Chapter 16 Nicole
Night had nearly descended when Nicole made her way to the far end of the Canine Canyon parking lot.
Snowflakes swirled around lights like glitter shaken from the sky, falling heavier every minute.
The cold air bit her cheeks as she hurried across the slick asphalt, her boots crunching over patches of ice.
The sounds and images of the dog talent show lingered in her ears—kids laughing, dogs barking, Benny’s triumphant cheer echoing in the background. It had been quite the event and a great distraction from the hollow ache in her chest.
But now she had to go get ready for Aunt MJ’s New Year’s Eve party and all she wanted to do was climb in bed and cry.
How had it all come crashing down so quickly?
Just a few hours ago, she’d been falling for Cameron Hale—hard and fast—while bonding with Elise, his amazing, vibrant sister. But then came the fight, his words sharp and cutting, leaving her to wish she’d stayed away.
As she blinked away tears, she noticed a man standing by her car, and a dark gray truck with the lights on and exhaust coming from the back parked next to him.
Not any man. Her man.
She sucked in a lungful of frigid air. He looked so solid, so heartbreakingly handsome under the halo of the parking lot light, snowflakes collecting in his dark hair.
Her heart thudded painfully. Don’t hope. Don’t hope, she told herself, but it was too late.
Cameron lifted his head, his blue eyes locking on hers. He looked nervous—almost vulnerable. The sight of him like that twisted something deep inside her.
“Nicole.” His voice was soft, carried by the wind. “Can we talk?”
Her feet felt glued to the icy ground, but somehow she made herself move closer. Every step was filled with uncertainty.
“I…yeah. I guess we can talk.” Her tone was cautious, but her chest ached to throw her arms around him.
He gestured to his truck. “It’s freezing. Come sit in my truck, it’s warm.”
Nicole hesitated, then nodded, climbing into the passenger seat when he held open the door.
The warmth was welcome as she inhaled the familiar scent of snow equipment and faint traces of pine.
Cameron got in the driver’s side and shut the door behind him. For a heartbeat, they just sat there, staring at each other.
Finally, he reached for her hand. His was warm and strong, trembling slightly. “Nicole, I need to say this right, so please…just let me get it out.”
She swallowed hard and nodded, her throat too tight for words.
“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked, raw and unguarded. “I am so unbelievably sorry for how I treated you. You didn’t deserve my anger. You were just trying to help Elise, and I…” He drew in a shaky breath. “I let my fear get in the way. I lashed out because I was terrified. And it was wrong.”
Nicole’s eyes burned, and the sincerity in his tone unraveled her completely.
“I understand why you got upset,” she whispered. “I overstepped. I should have talked to you first before taking Elise to the school. I just, I wanted to help her, and—”
“No,” Cameron said fiercely, squeezing her hand. “You didn’t overstep. You did something incredible for her. You gave her hope. You gave her a future.” His eyes shone with unshed tears. “And I nearly ruined it because I was too stuck in my own guilt to see what was actually best for my sister.”
Nicole’s breath hitched. “You have nothing to be guilty for.”
He nodded, his jaw tight. “It’s easy to say that, but hard to feel it, Nic.
I was supposed to protect her. And I failed.
” His voice broke, raw and jagged. “Ever since then, I’ve been…
overcompensating. Smothering her. Treating her like she’s fragile, because if anything else ever happened to her, I’d never forgive myself. Never.”
“Oh, Cameron.” Nicole cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Elise doesn’t blame you. Not one bit. She loves you, but she doesn’t want you carrying that weight forever. It’s not fair to either of you.”
He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. “I know that now. Elise…she told me herself. She said I needed to stop punishing myself and start believing in both of us.”
Nicole’s heart swelled. What a gem that girl was.
Cameron took a deep breath, his gaze locking on hers.
“And you. Nicole, you’ve shown me what love really looks like.
You didn’t just accept Elise, you embraced her.
You two became such immediate friends in a way I never expected.
Watching that…watching you made me realize how wrong I was to think no woman would ever want to take on both of us. ”
Tears slipped down Nicole’s cheeks, hot and fast. “Cameron…”
“I’m falling for you.” The words tumbled out, fierce and certain. “I think I’ve been falling for you since the moment you walked into my life. I was too scared to admit it, but the thought of losing you made me see how much I need you. And how much Elise needs you.”
“I’m falling for you, too,” she whispered, her voice trembling with the truth. “I tried to tell myself it was too fast, too soon, but yeah. I fell for you just as hard. And I love Elise. You two are a package deal, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“She said the same thing,” he admitted on a laugh. “Man, did I get an earful on the way home from Eagle Mountain.”
“The school and the program are—”
“Wonderful,” he finished. “I am being a selfish jerk to try to stand in the way of her doing exactly what she was put on Earth to do. But more than that, she said…what an incredible woman you are.”
