Chapter Eleven
Allen didn’t say anything as Cammie drew a shaky breath, gathering her thoughts and, perhaps, her emotions. A sickening feeling churned in his gut. He had an idea where this was going—and it wasn’t anywhere good.
“My fiancé was always traveling for work, doing whatever it is real estate attorneys do, while Harrington Development expanded. Neighboring states, Europe—you name it. I stayed busy with my shop and didn’t mention the online orders I took to fill the off-season lull. When his order came through, I didn’t think twice, just added it to my list.”
She paused, her voice faltering slightly before she pressed on. “But when it came time to make deliveries, and I saw that bouquet on my list, something made me double-check the sender and credit card information. Sure enough, the enormous bouquet of roses he always sent me for Valentine’s Day was addressed to someone else. I knew he’d recently bought a new chalet up the mountain and figured it was a surprise for our wedding. He’d told me it was going to be a rental, so I didn’t question it.”
Her words slowed, as if picking through painful memories. “I made all my deliveries, rushed home to change, and waited, thinking he’d call or text me with a late dinner invitation. He didn’t. So, at the last professional moment to deliver flowers, I drove up the mountain to the chalet. It was gorgeous, with a breathtaking view of the valley. I rang the doorbell, still thinking it was a surprise for me.”
Cammie let out a bitter laugh. “A stunning blonde with a rock the size of Texas opened the door. She gushed over the flowers, saying she thought her fiancé had forgotten her and was about to send him a scathing text. Then she scolded me for delivering them so late.”
“That’s crazy! Was that his way of ending things?” Allen asked, incredulous.
“Oh no,” Cammie replied, her voice dripping with disdain. “When I got back to the shop, there was another order in my inbox—from him, for me. He’d obviously forgotten. There was even a note with a hundred-dollar tip approved if the delivery was marked ‘same day.’” She shook her head, her laugh humorless. “So, I marked it delivered and started thinking about what I was going to buy myself with his generous gift.”
She paused, her gaze distant. “It took him six months to finally come clean.”
Allen’s jaw tightened as they reached her van. “What did he have to say for himself?” he asked, struggling to understand what kind of man could do something so heartless—especially to someone as kind as Cammie.
“He didn’t say much,” Cammie admitted, her voice tight with restraint. “Just that our lives had taken different paths, and I wasn’t the woman who could make him happy. He said we both knew I wouldn’t fit into his world, so he’d found someone who could. Then, to top it all off, he asked me to keep our separation a secret. Said there were too many undecided factors with his career, and if I ever loved him—or even cared as a friend—I wouldn’t blow up his life.”
Allen’s hand curled into a loose fist at his side. “And did you? Keep quiet?”
“Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “There wasn’t really anyone to tell. Everyone in Glacier Ridge already knew I’d been traded for a model with long legs, golden hair, and a laugh that turned heads while conveniently hiding how little she had to say. The only ones left in the dark were our families—and what they didn’t know couldn’t hurt me.”
Her voice softened slightly. “If my mother found out I was single, she’d lose her mind. In the most graceful, socially acceptable way, of course. But she and Judson’s mother would’ve pulled out all the stops to get us back together, and I couldn’t let that happen. I figured eventually he’d get his act together, announce his engagement, and it would all be over.”
“But that hasn’t happened?” Allen asked suspiciously.
“No,” Cammie admitted, shaking her head. “And I don’t know why. They’ve been together for over two years now. Everyone in Glacier Ridge knows about them, so what’s the holdup? Honestly, after some reflection, I think Judson put Hunter —his best friend and boss—up to evicting me. Maybe his fiancée finally got tired of me being around. Wedding plans probably don’t go smoothly when the ex-fiancée is still in town.”
Her voice turned quieter, weighted with exhaustion. “Either way, it was the last straw for my love of Valentine’s Day. Now, I just plaster on a smile to make sales, even though inside I feel sick. When it’s finally over, I take the 15th off and pamper myself—just to remind myself I’m worth the effort.”
As they reached the door, a subtle shift hung in the air between them. Cammie felt it—a pull, undeniable and magnetic. For a brief moment, it seemed like a kiss would fit, as naturally as a heartbeat. But the timing wasn’t right, and they both knew it.
Allen reached up and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his gloved hand lingering at the crook of her neck. His touch was steady, his voice low and sincere. “You are worth every effort, Cammie. I can’t fathom what Judson was thinking, but any man lucky enough to win your heart should cherish you every day of the year—with a few extra special ones thrown in.” His gaze held hers, warm and unyielding. “I’m glad you didn’t let him drive you out of Massachusetts. And even though the circumstances aren’t ideal, I’m grateful you came to Hickory Falls. I think you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”
He stepped back slightly, his expression softening. “Get some rest, Cammie. Tomorrow’s another big day.”
She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thanks for tonight, Allen. It means a lot.”
He smiled, his hand lingering on the door as she climbed inside. “Anytime.”
As she drove away, her heart was a tangled web of emotions. She wasn’t ready for anything beyond friendship—not yet. But with Allen, the line between what she wanted and what she was ready for blurred dangerously. Spending time with him felt too natural, too effortless. If she wasn’t careful, she could lose her heart to someone like him.
Allen watched her taillights fade into the night, his thoughts as steady as his resolve. He saw the cracks in her armor, the hidden wounds she carried. He didn’t just want to mend them—he wanted to help her flourish. Hickory Falls was everything she needed to thrive, and he would make sure she had the chance to bloom in her new garden.