Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Rylee
The next day we were walking out of a cute little café in a town where Cam was treated like a rockstar, when we almost walked right into the girl in his picture. Kelly. Ugh. She was even more beautiful in person and I hated that. I wanted there to be some filter making her look that good.
She glanced at our joined hands before glaring at her former boyfriend. “Really, Cam? You’re flaunting this all over town now? Have a little respect.”
He smiled and shook his head. “You’re telling me to have a little respect? That’s funny coming from you, Kelly.”
Since she was almost a head taller than me, with heels, it was easy for her to look down at me when she said, “How long before you get bored being a small-town cop’s girlfriend and find someone in your own league, Hollywood?”
I wasn’t wrong when I’d called her a bitch.
“I’m from Nashville, not Hollywood,” I said, smiling sweetly. “And Cam’s in a league of his own, so we’re all good. Oh, by the way, I should thank you. If you hadn’t let him go, I never would have found the love of my life.”
We walked away with her mouth hanging open and my parting shot hitting her right between the eyes.
Cam chuckled as he opened the car door for me, “Nicely played.” He waited until I was in the front seat before leaning in to kiss me. His gaze dragged across my face before he whispered, “I really love you, Ry.”
I curled my hand around his face, savouring the feel of his silky beard under my fingertips. “I love you more.” I’d never said those words to anyone, but with him, I couldn’t contain them if I tried.
I watched him walk around the front of his Tahoe, waving to people who walked or drove past honking at him. It was obvious the people in these parts loved him, and getting a glimpse into his world made me even more certain that I’d saved my heart for the right man.
His phone buzzed when he slid into the driver’s seat and he groaned when he glanced at the screen. “Ugh, a voice mail from my mama. I forgot there’s a dinner at their house tonight for my old man’s birthday.”
I curled my hand around his forearm. “We should go.”
I knew it was a big step in our relationship, but it felt like this weekend had already been filled with big steps. And given everything Eden had told me about their parents, I was anxious to meet them.
“Seriously?” he asked, looking surprised. “You have to leave tomorrow. You really want to spend tonight with my family?”
“I know how important family is to you.” I shrugged. “If we’re getting serious—”
“We are.”
I loved that he made it sound so final. “Then I should meet your family, right? I mean, what if they don’t like me? That could put an end to this even before—”
He silenced me with a kiss. “They’re going to love you because I love you. And they just want me to be happy.”
At least I knew I already had his sister’s approval. And hopefully Eden had put in a good word for me with their parents.
Cam’s family home was charming. It was a traditional old ranch house with a peaked roof. It had a wraparound porch with pillars, mature trees, grazing animals, and land as far as the eye could see.
I couldn’t imagine growing up in such an idyllic environment, with two parents who loved me and a sibling. It seemed like an embarrassment of riches, but I was happy he’d had a childhood so different from mine.
I wouldn’t wish my upbringing on anyone, especially a man as wonderful as him.
He glanced at my hands. One of my hands was squeezing his and the other was balled into a fist in my lap. “You’re not nervous, are you?”
“Of course, I’m nervous. Meeting your family is huge.”
I’d learned his mama was hosting a birthday dinner for his daddy, or Pops, as Cam called him, and they’d invited a few close friends as well as some aunts, uncles and cousins.
According to Cam, there shouldn’t be more than twenty people. Thankfully, we’d learned that morning that Eden and Austin had flown in, so at least there would be two friendly faces.
“Baby, you have nothing to worry about. Everyone will be crazy about you.” His voice was so soothing as he leaned in to kiss me, that I almost believed him.
But for a kid who’d grown up in the foster care system, people liking you wasn’t a given. And there were times I still felt like that little outcast people tolerated but didn’t embrace.
Cam kissed my cheek before jumping out of the vehicle and reaching into the backseat for the gift, flowers and wine we’d brought.
Before I could open my door, he did the honours, making me smile. Whoever said chivalry was dead had not met Cameron Reynolds.
