She laughed, then kissed him. “I want to invest. I have money from the sale of my condo, and besides buying ridiculously expensive shoes, I put most of my bonuses in savings.”
“Your dad offered to invest too.”
“You’re kidding.”
“He said it’s what Macie would want. He said he owed you anyway for all the pain he left you in.”
“He didn’t really leave me in pain, and I don’t own the inn. How is investing?—”
“It would if you’d consider a future with me.”
Cami shifted her gaze to take in the crowd around them on the dance floor. “Ben Carter, you’re not asking me to marry you, are you?”
“Not right now. You’ll known when I’m asking.” He turned her toward him in time with the music. “But I am asking if you’d consider working toward making your mama’s painting a reality.”
Her eyes welled up and a sassy grin spread across her face. “I’d consider it.”
Oh, what a glorious kiss followed. He lifted her off the ground, swung her around, then kissed her again.
He didn’t need fancy resorts or to live in cities like Sydney or Hong Kong to have adventure. All he needed was a purpose and the woman he loved.
In truth, his adventures were just beginning.
18
Cami deemed today the perfect day. The cool October breeze moderated the heat of the afternoon sun, and the blue sky was just the right shade.
In a twist that had surprised them all, Walt and Myrtle May had eloped after Vicki’s wedding and had just returned from their honeymoon to set up house in the owner’s cottage. Walt was happy to leave his bachelor pad behind and move in with Myrtle May, though Cami suspected he snuck off to his old fishing shack whenever he could.
But they were happy. She saw love in their eyes.
As she set up her easel and chair, her engagement ring caught the light and scattered a prism of color across the canvas. Ben had proposed with the ring a few weeks after Vicki’s wedding. Took Cami out to the bench, got down on one knee, and slid a simple but beautiful diamond onto her finger.
She and Annalise were busy planning a March wedding, getting as much work done before the arrival of baby Macie Camellia in February.
Vicki’s wedding had exploded Annalise’s business so much Annalise had hired two assistants. The inn’s business had also increased, the rooms and cottages at eighty percent capacity. Ben was working on organizing all the scheduled events, which fit right into all of his corporate experience.
With her and Dad’s investment money, they paid off the loan and continued upgrades on the inn. Ben had taken the old plans to an architect for modifications, at the very least bringing the structures and elements up to the twenty-first century.
Cami split her time between Hearts Bend and Nashville, living in Cottage Three Friday night through Sunday night. Even though she’d backed off Akron duties, she’d been killing it with acquisitions and had recently landed two of the largest deals in Akron history.
Guess that was what she got for letting the Lord lead her life. Not that every day was easy. She and Ben had weathered their first few fights, learning each other’s ways.
In late September, Dad had had a small heart episode, so the doc had him eating more “mush,” according to Dad, but he admittedly felt better. That had been a bit of a scare for them all.
Geoffrey had called at the end of September begging for Cami to come up and help with one of his projects. She’d spent a week with Astrid, who’d finally, finally found a good man.
But for God…
The family had started their first monthly gathering in October. Dad, Annalise, and Steve had come to the inn, and Ben had barbecued. They’d played cornhole and laughed until their sides hurt.
But for God…
The best part, besides Ben’s love and kisses—Cami was painting again, which was why she’d come out to this spot.
Today was the day to finish Mama’s painting. She planned to give it to Dad for Christmas. He’d painted the walls of his place a soft gray and added a blue paint to one of the living room walls. Slowly but surely, color was coming back to Dad’s life. Cami’s red camellia took center stage in his living room. Dad had insisted that she decorate around her picture.
“There you are.” Ben walked toward her, the breeze pressing his T-shirt against his taut middle. “I’m starved. Angelo’s?”
Cami looked at her paint brushes and the basket of her acrylics. “I’d love to.”
Maybe Dad should’ve taken more time to be with Mama and his girls, but Mama had borne some responsibility. Dad had felt she’d loved her work more than him.
Painting could wait. Growing in love with Ben trumped everything.
“Keith called. He found a house in town that has our name written all over it,” Ben said, taking her hand as they walked toward the inn’s old truck. “A craftsman. Want to swing by, take a look?”
Love, peace, finishing Mama’s painting, heading off to pizza with the love of her life before touring their possible dream house… What more could a girl want?
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
