by Renee Roman
Chapter Seven
Cam wasn’t sure what she expected, but seeing Sarah in a navy blue tailored skirt and blazer, paired with a white lace shell hadn’t been it. There were hints of makeup, which only highlighted her natural beauty. The woman standing in front of her desk was quite different from the one she’d first met. Gone were the peasant skirt and cotton button-down casually thrown over a faded T-shirt. Sarah’s voice interrupted her musing.
“Uh…is this okay?” Sarah gestured to her clothes. “I wasn’t sure, but I want whoever we speak with to know I’m serious about getting what we need.” She gave Cam a knowing look. “I’m not totally without decorum.”
“I believe whoever you speak with will give you their full attention. Your clothes demand professional courtesy without being snobbish. They’re perfect.” Like you.
Sarah’s cheeks pinked, and Cam was again caught off guard by her extremes. One minute she was shy and demure, and the next fiery and forthright.
“Apparently, your mother hadn’t prearranged your adoption, so you were issued a new birth certificate after the fact, listing your adoptive parents.” Cam hoped this little bit of information was somewhat comforting. “If you and your brother had been prearranged adoptions, there’d be little we could do to get the information because your adoptive parents would have been on the original. But this is good, because it means there’s an original out there somewhere. I’ve assumed yours was a closed adoption, since there’s been no contact.”
Sarah’s eyes were downcast as though she carried the burden of being unwanted. Cam remembered having much the same feelings when she was old enough to realize none of the people she lived with were her relatives, and thinking no one had wanted her.
“Some states require an in-person request, which is why we’re going to Dover.”
Despite Sarah’s anxious expression, she remained calm. “You did tell me I might need to be involved. It’s not a problem.” Sarah smoothed her hand over her skirt.
While it appeared to fit her perfectly, it was obvious she was more comfortable in casual clothing. Cam couldn’t help taking in every detail. From her lustrous wavy blond hair, to her unbelievably light blue eyes. Her robust complexion could most likely be attributed to healthy eating, a detail she should include in her own life. Sarah’s curvaceous body and the muscular calves she’d glimpsed hinted at a physical routine. If not at a gym, then some other form of intense exercise. Cam hadn’t asked about her occupation, assuming she earned her living sitting behind a desk. Now she wasn’t so sure.
“Camdyn?”
She shook her head, breaking the spell. “Yes?”
“Are we heading out soon?” Sarah’s handbag was clutched in her lap, her knuckles white.
“As soon as I gather your file.” And get my shit together. Cam stood and pretended to check over the documents she’d pulled together earlier. Nothing had changed, but she slid a pad of paper into the folder and made sure she had a pack of sticky notes and a supply of pens in the front pouch of her laptop bag.
“I need to use the restroom.”
“Sure. Maggie can show you where it is,” she said as she slid her laptop into the padded compartment. When she looked up Sarah was still in her chair.
Sarah looked over her shoulder at the closed door. “I’ll find it. I don’t think your assistant likes me.”
Cam stiffened. It was one thing for Maggie to display her dislike for a client with Cam, it was quite another to let a client see it. Time to have a heart-to-heart with Mags.
“I’m good here. I should probably go too, otherwise we’ll be stopping before we’ve begun.” Cam shared what she hoped was an understanding smile.
Sarah’s face relaxed. “Thank you.”
As Cam washed her hands, she glanced at her reflection. She needed a trim. Sarah joined her at the sink, and, catching Sarah looking at her, smiled. She had every intention to remain professional when interacting with Sarah, but she couldn’t help her desire to give Sarah a reason to smile. Every time she did, Cam’s breath froze in her chest. A feeling that wasn’t at all unpleasant.
They finished up and headed out to the parking lot.
“I need to get something from my car.” Sarah gestured to the decade-old vehicle parked a few spaces from Cam’s much newer slate gray Charger.
“No problem.”
Cam had a perfect view of Sarah’s backside. The three-inch stilettos made her calves flex as she walked, and the movement of her hips was rhythmic, keeping Cam from looking anywhere else. Get in the car. Her inner voice hadn’t been gentle in the warning as bells went off in her head. The few times in her career she’d been tempted to have more than a professional relationship with a client had been the times she’d remembered how much she’d loathed the characteristic of no boundaries in others. It kept her from stepping over a line she’d established years ago when Liv had given her the tools and advice on how to be someone with integrity and pride. She wasn’t about to throw it away on a whim.
However, the appearance of the bag Sarah was carrying initially threw her off. Sarah tossed it on the back seat and got in, and Cam schooled her reaction. She didn’t want Sarah to think she was a letch with nothing but sex on her mind.
“All set?”
“Yes.” Sarah shared a small grin. “Thank you.”
Cam smiled in return. “Let’s start this road trip.”
The silence was deafening in the enclosed space. Once they were tucked into the flow of traffic, she ended the uneasy quiet. She couldn’t help noticing how much Sarah fidgeted in her seat, tugging at the fabric and readjusting seams.
“If you don’t mind me saying so, you looked more comfortable in a long skirt.”
Sarah’s laughter rang gently through the car. The sound was delightful.
