Page 75 of Call It Love

I reached across the table and placed my hand over hers. “It hurts to hear that. I hate knowing I caused so much pain. I don’t expect you to forget those feelings. But I hope, at least now, you understand better.” I steadied my voice. “There were so many times I dreamed of running away from Nashville, but things were…difficult. I felt trapped. And ashamed.”

Her fingers shifted slightly beneath mine, but she didn’t pull away.

“I promise I didn’t come back to pick up where we left off like nothing happened. But Chase and I…we’ve realized those feelings never disappeared. They were just buried under time and pain. We feel like we’ve been given a second chance. Knowing what we lost, we’re not taking it for granted.”

Cameron’s eyes focused on our hands. When she finally looked up, her eyes were glassy. “I appreciate youtelling me this. And I’m more sorry than you know that your marriage was unhappy after…well, you know, everything you gave up. I have a feeling there’s a lot more to your story with Mason.”

I couldn’t help but flinch, but she squeezed my hand. “I don’t think we’re at a point where you’re ready to share that. But I think I understand better. I can take one look at my brother and know he’s completely in love with you. And I’m pretty sure you feel the same way. I hope you both get the happy ending you deserve.”

I blinked against the burn rising in my throat. “Thank you, Cam.”

She shook her head and cleared her throat. “Now that that’s out of the way, I heard you stood up to Beverly Seymour last night. That alone earns you extra points in my book.”

I laughed, the tension between us broken. We might still have a little way to go, but I felt like we were on the right path.

“I didn’t know that was such a big deal, but now I’m wondering what the heck I just got myself into.”

“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?” she teased. “I’ll give you two little hints. Don’t let Hans Zimmerman anywhere near the drinks. And beware of anything Crazy Tillie tries to pass off as a pet.”

“Okaaay. That sounds slightly ominous.”

Chase walked in at that moment, wiping his hands on a rag. He looked between the two of us.

“Well, I don’t see any broken dishes or signs of blood.”

Cam crossed her arms. “You sound almost disappointed.”

He held his hands up. “Nope. Just feel like I’m witnessing a miracle.”

He looked at me, his eyes catching mine with that soft, familiar warmth. “We good?” he asked.

I glanced at his sister.

She nodded with a grin. “Yep. For now. She’s still under review, pending the barn dance. If she can pull that off without running away,thenyou’re witnessing a miracle.”

“I’ll take it,” I said, laughing. “You’ll see.”

Chapter 25

Anna

The sharp scentof motor oil, must, and old wood hit me the moment I stepped into the barn, making me sneeze as I made my way across the floor, tablet in hand. Morning light filtered through the top windows and narrow cracks in some of the siding, catching dust motes—along with more bugs than I cared to count—in midair. Cobwebs draped from the rafters like holiday tinsel, and a bird’s nest perched in one of the overhead beams. A mess of rakes and shovels leaned haphazardly along the walls.

It was going to take some old-fashioned elbow grease to clean it out and make it ready, but it would be beautiful once it was strung with lights and music, and laughter filled the air.

IfI could pull it off, especially on a short timeline with essentially a budget of nothing.

Tapping my finger against my lips, I spun in a circle, mentally mapping out the layout. Food tables on the left. Bistro tables and chairs near the open doors. The band would be at the back, leaving an open space for dancing.

Speaking of, where in the world was I goingto find a band that could play at such short notice and for very little pay, since the money for the tickets was earmarked for the fundraiser? No wonder Beverly Seymour wanted to stick to simpler things.

I started typing on my tablet the many things I needed to find: band, silent auction items, food, lights…

A rustle behind me made me turn.

Marcus.

I pasted on a polite smile. “Morning.”

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