Lover's Leap (9 page)

Her smile turned secretive, and Cam was compelled to ask, “What about now? Are you seeing anyone now? I mean, I don’t want my being around to cause you any problems on the personal front.”

That smile went from secretive to amused—at his expense, he thought. “What’s so funny about that?”

“I was thinking about the man I dated recently. If Jack and I were still seeing each other, something tells me he would make sure you weren’t around enough to cause me personal problems. Jack can be … intense.”

Honey, you don’t have a clue at how intense I can be
. “Just who is this Jack, so I’ll know to watch out for him?”

“You’ll probably never see Jack Davenport. He owns a home here, but he seldom visits.”

At the name, Cam whipped his head around and stared at her. “Davenport! You dated Davenport?”

“You know Jack?”

Uh, yeah, he damn sure did know Jack. After seeing Sarah and Lori in Australia, he’d called Jack and asked him what he knew about the pair. Jack’s information had been sketchy. He’d said he knew Sarah from shopping at the Trading Post during his trips to Eternity Springs. He hadn’t known Lori.

Cam hadn’t requested a personal investigation, and he damn sure hadn’t asked him to date Sarah! “Jack Davenport is my cousin. Sort of.”

“I know that from Eternity Springs history. You have the same great-grandfather. I didn’t figure you knew him, since you didn’t have contact with any Davenports when you lived here.” Her lips lifted in a smile. “After I told Lori about you, she wanted me to ask Jack how to find you. She was certain he would know.”

“She’d have been right. Jack and I met seven or eight years ago. We stay in touch.”

“He never told me that.” Surprise shone in her eyes, then she scowled. “Does he know that you are Lori’s father?”

“I told him in March.”

She folded her arms. “I dated him in April. That dirty dog. He never said a word about knowing you. You know, Sage told me I was an idiot not to go out with him again, but I knew something just wasn’t right. Just because a man is drop-dead gorgeous, wealthy as sin, and a superb kisser doesn’t mean he’s necessarily a good catch. He asked a lot of questions, but I never met someone so guarded when it comes to sharing information about himself. The man makes a mime look like a blabbermouth.”

A superb kisser? I’m going to kill him
. “How long did you see him?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you asking if I slept with him?”

“No.” He’d ask Jack. Right before he decked him.

“We had two dates. Like I said, he’s not here very often.”

And she wouldn’t be so open about Jack if she’d gone to bed with him. Mollified somewhat but wanting a distraction nonetheless, he said, “Back to Lori. Does she still like animals?”

“Loves them. She’s a biomedical science major. She wants to be a vet.”

“Oh, yeah? So she’s smart?”

“Very. She loves school, and getting this internship was a thrill for her.”

Quiet pride filled Cam. Over the next half-hour, he asked dozens of questions, and for the most part, Sarah answered them all. He learned that Lori liked tropical colors, shrimp scampi, Texas country music, and college football. When Sarah added that their daughter enjoyed all kinds of water sports, he said, “She’s a certified diver. She didn’t learn that in Eternity Springs.”

“No, she took classes at school and dived off Cozumel when her roommate’s family invited her along on their vacation.” Sarah licked her lips and added, “She was looking forward to the dive in Australia.”

“You never learned to dive?”

She shook her head. “No, that’s one dream I didn’t achieve.”

“It’s not too late.”

She laughed. “Right. I’ll just run down to the local dive shop and sign up for classes.”

“I could teach you. Jack has a swimming pool at Eagle’s Way. Knowing him, he has equipment, or we could rent some.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.”

Cam didn’t miss the yearning on her face, and he made a mental note to look into making it happen.

Sarah checked her watch, then said, “I have to be getting home. I still have a lot to do today.”

“So you’re all set to talk to Lori tonight? Will you let me know how it goes?” When she nodded, he slid down off the rock and reached into his pocket for his phone. “What’s your number? I’ll call you now so that you’ll have my number to give to Lori. Just in case she wants to call. If she doesn’t, then you can call me with a report. Okay?”

“Okay.” Sarah repeated her number, then, as he punched it in, added, “I wouldn’t hold your breath, Cam.”

“Hey, I’m all about the power of positive thinking.” Her ringtone was a Frank Sinatra tune, and hearing it, Cam smiled. “It’s nice to know that some things don’t change. Want some help down?”

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Thanks. I still hate being short.”

“Diminutive,” he replied, the response automatic as he grasped her waist. In that moment, as the old, often repeated exchange hung between them and his hands found the familiar spot around her waist, the line between past and present went hazy.

Cam looked into Sarah’s eyes and did the most natural thing in the world.

He kissed her.

   
Oh
, Sarah thought, as Cam’s lips captured hers.
Oh. Oh. Oh
. She settled her hands on his shoulders, so firm, so broad.
Cam. My Cam
. And then she quit thinking.