“Probably because I am. This,” Sarah motioned, indicating her current clothes, “is purely for show. I brought jeans and a shirt to change into the first chance I get.”
She gestured to her own attire. The formal slacks and long-sleeved silk blouse were her usual outfit when she was in the office. “I would dress differently too, if I wasn’t working. I’m glad I chose to dress accordingly for today, or else I’d have looked like a slob next to you.”
Sarah’s face colored for the second time. She glanced out the window, and Cam wanted to erase the awkward moment. She would much rather be looking into Sarah’s eyes.
* * *
Sarah stared ahead. It wasn’t that the compliment hadn’t felt sincere, but rather that she wasn’t sure how to react without letting Camdyn see her discomfort. She didn’t know Camdyn, not at all really, and the comment had been unexpected. She focused instead on the scenery outside her window and taking in the green pastures and thick stands of trees. She hadn’t traveled anywhere except for work in years. That’s one thing I’m going to change. Camdyn switched on the radio. Perhaps the silence made her uncomfortable, too. She stole glances at her every now and then. There were tiny crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes, suggesting she might be older than Sarah first thought and helped explain how Camdyn had managed to have so much experience. Her brows were finely arched, and her nose was reminiscent of Grecian heritage. The full, pouty lips and squarish chin was strong, but not masculine. While definitely androgynous in many ways, Camdyn could never be described as gender-neutral.
The music played softly in the background as she ran her hand along the soft leather of her seat. Such a contrast to the worn, split material in her vehicle. Lost in thought, she almost missed Camdyn’s words.
“I never asked what you did for a living.”
Sarah’s jaw muscles bunched. She wasn’t expecting to have to explain her chosen occupation. It was silly on her part. She made an honest living at an honest profession. She turned to level a laser-focused look at Camdym. “I’m an iron worker in construction. And I do welded sculpture when I have time. Mostly from pieces of metal from things people have thrown out.”
“I admire people who
have the skill to do any type of trade work. Have you ever had a fear of heights?” Camdyn glanced at her before returning her attention to the road.
Sarah settled back against the door and relaxed. Apparently, she’d been wrong about Camdyn. Again. She’d anticipated some flak for her chosen line of work. Granted, it wasn’t all that common for women in general to be welders, but that didn’t mean Camdyn thought less of her. Like I should care what she thinks.
“Not really. I was a typical tomboy. I’m sure my parents didn’t expect what they got.” She paused, wondering what had brought on the sudden bout of insecurity. “They had their choice and they left my brother behind. I wonder if they would have been happier with him.”
Camdyn reached for her hand and gently squeezed.
“I don’t see how they could, but I’m sorry you feel that way.”
The snort was the most unladylike thing Sarah had ever done in her presence and Camdyn’s face showed her surprise. Sarah slid her hand away. The warmth Camdyn’s touch brought was too easy to accept. She shook her head.
“Oh, I’m not sorry they chose me. I had a great childhood with loving parents, a roof over my head, and food on the table. I have no idea how my brother grew up, or what the people who adopted him are like. I think I did okay, and worrying that my parents weren’t happy with their choice is ridiculous. It was just a moment’s ponder.”
“I meant I was sorry you were separated, but I agree having good childhood memories is important.” Camdyn’s jaw muscles tightened.
Sarah wondered what that was about. Maybe she’d grown up very poor. Or had an alcoholic parent, like some of her childhood friends. She remembered hearing her parents talking about it one night, and the reason they allowed her to have one of her playmates spend the night so often. She hadn’t understood why that girl in particular until much later, but she never forgot the kindness they’d shown.
“Camdyn, are you all right?” Sarah’s instincts told her something was definitely wrong, though she didn’t think it was anything she’d said. Camdyn didn’t blink, and when the car veered into the next lane, Sarah jerked hard on the steering wheel.
“Camdyn,” Sarah yelled. She had no idea what was going on, but they were both in danger and she was going to do whatever she had to do to keep them safe. She pushed Camdyn’s foot out of the way with hers and fought for control of the steering wheel until she got them off the road. Her heart hammered as she put the car in park.
Chapter Eight
Sarah’s voice sounded far away, like she was in a tunnel. Pictures of her former life flashed in front of her. She might have been looking out the windshield, but her focus wasn’t on the road, it was on the memory of being curled in a protective ball in the corner of her closet. The steering wheel jerked with such force her first reaction was to try to slam on the brake, but Sarah had taken control. Horns sounded around her. They were on the shoulder of the highway. Traffic zoomed by at an alarming speed as her focus returned.
“What in the hell are you doing?”
Sarah sounded pissed, but one look told Cam she was terrified. She shook her head to clear it. She needed air. The car was already in park and she moved to get out, when a steel grip held her in place.
“We aren’t off the road far enough for you to get out. You’ll get killed.”
She put the window down and glanced out. They were barely out of traffic. She didn’t remember pulling over. All she remembered was the sound of her foster father screaming as he searched the house for her. She pinched her thigh. The sharp pain blocked out the visual memories and her focus centered on the dashboard display. Numbers helped her regain her equilibrium.
