The Mighty Quinns: Cameron (14 page)

“It wasn’t just to prove a point to my father or my relatives. I just wanted to— I needed you to know that—”

“Tell me,” he said.

“I think this is a good thing, you and me. I think we’re good together. And I think I should stop talking before I ruin everything.” She cleared her throat. “I just wanted you to know that.”

“I understand exactly how you feel,” Cameron said. “When I first kissed you, I thought, this will be fun. A good way to pass my time while I’m in New Mexico. But somewhere along the line, it turned into a lot more than just fun.”

“See,” she cried. “You’re so good at saying these things, and I can barely put a sentence together.”

“Try again,” he said.

Sofie shook her head. “I’ll just mess it up. I’m better at showing you.” She ran her hand down his chest, trailing kisses after her touch.

“Tell me,” he said, rubbing her upper arms.

She drew a shaky breath. “I’m very— I’m growing very fond of you. And I think it’s important that you know.”

“Why?” Cameron asked.

“Because I have to say it out loud. It’s important, and if I don’t say it, it won’t be real. It won’t feel real. And out here, with the spirits listening, I need to tell the truth.”

He pulled her into a long, passionate kiss. Sofie knew his feelings were just as intense and overwhelming as hers. “I think you better come back inside before you catch a cold,” she said.

“I’m going to stay out here a little longer,” he said.

“Not too long, okay?” she said. Pushing up on her toes, she gave him a kiss, then left him standing by the fire.

She unzipped the tent and crawled back inside, laying out her sleeping bag again on the tent floor. When she was curled up inside the down cocoon, Sofie closed her eyes. It was easy to forget the real world existed when she was out in the desert. Everything was at its simplest, its most elemental. She could think; her mind was clear.

Sofie had almost drifted off to sleep when Cameron crawled back into the tent, snuggling up next to her. “I’m freezing,” he whispered.

“That’s what you get for running around half-
naked in the desert.”

“Warm me up.”

With a dramatic sigh, Sofie raised the edge of her sleeping bag and Cameron slid over, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her warm body against his. The sensations racing through her had become familiar, but no less exciting. She knew exactly what would happen between them, and she wanted him moving inside her, bringing her to a shattering release.

“Did you solve all the world’s problems out there?” she asked.

“No. Not even close. But I figured a few things out.”

“Like what?” she whispered, her lips soft against his.

“Like what I need to say to you.”

Sofie felt butterflies in her stomach, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. Had she made a mistake earlier? Had she revealed too much, too soon? “And what is that?”

“I know some people don’t take these words seriously, but I want you to know that I’ve never said this before. And I may never say it again. And I’m not really sure whether I should be saying it now, but here goes. I’m pretty sure that I’m falling in love with you.”

“Pretty sure?” she asked.

“I’ve never felt like this before, Sofie. But it seems like that’s what’s happening here.”

“You figured all this out while you were listening to the voices?” she asked.

“While I was out there, I was so cold. And all I could think about was you, safe and warm inside the tent. And I realized I didn’t want to warm up with anyone else but you.” He reached up and touched her face. “We don’t have to figure anything out right now, Sofie. But my feelings aren’t going to change. In another few weeks, we’re going to have to make some tough choices. I just want you to think about that.”

“I have been thinking about it,” Sofie said. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with you, either. But that’s the only explanation I have for how I feel when I’m with you. We’ve been together for such a short time, but I can’t imagine spending a night without you.”

“Then promise me we won’t.”

“I’m not sure we can make those kinds of promises,” Sofie said. “I’m not sure we can make
any
promises.”

“It’s going to work out,” Cameron said. “It has to.”

Sofie kissed him again, then pulled him on top of her. He was hard and ready, and all she wanted was to feel that perfect intimacy between them. She moved against him, and for a moment, he was inside her.

He reached out for the box of condoms he’d packed, but Sofie grabbed his hand. “We don’t need those,” she said.

“We don’t?”

“I’ve had that covered all along.”

