Nothing like dying and going right back to work, I guess.
The church was almost empty. Even our family had started to thin out, no doubt heading back to our house to eat the mountain of food people had delivered. Seemingly bored with my lack of a reaction, Jonathan got up and walked out too.
Right.
Past.
Her.
My back shot straight, and a smile I had no business wearing at a funeral spread across my lips.
Black dress. Black heels. Scarf wrapped around her head and huge shades covering half her face. It didn’t matter if I hadn’t seen her in three years—it could have been decades. I recognized her immediately. Part of that had to do with the hum in my bones which had always accompanied her presence, as if my body was a flesh-and-blood Nora Stewart detector.
“Would you excuse me for a moment?” I mumbled to little old lady twelve hundred and eighty-one before quickly ducking out the side door.
I jogged around the church, coming back in the front door, most likely looking like a fool to anyone who passed. I didn’t give two shits though.
Nora was there.
She was scanning the room when I tiptoed up behind her and fought the huge to grab her by the hips and startle her like old times. She would have screamed though, and my shit-eating grin was already out of place enough for the both of us.
Leaning forward, I whispered into her ear, “Well, you look ridiculous.”
She jumped, but a squeak was all that escaped as she spun to face me. “Oh my God,” she gasped, covering her heart with her hand. “Damn it. You scared the hell out of me.”
I shot her a teasing side-eye. “That mouth. In a church of all places.”
She moved her hand to her mouth. “Shit, sorry.”
My smile stretched so wide it was almost painful, and my pulse raced from having her there. In Alberton. She’d come to Alberton. For me.
“Damn,” she whispered before shaking her head. “You know what? Maybe we should just get out of the church. That’s probably easier for my mouth.” Grabbing my arm, she dragged me out of the sanctuary, not stopping until we were outside, alone, on the far side of the building. She glanced around one last time before lowering her scarf and pushing her sunglasses up to the top of her head.
My whole body sagged as I drank her in. She looked good, not just the beautiful she’d always been. Nora looked healthy, rested, and… Alive.
I put my hands in my pockets to keep them to myself. “Hello, stranger,” I greeted with a grin and aching cheeks once we were eye to eye.
She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug. “How are you? You holding up okay? I came as soon as I heard.”
I was fine. It was no secret my dad and I didn’t have much of a relationship. I’d spent years avoiding him and only coming home when I had to. In turn, he’d spent years pretending not to notice I was avoiding him. I’d been in New York for four years, and even though my mom had come to visit numerous times, Dad never had.
He was my father though. I was supposed to be devastated, and at some point, the finality of it all would probably sneak up on me, but I wasn’t quite there yet. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I ever would be.
However, it did some serious things inside my chest to know she’d heard my dad died, hopped in her car, and drove three hours to Alberton to check on me.
“I’m okay,” I said, returning her embrace with a bear hug of my own, complete with lifting her off her feet. “How the hell are you?”
Setting her back down, I released her to get another long look at her face. Nora was one hell of an actress, so whatever she was about to say, I wanted to get a good read on her to make sure it was the truth.
She rested her hands on my chest and toyed with my red tie as she beamed up at me. “I’m…I’m a lot better, Cam.”
Cam.
God, I’d never get sick of hearing it. I corrected people who shortened my name on a damn-near daily basis. It just wasn’t the same when anyone else said it.
“You look good. Really, really good,” I said, not feeling the least bit awkward about it.
It apparently did not have the same effect on her. She cut her gaze to her shoes, her long hair curtaining off her face. “Compared to the last time you saw me? I would hope so. Hospital chic isn’t really a look I’d like to repeat. God, that was awful.”
I could never explain to her how watching her choose to live again had been the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Though, if she was smiling and wanted to keep things light, I was more than happy to follow her lead.
“Oh, whatever. I think you pulled it off pretty nicely. And look at the bright side: At least we were close to medical help when you broke my heart by telling me you only drink Diet Coke. My recovery has been touch and go, but I’ve managed to carry on.”
As I’d hoped, she chuckled and lifted her head, making a show of it as she craned it all the way back. “Do you take, like, growth hormones or something? I swear Ramsey stopped growing at, like, eighteen and you’re bigger every time I see you. This is getting a tad ridiculous, Cam.”
Another Cam. Was it my birthday already?
I laughed. “I’m six-three. Thank you very much for noticing.” I ran a hand over her head, to where she hit against my shoulder. “I’m assuming the other Oompa Loompas have voted you out of the factory by now?”
Her hand snaked out so fast that I didn’t see it coming before she twisted my nipple.
“Ow, ow, ow. What the hell?”
She fluttered those dark-painted lashes as she peered up at me. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did that hurt?”
It did. But, fuck, I had missed her.
“I can’t believe you’re actually here.”
She shrugged. “You’re always there for me. I figured it was time to return the favor.”
I gave her shoulder a teasing shove. “So, how long are you here for?”
“Depends. How long do you need me to stay?”
I grinned at the familiar words. “In the name of honesty, I must tell you I’m doing okay with all of this. So, technically, I don’t need you to stay.”
Her smile fell almost immediately, and it made me a dick, but damn, it felt good that she wanted to be there too.
