Chapter 20
20
Three weeks after my interview with Casey White, I had my last meeting with Natalie and Amelia before the fundraiser. Everything was set, everyone was ready, and I had to admit they’d pulled together an amazing event.
“I think we’re going to hit our goal, Omar,” Amelia said before we ended the meeting.
“I think you might, too. It was a great idea to have the baskets for people to bid on. It’s very generous of Hudson to provide food and drinks at cost, too. I know that’s a lot of money he’s losing, especially on a weekend,” I said.
“He was happy to help. He’s paying his staff their regular salaries, but everyone who comes gets a drink ticket and a food ticket,” Amelia explained.
“He’s really looking forward to it. He was talking about it last week. Everyone is ready.”
“I just hope we get the money we need. The building kit we want is not cheap, but I think it’ll be ideal for us,” Natalie said. She studied her notes carefully. “We have some presale tickets, but not enough to cover everything.”
“People will come,” Amelia assured her.
“Yes, they will. It’s going to be a huge success. Everyone wants the summer camp to work.” I was completely on board.
“That interview you did a few weeks ago helped. We had a lot of calls from people who wanted to help out after that article,” Amelia said.
“I’m happy to hear that. And I’m happy the article was a success,” I said. A bad article about me hadn’t come out since. That didn’t mean I was safe, or that whoever was behind the other articles was done, but it meant things were moving in the right direction.
“What time are you able to be at the fundraiser?” Amelia asked.
I looked at Natalie to answer. I suggested we go together. I wanted to support her, and that meant being there for as much of it as she wanted me to be.
“He’s going to come with me at four,” Natalie said.
“Perfect,” Amelia answered. “Thank you for your help. We definitely could not have done all of this without your support.”
“I’m looking forward to the fundraiser,” I said, meaning it. It was going to be a fun night, and I had no doubt they would meet their goal.
“We’ll see you then,” Amelia stood, making her way out of the office and giving Natalie and I a minute alone.
Natalie glanced at her boss, then turned back to me. “I’m nervous about Saturday.”
“It’ll be good. The scholarships are all set up, and we will announce that on Saturday with the understanding that the summer camp needs to be funded first and anything above your goal will go toward scholarships.”
She drew a breath and let it out slowly, nodding and chewing on her lip.
“What else is going on?” There was something.
“How do I act around you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s a work function, and we’ve been very professional when either of us is at work. But it’s also a social function.”
I reached across my desk for her hand, smiling when she didn’t hesitate to meet me in the middle. “I think we will do whatever feels right at the time.”
“Are you okay with everyone knowing we’re together?”
“Yes. Without question. I am not looking to hide from us.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“What about you?”
Her gaze snapped to mine, her hazel eyes widening as if the question was ridiculous. “Me? You think I would be ashamed to tell people I am dating you?”
I shrugged. “You asked first.”
“No,” she said with a laugh. “I think people will be more shocked than anything.”
“I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”
“Me, too.”
I rubbed my thumb along her wrist. She sighed, then pulled back and stood.
“You’re going to make me want to stay here all day.”
“Home would be better.” I followed her to the door.
“Maybe we can do that on Sunday, after the fundraiser.”
“Pack a bag and stay at my house. I’ll pick you up Saturday so you don’t have to worry about your car.”
“In the blue car?” she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
I chuckled. “In the blue car.”
She squealed softly. “I’ll see you then.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
I watched her walk away, knowing I would do anything for her. She came out of nowhere, but I wasn’t sure I could go back to a life without her in it.
I hoped I didn’t have to.
O’Kelley’s was packed. I could barely move through the bar and wondered if someone was going to call the fire marshal for how many people were in there.
Natalie was immediately swallowed up by Amelia when we arrived, and I’d barely seen her since. She was smiling and talking to people, but I could see the anxiety in her eyes when I did catch a glimpse of her.
“Have you seen Natalie?” a perky blonde woman asked me. It took me a minute to realize it was Daisy.
I shook my head.
“I’m Daisy, by the way. We haven’t officially met.”
I grinned fully, nodding and extending my hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I know I’ve stolen Natalie away a lot over the last month. I’ve heard such great things about you.”
“Well, I hope my bestie is singing my praises. She better be.”
“She’s not the only one who adores you. It sounds like you’d give me a run for my money if you decided to run for mayor.”
She shook her head, blonde hair tumbling everywhere. “Oh, no, Mr. Mayor, I don’t want your job. Not enough play.”
I laughed. “There definitely is not. Why don’t I help you look for Natalie? I know she’s running around and talking to a lot of people. She could probably use a break.”
“Uh oh. That’s not good because it’s time for her to give her speech.”
“Does she know she has to give a speech?” I asked.
Daisy shrugged and turned into the crowd.