Nicole smiled. “We definitely bonded.”
“It’s more than that. She made me see what I already knew.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I want you in my life in…in every way for as long as you’ll stick around. I’m crazy about you and I believe I will be a better man because of you.”
“Oh.” She leaned into him, speechless as he pulled her into his arms.
Their lips met in a kiss that melted the world away, leaving only the warmth of his mouth and the steady thrum of wildly pumping pulses.
When they finally broke apart, breathless, he rested his forehead against hers.
“I want to do this right. For both of you. I’m going to help Elise get ready for vet school.
I’ll talk to Mom and Dad, convince them it’s the right move.
And when she leaves in a few weeks, I’ll be the one cheering the loudest.”
Nicole’s joy bubbled over. “Oh, Cameron, that’s amazing! She’s going to be so happy!”
He smiled, a little sheepishly. “I haven’t told her yet. I wanted to do it with you there. We’ll tell her together.”
Her heart soared. This wasn’t just forgiveness. It was a future, solid and shining before them.
They kissed again, slower this time, savoring the sweetness.
Cameron brushed a strand of hair from her face. “So…are Elise and I still invited to the New Year’s Eve party at the lodge tonight?”
Nicole laughed, swatting his chest. “Of course you are!”
He grinned. “Good. Because I’m pretty sure Elise has been doing her makeup since I left, certain that I could grovel my way out of this.”
“You don’t have to grovel,” she said. “You’ve been honest and…and fearless. That’s what I find the most attractive about you.”
“Didn’t feel fearless driving here.” He kissed her forehead. “But I do now.”
Nicole raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh, yeah? And how did she know I’d forgive you?”
“Because she knows you and your heart,” he said. “Let’s go get her, and bring you back here to get your car. Then we’ll go to the party.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
All her sadness lifted as they drove out to Cameron’s house and she filled him in on the debacle that was Benny’s show. They were still laughing about Red and the popcorn machine when they pulled into Cameron’s driveway. Nicole’s excitement was nearly impossible to contain.
The moment they stepped inside, she gasped.
Elise sat in her wheelchair near the window, dressed in a sparkly silver dress that caught the light like a disco ball.
Her blond hair was styled in soft curls, and her makeup was on point, including a set of false eyelashes that were the embodiment of glamour.
“Girl!” Nicole clapped. “You look incredible.”
Elise beamed, eyes bright with as much pleasure as sparkly shadow.
“Thanks! I can’t remember the last time I got dressed up for a party.
” She glanced between Nicole and Cameron, her eyes narrowing playfully.
“And judging by the way you two are standing so close together, I’m guessing you worked things out? ”
Nicole laughed, her heart full. “We did. We’re good. We’re…together.”
Elise squealed, clapping her hands. “Yes! I knew it!”
Cameron chuckled, kneeling beside his sister. “There’s more. Something important. And I wanted Nicole here when I told you.”
Elise’s eyes widened, her breath catching. “What is it?”
Cameron took her hands in his. “It’s a go, E.”
“It’s…vet school?” She barely breathed the words, hope flashing in her eyes.
“Yes. I’m going to help you do this. I’ll talk to Mom and Dad—especially Dad—and make sure they understand this is what you need. We both know that if I let go, they will, too. And you’re ready, and you deserve it.”
For a heartbeat, Elise just stared at him. Then tears threatened, so she fanned her face. “Do not make me ruin this work of art that is my makeup!”
Laughing, Nicole reached down to hug her. “No crying! This is too happy.”
Elise managed to blink back tears as she looked at her brother. “Camelot, are you one hundred percent serious right now?”
“One thousand.”
With a whimper, she dabbed her eyes with her thumb again. “I’m dead. No, no. I’m alive! For the first time in forever, I’m alive again!”
Cameron groaned and bent over to hug her. “I’m sorry you ever felt any other way,” he whispered. “And logistics? We’ll figure it all out. There will be some rules, of course—safety things. But you’re going to make this dream happen. And I’m going to help you.”
“We both are,” Nicole promised.
Elise let out a shaky laugh, throwing her arms around Cameron for another hug. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Nicole’s eyes stung as she watched them, her chest swelling with love for both of them.
When Elise finally let go, she turned to Nicole, her smile radiant. “And thank you. I know you had a lot to do with this.”
Nicole squeezed her hand. “I’m just so glad I could help you reach for what you’ve always wanted.”
Elise grinned mischievously. “Well, now I can’t wait to make the toast at your wedding.”
Nicole froze, her face flaming. “Wedding?”
Elise flicked her hand. “What do we always say, Nic? Anything is possible. Anything.”
She was right. Absolutely anything was possible.
Not only had she found love, but she’d gained a new best friend in Elise. And tonight, Nicole knew, was the beginning of something extraordinary.