Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
GOING ROGUE
JULIANA
My parents stay for the next few days, and we have the best time.
Jackson and his new wife are the topic of many discussions, but after their surprising announcement, they left for their honeymoon, so there are still a lot of holes in knowing how this wedding happened.
The only time I’ve seen Camden was when he came into the cafe and tried to subtly ask when he could see me again. So far I haven’t worked out a time.
I’m not trying to be difficult. I just don’t know how to keep our relationship a secret from my parents and the town if we’re around each other.
I can only keep my lustful eyes to myself for so long.
His dad already knows, but he swore he would keep it to himself, and I trust Goldie and Erin with my life. I feel bad that I haven’t exactly kept my end of the secret-keeping bargain. I’m sure he hasn’t told a soul.
I just know that if we’re around each other, my mom is too perceptive not to see right through me. She already looks at me funny whenever she catches me staring dreamily into space.
During my break, I step outside, wanting to make a quick run to the house. Ralph, my nemesis, keeps sneaking out of his heated coop and going rogue. He sees me coming and starts hauling his little claws toward me as fast as he can.
“Ra-ra-ra-raooo!” he yells.
It’s like he has a radar for when I’m in the vicinity.
I don’t know what I did to him in his past life, but the little dude has it out for me.
It’s a shame because he’s turned into quite a beauty.
He’s all white with pretty red plumage or whatever it’s called.
I’m too bitter about his attitude toward me to find out.
I grab the broom that I keep on hand for my safety because earlier in the week I didn’t have protection, and that little freak got me with his spur. It’s a good thing I had jeans on, but he still drew blood.
He reaches me and does his little Come at me, bro, half flying, half two-stepping, and I intend on just shooing him with the broom, but he’s closer than I realize, and I send him truly flying. He lands across the yard in the snow, and I rush over.
“Ralph, I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”
He gets up and looks slightly dizzy for a second, but then he notices me standing there and rears his head back. “Ra-ra-ra-ra-oo!” he screeches before coming after me again.
“Ugh. So much anger, Ralph,” I say, running away from him as fast as I can. “You need to take a page out of the hens’ playbook.” I try to pet the little one I’ve named Peaches as I race to the back door, but I keep it brief because Ralph is on my tail, and he’s having none of it.
I make it inside and close the door, leaning against it to catch my breath.
“Did Ralph get you again?” my mom asks with concern.
“He tried. I accidentally sent him flying with the broom.”
She snorts, and I laugh before walking over to kiss her on the cheek.
“Are you and Dad still planning to leave today?” I put my hands on her shoulders, facing her.
We stand about the same height, and when I see her, I can imagine what I’ll look like in twenty years.
“Yeah.” She sighs. “It’s getting harder to leave you and Windy Harbor each time. And with Papa and Uncle Hal even living there now…”
“The only ones missing are you and Dad…and Jackson and his new…wife.” I make a face. “It’s gonna take some time to get used to that.”
“I need some time around them together before this feels real,” she says.
I hug her, lingering there for a minute before moving to the table. I plop down in the chair.
“Ah, it feels too good to sit. I can’t do this for very long.” I pretend to fall asleep, and she laughs.
“I don’t know how you keep this schedule. You must be exhausted all the time.”
“I am,” I admit.
“Well…your dad and I are looking at retiring pretty soon. Maybe a little earlier than we’d planned. Seeing what Everett’s been through the past year…it really brings the important things to light, doesn’t it? We want to be closer to you, Dad, Uncle Hal…and the Whitmans too.”
“Yes, it does. I would love it so much if you and Dad were here all the time. Would you sell the house in St. Paul?”
“It’d be hard to let that go…I’m not sure. Maybe Jackson and his new wife would want to raise a family there. You still feel like Windy Harbor is where you want to be full-time?”
I think of Camden and how I love that we’re in the same town after all these years. But if things go wrong, it could be wretched to be in Windy Harbor together. I was here first, but…I think he’s here to stay too.
I nod. “It feels like home.”
She pats my hand. “I’m so happy you’ve found a place here…it’s amazing to see how much everyone loves you. That cafe is thriving. I’m so proud of you, I can hardly stand it.”
“Aw, thanks, Mom.”
“Are Papa and Uncle Hal driving you crazy?”
I laugh. “Not at all. At first, I wasn’t sure I could handle them under my feet at the cafe, but they’ve actually become pretty helpful.”
