Chapter 24
24
Omar
All I could do was watch her walk away. I dropped everything to go to her, and she didn’t want me there. She was angry at me for something I had no control over.
“She’s broken,” Daisy said, approaching without me noticing. “What are we going to do?”
“She doesn’t want my help. She blamed me for this. Said I told her not to put the camper here and is mad at me for not listening to me.”
Daisy stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Natalie’s SUV disappearing onto the road. “She will get over it. Her world just got rocked, and not in the way you’ve been doing lately.”
I snorted a laugh that made Daisy smile.
“See? It’s not all bad.”
“It is if she can’t open the camp.”
“She can’t open the camp?” the man who appeared to be in charge asked. “Why not? What are the kids going to do?”
I pointed at the demolished camper. “That was the only bathroom out here. Without it, she can’t open.”
“You can’t let that happen. You’re the mayor, right?” the man asked.
I inhaled sharply. He was right. I wasn’t useless. I wasn’t helpless. I might not have a camper in my back pocket, but I could get out there and do something. “Don’t say anything to anyone about the camp not opening. We’re going to figure something out.”
“We are?” Daisy asked.
I turned to her. “We have to. We can’t let something like this stop her. Stop all of this. She’s worked too hard.”
Daisy grinned. “That’s what I’m talking about. What can I do?”
“We need to find a new camper.”
“Seriously? Where do you think we’re going to find a new camper? Why don’t we just buy another one of those prefab buildings? That’ll be cheaper,” Daisy said.
“She wants a permanent structure, but that’s going to require a lot more. There’s already a septic system here from the old campground, but it needs to be upgraded before putting in a permanent building.”
“This just gets better and better,” Daisy said.
“We will figure it out. We have to. There has to be someone who isn’t using an old camper.”
“Okay. Okay, we can do this. How old?”
I chuckled at the disgusted look on her face.
“You weren’t here before that one was cleaned. It was hideous.”
“I heard. And I don’t care what condition the thing is in as long as the bathroom is functional. It would be better if we could find something with more than one bathroom, but we’ll do what we can. At worst, we’ll have to bring in portable bathrooms.”
Daisy wrinkled her nose at that one. “That’s worse.”
“But it works. We aren’t going to let these families down, and we’re not going to let Natalie down. Are you with me?”
“For Natalie? Absolutely.”
“Thank you for calling me, too. Even though she wasn’t happy to see me, I’m glad I knew about this.”
“I’m sorry she was so mad. Give her a few days.”
I nodded, hating that I had to stay away from her. I wanted to go to her and tell her it would all be okay, but if she didn’t want me around, I’d give her the space she needed.
Back in my SUV, I knew I needed to go back to work, but I had to make another stop first.
O’Kelley’s was quiet at noon on a Tuesday, but Hudson was there. His wife, Anna, was at the bar, smiling at him as she enjoyed her lunch. Hudson straightened when he saw me marching over to them.
“Mr. Mayor. Omar. Don’t typically see you here during the day.”
“Sorry to barge in on you two. Hi, Anna.”
“Hi, Omar. What’s wrong?”
“The camper Natalie was going to use for the office and bathroom at the summer camp is crushed. A tree fell on it. She said there’s no chance at making it work. It’s bad.”
“Oh, shit,” Hudson breathed. “No bathroom, no camp.”
I nodded. “Exactly. I know a lot of people come through here every day. If you hear of anyone mention a camper or trailer or something with a bathroom they’re looking to get rid of, will you let me know? We have time, but we have to figure out something. Preferably not portable toilets.”
“That is an option,” Hudson said.
“Yeah, but I’m hoping it’s not the only option we have. Give me a call if you hear of anything.”
“We will. Sorry, Omar. I know Natalie has to be pretty upset.”
I nodded and left it at that. I couldn’t bring myself to admit she wasn’t speaking to me.
I went back to the office and called Amelia.
“Have you heard about the camper?” she said when she picked up.
“I did. That’s why I’m calling you. Don’t let her tell the families camp won’t happen.”
“What why?”
“We’ll figure out something.”
“Why can’t you tell her that?”
“She’s upset with me. And I get it. I’m giving her space because she asked me to, but I’m going to figure something out.”
“I hope so because she walked in here and went right to her office, grabbed some stuff, and left again. I’ve never seen her look so defeated.”
