CH 2
1683 Words
“Oh, Princess,” Cam sighed, almost as if it was an afterthought.
Jessie held her breath, waiting … hoping, he would say more. However,
when he didn’t seem to know what else to say, she couldn’t help but think
maybe, for the first time in a long time, they were on the same page.
THE SECOND THE words were out, Cam wanted to call them back. Since Jessie had
arrived in Swan Harbor, he’d made a point of weighing every word and watching
his actions. He’d not wanted to give her any indication that he wasn’t happy with
his life. And he felt he’d succeeded … mostly.
Until, he’d listened to the words spoken during the ceremony. Since then all
the barriers he’d built around his emotions began to crumble. Plans and dreams
he’d thought were behind him kept wanting to resurrect. He’d been constantly
bombarded by the too intimate setting. And the longer he stayed, the harder it
was for his heart to remain safe, away from the pain and loss he’d strived to
forget.
He needed to step back and regain his equilibrium. Except when the music
and dance partners changed, and he was looking down into the curious face of
the bride, he had to wonder if his carefully constructed facade could be saved.
“You look beautiful today, Cassie,” Cam complimented, attempting to
thwart the questions he was sure she was dying to ask.
“Thank you.” Cassie’s knowing eyes met his. “But that won’t work, you
know?”
“No?” he grinned. “I thought women always enjoyed a compliment … or
two.”
She glanced around his shoulder at where he knew Jessie was dancing with
her new husband, “When are you going to tell her how you feel?”
“Eden?” Cam let it hang in the air several seconds. “She knows how I feel.”
“Does she?” Cassie surprised him by asking. “Do you love her?”
“I lo—” he began, but couldn’t make himself complete the word and settled
on, “I care about her … a lot.”
“Be careful, Cameron,” Cassie warned. “The heart wants what the heart
wants.”
“And you don’t think I know anything about heartbreak?” he snapped, not
caring that he was being unfair.
“I know Jessie hurt you,” Cassie replied softly. “But isn’t love worth
fighting for?”
The question was barely out of her mouth before her new husband whisked
her away. It left Cam standing in the middle of the dance floor with much on his
mind. Which had him heading away from Eden and toward the bar.
“Whiskey, neat,” he requested once he had the bartender’s attention.
While he waited for his drink, his gaze was drawn back to the dance floor.
Jessie was laughing, and the words ‘the heart wants what the heart wants’
echoed inside his head. Damn! The ache in the center of his chest wasn’t what
he’d hoped to feel.
Cam reached for his drink and tossed back the entire glass. The liquid
burned when it hit the back of his throat. But it was a feeling he relished – as he
needed something to distract from his inner turmoil.
“You’re drinking?” Eden’s accusatory tone set his teeth on edge. “You
know I don’t like the taste of that stuff.”
“I didn’t ask you,” Cam barked, tearing his eyes away from the dance floor
to the petite blonde. Her smile immediately fell, which made him feel like a heel.
“I’m sorry. Dance?”
Eden’s face lit up, but instead of pleased he made her smile, he felt
unsettled. When he led her onto the dance floor, the feeling didn’t disappear. It
persisted, pushing him to give single word responses to her questions, until she
gave up and leaned her head against his chest.
Cam tried to stay focused on the woman in his arms. But the memory of
dancing with Jessie was still too fresh in his mind. He’d been told he had a ‘type’
by more than one of his friends. And except for height, he could see the
similarities between the two women. Both were beautiful, with delicate features,
strawberry blonde hair, and blue eyes. Eden’s were like the sky. However, it was
Jessie’s turquoise ones that lived in his mind. They would twinkle one minute
and darken the next, her moods and emotions on full display.
The heart wanted what the heart wanted was on repeat inside his head. But
could he put his fear aside and risk everything? Was he ready for that emotional
roller coaster again? Once the answer was out there, his life would no longer be
under his control. Could he trust that this time, what he wanted, and what he got
were the same things?
The Lighthouse Inn
June 4
10:00 p.m.