Even before we could make it inside, Eden ran out, with an amused-looking Austin falling into step behind her. Eden launched herself at me, pulling me into a tight embrace while her brother rolled his eyes before shaking Austin’s hand and pulling him in for a bro-hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Eden said, squeezing my hands when she finally let me go. “Mama and Daddy can’t wait to meet you.” She narrowed her eyes at Cam. “Though they’re a little upset this one didn’t tell them about you sooner.”
“How could I?” Cam asked. “We’ve been together, like, a minute.”
I laughed, thinking how much my life had changed in the short time I’d known him. “In his defense, Eden. He’s not wrong.”
I hugged Austin, and he held on just a little longer than usual as he looked into my eyes and smiled. “All good?”
“So good.”
Austin had become like the big brother I’d always wanted in the years he’d been my producer, and I’d feel blessed to one day call him my brother-in-law.
I was getting ahead of myself, but Cam made it hard not to.
He wrapped his arm around me, tugging me against his side as he kissed the top of my head. “I’m glad.” He pointed at Cam. “This girl means a lot to me, so I’m putting you on warning now. You hurt her and you’ll have to deal with me.”
The long history and affection between the two men was evident when Cam raised his hands, with a sparkle in his eye and said, “Duly noted, Captain.”
Apparently, Austin had been the captain of their high school football team and Cam still liked to tease him with the old moniker sometimes.
“Let me show you around the property before we go inside and meet everyone,” Eden said, linking her arm through mine. “We need a little girl time before everyone else tries to monopolize you.”
“Hey,” Cam said, frowning at his little sister. “She came here to spend the weekend with me. You get dibs when she’s in Nashville.”
“Oh, be quiet, you big baby,” Eden said, leading me in the opposite direction. “We won’t be long.”
“Your family’s ranch is beautiful,” I said, grateful I’d worn flats to navigate the bumpy ground. “You guys were so lucky to grow up in a place like this.”
There was a flash of sympathy in Eden’s eyes before she schooled her expression and said, “We really were. There’s nothing like coming home again.
” She led me to a horse corral behind a red barn where a few horses were grazing.
“I’m so excited, Austin bought this land by the lake we used to love going to as teenagers.
We’re going to build a place there next year, so the plan is to fly in on weekends, when our schedules allow.
That means I’ll get to spend a lot more time with my family. ”
“That’s awesome.” I’d always envied people who had families like theirs.
Now that Cam and I were a couple, maybe I could one day be a part of it too.
“Have you and Austin talked about making things official?” I knew how committed they were to each other, but Austin had mentioned they wanted kids, so I assumed marriage was in their future.
“We talk about it all the time,” she admitted. “Not sure when he’ll pop the question. No hurry, but whenever he does, the answer will be a big fat yes!”
I giggled. “I’m glad. Austin’s one of the best guys I’ve ever known.”
“He thinks the world of you,” she said. “We both do, you know that.” She hooked her cowboy boot over the lower fence rail and smiled. “To say that we’re thrilled about you and my brother dating would be an understatement.”
“Thanks.” I shoulder-bumped her. “That means a lot.”
In fact, having Cam’s family’s approval meant everything to me.
“So, things are going well?” She tried to sound casual, but I wasn’t buying it.
I laughed. “Better than I could have imagined.” I had to tell someone, so I blurted, “Last night he told me he loved me. No one has ever said that to me before.”
Eden gasped before throwing her arms around me. “Ohmigod, things are moving fast! Cam doesn’t just throw that word around.” She held me at arm’s length, looking serious. “Wait, you feel the same way, right?”
I nodded, feeling the hot sting of tears burn my eyes. “One hundred percent.”
“This is amazing.” She giggled. “When I suggested Cam agree to a one-night stand with you, I never imagined it could turn into something serious.”
I blushed, dropping my face into my hands. “I still can’t believe I propositioned him like that. I don’t know what came over me. I just saw him and couldn’t help myself.”
It’s like I knew he was meant to be mine.
“I don’t think he minded.” Eden looked over her shoulder. “Uh oh, looks like Mama’s getting impatient. She couldn’t wait to meet you.”