I followed her, doing my best to look over the heads of the people around us and find Natalie.
Daisy was blindly searching through the crowd, not tall enough to see anything but the person in front of her. She turned at random and made it nowhere.
I finally spotted Natalie to our right and tapped Daisy’s shoulder. She turned to look up at me, and I pointed to the right.
Daisy nodded and forced her way through the crowd. A minute later, we were in front of Natalie.
“I brought you a drink,” Daisy said, handing over the glass she was carrying. “It’s just water.”
“Thank you,” Natalie said, taking it and sucking half the water down in seconds. “Is it hot in here or it is just me?”
“It’s always you, babe. But yeah, it’s hot. There are a ton of people. How close are you guys to hitting your goal?” Daisy shouted to be heard above the noise.
Natalie shrugged. “Amelia has been keeping track of everything, mostly. Last I saw her, we were about halfway there.”
“That’s great news! Hudson has a microphone for you,” Daisy said.
“For what?” Natalie screeched.
“Um, you’re supposed to give a short speech, hun. Thank everyone for coming and tell them what you’re using the money for.”
Natalie shook her head as Daisy spoke. “No. I can’t do it. No. No. I’ll make a fool of myself. I’ve already been talking to people all night, and I told one couple they should have a party in their shower, and I told another man he should work on making some kids so they can come to my camp. I can’t talk to people.”
“Yes, you can, Natalie. This is your night. You have been doing amazing. This is going to be nothing for you,” Daisy encouraged.
“No. Daisy, I can’t. I can’t. I need a break. I can’t do it. I can’t get up in front of everyone and talk. I can’t breathe. I can’t—” Natalie wheezed, sucking in air and pushing it out quickly. Her eyes were wide with fear. She clutched her throat, clawing at it. Panic was all over her.
“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing Natalie’s arm. “Delay,” I told Daisy.
Natalie let me pull her toward the exit and push her outside. She continued to struggle to get air, even though we were outside.
I steered her a few feet away from the door, away from the crowd spilling out of the bar. I pushed her head down, encouraging her to put her hands on her knees. I rubbed her back and hunched down beside her.
“In, two, three, four. Breathe with me, Natalie. Out, two, three, four. Inhale, two, three, four. Good. Better. Exhale, two, three, four.”
She took over, breathing without the prompt from me. Her body shook less and her breathing was more controlled and less panicked.
“Take your time.”
“I can’t do it, Omar. I can’t talk to all those people,” she said, the panic inching into her voice again.
“Keep breathing for me, Natalie.” I waited for her to inhale a deep breath and let it out again before I continued. “You don’t have to give a speech.”
She jerked upright. “Yes, I do. You heard Daisy. All those people. They’re there. And they’re donating all this money. They’re supporting my summer camp. They’re doing all this, and I have to say something.”
“What’s the worst thing that happens if you don’t?”
She inhaled sharply. “I can’t. I can’t stay out here and not say something.”
“What if I say something instead?”
“What do you mean? Why would you do that? Would you do that?”
I shrugged. “If you want me to, absolutely. I know what the money is going to be used for. I know what you’re doing at the summer camp. I know how important it is. I might as well use my position as the mayor for something.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t mind talking to a group of people. It doesn’t bother me. I’m used to addressing a crowd. If you want to do it, I will not tell you not to. I know you can go in there and you can say what you want to say and you can make it amazing. I know you are articulate and intelligent, and you can do anything. I know it. All I’m saying is if you’re dead set against it, if you’re going to have a panic attack again, I will help you. But I believe in you.”
Natalie shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do it.”
“I do,” I said simply. “I know you can do it.”
She looked up at me, her hazel eyes trusting and anxious. “How do you know?”
I tucked her hair behind her ear and cupped her jaw. “Because I’ve seen you in action. I’ve watched you challenge me, handle contractors, and take on a building full of kids. That last one would scare almost any of the people in that bar, but you do it with ease and grace. Every single person inside is here because they believe in you. They want to see you succeed. They’re not here to boo you or tell you that you’re not good enough. We all know you are the perfect woman to run this camp and to make the old campground amazing.”
“There’s no such thing as perfect,” Natalie said wryly.
I smiled. The panic in her eyes was almost gone. “Maybe not, but you are definitely the best person to be taking this on. And we all know it. You care, Natalie. You adore what you do. You want this project to be a success. And you will do anything to make sure that it is. Even if it means facing your fears and standing up in front of all those people and telling them you’re grateful for their support.”
“Will you go with me?”
“Absolutely, sweetheart.”
“Will you stand next to me and take over if I freak out?”
“Yes, but I don’t think I’ll need to. You got this.”
She smiled, her eyes lighting up with confidence. “Thank you.”
“This is all you, Natalie. Go out there and be you, and it’ll all be great.”