Resting my hands on her hips, I playfully swayed her from side to side. “But I’d really fucking love if you did.”
Her whole face lit like I’d mercilessly sacrificed a cricket in her honor. “Are there any hotels in this one-horse town? I could stay the night.”
“Yep. Casa de Cole has a vacancy. Just don’t read the Yelp reviews.”
Like someone had flipped the switch, the light in her eyes went dark. “I can’t stay at your parents’. The whole Caskey family is in town. I was careful not to let anyone see me here today, but I have a sneaking suspicion staying under the same roof might set off a few alarm bells.”
“Fuck it. Let’s set off the tornado sirens too.”
“Camden,” she hissed.
“Relax. Personally, I’m many years removed from giving a shit about what the Caskeys think anymore. But I’d never ask you to stay at my parents’. I don’t even stay there anymore. Not since after a few years back, when my aunt and uncle showed up with Jonathan for an impromptu Christmas visit. Or maybe it was just impromptu for me. Anyway, I told everyone if they stayed, then I wasn’t. So my parents gave me the keys to Dad’s old hunting cabin and told me to kick rocks. Now, if you want my opinion, it was pretty fucked up how, in that situation, I was the one who got the boot out of the house, but I never gave the keys back. On the rare occasion when I come back to Alberton, I always have a place I can stay. And now, long story short, you have a place to stay too.” I was out of breath by the time I finished talking, but Nora was back to smiling, so I figured it was time well spent.
“It’s good to see the growth hormones haven’t affected your long-winded ramblings.”
“I know. You’re in for a treat with all the stories I have in store for you to
night.”
“You know, on second thought, I think I left my stove on at home. I should go check on that.”
She took a step away, but I hooked her around the waist, picking her up like a football under my arm. “Nope. Too late to run now. I haven’t seen you in forever, and I’m not above kidnapping.”
“Put me down. I’m in a dress.” She laughed, slapping at my legs.
I tickled her with my free hand, and she squirmed so much I almost dropped her.
Suddenly, the side door swung open and my mom stepped out. “Camden, what in the world are you doing out here, making all that racket?”
I quickly righted Nora, and she turned into my chest to hide her face, something I hated but understood.
“Oh, hey, Mom. Sorry. Were we being too loud?”
“I’d say so. I was talking to the Worthingtons and heard you two all the way in the sanctuary.” She raked her gaze down Nora’s back. “Who’s your friend?”
Nora went rigid, and I gave her hip a reassuring squeeze. Regardless of the consequences, I would have loved nothing more than to turn her around, throw my arm around her shoulders, and introduce Nora with pride. However, I only had her for one night, and standing there was wasting precious time.
I smiled at my mom, holding her gaze as I dipped low and put my mouth to Nora’s ear. “Run.” Then I took off like a madman, pulling her right along with me.
“Camden!” Mom yelled at my back, but I barely heard it over Nora’s wild laughter.
Hand in hand, we raced to the parking lot.
When I broke left, she slowed down and pointed to the right. “My car is this way.”
“Just leave it. We’ll pick it up later.”
“My bag is in there.”
I tugged her hand. “I’ll loan you some clothes.” God, just the idea of her in one of my button-downs had my dick begging to be readjusted.
Her head fell to the side, and she argued, “I don’t even have a toothbrush.”
“Use mine.”
“Ew!” she whined, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Okay, okay, fine,” I huffed. “Let me just introduce you to my mom and then we can grab your bag and get out of here.”
Her eyes flashed comically wide, but it got her feet moving again—in my direction.
After digging the keys out of my pocket, I clicked the locks to my dad’s old Jeep. I paused only to yank her door open before running around to the driver’s side. We both dove in, panting and lost in hysterical laughter.
Drumming her hands on the dashboard, she shouted, “Go go go!”
Let’s be real. It wasn’t like my mom had chased us down or anything. The few people left in the parking lot hadn't even looked our way.
But I still threw my old Jeep into reverse and peeled out for no other reason than I was riding a high with Nora Stewart that I never wanted to come down from.
“You’re kidding, right?” Nora asked when I led her inside the cabin.
I hung my keys on the deer antler hooks next to the door and glanced back at her. “About what?”
“This is not”—she tossed me a pair of air quotes—“‘an old hunting cabin.’ You made it sound like we would be sleeping on squeaky floors and peeing in the woods.” She pointed across the room. “There’s a freaking pool table. I wouldn’t call this roughing it.”
I scanned the massive room, knowing exactly what she was talking about. Huge open layout. Leather sofa facing a fireplace. King-size bed facing another fireplace. Small kitchen with white-quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Crown molding distressed to give it the illusion of being rustic, all while practically flashing dollar signs.
Not many years ago, I would have rather climbed into a hole and died than show her this place. But at the moment, I was almost a hundred thousand dollars in student loan debt, had three jobs I worked year-round, and lived in a shoebox apartment I shared with two other guys all because I’d refused to take a single cent from my parents for college. I had no idea what Nora’s financial situation was, but chances were she was far better off than I was, even if I sometimes got to stay in a fancy cabin when I came home for holidays—and tragedies.