His mouth was warm and firm against hers. He tasted faintly of coffee and memories. Sarah responded, just as she’d always done. She was sixteen and lovestruck; thirty-six and needy. She opened her mouth, and their tongues touched and mingled, sliding sensuously against each other. Electric shivers raced along her skin as he moved forward until her back fit against the boulder, her feet dangled two feet off the ground, and her front pressed against the long, hard length of him.

I’ve missed this. I’ve missed him
.

Her heart pounded as she melted into him. She was lost in a sea of sensation, hot and achy and hungry. He was strong, broader now than he’d been as a teenager, his frame filled out with lean ropes of muscles that told the tale of a physically active life. She felt tiny in his arms. Feminine.

Frightened.

What in heaven’s name am I doing?

The hands that had been caressing his shoulders slid down to his chest and pushed. She tore her mouth away and gasped out, “Cam, stop!”

It took a beat for the message to get through. When it did, he stepped back and released her suddenly. Too suddenly. She bumped her head against the boulder on her way to the ground. “Ow!”

She glared up at him as she rubbed the back of her head. He looked mortified. “Sarah. I’m sorry. I don’t know … I didn’t mean … Oh, hell. Are you okay? Are you bleeding?”

On the inside, maybe
.

“Let me look.”

She whipped up her free hand, palm out. “Stay back. I’m fine.”

She was starting to shake.
I have to get out of here. Now
.

Sarah stepped carefully around him and started down the mountain path, going just a little too fast. Her boot slipped on loose rock. He said, “Wait. Let me help.”

Suddenly, unaccountably, furious, she whipped her head around. “I don’t need your help, Cam Murphy. I’ve been climbing these mountains by myself for years. Keep your distance from me, do you hear?”

Wisely, he didn’t reply. He followed her down the trail, and about halfway down, she heard him start to whistle. Whistle! The “Do Wah Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Do” tune. Sarah huffed aloud, and it wasn’t because she was breathless from the descent. She was furious. With him. With herself.

At least that’s what she tried to tell herself. That she was furious. Not excited. Not aroused.

Oh, dear
.

At the bottom of the hill, she picked up her pace, aware that he kept up with her step by step. As she broke from the trees onto the manicured grounds of Angel’s Rest, Cam spoke up. “Hey, Sarah? That apology I made? Just so you’re clear … that was for bumping your head. Not for the kiss. I’m glad the kiss happened, and not because I wanted to wipe my cousin’s kiss from your memory. Well, maybe that’s a small part of it.”

It worked
.

“Mainly, though, I’m glad we kissed because I’ve been dreaming about kissing you for the past twenty years, so this was a dream come true for me.”

Sarah threw a scathing look over her shoulder at him, then continued on her way.

Smiling.

SEVEN

Sarah quietly shut her mother’s bedroom door, then walked to her family room, poured herself a glass of wine, and sat down at her computer desk. She contemplated the task before her and decided that additional liquid courage might be called for. She rose, retrieved the bottle of wine, and brought it back to her desk. It was time to call Lori.

She booted up her computer, sipped her wine, then clicked the icon to make the call. Noise squawked from her speakers, which were turned up too loud. She lurched for the knob to turn the volume down before the sound bothered her mom. Mom couldn’t remember much anymore, but there was nothing wrong with her hearing. The video window appeared on her computer screen, and as always, pleasure filled her at the sight of her daughter’s face.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Hey, Sunshine. How is your world today?”

“Oh, I had the best day.” Lori then launched into a lengthy description of helping the vet treat an ill racehorse, and the signs of recovery the filly made afterward. “It was so cool, Mom. These animals are beautiful. The rhythms of the farm are both soothing and exciting.”

“You sound happy.”

“I am happy.”

I so don’t want to spoil that
. Sarah studied her daughter, searching for signs of Cam beyond the obvious height and similar eyes that she’d noted before. Maybe something in her smile? She took a sip of wine, bracing herself to broach the subject when Lori did it for her.

“So, Mom, what’s up? Did you have something in particular you wanted to discuss?”

“Yes,” she blurted out in response. Lori waited, an expectant look on her beautiful, suntanned face. Sarah nibbled at her bottom lip, then said, “I have some news. It’s not really bad news. It could have been bad, and at first I thought it was, but it turns out I was wrong. It’ll be okay. It’s a change, certainly, but a good change if you’ll only look at it that way. I hope you’ll do that, Lori.”

Lori frowned. “Mom, what are you rambling about? You’re scaring me.”

“Don’t be scared. It’ll be okay. I really think it will be okay. Eventually.”

“Mom, to quote Granddad, say something when you talk.”

“It’s Cam. Cam Murphy. He’s here. In Eternity Springs.”

Lori went unnaturally still. “What did you say?”

“Your father has come looking for you, Lori.”