HOURS LATER, Jessie was tired of hearing, “I thought you and Cam would be
married by now,” and was happy to follow her friends into the bride’s dressing
room. She knew she was in trouble when they were standing in front of a mirror
and Cassie pinned her with a pointed stare, “How are you holding up?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Jessie pushed Cassie’s hands aside to help
with the wedding dress laces and sought to change the subject, “Did I tell you
how beautiful you looked?”
“Oh, Jessie.” Sadie’s eyes met hers in the mirror. “Don’t you think it’s time
to talk?”
“Talk about what?” Jessie looked from one to the other, but from the looks
on their faces, she realized her running days were over.
“Well, duh,” Sadie arched one dark brow. “Let’s see … Cam?”
“Cam,” Jessie sighed. “There’s not much to say. He has a new girlfriend,
and they appear to be happy.”
“Appearances can be deceiving,” Cassie intoned, disappearing behind a
screen.
“Eden seems very … sweet,” Jessie hastened to defend the younger girl.
“It’s just that …”
“You want him for yourself,” Sadie finished quietly.
“Well, yeah,” Jessie agreed. “But, if he’s happy, then aren’t I supposed to be
happy for him?”
“Cam’s being,” Cassie reappeared with her wedding dress over her arm,
“safe. He doesn’t love her.”
“You asked?” Jessie exclaimed.
Cassie tossed her an impish grin, “I asked.”
“Wait, really?” Jessie fired back.
“Yes, really,” Cassie hummed. “Cam started to lie …”
“But?” Jessie prodded.
Well,” Cassie went on. “He did admit he cared for the girl.”
“But that’s not love,” Sadie jumped in. “Which means you still have a
chance. Isn’t he worth fighting for?”
Was he? Jessie wrapped her arms around her stomach and wandered to the
window. Her thoughts went back to how she’d felt during the ceremony when
the vows were read aloud. Of how every time Cam was near, her heart felt
whole. And more importantly, of how when she’d been in his arms on the dance
floor, she’d realized he was her home. Was she ready for that battle?
“But Eden’s…” she tried once more to walk away.
“Not you,” Sadie murmured.
“Well, of course she’s not me,” Jessie sighed.
“But since he couldn’t have you,” Cassie pointed out. “He picked someone
who resembled you.”
“No,” Jessie muttered.
“Come on,” Sadie argued. “Can’t you see it?”
Jessie still wasn’t ready to completely give in and threw out another
comment. “Her hair’s blonder.”
Cassie rolled her eyes.
“Eden’s short,” Jessie continued.
“She’s also young,” Sadie added.
“Eden’s safe,” Cassie circled back to where she’d started. “He’s waiting for
you.”
“Ha,” Jessie scoffed. “I’m not convinced he’s pining for me as much as you
seem to think.”
“Well,” Cassie’s dark eyes twinkled with mischief. “When you catch my
bouquet, let’s see how long he’ll be able to stay away.”
“Me?” Jessie laughed. “What about Sadie? She’s still single.”
“Oh, I know that.” Cassie exchanged conspiratorial looks with Sadie. “But
she’s waiting for Gray to come to his senses and figures …”
“If I’m with Cam,” Jessie chuckled at their devious minds. “I can put in a
good word.”
“Exactly,” Sadie giggled. “Those Hunter men just need a little push.”
Jessie blinked several times to clear her vision, “I missed you guys,” she
whispered. “Thanks for being my friends.”
“Hey,” Cassie sniffed. “Don’t make me cry and ruin my make-up.”
“Sorry,” Jessie’s grin was sheepish. “It’s been nice to be home.”
“We’re glad you’re home too,” Sadie and Cassie mumbled, wrapping her in
a group hug.
“Now, remember,” Cassie reminded her. “I’m aiming for you.”
“And if someone gets in the way,” Sadie giggled, “knock them over.”
“Got it.”
It was a plan, Jessie thought. Except could she go through with it? Could
she really put her heart out there one more time?
CAM HAD a hard time looking away, when Cassie, Jessie and Sadie returned to
the room. Each woman was striking on her own, but there was something about
the three together that reminded him of Charlie’s Angels. One was dark, one
brunette and one light. They were strong, independent women whose bond had
been forged years ago. Hurt one, you hurt them all, he had learned a time or two....
- Writer