I shrugged and walked to the kitchen. “There’s a hot tub out back too.”
“Seriously?” She walked to the back door and slid the curtain open. “Jesus, Cam.”
We were on the sixth Cam of the day, but it could have been number six hundred and I never would have been sick of hearing it.
Leaning against the counter, I explained, “I think my mom always hoped Dad would make this place their home away from home for weekend getaways. That’s probably why she had her interior decorator come in and design it to her liking. In reality, Dad just bought the place for somewhere to get away from her.”
She joined me in the kitchen and straddled one of the stools at the bar across from me. “I know you said you were okay…but do you maybe…want to talk about your dad dying?”
“I’d rather talk about you.” I turned and opened the fridge, hooking my fingers around two longneck bottles before letting it swing shut behind me. “Beer?”
She nodded, and I popped the top off before sliding one her way. “Cheers.”
We clinked bottles and then both took a sip, her pull noticeably longer than mine. A little liquid courage never hurt anyone.
“Okay, so, what do you want to know?”
I propped myself up on my elbows on the island. “Everything.”
She blew out a long breath. “Hmm, let’s go for the abridged version. Therapy. Therapy. Therapy. Anti-depressants. Anti-anxiety medication. Therapy. Therapy. Therapy. Joe got married. Thea started a travel agency. Thea and I moved to a little house about thirty minutes away from the old neighborhood. Oh, and as of last week, your uncle, good old former Mayor Caskey, managed to call in some favors and get Ramsey’s request for parole denied. Ya know, same old, same old.”
“Fuck,” I clipped.
“Yeah, so, good times.” She took another drink of beer. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather talk about your dad?”
I reached across the bar and caught her hand, and like it was the most natural thing in the world, she laced her fingers with mine. “Nora, I am so sorry. I—”
“Don’t finish that. Not one more word.”
I clamped my mouth shut and stared at her.
Never letting me go, she walked around the counter and moved in close. “This is going to come out wrong, but bear with me. Okay?” When I nodded, she announced, “I had fun at your dad’s funeral. Let’s not ruin it.”
“Wow, okay. Not what I was expecting you to say.”
She giggled, soft and sweet. “I just mean, when you snuck up behind me and told me I looked ridiculous. And then we made jokes and picked on each other outside. Even running from your mom. I swear, Cam, it’s the most free I’ve felt in years. We don’t get to spend a lot of time together and the last few times have been…well, a nightmare. So, what if we just pack away the heavy shit for tonight and have fun for a change? It’ll be like old times again.” She smiled up at me with those brown eyes that had owned so much of my childhood, and just like the good old days, I was wrapped around her little finger.
I could do that. Jesus Christ, I could do that.
I could give her the easy and carefree we both so desperately deserved and so rarely got. My week had been a never-ending drone of condolences and funeral preparations. I was more than happy to sit around and share a few beers with a bright, funny, gorgeous woman I hadn’t seen in too damn long.
Fun with Nora was not a hardship.
So, when she pushed up onto her toes, adorably crinkled her nose, and asked, “What do you say?” I had but one answer.
“I’ll need to get you a pair of my boxers and a T-shirt.”
Her eyebrows sank together. “Why?”
I moved her hand to rest on my chest, mostly because I liked the way it had felt when she’d done it at the church and because I needed mine free
to pluck her beer from her grip and set it on the counter. “Because your dress is about to get seriously wet.”
All in one swift movement, I bent over, put my shoulder to her stomach, and lifted her off the floor.
“What are you doing?” she howled. “Mercy!”
“You wanted the good old days.” I carried her out the back door and peeled back the top on the hot tub. “I don’t have a creek, so this will have to do.”
She screamed as I dumped her into the water, heels and all.
I almost busted my ass when she shot up out of the water and grabbed my tie, but I didn’t make her work too hard at dragging me in with her.
Soaking wet, fully dressed, on a day that should have been one of the hardest of my entire life, being with Nora was the only part of the equation that mattered.
When she was done dunking me underwater, I stripped off my pants, tie, and button-down and Nora made me close my eyes while she peeled out of her dress, exchanging it for my wet undershirt instead.
We took turns getting out to retrieve beers. I tried not to stare at the way my white shirt clung to her mouth-watering curves. Barely scraping together enough self-control to keep my groans to myself.
Four beers in, when it was my turn to get us another drink, Nora no longer offered me the same courtesy—thank fuck.
“Holy shit, Camden Cole. Can we discuss where and how you got that six—er, eight pack?”
I passed her both the beers so I could slide back inside the warm water, the jets bubbling atop the glowing blue surface. “Finally, she notices. I almost pulled something and passed out flexing last time I got out.”
She wagged her eyebrows. “That time, I was checking out your butt.”
“Like I’m some piece of meat?” I clutched my chest. In reality, I loved every fucking minute of it. “Go on. And the first time?”
With a wolfish grin, she shook her head and settled deeper into her corner seat. “So, anyway. Are you still in school?”
I squinted to let her know I was onto her, but I gave her a pass with her less-than-smooth subject change. Under the water, I hooked my ankle around hers and she rubbed her foot against my leg.
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