Abruptly, Lori rose and moved beyond sight of the webcam.

Sarah instinctively moved forward, wishing she could reach out and touch her daughter. “Honey? It’s okay. Really. Come, sit back down where I can see you.”

She heard the sound of water running. “Lori? Sweetheart? Let me see you.”

A full minute ticked by before Lori returned within sight of the webcam. The damp strands of dark hair around her face told Sarah that she’d splashed her face with water, though the wetness swimming in her eyes was all internal. The big green pools of pain and trepidation made Sarah’s heart hurt. She summoned her sternest mom’s voice to say, “Sit down and listen to me, Lori Elizabeth. There are some important things you need to know.”

Once her daughter did her bidding, Sarah shared her news, focusing on the pertinent details that would matter to Lori the most: the missing letters and checks, and the circumstances under which she’d come to have a brother.

Lori didn’t say a word throughout the entire tale, and what Sarah had to say didn’t appear to make her happy.

Sarah had hoped her daughter would take the news better, but she couldn’t say she was surprised. Like she’d told Cam, the girl was stubborn. Once she took a position, getting her to change her mind proved almost impossible. “So that’s the story. He gave me his phone number in case you’d like to call him.”

Lori didn’t hesitate. “No. I’m not going to call him. You didn’t tell him where I am, did you, Mom?”

“No. I told him you got to make that decision.”

“Good. The last thing I need is him showing up here out of the blue.” Lori flopped back into her desk chair and folded her arms, a mutinous look on her face. “When will it be safe to come home again?”

Sarah chose her words carefully. “I know you probably need some time to process what I’ve told you. I’m not going to try to push you, honey, but you should recognize that the man has made a real effort.”

“Twenty years too late,” Lori grumbled.

“Is it? Is it really?” When all her daughter did was shrug, Sarah felt a wave of maternal frustration. “The situation isn’t as black-and-white as we previously believed. You need to think long and hard about this.”

“You sound like you’re on his side.”

Sarah wanted to roll her eyes but, mindful that her daughter could see her, thought better of it. “This isn’t about sides. It’s about doing what’s right.”

“What does that mean?”

“I think the fact that he’s made the effort—ten years ago, and again now—means that you owe him a conversation. Not necessarily a relationship but a conversation.”

“I don’t want to talk to him.”

Experience told Sarah not to push any further now. She had planted the proverbial seed, and it needed time to take root. This time, she was the one to shrug. “I can’t make you, and I won’t try.”

“Good.”

Not right now, anyway
. Sarah cleared her throat. “In other news, your poor grandmother had a fall yesterday.”

“Oh, no! Is she okay?”

They spent a few minutes discussing the issues with her mother, and after that, Sarah gave her daughter a rundown of the quilt festival. “With Celeste’s matching gift, we raised twenty-five thousand dollars for the Art Quilt Initiative.”

“That’s awesome.”

“We had some beautiful pieces on display. Sage offered representation to three new textile artists in the gallery.”

“That’s cool. How is she doing? Getting ready to be a mommy? It won’t be long now, will it?”

“Another couple of months. She’s doing great, but I have to say I hate her. She hardly looks pregnant at all. No fat face, no fat ankles—she’s just carrying a basketball in front. When I was at seven months I was as big as a house.”

“That’s because you’re a shortie, Mom. I’m lucky I’m tall like Sage.”

“Yes, you definitely got your father’s height.”

After a moment of silence, Lori abruptly changed the subject. “Speaking of artists, how were your sales of the new caramel cookies?”

“Wonderful, thank you very much. They sold out first thing. Of course, Colt Rafferty bought twelve dozen.”

“For himself?”

“No, for his baseball team,” Sarah said. She briefly considered mentioning the fact that Colt had recruited Devin Murphy to play, but better sense prevailed.

As the conversation drew to a close, Sarah ventured once more into territory Lori obviously preferred to avoid. “What should I tell him, honey?”

“To go jump in the nearest billabong.” When Sarah’s only response was a chastising look, Lori scowled. “Mom, I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

Progress
, Sarah thought. Cam might not realize it, but from their daughter, that was significant progress.

The women said good night, then ended the call. Sarah checked on her mother and found her sitting up in bed with a book open in her lap—the history of Eternity Springs that Sarah’s father had compiled and self-published. “Hey, Mom. How are you feeling?”

Ellen Reese glanced up at Sarah, her eyes a shade more alert than they’d been of late. “Did I fall or get run over by a truck?”

Was that a joke or a real question? Sarah couldn’t be sure, but she suspected her mom was somewhat “here” at the moment, so she teased, “You have to stop doing cartwheels in the living room, Mom.”

“Yes, your father won’t like it.” A shadow crossed her face, then she asked, “Is Daddy dead?”

“Yes, Mama.”

