It was late for Cami. She’d be wrapping up her day, getting ready for bed. She might already be in bed. But maybe he’d catch her.
He was about to tuck his phone away when her reply pinged in.
Have a safe flight. I’ll see you Saturday. Are you sure you won’t be jet-lagged?
I’m sure. See you soon.
The three dots appeared as if she had more to say, but then they disappeared, and she didn’t text again.
At his computer, he started looking for a solution to the lock problem. He’d just have to call the manufacturer tomorrow. Then he opened his calendar to get a feel for how much time he had left to get a mountain of work done. But what stood out to him the most was he only had two weeks left with Cami. And it wasn’t enough time.
It didn’t matter how many times they said they’d just enjoy the moment—he wanted the moments to last. Would he ever have more than a summer romance with her?
11
This was the day. The day everything would change.
Maybe. If Cami could really stand up to Dad, tell him that she was keeping this project.
Please.
For all her bravado, she couldn’t shake that one simple word. The whispered plea cut straight to Cami’s heart.
She wanted the inn. More than anything, but not at the expense of her dad.
Ben was a businessman. He would understand. Sometimes contracts fell through.
Cami attempted to remove the property from the system, but it was locked by the project manager, and he’d traveled to another site with Dad. Cami didn’t want to text him to give her access, because then he’d say something to Dad and…snowball upon snowball.
So she’d just wait until he got back. In the meantime, she had to get on with the business of telling Ben the deal was off.
On this gorgeous albeit hot July Saturday, she pulled up to the Hearts Bend Inn and parked under a shade tree. The morning breeze nipped at her as she stepped out and waved to Ben, who stood out front waiting for her.
Were her eyes deceiving her or did he look more handsome than when he left?
“G’day, mate.” He managed the Australian with a perfect accent.
“Howdy, stranger,” she said in her very best Southern.
His warm embrace was like coming home. The fresh scent of soap, the warm squeeze of his strong arms. She took a moment to draw from his strength.
“Ben, can we talk in your office?” Because today was a business meeting, and having a desk between them would remind her of her mission.
“Sure.” He peered at her with a quizzical expression. “What’s going on?”
Cami inhaled to fight a wave of emotion. She blamed the inn’s magical grounds and the memories of Mama.
“I’ll tell you in your office.”
Ben gripped her hand and led them into the cool inn. Soft music piped through a speaker by the desk. Myrtle May hummed along as she clicked something on the computer before she looked up, her faithful dog curled up in his bed behind her.
“Cami, darling, welcome back.” Myrtle May stepped from the desk to embrace her. The tears built behind Cami’s eyes. “Or should I say welcome home, boss lady? I want you to know I offered a ten percent off for a three-night stay this month and we booked right up. Both cottages are rented, and we had a request for another. We need to get Cottage Three up and running, but I’ll let you two work that out.”
They stepped into the office, and Ben shut the office door as Cami sat in the antique chair across from the desk. He relaxed in a large, very worn but comfy-looking chair.
“You look good.”
She smiled. She’d worn her yellow blouse and white pencil skirt, as if the colors would brighten the news she came bearing. “So do you.”
