Chapter Twenty-Two
Allen shook his head as he made his way back up the snowy street to Camellia’s Creations, trying to figure out what he would say. By the time he let himself in through the back door and shrugged off his coat, he still had no ideas.
Inside, Cammie was hard at work, Women of Country blasting so loud he could hear it down the block—even without his hearing aids. He opened his mouth to ask her to turn it down when a series of loud pop, pop, popppopppopppopp erupted, echoing through the room.
Instinct took over. Without thinking, Allen tackled Cammie to the floor, covering her with his body as the popping continued.
Then everything went black, and time blurred.
When awareness returned, Cammie’s hands were cradling his face, her voice soft yet steady as it broke through the haze.
“You’re safe. You’re not alone. I’m right here with you,” she murmured. “Allen, listen to my voice—you’re okay. It was just balloons. You’re safe. I’m here with you.”
It took several minutes for Allen to realize he was lying on top of her. Heat flushed his face as he rolled to the side, pressing a hand to his aching head and willing his body to stop its panicked response.
Cammie sat up beside him, her gaze steady and concerned. She reached out, her warm hand cupping his face and gently turning his attention to her eyes.
“Allen, are you with me now?” she asked, her voice calm but insistent as she leaned over him. “We’re in my shop. You’re safe. I’m here with you.”
He blinked, grounding himself in her words. “I’m here, Cammie. I’m okay,” he murmured, though his voice wavered. Shame crept in as he struggled to find the right words. “I’m sorry I overreacted. I thought… I thought…” His voice trailed off, his throat tight with the weight of unspoken fears.
Feeling like a fool, he covered his face in his hands, trying to steady his rapid heartbeat. She probably thought he was unhinged—or worse. Had he hurt her?
He felt her warmth shift away and peeked through his fingers just in time to see her reaching for her phone. Panic surged, sharp and immediate. Was she calling for help? An ambulance? Worse—the cops?
With a jolt, he sat up, his words tumbling out in a rush of regret. “I’m sorry, Cammie. I didn’t mean to hurt you. You’re safe. I’m not a monster. I’ve never hurt anyone. Please, you don’t need to call the cops. I’ll go.”
He started to stand, but she placed her hands firmly on his shoulders, guiding him back down. Kneeling beside him, their faces mere inches apart, her voice was steady and reassuring.
“I’m not afraid of you, Allen, and I’m not calling the cops,” she said, her gaze holding his. “I’m just turning down the music so we can talk.”
Once she adjusted the volume, she settled back beside him, this time facing the opposite direction, and pulled him into her arms. “Breathe. Your heart is beating so fast I’m worried it’ll burst.”
She held him for long minutes, running her fingers through his hair while her other hand traced calming circles on his back. Through his clothing, she could feel the frantic rhythm of his heartbeat gradually ease.
“I noticed you’re wearing your hearing aids today,” Cammie murmured, her cheek resting against his as his face nestled into the crook of her neck. His warm breath brushed her skin. “If I’m speaking too loudly, let me know.”
“I’m sorry that happened,” Cammie said gently. “I think the balloons in storage got too old and popped. Once one went, it caused a cascade effect. Only one balloon in that entire bunch survived. And my music was way too loud.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek before continuing. “I’m not afraid of you, Allen. If that had been a real shooter, you’d have saved my life. I’d rather hit the floor unnecessarily than hesitate and be hurt. You even cushioned my fall. Sure, my butt might be bruised tomorrow, but my head doesn’t hurt because you cradled it with your hand. You tried to protect me, and I could never be upset about that.”
She paused, holding him a little tighter. “I’m okay. You’re okay... Are we okay?”
Allen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, her scent—soft and familiar—wrapping around him like a balm. Without thinking, he pressed a tender kiss to her neck, the gesture instinctive and unplanned. He instantly regretted his action, worried it would push her away.
He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck, his voice low and hesitant. “I’m sorry. I… I didn’t mean to do that. It wasn’t my intention…”
“It’s okay,” she said softly. “I’m not offended. Honestly, I’ve felt the same impulse when you’ve held me before. I didn’t take it as anything more than comfort.” Sliding her hands down his arms, she leaned in slightly, her gaze searching his. “Are we okay? Do you believe me when I say I’m fine—that I understand?”
He held her gaze for a moment before shaking his head. “I believe you. I just… I’m not sure if we’re okay. You were different today, distant. I don’t know if this made things worse, but it feels like something’s been off all day. Can you tell me what happened?”
Cammie turned and leaned her back against the leg of the worktable, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “Last night kind of freaked me out,” she admitted. “I kept thinking about everything and decided that your friendship was more important to me than any potential romance because, to be honest, I’m terrible at relationships.”