She surged upward, surprising me with a firm kiss. Her arms went around my neck and pulled me down.
My hands went to her hips and held her close, letting her lead the kiss and take it where she wanted it to go. When she parted her lips and licked mine, I groaned and slicked my tongue alongside hers. She kissed me back, inhaling and bringing her chest into contact with mine.
When she eased back, I released her without hesitation. She rested her head on my chest and shivered.
“Let’s get you back inside. It’s cold, and you have a crowd to address,” I said, kissing the top of her head and turning her back toward O’Kelley’s.
Natalie nodded, looking far more sure of herself than when we walked out. She nodded to the man at the door, then took my hand and led the way inside, going right to the bar.
Hudson was talking to a very worried looking Daisy and nodded toward Natalie. They both made their way over. Hudson reached us first.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Good. Daisy said you have a microphone for me,” Natalie said.
Hudson nodded, glancing at me before reaching under the bar. “You’re welcome to climb up on top and address everyone. If you want. The ceiling is high enough.”
Natalie nodded. She turned to Daisy and smiled, then turned to me. “Thank you.”
“All you, Natalie. I’m right here if you need me.”
She nodded, then took my hand and climbed on the stool in front of her. She sat on the edge of the bar, then positioned herself to stand.
Once she was up, Hudson handed her the microphone.
Natalie tapped on the end, the sound echoing through the bar and quieting the crowd.
“Hello, everyone!” Natalie said loudly, her voice making the speaker screech.
“Argh!” the crowd replied.
“Sorry about that,” Natalie said softly. “For those of you I haven’t spoken to or met yet, I’m Natalie Edwards.”
A few cheers went up from the crowd, making Natalie blush.
“Thank you, everyone. Um, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you. For supporting the summer camp. For being here tonight. For proving what an amazing community we have.”
Everyone clapped, cheering for Natalie and her words.
She was amazing, just like I knew she would be.
“I’d like to offer a special thank you to Harry and Sue, who donated the property we will be using for the new summer camp.”
The crowd cheered loudly, even though Harry and Sue weren’t there. It was a nice touch from Natalie, and no doubt something they would hear about.
“Summer camp was always my favorite time of the year. I loved being able to play while I was learning. I loved having a chance to share my passion for that with your kids. This camp, and the things we’re planning, will help us to be able to expand that to more kids this year.”
Again, everyone cheered for Natalie.
The more she spoke, and the more the crowd responded to her, the more confident she looked. My heart swelled with pride. She was doing it.
“There are renderings of what we hope the camp to look like around the bar, and I hope you’ve had a chance to check them out. Our goal tonight is to raise enough to make the pool and volleyball court functional, to add a building we can use for lunch and when the weather doesn’t cooperate, and provide scholarships to camp. When the building is not being used for camp, we will be able to use it for town events and it can be rented out for private functions. We want this to truly be a space that is for the town.”
Once more, everyone cheered.
“Next month, if we meet our goal, we are going to have a week of volunteer time. We will be erecting the building we’re going to buy. There are signup sheets everywhere, and if you can commit to a few hours, a day, a week, we will definitely be able to use your help. We intend to do the same thing in May. That week we will be working on the landscaping and cleaning up and making the campground more functional and maybe a little prettier.”
“Did we meet the goal?” someone shouted.
“Did we meet the goal?” Natalie looked out at the crowd, searching. “Amelia is keeping track of the numbers. Amelia?”
“Here!” Amelia called out. She waved to get Natalie’s attention.
“Amelia! Did we reach our goal?”
“We have more than doubled our goal!” Amelia shouted.
The people close whooped loudly.
Natalie’s eyes widened. “No. We doubled our goal?”
The crowd went crazy.
“We did!” Amelia shouted over the roar.
Natalie’s eyes welled up. She wiped at her lashes, then looked down at me.
“You did this,” I shouted.
She put her hand over her heart. “Thank you,” she said into the microphone. “Thank you to all of you. For your support. For your generosity. For your trust and belief and commitment. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
Once more, the crowd erupted, cheering and celebrating.
“Nat-a-lie! Nat-a-lie! Nat-a-lie!”
Natalie kissed her fingertips and blew a kiss to the crowd. Her face was red with joy, her eyes overflowing with happy tears.
She handed the microphone back to Hudson, then took my hand to climb down from the bar and fall right into my arms. She buried her face in my neck and let her tears fall.
“I’m so proud of you. So happy for you. You are amazing, Natalie. Amazing.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“Still a lot to do, but you will make it happen.”
She pulled back. Her eyes were bright and tear-filled. Her cheeks were red and plump from her smile. “I will make it happen. Thank you.”
I leaned close and whispered, “Tonight, we celebrate.”
She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. She nodded. “Can we leave now?”
I chuckled. “Soon, my love. Soon.”