I turned around to see a petite gray-haired lady with soft curls and glasses coming towards us. She was wearing an apron over a long floral dress with pink rubber boots. She was adorable, looking like every sweet-granny stereotype I’d ever seen.
“Ohmigod, she’s so cute,” I whispered to Eden.
Eden laughed. “She really is. And she’s as nice as she is cute, I promise.”
“I thought my daughter was going to keep you out here all day,” she said, pulling me into a hug even before I could offer my hand.
“Mama,” Eden said, laughing. “This is Rylee Clark, as if you didn’t know. Rylee, my mama, Marilyn Reynolds, but everyone calls her Mari.”
“It’s lovely to meet you Mrs. Reynolds,” I said smiling, when she finally released me.
“You call me Mari,” she insisted, side-eyeing her daughter. “And you can go on in the house and check on things in the oven for me, if you don’t mind?”
“Real subtle, Mama,” Eden said, laughing as she patted her mama on the shoulder before heading back up the slight hill to the house.
“Your kids are both amazing, Mari,” I said, smiling when she squeezed my hand like we’d known each other forever.
Some people had the kind of energy that drew you in immediately, and Cam’s mama was one of those people.
“Thank you, sweetheart. They say the same about you.” She winked. “You better believe I trapped my son in the kitchen to get the full story about y’all before I came out here to meet you.”
I felt a touch of unease wondering what he might have said. I knew we were on the same page about our relationship, but maybe he was reluctant to tell his parents too much, in case it didn’t work out.
Her eyes filled with tears before she leaned in and whispered, “He told me you were the one.” She fanned her face with her hand. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear him say that.”
I felt totally overwhelmed, and giddy with excitement. “It goes both ways, I promise.”
She hugged me again. “I’m so happy for you both, Rylee. I know it won’t be easy, with your career and his, but you’ll find a way to make it work if you love each other.”
“We’re already talking about that,” I admitted. “How to make it work.” Since no one knew Cam better than his mama, I had a confession to make. “I just worry he may resent me if he has to move to Nashville because of my career. I know how much he loves it here.”
Cam lived less than an hour and a half from his family and told me he tried to visit them at least once or twice a month.
“If there’s one thing I can tell you about my son, it’s that he’s always had a mind of his own.” She laughed, shaking her head. “No one’s ever been able to talk him into doing something he doesn’t want to do.”
“That makes me feel better.” In fact, it felt like a weight lifting to hear those words. “Cam makes me feel…” I was probably oversharing, but couldn’t help myself. “Safe. Loved. And I think I’ve been looking for that my whole life. But I didn’t realize it until I met him.”
Her eyes filled with tears before she sniffled and pulled me into her arms again.
“He does have a way about him,” she said, clearing her throat. “I think that’s why he’s so good at his job. He’s a calming presence. Even when it feels like everything is going wrong, people trust him to make it right.”
I smiled. “I love that. I didn’t realize there was anything wrong in my life. But then I met your son and he made everything so right.”
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said, holding my hands in hers. “But Cam shared a little bit about your background with me?”
“I don’t mind.” I shrugged, breaking eye contact. “It’s nothing I haven’t shared in interviews. I’m not ashamed of what I’ve been through, Mari. It’s made me who I am.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” she assured me. “I think you’re incredibly brave, and strong. I only bring it up because…” Her little impish grin made me smile. “Well, loving our son kind of makes you a part of our crazy clan, like it or not.”
“I’d like that a lot.”
I had a feeling she could tell how much it meant to me, to be welcomed into their family, without question, since that had never happened to me before.
Foster families had always kept me at a safe distance, not allowing me to get too close.
“Good.” She curled her hands around my shoulders, studying me. “Gosh, you really are lovely.”
“You’re sweet,” I said, dipping my head. “Thank you.”
“Now that we have all the important stuff out of the way, let’s go have a little fun, shall we?”
“I’d love that.”
My heart was full with a feeling of unconditional acceptance like I’d never known.