“Yes?” he asked.

She nodded. “So maybe we can just…”

“You’re sure?”

“I am,” she whispered.

He slowly buried himself deep inside her, and Sofie closed her eyes as a maelstrom of exquisite sensation raced through her body. It was different now, she mused. They were together, and there was no need to hold anything back.

* * *

T
HE
TANTALIZING
SCENTS
of breakfast drifted out into the morning air as Cameron opened the door to Millie’s diner. After a night spent in carnal pleasures in the middle of the desert, he was ravenous and was already thinking about what he’d order for breakfast.

Sofie had dropped him off and was waiting in the Jeep for a few minutes before she came inside to observe. She’d spent the ride into Vulture Creek reviewing what he was supposed to do, and Cameron felt confident that he could charm his way onto the dig site. After all, how could they refuse a strong back and a winning personality?

He nodded at Millie as he walked inside, then sat down at the counter.

“You’re back,” Millie said. “Where’s your partner in crime?”

“She’ll be in in a few minutes. Listen, we’re not supposed to know each other. Don’t let on, okay?”

Millie nodded quickly. “You ready to order?” she asked, changing the subject.

“You bet.” Cameron proceeded to order a Denver omelet, hash browns and orange juice. Millie poured him a cup of coffee, then walked away to place the order with the cook.

The group from the dig was gathered around their usual table, still waiting for their breakfast. Cameron watched them in the reflection of the mirror behind the counter. The group was a mix of twentysomething grad students and what looked like retirees.

He took a quick sip of his coffee, drew a deep breath and pushed to his feet. They didn’t notice him until he was standing next to the table. “Hey, there,” he said, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but Millie was telling me that you’re digging for dinosaur bones around here. She said you might be looking for some volunteers.”

A young man with wire-rimmed glasses and a beard glanced up at him. “You ever worked on a dig site?” he asked.

“No. But I’ve been fascinated by paleontology since I was a kid. And I’m not afraid of hard work. It would be cool to experience what a real dig is like.”

“Oh, give him a chance, Ron,” an elderly woman said. “Florence and I will watch over him, won’t we, Flo?” She turned to her left and smiled at another elderly woman, almost an exact replica of herself. “I’m Gertrude and this is my sister, Florence. We’re the Winegarten sisters. We do this every summer.”

“We’re finishing up this phase of the dig,” Ron said. “We’ve only got a few days before we pack up and head back home, so you might not see a big discovery. But we could use your help breaking camp.”

“When can I start?” Cameron asked.

“You could ride out with us,” Gertrude said. “We have room in our car.”

“Yes,” Flo said. “Ride with us.”

Cameron nodded. “All right.”

The bell above the door jangled, and he glanced over to see Sofie walk in. A few of the young men at the table watched as she slid into a spot at the far end of the counter.

“She’s back,” one of the male students whispered.

“Maybe she was on vacation,” a girl said. “Why don’t you go introduce yourself?”

“A woman like that scares me. She’s almost too beautiful.”

“Pity about that limp,” the girl said. “My great-aunt has a limp. From polio.”

Cameron fought the urge to jump to Sofie’s defense. Not a single person at the table knew what an extraordinary person she was. Not one realized that they were lucky to be caught inside her orbit. Yes, she was beautiful, but she was so much more.

A moment later, Millie arrived at the table with a huge tray of breakfast plates. “Will you take your breakfast at the counter or should I bring it to the table?” she asked.

“Sit here!” Gertrude said, patting an empty seat next to her.

Once the seating arrangements were made, the students in the group dug into their meals, and the Winegarten sisters began their interrogation. Cameron decided to stick with the facts. The only part of his story that changed was his reason for being in Vulture Creek. He told the group that he’d come looking for a warm-weather vacation home.

Every now and then, he’d catch Sofie’s eye, and he kept hoping that she’d wander over and volunteer, as well. Together, they’d be able to figure out exactly what was going on at the dig site. Alone, Cameron was afraid he’d manage to blow it.

