and assistant superintendent of Sunday school. He’s a perfect representative of what Fairdell is about, plus he’s Camille’s father and—”
“It always comes back to her, doesn’t it? Boy, didn’t you get enough of her abuse when she left you here with your tail between your legs? You know that was the best thing that happened to you, right? The Kranes did not need to have any familial associations with the likes of the Ryans. They aren’t worthy of our time. God forgive me saying it but the Ryan girl is probably more suited for a good roll in the hay, maybe, but never more than that. You know where your future lies and it’s not with Camille Ryan.” He wiped his nose with a tissue but didn’t skip a beat. “And speaking of church, it’s about time for Krane to make its back-to-school donation. The mothers of the church have agreed to help give out supplies. I’ve volunteered you to help Sonya with making sure it gets done. Now Sonya, that is a hot little number and her family has the right connections. She’s the one you need in your life and for your future. Judge Brandt is a moral, God-fearing man who’s taught his daughter and son what it means to be successful. Long ago, her father and yours said you’d be together and I plan to honor your dad’s dying wish.”
Remington had heard this argument time and time again. He knew his grandfather didn’t like Camille because he thought her father’s job was beneath them. However, though Remi did not agree, he didn’t argue. His grandfather would surely have another heart attack if he got him too riled up. But one thing he would not let his grandfather do was tarnish his father’s memory.
“Granddad, you know that was not my father’s dying wish.”
“You may be right about that, but it’s mine. And you don’t have to wait ’til I’m dead to make that happen. They say, give them their flowers while they live and Sonya is one stunningly gorgeous flower. But about that land—” His statement was cut off by a sudden coughing fit.
The home nurse ran into the room and Remington took that as his opportunity to leave. This had happened many times during his visits so he felt no guilt in leaving. The old man would hardly recognize that he was gone now that his nurse’s ample cleavage was in his face.
Speaking with Charleston “Charlie” Cobb was nothing new. Camille spoke to him often. He was not only her lawyer, he was her best friend, and she loved him. She had no idea where she’d be without having him to complain to or get advice from. He was one of the main reasons she’d quit her teaching job and had gone after her dream. He was behind her all the way and had even paid her rent for a couple months when she didn’t renew her teaching contract so she could focus on writing full-time.
He had accompanied her when she visited her father the second time that day, and had returned home with her. Charlie had then left to run an errand and she’d fallen asleep after a shower, only to be woken up now by a pounding on the door. She had no idea who it was until she remembered that Charlie was supposed to come by after he was done with his errand. Waking up in her old living room had thrown her off and she had no idea he’d return so soon.
He came in with his commanding presence, protective attitude and a six-pack of beer, fussing at her for not asking who was at the door. He pushed past her like he owned the place, heading straight to the kitchen. “Thanks for letting me read those pages,” he said and she looked at him as he returned with a bottle of water. “I think they worked.”
“Eww...you’re using my stories as a guidebook? That’s nasty, Charlie.”
Charlie plopped down on the couch and put his feet on the ottoman. “Hey, you shouldn’t be so good. And it’s not the first time...and it won’t be the last.”
“Eww... Do I know this person?”
“Doubtful, but she kinda puts me in mind of my career rival here in town—your best friend.”
Best friend? She knew what that meant. He meant her one and only enemy, Sonya Brandt. Last Camille had heard she was the lawyer for Krane Foods, which was the most Camille had allowed Charlie to tell her about Fairdell when they talked. He’d informed her that Sonya had been hired with the blessing of Frederick Krane, and their two families had been closer than ever since she’d been working there. That was perfect since Sonya always wanted and felt she was entitled to have Remington anyway. Now she was probably having him anytime she wanted.
Camille wasn’t sure why that thought didn’t sit well with her. She didn’t even want to begin to guess why her mind had gone there.
Camille hated having negative thoughts about anyone, but Sonya was a special case. Camille had often wondered how the woman ever got through law school because during high school she’d never done any schoolwork. It was possible that she’d had others do it for her and that trend probably continued through college. Camille wouldn’t put anything past her. Sonya Brandt was spoiled and stuck up and thought she was God’s gift to men because her father was white and her mother was black. She thought that made her exotic and irresistible.
“Hey, babe, I’m going to go get a beer. I thought I could wait for the food, but I can’t,” Charlie declared once the conversation hit a lull. She’d missed him and often felt guilty that he had to keep her secret. He was her best friend and was often the one answering the questions people asked about her because he lived in Fairdell. He was more like an overprotective big brother than a best friend most times.
The brief silence gave way to thoughts of Remi.
She hadn’t been able to get away from those ever since she’d arrived in town. She couldn’t help thinking about him even when she didn’t want to. But now was not the time. She had other things to worry about, like her father and his return home. She had to make sure the house was clean and there was food in the fridge. She had to—
“I think I hear a car in the driveway,” Charlie hollered from the kitchen. “It’s probably the pizza guy. I left some money on the coffee table.”
She rolled her eyes. Sometimes Charlie forgot about what she now did for a living. She could afford a lot more than a pizza, though she tried to live modestly. She bought the things she desired and she lived the lifestyle she wanted—within limits. Her only splurge was paying off her father’s mortgage. It was the least she could do for the man who’d raised her by himself.
She fished the bills off the table, not having time to go get her purse from the room upstairs. She flung the door open and giggled—the wine she’d been sipping was kicking in. She probably shouldn’t have drunk it on an empty stomach but she’d needed the stress reliever after her flight and visit to the hospital.
She might just guzzle the whole bottle on the next go ’round...or maybe not, because she was hallucinating. How else could she explain seeing Remington Krane standing at the door of her home?
* * *
“Long time.”
Camille was speechless. She’d heard him speak but was still so much in shock that nothing came out except for an embarrassing hiccup courtesy of the wine. And then she took him in. His height, strong facial features, the shaved head and slight beard, the smoothness of his caramel skin, and the very manly scent emanating from his direction made her drift closer to him.
The man was sexy and the sight of him made her libido spring to life.
Camille’s mouth opened and closed until finally she took a step back and said, “Why are you here, Remi?” Her voice trembled and she