“I’m going to get a portable toilet out there today for the people working on the parking lot. Do you happen to know who it is? I wasn’t thinking, but without the camper, they don’t have a bathroom right now.”
“It’s probably Total Paving. Chuck is the foreman. Do you want me to give him a call?”
“Yeah, if you could, I’d appreciate that, Amelia. I’m going to have a toilet there ASAP. Tell him to have it set wherever they want it.”
“Okay. Thanks, Omar. We’ll figure something out for our girl.”
“Yes, we will.”
I had nothing. Not a damn thing. A full week of searching every dusty corner of the internet and reaching out to everyone I knew in the area, and I hadn’t come up with any good options for a camper for Natalie.
I was starting to worry.
Her pool guys were starting in a week, and the portable toilet I paid for out of my own pocket was still there, but it was a horrible option for the entire summer.
A hot summer and a bunch of kids. It spelled disaster. And disgusting.
The phone on my desk buzzed. “Yes, Jane.”
“Derek Bailey is here to see you, Mr. Mayor.”
“Send him in. Thanks, Jane.” I stood, walking around my desk to greet Derek. He was a good businessman and a better friend, but he wasn’t on my calendar.
Derek knocked once, then opened the door and came in. He approached me with his hand out for a shake. “How are you, Omar?”
“Good. Thanks. What can I do for you, Derek?”
Derek grinned. “It’s actually what I can do for you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“How flexible are you on that camper you’ve been looking for?”
I gasped. “You found something? Really?”
Derek nodded. “Last week of the month, so we have a lot of inspections coming in. A family had a trailer that didn’t pass inspection.”
“Yes. I mean, sorry for them.”
Derek chuckled. “I know. They told me they haven’t used it for four years, and have kept up the inspection, but that’s as much as they’ve driven it. It’s okay, but it needs work to get it road-worthy.”
“But if we’re not putting it on the road…”
“We would have to make some modifications to it, though. So it can’t be on the road.”
“Which means?”
“Removing the wheels.”
“Put it on blocks?”
Derek chuckled. “Basically, but we would have to have some kind of foundation for it. Something that says it’s no longer a vehicle.”
“Can we do that?”
Derek nodded. “We can. And even better, the family is willing to part with it for next to nothing.”
“How next to nothing?” I asked.
Derek told me a number.
“Done.”
Derek grinned. “I had a feeling you would say that. The only other catch is we have to get it onto the camp property by the end of the month, since May first it’s no longer legal to have on the road.”
“So, Saturday is our deadline.”
“Yep. Can you make that happen?”
“Know anyone with a truck?”
Derek nodded. “I think I have a friend.”
I chuckled, feeling like all this was going to work. As long as Natalie would take my call and let me help her out.
Derek agreed to keep the trailer at his shop until I had a chance to let Natalie know about it. When he got back, he took a bunch of pictures and sent them over.
It was rough. It was an old trailer, but it had a decent sized bathroom and could be functional. Both sides slid out, but the mechanism to slide didn’t work, so they had to be shoved with brute force. But once they were out, they were secure.
It had to work.
I sent Daisy a text, asking her if Natalie was going to be home that night and if she thought I could stop by. Daisy said Natalie was working until five, but would be home after that.
I told her I’d be there at five-fifteen.
I traded cars after work, then drove the Bluebird to Natalie’s. With any luck, she would be willing to go for a drive with me and I could show her the trailer.
Daisy said to park on the far side of the driveway so Natalie wouldn’t see my car from the door, so I did, then walked up their driveway. I rang the bell and wiped my sweaty hands on my pants.
“Coming!” she shouted from the other side of the door. Then she was there. “Omar.”
I wasn’t sure if the look on her face was a good one or not, but I wasn’t there for me. “Will you let me take you somewhere?”
She shook her head. “No.”
All my hope faded. I took a step back.
“Not until I apologize for the way I treated you last week. I was upset, and I took it out on you, and I never should have said what I said to you. I know you weren’t there to rub it in that you were right. I was a jerk. And I hope you’ll be able to forgive me eventually.”
I surged toward her, capturing her jaw in both hands and inhaling her. I stopped just before my lips touched hers. “There is nothing to forgive. You had every right to be upset. But I love you. I’m here for you. The good and the bad, Natalie.”
She nodded, her throat working as she swallowed hard. “I… I love you, too. I’m not used to that. To having someone who wants me to succeed as much as I want you to succeed.”
“You have Daisy. And your parents.”