Right now there were twelve suspects sitting at the table. The head of the dig, a Dr. Crowley, had left the previous day to prepare for the next semester of classes. In truth, Cameron was glad he wouldn’t have to bear the scrutiny of the big boss.

“Florence and I just love spending our summers digging,” Gert said. “It’s so exciting to be a part of all this.”

“What do you do in the winter months?” Cameron asked.

“Oh, we travel. Europe, Asia. Last summer we took a monthlong safari to Africa. Kenya. It was lovely.”

“And what did you do before you retired?” he asked.

“We were schoolteachers,” Florence said. “I taught history and Gertie taught art. We never married. We were always so devoted to our students.”

Cameron made a mental note to investigate the pair more closely. He didn’t know many schoolteachers who could afford lavish trips on their retirement income.

As he chatted with the rest of the dig’s volunteers and paid employees, he found a few more suspects. Though Ron seemed like a by-the-book kind of guy, his friend Sebastian set off all kinds of alarm bells in Cameron’s mind. He seemed nervous talking about himself, as if he was afraid he might not remember the right lies. And he kept glancing at the door, which was another red flag.

Fred was another retiree, an ex-fireman from Prescott, Arizona. Cameron sensed that he’d never besmirch his reputation with a forgery scam. The rest of the members didn’t give off any signals that made him suspicious, although Sofie had warned him that the most successful scam artists were those who rarely stood out.

He did take a second look at Mrs. Betty Tompkins, Professor Crowley’s executive assistant and the second in command behind Ron. When Cameron tried to engage her, she coldly cut him off.

Breakfast was over before he knew it, and Cameron gulped down the last of his coffee before tossing down some cash for the check. He sent one last glance Sofie’s way as he walked to the door and she nodded.

The ride out to the dig site took just over fifteen minutes. The Winegarten sisters traveled in style in a tricked-out Escalade with an expensive sound system and leather seats.

“This is a nice ride,” he commented.

Gert smiled. “We had a Lexus, but Florence insisted on buying American this time around.”

“Teaching must have been good to you.”

“Oh, we’ve always been thrifty,” Gert explained. “Two single girls don’t have much to do with their money but save it. And we’ve made some rather lucrative investments. Of course, Florence got us into computer technology when Intel was a steal.”

“IBM, too,” Florence said.

“And now we have enough money to enjoy our retirement. You mentioned that you worked for your family’s business. What is that, dear?” Gert asked.

“We build luxury sailing yachts.”

“Oh, yachts,” Gert said. “My, that must be interesting.”

“It pays the bills,” Cameron said.

The subject changed back to the travels of the Winegarten sisters, and Cameron let his thoughts wander as they described their visit to the Great Wall of China. Though he’d been surprised by Sofie’s plan to help Vivian, he had to wonder if their own romantic relationship had made her more sensitive to Vivian’s dilemma.

Someday, he’d get to the bottom of Sofie’s trust issues. He suspected there was more to her breakup with Sam than his reaction to her accident. He could only imagine how an incident like Sofie’s could affect a relationship, even one that was solid in the first place.

If he’d known Sofie back then, he’d have done everything he could to dissuade her from going back to the police force. Sure, it was her dream, but dreams could change. He’d learned that here in New Mexico.

The Escalade pulled to a stop, and Cameron looked out the window. This had been his dream a long time ago. And now, as he stared at the tents and the crates and the equipment scattered about, Cameron realized that there was nothing here that he really needed.

“Come along,” Flo said. “We’ll show you the ropes before Ron has a chance to put you on outhouse duty.”

“He’s going to make me clean the outhouse?” Cameron asked.

“You’re low man on the roster,” Gert said. “But if we request your help, he’ll find someone else. Flo, get out your medicine. You’ll need to have another one of your spells.”

Cameron chuckled. He sure hoped the Winegarten sisters weren’t scam artists. He was beginning to like them.

“Lead the way,” he said, offering them both an arm.

