She did. Ray had brought in special flowers just for Mama to paint. During that last summer, he’d even planted camellias for Cami to paint. Another memory she’d locked away.
“Ray, do you remember Cami Jackson?”
“Macie’s little girl? Sure do. You’re all grown up. Saw you at the inn not too long ago.”
Cami nodded, but before she could respond, Ben held up Cami’s phone. “Cami would like a video of one dance. Could you dance with her while I take it?”
Ray shook his head. “As much as it pains me to turn a pretty girl down, why don’t I video and you dance?”
Ben handed the phone to Ray, and as the next song started, Ben and Cami hurried to join the line, hand in hand.
Cami laughed through the song with Ben purposefully missing steps and throwing her off beat. When was the last time she’d had so much fun?
Ray handed back her phone when the dance ended, but Ben quickly reached for it.
“Hey, Ben Carter, hand over my phone.” Cami tried to snatch it away, but Ben held it over his head.
“Let’s find a place to cool off.” He grabbed her hand. “Pie and ice cream at Ella’s?”
“Oh my gosh, I love Ella’s.” She tried for her phone again, but he tucked it in his pocket.
“Care to walk? It’s not far.” His hand still held hers.
“Sure, I’d love to walk.”
Myrtle May deserved a thank-you of epic proportions. Ben would never have gone to the square dance tonight if not for her prompting. And now he was going to enjoy dessert at Ella’s.
Come on, it’ll be fun. You know what they say: all work and no play makes Ben a very dull boy.
Dull? He was dull, wasn’t he? He felt it. Working the inn during the day and Sydney by night. But because of Myrtle May’s nagging, tonight he’d danced with the prettiest girl in attendance—Cami Jackson. She’d looked like a million bucks when she walked into the barn, long dark hair in curls down her back, a lace dress, denim jacket, and expensive-looking cowboy boots.
“Are you ever going to return my phone?” Cami said as he held Ella’s door for her, resting his hand on the small of her back as she passed.
“Maybe.”
As they’d strolled across the moonlit park, the cool breeze against their faces, she’d stayed close, her hand fitting perfectly in his. He was enveloped in the magic of Hearts Bend, and he’d keep her phone forever to stay in this moment.
Inside Ella’s, they chose a booth by the windows. A girl played guitar on a small corner stage, and several older couples sat at tables, laughing and talking. Ben passed Cami a menu, and they talked over their options. He ordered apple pie à la mode and iced tea. She ordered cherry à la mode and sweet tea.
“I’ve eaten pie all over the world. Ella’s is the best.” Ben slid Cami’s phone across the table. “Did you really come tonight to talk me into selling?”
“Yes, but I’ve had so much fun, I’m not sure I want to talk business.” She held her phone in her hand, then tucked it into her pocket. “Tonight reminded me there’s more to life than work.”
“Me too. I forget to have fun sometimes. So, what about my forty-eight-hour window?” He mimicked Marlon Brando’s The Godfather.
“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Cami laughed softly. “I sounded so stupid. I never give a client a deadline.”
“You’re a businesswoman. Deadlines are a natural part of offers.”
“Not for me and not like that. Anyway, when Keith Niven emailed me about the inn, thinking it might be for sale, I’d just learned I was moving to Indianapolis. I think I felt suddenly sentimental.”
“You weren’t part of the Indy planning?”
“No, but that’s the way it rolls with Brant Jackson.” Cami sipped her sweet tea. “He dangled vice president in front of me and I bit. Since you didn’t answer me in forty-eight hours…” She smiled. “I’ve been asking myself why I made the offer. Do I really want to own an inn? It’s too small for Akron to manage, so I’d have to do it on my own. Can I do that from Indy?”
“Believe it or not, I’m right there with you, right down to the sentiment. But how can I put my career on hold for a few sentimental feelings and old memories? The memories are with me whether I own the inn or not.”
“But it’s also your family heritage.”
