Page 7 of Lucky Star

“I know that. I do. But there’s no one else for me. I’m going to marry Sarah, or I’m going to grow old with Gloria out there taking care of me.”

My dad huffed out a laugh. “You best hope Sarah comes around then because Gloria would make a terrible companion.”

“Patrick,” my mom scolded. “What a horrible thing to say about your granddaughter.”

“I love that little girl as much as I loved her mother, but just the same, she’s an odd duck.”

“She has time to grow out of it,” my mom clucked, defending her strange little bird. “Besides, Cameron doesn’t need to worry about that, because Sarah’s going to come around. I just know it.”

“I appreciate your confidence. Just keep repeating that and maybe fate will hear you.”

“Good luck, son.” Dad gripped my shoulder as he walked past. “Sarah’s a lucky woman to have found you.”

If only I could have agreed with him. As things stood, I was probably the last man on earth she’d think she was lucky to know, but I had every intention of changing her mind.

Alone in my childhood bedroom with my grandmother’s ring sitting on the bed next to me, I contemplated how I could repair the damage I’d done. It would take time for Sarah to trust me again, but I was willing to devote every waking minute to making sure she did.

Pulling out my laptop, I checked outgoing flights and prices from Cleveland to LAX. Tomorrow’s flight was already sold out, but there was one that departed in five hours for San Diego instead. Groaning at the hit my credit card was about to take, I called the airline’s 1-800 number to change my ticket. The customer service rep was probably one of the nicest airline employees I’d ever encountered. Having explained the reason for my quick trip, she’d changed my ticket to tonight’s flight instead and waived the transfer fee.

My ticket settled, I grew anxious. By this time tomorrow, I’d be at home, hopefully well on my way to winning my girl back. Oh, and prepping for the most important professional meeting of my life. No pressure or anything.

I jogged downstairs, and when I told my parents goodbye, my mother jumped. “But you just got here!”

“I wish I could stay longer, but I have to get home.” I opened my mouth to explain about the audition when my mom wrapped her arms around my middle and enveloped me in a warm hug. I realized then that I’d never even told them about The Ties That Bind.

“So romantic. Flying across the country at breakfast to pick up a ring and then flying home after dinner. Sarah really is a lucky girl, Cameron. I hope she sees that.”

“Yeah, me too.” I kissed my mom on the cheek and shook my dad’s hand. “Bye Gloria,” I said, ruffling my niece’s curls.

“Cameron!” she shrieked, patting her perfect curls. “You should never muss a lady’s coiffure.”

I laughed and looked my dad’s way. “She is such an old lady,” I mouthed, to which he responded, “You don’t know the half of it.”

Several hours and thousands of miles later, I touched down in Southern California with the key to my future tucked in my pocket. The words I’d spoken to my parents echoed in my head. Someday I was going to make Sarah mine.

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