Cameron: I can make arrangements for you to stay with me
Jasmine: I’ve already committed to them.
Cameron: I understand. Make certain you let me know when you’re available for some R&R.
His mouth tightened in frustration. He hadn’t told Jasmine that he owned a hotel and could put her up in one of the rooms.
Jasmine: Will do. See you soon
Cameron: You bet
He returned the phone to his pocket. It looked as if all of his plans were falling into place at the right time. He now owned a home where he planned to spent the rest of his life, and the woman with whom he’d found himself mesmerized and enthralled was coming to his hometown for an extended stay.
Cameron got into his car to drive to his office, but quickly changed his mind when he headed for Marigny. He slowed, stopping in front a brick Southern-style farmhouse. Twin fans were suspended from the ceiling of the second-story veranda. The front door opened at the same time he alighted from the low-slung sports car.
Hannah McNair stood on the porch, shading her eyes with her hand. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
Cameron lowered his head and pressed his cheek to Hannah’s. “I came to ask you something.”
“Come inside where it’s cooler. Would you like something cold to drink?”
He shook his head. “No thank you.”
He followed the tall, slender platinum blonde whom he’d had a boyhood crush on so many years ago. Hannah hadn’t changed much over the years. Although her body had filled out with womanly curves, her face had remained virtually unchanged. There were a few laugh lines around her green eyes, but other than that there were few discernible lines or wrinkles in her pale, flawless complexion. Once word got out that she was marrying Dr. St. John McNair, women from twenty-six to sixty were saddened that the handsome college professor was off the market.
Hannah led him to the rear of the house to an air-cooled sunroom. “Please sit down.”
Cameron waited for her to sit, before he folded his body down into the dark-green rattan cushioned chair. The space was an oasis of light and color, with massive potted plants. Last December, the McNairs had hosted a New Year’s Eve open house and he’d stopped by to wish the newlyweds the best. When Hannah noticed he’d come unaccompanied, he realized he’d shocked her when he revealed the simple truth: he hadn’t found the woman with whom he wanted to ring in the year.
“I’m sorry for stopping by without calling first.”
Hannah shook her head. “Don’t apologize, Cameron. You and I have never stood on ceremony. After all, you know what I’m worth down to the last copper penny. Now, tell me what’s wrong.”
He froze. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“I’m not old enough to be your mother, but I’ve raised a son who had the same look on his face as you have now, when he fell in love with the woman who eventually became his wife.”
“I’m not in love.”
“You think not, Cameron. And I know who she is.”
Cameron could not believe he was that easy to read, or maybe Jasmine had told her about them. “Who is she?”
“Jasmine Washington. When you danced with me at my wedding reception and asked about Jasmine I told you that you’re a big boy and didn’t need me as a go-between if you wanted to meet her. Should I assume you have?”
He nodded. Cameron detested lying almost as much as he disliked verbal confrontation. “Yes.”
“When?”
He told Hannah about the dates he’d had with Jasmine, but not about their sleeping together. “I know she’s coming down and will stay with you but . . .”
Hannah lifted pale eyebrows. “But what?” she asked when Cameron didn’t finish saying whatever he wanted to say.
Suddenly he felt like a gauche teenage boy meeting a girl who he’d fantasized about. “I like her because she’s different from any other woman I’ve ever known. But that’s something I haven’t told her.”
A smile parted Hannah’s lips. “I think you more than like her, but I’m going to warn you that you can’t come on too strong or you will send Jasmine running in the opposite direction. She had quite a contentious divorce with a sonofabitch of a husband, so she’s rather distrustful of men. If you want my advice, then it’s to give her time to come around on her own. Even if your relationship reaches the stage where you’re sleeping together please don’t take that as a signal she wants something more permanent.”
A frown creased Cameron’s forehead. “Are you talking about marriage?”