9

S
OFIE
WATCHED
THE
Winegarten sisters hurry out of the hotel bar, the two ladies anxious to escape any further questioning. “They would have been the last people I suspected,” Sofie said.

“It’s ingenious,” Cameron said. “They buy reproductions and dirty them up a little, then warn the customers not to sell them for at least five years. They know how to spot an easy mark a mile away.”

“What tipped you off?”

“They just seemed too wealthy to have been schoolteachers. And they have a terrible weakness for handsome young men. I just started flirting with them, and they seemed so eager to please. When I mentioned my arrowhead collection, they just couldn’t resist showing me theirs.”

“They are a lot smarter than they look,” Sofie said. “Which makes them the perfect pair to pull this off. I have to wonder if the schoolteacher story is even true.”

Cameron shrugged. “Does it really matter?” he said, holding out the cashier’s check. “We got Vivian’s money back.”

“Do you think we can believe them on the amount?”

“I don’t think they were in any position to lie to us,” Cameron said.

“I couldn’t have done this without your help,” Sofie said.

“We make a good team.”

In truth, they made the best team. When they were together, everything clicked. He’d given her the confidence to trust again—to trust herself and to trust in love.

Cameron hadn’t tried to change her; he’d simply stood back and loved the person she was, beneath the fears and insecurities. She’d gone so long believing that she was flawed, that the scar on her hip had gone as deep as her soul. But he’d taught her that her accident didn’t define her anymore.

“You know what this means,” Sofie murmured.

“There’s still a hundred and fifty thousand of Vivian’s money missing,” he replied.

The sisters had kept meticulous records. As a condition for Sofie’s silence, the Winegartens had been required to photocopy the book and leave the copy with Sofie.

After reading the records that involved Walter, Sofie was certain that everything in the library was provided by the Winegarten sisters. The man had been buying from them for three summers, snatching up almost everything they had to offer.

“Maybe he’s squirreled it away in a safe place, just for a rainy day,” he said. “Is this our next case? Finding out where the money is? We could get it back.”

Sofie shook her head. “No, Walter and Vivian are going to have to work this out on their own.” She glanced over her shoulder to the door. “You know, what we just did could technically be considered extortion. They could call the police.”

Cameron took the cashier’s check from her fingers and examined it. “We asked them to do the right thing. To return money they’d stolen. And then we informed them of the consequences if they didn’t comply. They made the right decision.”

“Some might say we threatened them,” Sofie said.

“I don’t think the Winegarten sisters will be filing a complaint with the authorities anytime soon.”

“Do you think they’ll stop swindling would-be collectors?”

“I don’t know. I think they were genuinely frightened. And I’d guess they’re upstairs packing right now, hoping to get as far away from us as possible. They’ll probably keep scamming, but maybe they’ll choose something other than Native American artifacts.”

“At least their business was keeping the buyers away from the real stuff.” She smiled. “I think we should celebrate another case solved. All that’s left is to take the check the Vivian and see what Walter has to say for himself.” Sofie waved the cocktail waitress over to their table. “We’d like a bottle of champagne,” she said.

“Actually, cancel that order,” Cameron said. He stood up and held out his hand. “Let’s get out of here. We can find a much better spot to celebrate.”

“I think I have a bottle of champagne at home,” she said. “It’s about six years old, but it should still be good.”

“You haven’t had anything to celebrate in six years?” Cameron asked.

“Not that I can recall,” she said, folding the check in half and putting it in her pocket. “I think I was going to drink it for New Year’s Eve once, but then I fell asleep.”

He tucked her hand into his as they walked out into the lobby. “I can promise you, your New Year’s Eves are going to get a lot better from now on.”

“And why is that?”

“Because you’re going to spend them with me,” Cameron said. “When are you going to give the check to Vivian?”

“I thought I’d drive it out there tomorrow.”

“Can I come with you?”

