee used to tell her how when she first came to the inn, she knew how to set a basic table but wasn’t sure where to place all the extra pieces of flatware—things like fish forks and cream soup spoons.

  “I don’t want that ever to happen to you,” she’d told Cami.

  Smiling at the memory, she carefully set each place for dinner. They’d have drinks by the fire in the living room and then eat in the kitchen. On a cold winter’s night, it was the best of options. Warmer weather would find her preparing to eat out on the deck outside the kitchen, one of Nonnee’s favorite spots, one that offered a full view that had captivated her from the beginning.

  Cami stood a moment looking out at the barren winter land. It always amazed her how the bleak vineyard landscape on a day like this would transform into row after row of promising grapes come the warmer months. Turning the grapes into luscious red wines seemed another miracle.

  The doorbell rang. Eager with anticipation, she rushed to answered it.

  Drew stood on the porch. In his hands he carried a bottle of wine and a bouquet of pink roses.

  “Come in,” she said. “How did you know pink roses are my favorite?”

  “They signify grace and beauty. I thought they were perfect for you.” He grinned. “And Rafe said you liked them. In fact, he suggested I bring them to you.”

  “He did, did he?”

  They smiled at one another.

  She waved him inside, and he followed her into the kitchen.