Ellen nodded. “I thought so. I was with him when he died, wasn’t I? I held his hand?”

“You did.”

“Good. I’m glad. He was a good man. He loved his family.”

“I know he did.” Sarah focused on the book in her mother’s lap. Her father had been a real local-history buff—and he’d held the Murphy family in disdainful regard. “He didn’t like Lori’s father, did he?”

Ellen Reese’s lips pursed, then she said that line Sarah had heard repeated her whole life: “Murphys are no good.”

Okay, then. Wow. That proved it
. She did know that Cam was Lori’s father. That pretty much confirmed that her parents were the ones who’d intercepted the letters.

“Your daddy wants to keep that boy away from our precious baby.”

“What baby, Mom? Me or Lori? Daddy called us both his precious babies.”

Ellen frowned up at her and asked, “When do I get my hair done?”

It was her third most frequently asked question, and upon hearing it, Sarah knew communication was over. “Two days from now, Mom.”

For the first time in a long time, a ribbon of resentment fluttered through Sarah as she looked at her mother. It didn’t really matter whether they’d wanted to keep Cam away from her or from Lori. They’d made a choice and, in doing so, had robbed her of hers.

Her gaze drifted to the wall where the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary picture of her parents hung, and resentment flared into real anger. It’s true that she had lied to them about her baby’s father as a frightened, pregnant teen, but their lie to her ten years later was worse, far worse. They’d had no right. None. They’d taken away her independence. They’d denied her freedom. They’d used their own version of a leghold trap to keep her here in Eternity Springs.

I can’t play the dutiful daughter or even the caring, concerned mother anymore, not tonight. I’m done
.

She turned without another word and walked to her kitchen. She picked up the receiver of the wall phone and dialed the first name on the list pinned to the bulletin board beside the phone for sitters who could take up the slack after April left for the day. It took four calls, but she finally found a teenager who could be there in five minutes, willing to sit with her mother. “Great. Thanks, Liz. I’m leaving now, but I’ll leave the front door unlocked for you.”

This was, after all, Eternity Springs.

She grabbed her purse and her keys and headed out the door. Her heart was pounding, her blood racing. She felt furious and hurt and manipulated. Trapped. By the people who were supposed to love her the most.

Briefly, she considered going to Cam, since he’d be wondering about her conversation with Lori. But she decided she didn’t have it in her to be the sympathetic former lover, either. He’d just have to wait. She didn’t have room right now for anyone’s anguish but her own.

Climbing into the car, she backed out of her drive and started down the street, waving at the teen who arrived to stay with Ellen. Sarah headed out of town with no real destination in mind.

   Cam paced the tiny living room that didn’t look a thing like he remembered but managed to make him recall events he’d crossed an ocean to forget. That lovely flashback in the bathroom had opened the gates for ghosts, and he’d begun to see his father and his belt in every corner.

He didn’t care about the dead right now. He was worried about the living. Staring at his cellphone where it lay on a small table beside the front door next to a framed quote about patience, he willed it to ring. It remained stubbornly silent. Lori wasn’t going to call.

Had Sarah even bothered to ask her to phone him? Maybe he had screwed that up with the kiss. He’d reacted instinctively, and he couldn’t claim to regret it. Kissing Sarah Reese gave him as big a thrill as spotting a whale shark while diving in Thailand. Still, his timing probably could have been better. He’d always had lousy timing where Sarah Reese was concerned.

The front door opened, and Devin stepped inside. Cam took one look at his son and forgot about the phone. “What happened to you?”

Devin’s left eye was swollen almost shut. His nose was bloody, his lip busted, and his shirt ragged and torn. Despite the damage, he appeared defiant and still angry. “It was nothing.”

Dammit
. Frustration boiled through Cam. Not again. This kid and his hotheaded temper—he was a magnet for trouble. Cam had blamed it on his running buddies and hoped they’d left this sort of crap behind in Cairns. Apparently not. “We had this discussion before we ever left home. You promised, Devin. You gave me your word.”

“Sorry.”

Devin tried to push past Cam to go to his room, but Cam grabbed his arm. “Hold it right there. Sorry doesn’t cut it. And ‘nothing’ doesn’t begin to answer the question I asked you. Talk to me.”

Sullen, the boy said, “Fine. I got in a fight. It ended. I came back here.”

“Dammit, Dev. Don’t do this to me. Is it drugs? Alcohol? I thought we had a deal.”

Devin’s head whipped up. His eyes flashed, and he yanked his arm away from Cam. “I didn’t break the deal. I gave you my word.”

Something in the young man’s eyes gave Cam pause, and then he realized he was looking at righteous indignation.
Okay. Well, good. No drugs. No booze. But still, a fight
. His son in a fight in Eternity effing Springs.
I really don’t need this
.

“Who did you fight?”

“I dunno. Just some big dumb bully.”