She grins. “They love it. Think you could use a couple more underfoot?”
“Yes! Hurry up and get here. I can’t wait.”
I have to return to work, so I get up and hug her again.
She promises that they’ll stop by the cafe on their way out of town.
I peek out the window and wait until Ralph is closer to the coop and then make a run for it.
He catches sight of me—of course he does—but I’m too quick for him.
Maybe that flight he took earlier has slowed him down a bit.
The afternoon passes quickly. My parents come over for hugs, and once I’ve closed the cafe, I check outside.
As always, I’m on constant alert now for Ralph, who’s in the coop, so I go home.
I’m exhausted from staying up late with my parents each night, so I eat with Papa Hector and Uncle Hal and then get in the bath.
I lay back and wish that Camden were in this tub with me. It’s much cuter than the ship at the apartment. A teal claw-foot tub that’s roomy, although probably still not spacious enough for Camden’s six-four frame.
I wipe my hands on the towel and text him.
My parents went back to St. Paul. I think I’m ready for that getaway soon, if the offer still stands.
It’s about ten minutes before he replies, and I’m still in the tub.
Camden
Hell yeah, the offer still stands. Tomorrow night?
I…think I can pull that off. Yes.
Camden
Can’t wait. Miss you. What are you doing right now?
I miss you too. I’m tubbing it.
Camden
Was that a typo? Did you mean rubbing or tubbing?
TUBBING. I am in the tub.
Camden
Either way. What I want to know is: without me?
I did wish you were here, yes.
The phone buzzes, and it’s him FaceTiming.
I make sure the phone only shows my face when I answer.
He’s in his office, looking devastatingly hot in his black button-down shirt. His expression, a smile that has his eyes all lit up, does something to me from the inside out.
“Your wish is my command. I’m here,” he says. His lips quickly form into a pout. “But I thought you said we were tubbing.”
I have to take a breath to tamper down my smile. “I said I was. But hello, welcome.”
“I’m not sure I believe you. For all I know, you could be in the kitchen in an oversized onesie—for the record, I would not be opposed to that—but I just feel like I need a little proof that you are in the tub.”
“Do you not believe my word, Chef Whitman?”
“You’ve proven that you’re a little tease from time to time.” He tightens the view, so it only shows his face too.
Now I’m the one pouting.
After a shuffling noise, the view shoots to black for a second. I frown, checking to see if the connection has dropped. And then he’s back.
I splash the water with my free hand. “Did you hear that?”
“Could’ve been the kitchen sink.”
“What is your fascination with the kitchen?”
He laughs at that. “Same as yours, I think.” He lifts his eyes and pretends to think. “Just had a new fantasy. You and me…in the kitchen…any kitchen will do.”
The lighting shifts, and it’s darker behind him. I brighten my screen so I can see him better.
“We’ve been in the kitchen together a lot. What exactly did you have in mind?”
“You spread out on the island comes to mind.”
“Chef! That’s so unsanitary.”
“That’s what cleaning products and tablecloths are made for.”
I laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tablecloth on either one of our islands, but okay.”
“Work with me here.” He smirks. “Juliana,” he sings.
“Camden…” I sing back.
“Do you still leave your door unlocked?”
My forehead scrunches. “Uh, usually, yes.”
“After tonight, I’m going to ask that you stop doing that. But for now, I’m really happy that you do.”
I sit up in the tub. “What are you doing?”
“I’m coming over to say hello. Is that okay?”
My heart rate trips a beat. “Yes.” I draw out the word.
“Okay,” he whispers. “If you don’t want me to see you naked in the tub, I’ll give you five seconds…”
My eyes widen. “You’re…here?”
“Three…two…one…”
The bathroom door opens, and there he stands, looking like a gorgeous giant in the doorway. He has a leather jacket on that he takes off and hangs on the hook on the back of the door.
For a moment, we just take each other in.
“Goddamn, you’re beautiful,” he says, his voice soft and husky.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Hi,” he echoes.
“I thought you were at the restaurant.”
“I was.” His eyes trail down my body, and even in the hot water, my nipples pebble. “I thought you could use some help getting out of the bath.”
I bite my bottom lip, anticipation surging through my veins. “I could definitely use some help.”
“Did you need help washing too? Because I’d love to help with that as well.”
“Nope, already done.”