“Oh, I know Sam Hardy. Steve yells at him every Sunday afternoon in the fall.” Annalise lowered her voice. “‘Good grief, Hardy, I can pass better than that.’” Steve was a huge Tennessee Titans fan. “So, if Ben says yes, what will Akron do with a small-town inn? Doesn’t seem like one of your usual properties.” Annalise shifted in the passenger seat. “Frankly, I’m surprised you’re even considering this. I thought you’d never go there again. I know Dad won’t.”
Which was probably a good thing. Cami could oversee everything about the property.
For now, she took the exit and merged onto 41A, still heading north. Traffic was lighter and she sailed through a few green lights.
“Cami, are you going to answer my question? Why do you want to own the Hearts Bend Inn?”
“Well, I wasn’t really sure until now, but something hit me when I read Keith’s email. Maybe I should go back, touch base with the last place I saw Mama. It’s been fifteen years. I’ve healed. Some. It felt good to walk the grounds with Ben. See the places I used to paint with Mama.”
“Did you go to Cottage Three?”
“No, but I don’t have to deal with Cottage Three if I—if Akron owns the inn. Did you know she left a painting in the lobby? It was a gift for Dad, but she died before she could give it to him, so he left it there.”
“Gosh, no. But I’m not surprised. Dad…he’s never really dealt with the grief. He covers up all his pain with bitterness.”
“I want the inn to be my own project. Akron has to change with the times, and since I’ll be in charge someday, I’ll try a few things now. The inn is chump change compared to what we normally do. I made an offer, and to be honest, I think Ben’s going to take it.”
“Don’t be surprised at Dad’s reaction, Cami. He hates that place more than you.”
“I don’t hate that place. Not anymore.” Tears threatened at the thought of what had become of her relationship with Dad. “Maybe I’m being a Pollyanna, but I hope one day the inn will remind him of who he used to be.”
“He doesn’t want to be reminded, Cami.” Annalise had never had the tension with Dad Cami had had after Mama died. But then again, she hadn’t been there when it all went down.
The Cumberland Oasis came into view, and Cami slowed to turn in. “When I showed up, Ben asked me if I’d come for the painting. I didn’t even know what he was talking about.”
“You don’t have to buy the whole inn to get the painting, Cami.”
“That’s just it, Annalise. I think I do.”
“So you think Ben’s going to sell? If I know you, you have a plan to win him over.”
“Saturday night I’m going to the Hearts Bend square dance.”
“How do you know he’s going to be there?”
“If he’s not, I’ll go to the inn. Show I’m not in it just for the property but that I care about the town as well as the inn.”
“Do you?” Annalise sounded dubious.
“Yes, I think I do.”
“All right, then I want pictures. You at a square dance? Can’t see it.” Annalise’s laugh floated through the car. “Time-stamped photos to prove you’re there all night. And several with Ben. I’m curious what he looks like now.”
“You’re on. And by the end of the night, Ben Carter will agree to sell me Hearts Bend Inn.”
5
She was a city girl in a country venue and completely out of her comfort zone. Skilled dancers swung about the barn floor to the directions of skilled callers.
Cami had no idea how to allemande left and felt sure if she tried, her leather cowboy boots would betray her feet.
Coyly scanning the dance floor and barn perimeter, she looked for Ben but saw no sign of him. The concession line ran along the back wall advertising cheese and nachos, hot dogs, chips, sodas, popcorn, and ice-cream bars.
A band supported the caller, and as one dance ended, another began. The place was packed—and hot. Large fans anchored in the four corners swung from side to side, stirring the hot air but doing nothing to really cool the space.
Cami pulled out her phone and snapped a selfie at the entrance of the community barn with a bunch of folks gathered behind her. She took another at the snack stand, still looking for Ben. Or Myrtle May.
She was about to take another selfie in front of the band when someone plucked her phone from her hand.