Sofie shook her head. “I think it would be best if I go alone. If Walter is there, things could get messy. And I don’t need you to make them messier.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Walter would not be happy to see you. He might yell at me, but he could punch you. He’s known to have a pretty bad temper.”

“I really think I should come along, Sof,” Cameron said. “What if the situation becomes something you can’t—”

“I know what I’m doing,” Sofie snapped. There was a sharp edge to her voice that she hadn’t heard for a long time and she felt suddenly defensive. “I’m sorry,” she said.

“No, it’s all right,” he muttered. “Hey, I’m just your employee. I’m not supposed to offer an opinion.”

“You know that’s not how I feel. It was just an instinctive reaction. Sam used to tell me what to do all the time. So did my father and my brothers. They were always worried that I couldn’t handle myself.”

“I know you can handle yourself,” Cameron said. “I trust you. It’s the other guy I have a problem with.”

“Well, you’re going to have to get used to it if I go back to police work,” she said.

Sofie wasn’t sure what made her say the words. She’d already decided that it was best to move forward, to find another dream for herself. Yet she wanted to see his reaction, to see how much control he intended to exert on her life.

He stared at her for a long moment. “I thought you were moving on,” he said.

Sofie shook her head. “I haven’t made any decisions about my future. My hip is feeling better every day. I could be ready to go back next year.”

She wanted to stop, but something drove her on. Was she trying to sabotage the relationship by forcing him into a corner? Or were her fears about commitment finally bubbling to the surface?

“I’m not like Sam,” Cameron said. “And I’m certainly not like Walter. You need to decide what you want, Sofie. For yourself, first, and then for us.”

“Shouldn’t those be the same thing?” she asked.

“No,” he replied. “They might be completely different. I’m not going to tell you what to do. Your happiness begins with you.”

“And what about you?” Sofie asked.

“I know what I need for a happy ending.”

“And what is that?”

“I’ve decided I’m not going to go back to Seattle when my six weeks are up. I’m going to stay here, in Albuquerque.”

Sofie gasped. “What?”

“I’m not going to live with you. At least not unless you want me to. But, after the six weeks, I can use my bank account again. I’m going to sell my house in Seattle and buy something down here.”

“And what if I don’t want that?”

“I’m willing to wait around until you figure everything out. I’m a very patient man, Sofie.”

“You can’t give up your job. How are you going to build sailboats here?”

“I’ve figured that out, too, believe it or not. I can live and work here and fly to Seattle once a week for meetings. I make a really good living. And I think, since my grandfather was the one who insisted on this trip, he isn’t allowed to be disappointed at my decision.”

Sofie opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn’t put her feelings into words. She was shocked. And uneasy. He had this all figured out, after just three weeks together. Cameron knew exactly what he needed, and he had a plan to make it happen. She, on the other hand, was still trying to adjust to the notion that she might finally be in love.

“That’s a very big decision to make after such a short time,” Sofie said.

“I know what I want.”

“You think you know,” Sofie said. “But maybe you don’t. And maybe I don’t. I’m just saying we should take some time before we make any rash—”

“Rash? You think this is rash?”

“No. I meant…quick. Or important.”

“Those two things don’t have the same meaning. Say what you mean, Sofie. Tell me the truth.”

“I don’t know what the truth is,” Sofie said, walking toward the Jeep. “Why do we have to plan this out so soon? Can’t we just wait and see where things lead us? Maybe then we could make a decision based on reality, instead of some fantasy.”

“What fantasy?” he shouted.

“This fantasy that you have in your head that we can just live happily-ever-after without even knowing what we really want. Or who we really are.”

“I know who I am, Sofie.”

“Good for you. But maybe I don’t know. Maybe I’m not sure. And forcing me to decide the rest of my life right now isn’t helping one bit.”

They drove home in silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. It wasn’t difficult to listen to all the negative voices in her head. She’d been dealing with disappointment for so long that it sometimes felt like the safest place to be.

