Page 20 of Love Like Lightning

Nah, that’s unlikely.

He’s always bopping around the country, working on whatever he does when we’re not working together. Cam’s never really explained what he does for a living, but I know he’s made of money. If he wasn’t, we wouldn't be able to take on these projects. He all but bankrolls anything that we do when we work with businesses in need. Then, when things eventually turn around and they start profiting again, he starts to actually get paid. Not before. It’s a completely selfless endeavor, and I’m happy that we crossed paths and I get to be part of it.

As a freelancer myself, I’m glad I can count on him calling me a couple of times a year to work with him. And I’m glad that whatever he does on his own time pays well enough that I still get a paycheck while we’re on a project.

“It’s just the initial meeting. I’ll go more casual moving forward. I’m just trying to be professional.”

“You need those to be professional?” Skepticism laces his words, and I make a point of giving him a long look.

“Do you need a three-piece suit to be professional?” It’s not the first time I’ve given him a hard time about his wardrobe.

He looks great, don’t get me wrong, but that man is always dressed like this. I’ll never admit it, but I dress up because he does. I’d secretly love it if he would dress down occasionally because I’d like to throw on some jeans every once in a while. I don’t think I’ve seen him without a suit jacket once in our entire working relationship. I may never get him to admit it, but I’m pretty sure that watching Peaky Blinders when it first aired impacted him more than it should have.

“Point taken, Gia. Let’s go talk to Gina and Marc.”

“Were you as surprised as I was when you got the call from them?” I ask quietly as we step into the lodge.

“I was, but they both came around and want to fight for their business, their home.”

Watching a rare small smile curve his lips, I can’t help but feel eager. “Well, if they wanna fight for it, we’ll fight.”

A familiar excitement buzzes through my body. It’s always the same at the beginning of these assignments. Projects. Whatever you want to call them. Cam is the brains and the backbone, and I crunch the numbers to make sure we can actually follow through on all of his ideas. He always finds clients who seem to be desperate for some magic cure for their business woes. Often, it’s a family business. Sometimes it seems like there’s no answer, no way to help revive their coffee shop or boutique or whatever it is.

But we always pull through, and between our skills and the openness of the people who want to work with us, we’ve always succeeded.

There’s an energy before we deep dive into the challenge ahead of us that’s unmatched. I just hope that the Wrights will be as excited as we are.

Once we’re inside, we’re met by Gina Wright and the overwhelming scent of baked goods. We’re also met with silence. Which, for an establishment like The Wright Lodge, is bad news.

These kinds of businesses thrive off of people, and when there aren’t any people…the businesses don’t thrive.

Gina stands just in front of the check-in desk, decked out in an adorable frilly apron covered in croissants. She’s a shorter woman, thin but clearly strong. Her silvery gray hair is cropped shorter than it was the last time we saw her, settling just above her shoulders, and the subtle bags under her eyes clue me in to how things have been going.

Of course, the surprise on her face at our arrival isn’t exactly what we’re hoping to see either.

“What are you? I thought—Cameron, Gianna, I thought our meeting was tomorrow.” Gina rushes over, a flush coloring her pale skin, looking furtively around. For what? I’m not sure. It seems like we’re the only ones here.

“Oh.” Cam pulls his phone out of his pocket, and I watch as he scrolls through his calendar to confirm our appointment. “Maybe there were some crossed wires. I have today’s meeting confirmed.” He smiles at her patiently, taking in her frazzled state.

Internally, I’m hoping we have to reschedule. Honestly, I could use a nap after my day of travel. On the other hand, I’d hate to have to put these heels on for nothing.

“I hate to ask, but is there any way to do this tomorrow?” Her hands flutter at her sides, and she gives us a tense smile. “We must have gotten the days mixed up. I’m so sorry.”

Darting my eyes to Cam, I see him attempt to take a calming breath. I’m sure Gina doesn’t see the slight irritation that I pick up on. The tension around his eyes and the slight tic in his jaw. Cam is the kindest guy I know, but he’s a stickler for schedules and keeping things moving on track.

“No worries at all. We’ll go get settled and be back tomorrow. Same time?” He lets out a small sigh and keeps his finger poised over his phone, ready to adjust his calendar.

“Same time. I’m so sorry again. I know you two traveled a long way. You’re all set at the bed and breakfast?” Her expression takes on a genuine motherly concern, and my heart squeezes in my chest.

“We’re great. Everything’s great at the bed and breakfast. Looking forward to meeting tomorrow.” I answer for Cam with a smile that I hope eases the stress she’s clearly dealing with.

She visibly relaxes, clasping her hands in front of her. Cam glances at me with a nod before saying his goodbye. I say goodbye as well and follow him back out onto the porch.

“That was a little weird,” I comment, already planning on kicking off my heels in the car.

“It throws us off by a day.”

“It’ll be fine. You always pad our schedule.” I let him help me down the stairs and make it to where we’re parked.

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