She let out a dry laugh. “I mean, I couldn’t even keep a guy whose multi-million-dollar inheritance depends on marrying. Not just marrying but me, specifically. How can I hope to keep a guy like you who any woman would kill to get.”
Allen’s brow furrowed. “We’ll circle back to that last part. Can you explain the inheritance thing first?” He shifted closer, leaning against the center support beside her.
“Oh, yeah. So, our parents have been best friends since they were kids. Mom and Elouise—Judd’s mom—went to boarding school together. Dad and Wyatt Carter did the same, all the way through Harvard, with Dad going to medical school and Wyatt to law school. They were in the same elite society, and when our parents met, it was like a double love story. Mom and Dad fell for each other first, then Eloise and Wyatt followed. They even bought houses next door to each other and started having kids.”
“Eloise had Judd right away. But, mamma had a hard time carrying pregnancies to term. Five years later, I finally came along, and they decided Judd and I would marry to link the families. Judd and I grew up as friends—or at least that’s what I thought. He always acted nice enough. In high school, he took me to every dance and even escorted me to my debutante ball. Everyone knew we’d get married.”
“He got to sow his wild oats in college, dragging it out until his dad threatened to cut him off if he didn’t finish and graduate with honors. He finally did, and we were engaged a week later. Then, he got a job with Harrington Development to meet the three-year work experience requirement for his family’s law firm in North Carolina. Our moms worried the separation might create distance, so I moved up here with him. Judd said he wasn’t ready to marry because he couldn’t provide the lifestyle my family expected. So, the engagement dragged on.”
“Our moms covered for it, blaming me for being picky about venues and dates. The Biltmore was supposedly booked for years. But when the wedding date finally approached, Judd suddenly had urgent business in Europe. He was gone for six months.” She paused, letting out a breath. “And, well, you know the rest. I thought he’d found a way around the inheritance, but maybe not. Telling everyone I left him might work, but our mothers are determined. I wouldn’t be surprised if they showed up here. Thankfully, the weather may have delayed them.”
Allen shook his head. “Wow. I thought marriages had moved past money and status, but I guess not.”
“Not in the elite circles, anyway. But my parents are pretty great. Well, my dad is. If I tell him I don’t want to marry Judd, he won’t force me—even though disappointing my mother would probably kill him. Their relationship is a true love match. If I told him about the blonde, he’d be furious with Judd and wouldn’t let him marry me, no matter what. My dad has high standards for the man I marry, and Judd no longer measures up.”
Allen hesitated, his voice quiet when he finally asked, “And what would your dad think about me?”
Cammie turned to him, her surprise obvious. “My dad would love you. He’s an excellent judge of character, Judson Carter aside. Once he hears about everything you’ve done for me the past month, he’d give you a great big hug. My dad doesn’t place value on money, even though he comes from a very wealthy family of doctors. As long as you love me and can provide a good life, that’s all that matters to him. Now, my mom?” Cammie gave a small laugh. “She’d definitely fuss and put on a show, but as long as you can wear a tux and know which fork to use—or at least pretend you do—she’d come around eventually.”
She shifted to face him more fully, her voice softening. “My hesitation had nothing to do with your financial situation or blue-collar status, as Judson so rudely put it. It has to do with the fact that I’m happy. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have friends who care about me. When you hold me, I feel safe, not suffocated.”
“I’ve grown so much in the past month. The girl who almost begged to stay in her old shop? She’s gone. Now I’m the woman who basically told her mom to deal with it.” She gave him a bittersweet smile. “But I don’t want to risk losing you. So, I think it’s better if we stay friends.”
Allen traced a finger down her cheek before resting his hand at her neck, his thumb gently brushing the pulse point that made her feel oddly safe, even though she’d never thought she’d like such a touch. “And if I want to be more than your friend? If I want to show you all the love I have to give and cherish you for the rest of your life—what would you say to that?”
Cammie’s heart quickened at the thought of Allen loving her forever. His words unraveled the resolve she’d clung to the night before, the walls she’d built against him threatening to crumble entirely. She had no defenses when it came to this man. His arms called to her, offering the kind of warmth and belonging she’d never known, and all she wanted was to sink into him, to feel treasured the way she always did when he held her.
She blinked, breaking the spell that had momentarily held her captive. “Can we just get through tomorrow first? Then we can talk about this again. I’ve got so much to do, and I’m scared I’m not thinking clearly. Right now, I just need a friend to lean on—someone to keep me sane over the next twenty-four hours. Can you be that friend, Allen?”
Allen’s fingers curled gently around her nape, pulling her close. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, a simple gesture that sent warmth radiating through her, more potent than anything Judson’s kisses had ever stirred. His voice was soft but firm as he whispered, “I can be that friend. For now.”