Sofie knew it was holding her back, this belief that the rest of her life would be a struggle. She had every reason to be blissfully happy, to see her future with Cameron for what it was, a dream come true. He’d already given her so much. Why couldn’t she just take that last little leap, that last bit of her journey that required faith rather than common sense?

When they reached her apartment, they walked inside together. Sofie ran her hands through her hair and sighed softly. She knew they ought to talk this all out, but she wasn’t sure that an argument or a discussion would change anything between them. “I’m going to go to bed now. I’m tired and cranky. And I don’t have anything more to say.” Sofie paused. “Are you coming?”

Cameron shook his head as he flopped down on the sofa. “No. Not right now. Maybe later.”

Sofie left him sitting in the living room, staring at the blank screen of the television. When she got to the bedroom, she closed the door, then crawled into bed, still dressed.

All of this had grown so complicated in such a short time. She’d always been able to control her emotions, and now she felt as if she was riding some crazy roller coaster, bouncing between thrills and terror.

She wanted Cameron more than she’d ever wanted a man. But she’d been in charge of her own life for a long time. Sofie wasn’t sure she could accept that he would have a say in her decisions, just as she’d have a say in his. That’s what a committed relationship required—compromise.

What if he gave up his life in Seattle and she couldn’t make him happy? Though she’d never wanted to admit it, her failure with Sam was as much her fault as his. She didn’t want to make those same mistakes with Cameron.

Maybe he was right. Maybe she had to find out who she really was. Everything in her life had been shifting and changing lately. All her old beliefs had been turned upside down.

She wanted to make rational and reasonable decisions about Cameron. That was how she’d always operated. But now her emotions kept getting in the way. She’d been listening to her heart, not her head.

If only she had more time. If only she could gain a bit of perspective. Maybe then everything would be clear in her mind. Her dreams were within her reach again, only this time, they were different than before.

But Sofie couldn’t bring herself to hold out her hand and grab them. Maybe she wasn’t in love after all. Or maybe she was so much in love that the thought of losing Cameron was too much to bear.

Sofie turned over and buried her face in her pillow. Why did she have to figure out her future right now? She was finally learning to enjoy the present.

* * *

S
HE
’
D
PACKED
A
BAG
in the early-morning hours, careful not to wake Cameron. Things between them had grown tense over the past few days, ever since they’d argued about his future plans.

He’d taken the job with Carlos, so he was gone for most of the day. When he came home, they both tried to pretend that everything was all right, that their disagreements would somehow work themselves out over time.

The nights were the most difficult. Sofie would go to bed early, leaving him watching sports in the living room. And then, in the middle of the night, he’d come to her and they’d make love. But instead of feeling lust and passion, sex had become almost bittersweet to her.

She felt the distance growing between them, and Sofie knew it was all her fault. She had no doubt that Cameron loved her and that he’d do anything to make their relationship work. But she couldn’t bring herself to take that last step, to surrender the last piece of her heart to him.

But now she had a plan. She’d written it all out in a letter late last night. Sofie placed the note on her pillow, knowing he’d find it there when he woke up. The decision to leave hadn’t come easily, but now that she’d made it, Sofie knew that it was right.

She wasn’t running away. She was searching for some space, some time to decide what she really wanted. As much as she yearned to stay with Cameron, Sofie knew that gaining any level of perspective was impossible with him living in her apartment. And she didn’t have the heart to ask him to leave.

But six weeks away, six weeks to try a new life, was something that he’d understand. It was the same thing his grandfather had offered him. Sofie needed to experience the unknown. Like Cameron, she would go somewhere unfamiliar, somewhere she’d be forced to find a new job, a new home and new friends. And after six weeks, if she hadn’t figured out what she wanted, then she’d probably never know.

He’d understand, she repeated to herself. And it wasn’t as if this was the end for them. Hopefully, he’d be here waiting for her. And if he wasn’t, she’d find him.

Sofie took one last look at the man who’d changed her life forever. She wanted to kiss him, but she knew she’d risk waking him. Instead, she gathered her resolve and walked out of the bedroom.