“Yeah, but they’re family. They have no choice.”
“I have no choice either, Natalie. That’s what love is.”
She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. She tilted her jaw and eliminated the distance between us. Her lips were warm and soft and inviting.
I groaned, feeling right for the first time in a week. Her hands slid around my waist and pulled me closer. I wasted no time doing the same, cupping her butt in one hand and threading my other hand into her hair.
“I guess she likes the camper, huh?” Daisy interrupted.
“Not funny, Daisy. You know the camper is crushed,” Natalie said, pulling back from me. “But it wasn’t Omar’s fault.”
Daisy looked at me with wide eyes.
Natalie caught her look. “What’s going on?”
“Let’s go for a drive.”
“What is she talking about?”
“Why don’t we go for a drive?”
Natalie turned to Daisy and pulled out of my arms. “What are you talking about? What camper?”
Daisy gave me a panicked look.
I shook my head, but she sighed.
“He bought you a new camper. I thought he was showing you pictures of it. I didn’t know he was going to take you to it. I’m so sorry,” Daisy gushed.
“You bought me a camper?” Natalie shouted.
“I… Yes. If you want it. Technically, it’s not purchased yet, but if you think it’ll work, then I’m going to buy it.”
“The town doesn’t have any money for a new camper,” she said.
I snorted. “It’s not new.”
She grinned. “How bad is it?”
“Yeah,” Daisy said, “how bad is it?”
“Do you want to go look at it with us?” I asked Daisy.
Daisy shook her head. “No. I’m good here. You two go. Text me later. See you tomorrow!”
Daisy grabbed Natalie’s handbag and pushed us out the door. She slammed it behind us, locking it for good measure.
“You know I have keys,” Natalie called through the door.
“You know you’d rather be out there with him than in here with me. Go enjoy. You have a week to make up for, and I don’t want to be around to hear it,” Daisy said.
Natalie looked up at me and burst out laughing. “I guess you should show me this camper.”
I nodded and stepped into her personal space. She smiled right before I kissed her, meeting every stroke of my tongue with one of her own.
We were panting by the time we pulled apart and headed for Bluebird.
“How in the world did you find a new camper?” she asked.
I told her about Derek showing up and the family who doesn’t use it anymore. I explained everything Derek told me on the way to Stone Auto Repair. When we pulled into the lot, I crept around to the back, where Derek said it would be.
Natalie gasped when she saw it.
It was so much uglier than I thought.
I turned off Bluebird and got out.
Natalie climbed out and came around to stand next to me. She burst out laughing. “It’s hideous. But I love it.”
I let out a breath and chuckled. “It is pretty ugly. The inside might be worse, though.”
“Do you have the keys?”
I handed her the key Derek gave me earlier. He kept one in case they needed it, but wanted Natalie to look at the whole thing.
Natalie unlocked the door and opened it, holding her breath for a minute. “Well, it smells better than the last one.”
I exhaled. So far, it was okay.
Natalie walked inside. There was no power, so she pulled her phone out and turned on the flashlight. I turned mine on so we could get a look at the place.
We walked into the main living area. A gray couch was to the right and had definitely seen better days. To our left was the world’s smallest kitchen, with an even smaller banquette taking up most of the walkway. The vinyl on the banquette seats was ripped. The appliances were yellow. Through the kitchen was a bathroom that was surprisingly spacious for a trailer.
“And you’re sure they don’t want this?” Natalie asked.
I nodded. “That’s what Derek said.”
She nodded, then put her face in her hands and sobbed.
Shit.
I was at her side in two steps and gathered her into my arms. She wrapped her arms around me and buried her face in my chest. My heart broke as she cried.
So much for hoping this would be what she needed. It wasn’t right for her.
“I’m sorry this isn’t good enough, Natalie. We’ll find something else.”
She pulled back and looked up at me. Her face was streaked with tears, but she was smiling. “Not good enough? This is amazing.”
“What… Then why are you crying?”
“Because you did this for me. I was a complete jerk to you, and you’ve been working your ass off to find something like this for me. I don’t deserve you.”
I opened my mouth to argue with her, and she put her finger over my lips.
“I’m not giving you up, but I don’t deserve you.”
I nibbled the pad of her finger.
She gasped.
“I don’t deserve you, Natalie. But I’m so happy I have you. Now, let’s get out of here so I can show you how much I missed you.”
She nodded, dragging me toward the door as fast as we both could go.