He set his phone on the coffee table and tried to drift off again, but thoughts of Hearts Bend kept him awake. Here he was, in his dream city working his dream job, and he missed, even ached for, that old-fashioned inn and his zany aunt and grumpy cook.
He missed Cami, and the thought of not seeing her this weekend bugged him. He sat up. Where was this thought process going? He refused to abandon his life plan and goals for the passing affection of a beautiful woman. But was it passing?
Besides, he’d already signed the inn over to her. When he went back to Hearts Bend, he’d sign the final papers and be done.
She’d warned against falling in love, and look, that’s exactly what he’d done. Ben jumped up from the sofa. He was in love with Cami Jackson.
He grabbed his phone and started a text but then glanced at his watch. Half an hour until dinner, which didn’t leave enough time to text Cami an “I love you” message. Did he even want to text her something so personal and intimate?
On impulse, he called his father. He needed to talk to someone now.
“Ben, hello. This is a surprise.”
“Hey, Dad. I’m in Sydney, so I thought I’d say hi while we’re in the same time zone.” He returned to his chair and turned toward the view.
“You’re in Sydney already? I thought you were hanging out in Hearts Bend until September.”
“I needed to make a trip down to oversee some things, but I’m heading home in a few days.” Home. The word slipped from his lips easily. “Dad, I’m selling the inn to Cami Jackson, who I think I might be in love with.”
His dad’s whistle came through the phone. “That’s a lot in one sentence.”
“We have twenty-four minutes to solve my life problems.” He laughed. “I’m due at a dinner with the Hong Kong team.”
“Let’s start with the inn. You sold it?”
Ben listed all the issues, the bank loan, and his desire to keep his career on track. “If I didn’t sell, I’d have to deal with the debt and renovations.”
“Mom was never good with money, but whenever I asked if she needed help, she said she was fine. Said Stan at the bank was looking after her.”
“She said the same thing to me. She didn’t want us to worry.”
“Who did you sell to again? Cami Jackson, the little girl with dark curls? You always liked her.”
“That’s the one.”
“I remember her. Cute kid. Granny didn’t care for her dad too much. Brant. Said he would level Hearts Bend if he had his way.”
“She exaggerated, but yeah, he is pretty hard core. Cami works for him, but the inn is sort of her private project. Dad, she’s beautiful. I think I love her.”
Dad was quiet for a few beats. “I like hearing you’re in love, but it doesn’t sound simple.”
Ben explained how her career was taking her to Indianapolis but she wanted the inn as a memorial to her mother. “She died in Cottage Three.”
“I remember. Mom was really upset.”
“She started coming down to the inn and, well?—”
“You tripped and fell in love.”
“Dad, what do I do? I can’t walk away from Viridian without huge consequences. I have no idea if she feels the same about me. She’s pretty ensconced in the family business.”
“I know you’re going to think this is a cliché answer but, Ben, if you want guidance, you should ask the One who made you.”
Ben smiled at Dad’s answer. Should’ve known that’s what he’d say. Ben found it comforting. “Mr. Graham said that too.”
“Larry Graham? He always did offer good advice.”
So did Dad. But would God really hear him? Was He really interested in his prayers? The Sunday school answer was yes. Ben knew that Dad believed it. But since the day they’d left him in Hearts Bend, Ben hadn’t been so sure God was listening.