“Here.” Sarah shoved a bottle of water in her hand.
Cam’s hands were shaking so bad, she thought she was going to end up with more on her than in her until Sarah guided it to her lips. She took several gulps. Another minute passed before she was able to speak.
“Thank you.”
“Are you going to tell me what just happened?”
There wasn’t any accusation in the question, and she owed Sarah an explanation. The trouble was, she wasn’t sure where to begin. “I get migraines. I think I had an aura. It happens sometimes, but this is the first time it’s ever happened while I was driving.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
Sarah stared at her before saying anything. “Are you okay to drive? I can take over.” She looked at the GPS blinking from where it was mounted on the dashboard.
“No, no. I’m okay.” The look of genuine concern touched Cam, but she couldn’t let Sarah think what had happened a minute ago would happen again. She gave a silent prayer to the powers that be and straightened in her seat, adjusting the seat belt as she viewed the readout on the small screen, instructing her to return to the road. Sarah’s soft touch on her arm sent a tingle along the nerve track.
“I really don’t mind.”
For the moment, she was back in control, and she would do everything in her power to keep it that way. “I promise if I feel anything at all, I’ll pull over. Okay?”
Sarah nodded, then slid her hand away.
Cam reached for her sunglasses and hoped they’d mask her fear of the old memories trying to terrorize her in a new way. After a pit stop and another couple of hours, they arrived at their destination without further incident. Cam was glad Sarah finally seemed to relax a bit, though she kept glancing in Cam’s direction. She couldn’t blame her for staying vigilant. The near accident had set her on edge, too.
The woman in the Office of Vital Statistics was forthcoming as she spoke to Sarah. The clerk didn’t know if there’d been a court order sealing the information on the birth certificate until the formal request was reviewed by someone higher up. If they okayed the request, a copy would be sent to Sarah’s home address within the next two to four weeks. Cam was used to the bureaucratic delays for obtaining official documents. Sarah wasn’t as calm.
“Are you sure there’s nothing you can do to expedite my request? I’ve come a long way and with work…” Her voice trailed off, and Cam knew she was close to tears.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. That’s our policy and I have to follow it.” The clerk looked between Sarah and Cam before continuing, as if making sure they both understood. “If you’d like, you can prepay for the copy now. It will help expedite things if your request is approved.”
Sarah rummaged in the small bag. Whatever she was looking for wasn’t there and her shoulders slumped. “I must have left my bank card in my other bag. I’ll just have to wait.”
Cam stepped up to the counter. “I’ll take care of it. No need to delay things.” The look of disbelief on Sarah’s face made her question how she’d presented herself on previous occasions, and she wondered if Sarah thought she was unscrupulous.
“You sure you don’t mind?” Sarah asked.
“Not at all. Shall we finish up here?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
* * *
Sarah stood off to the side while Camdyn paid the small fee with her card. The clerk produced a receipt and made a copy of the form Sarah had completed, then stapled them together. Camdyn handed the paperwork to Sarah.
“One less thing to worry about.” She gestured for Sarah to lead the way, then reached around her to open the door.
This hadn’t been the first time her preconceived notions about Camdyn had been upended. Sarah had been convinced she was an egocentric, but the more time they spent together, the more evident it had become that Camdyn was much more than her first impression had projected. They settled in the car and Camdyn pulled a folder out of the space beside her seat, making a note on the inside, which contained several entries. The tab was labeled “Peters, Sarah—MP.” Her curiosity won out over discretion.
“MP?”
Camdyn’s mouth moved in an almost smile.
“Secret code for mild pain.”
Sarah’s eyes felt big and her mouth opened in surprise. S
he couldn’t pretend she wasn’t shocked at the admission. Camdyn started laughing.
“Oh my God, the look on your face is priceless.” It took her a few minutes before she was able to talk. “Sarah.” Camdyn touched her hand. “I just couldn’t resist. MP means Missing Person. It’s a missing person case.”
She snapped her mouth shut and shook her head. She deserved Camdyn’s response to her being nosy. After all, it was her job to investigate and give Sarah pertinent details. Not give her information on the inner workings of her business. Still, now that she thought about it, she must have had quite the expression. She laughed a bit at her own foolishness.
“You definitely had me going. I originally had the impression you were rather full of…” She felt the heat travel up her neck and looked to where Camdyn’s hand covered hers.
“Myself? Egotistical? You wouldn’t be the first person to think so.” Camdyn pulled her hand back.
“I didn’t mean to insult you. If you remember, we did get off to a bit of a rocky start.”
Camdyn stared out the window.
The renewed tension between them made her wish they could go back to earlier in the day. She kept the sigh to herself. For being on professional terms, their relationship was already proving to be complicated. Maybe that was because all relationships were that way, and she just hadn’t had much experience that they could be otherwise. Sarah had known cocky women before, and they’d been a turn-off. What was it about Camdyn that had the opposite effect on her? “Camdyn?”
“Cam.”
“I’m sorry?” Sarah frowned.
“I’d prefer if you call me Cam. Only Maggie calls me Camdyn when she’s pissed.” Cam shared a wry grin. “I’m not much on formality either.”