A Side of Faith, Hope and Love: The Sandwich Romance Novella Collection Page 3

  Forcing a smile, she stood up and turned around to face the man who she had vowed a mere three days ago to stay far, far away from.

  ***

  Cameron’s gaze skimmed past Serena and landed on Rachel, trying to keep the surprise from his face. He knew she’d be here, in the building, but not in his meeting with Serena.

  He was supposed to be meeting with the counselor who was going to help with the—

  No. Surely they wouldn’t choose her. She was new. She’d have no clue how to help.

  After the disaster that was Friday night, he’d decided to steer clear of her, even though he knew it’d be difficult since they had mutual friends.

  Not that he wasn’t attracted to her. He’d be crazy not to be lured in by her gorgeous brown hair and curves he had no business looking at. Eyes up, Cam, eyes up.

  Working with her on this project was not an option.

  He closed the door behind him, praying God would intervene. “Good morning.”

  Serena motioned him out of his pondering and into a chair. “Cam, come in, come in. Have you met our newest member on staff, Rachel Carter?”

  He took a seat next to Rachel and propped a foot on his knee, keeping his face neutral. “Yeah, Maddie and Reuben are our mutual friends.”

  The older woman nodded, her eyes darting between the two. “You’re right, I’d forgotten about that. Now, I was just filling Rachel in on the festival and telling her about what a big help you were last year. You’re still able to help this year, right?”

  As long as Rachel wouldn’t be there— Oh who was he kidding? There was no way he could say no. “Of course. I’m your grunt work man, as usual.”

  “Well, I’m going to need a little more than your muscles this year.”

  Cameron uncrossed his legs and sat up. “What is it you need?” Last year, he’d agreed to help haul, carry, build and whatever else they needed. Melissa, the staffer who’d gotten married two months ago and moved down to Springfield, had done all the planning. He didn’t have much more time to give, between work and soccer and hanging out with Sean.

  “I’ve asked Rachel to head up the festival this year, but as you know, she’s new to Sandwich and hasn’t been involved before. I was hoping you could co-lead and show her the ropes.”

  Exactly why she shouldn’t be leading at all. But what was done was done. He’d have to help. And if he was able to persuade her he wasn’t such a bad guy after all? No harm in that. Cameron started to reply, but Rachel leaned forward and beat him to it. “Serena, I’m not so sure this is a good idea—”

  He reached a hand out to clap her on the shoulder. “What Rachel was saying is we’d be glad to do this for you. It’ll be the best festival ever.”

  The brunette whipped her head around, her long curls flying behind her. “We’re what?”

  Determination pumped through his veins. He’d probably just made the stupidest move in his life, aside from a few dumb investments he’d made early in his career, but the decision was made. Time to embrace his stupidity and make the best of it.

  He winked at Rachel and looked back to Serena. “Don’t you worry about a thing.”

  Serena picked up a three-ring binder from the desk and handed it to Rachel. “This is all Melissa’s notes and ideas from last year, and some preliminary work she’d already done for this year. It should give you a good idea on how to start. But feel free to make it your own. We always change it a little every year anyway. In the back are comment cards from last year, including some suggestions people made on how we could make it better.”

  Rachel leaned forward and took the book, her eyes wide and overwhelmed.

  Taking the lead, Cameron stood and shook Serena’s hand, trying to keep his mind on the business at hand and not his begrudging-yet-lovely new co-event planner. “It’ll be a great festival. Thank you for the opportunity to help with it.”

  He turned and walked out the door, Rachel close on his heels.

  “What do you think you were doing back there?”

  Turning, he glanced around the room, his eyes resting on the receptionist and her perked up ears. “Maybe we can do some preliminary planning in your office.”

  Fire flared from her eyes. “Maybe you can just—”

  Pulling her arm, he escorted her to what he assumed was her office since it was Melissa’s old one and shut the door behind them. “Listen, I’d rather have this discussion privately.”

  She whirled around, hands on her hips, sparks shooting from her eyes. “I’d rather not have this conversation at all. I can’t believe you. You made me look like a blubbering idiot.”

  “If you would’ve told her no, you would’ve been a blubbering idiot.”

  Her head jerked back as if she’d been slapped. “Excuse me? Did you just call me an idiot? I don’t know who you think you are, mister, but—”

  His mouth was going to make him a bachelor for the rest of his life. “I didn’t say you were an idiot. But leading the festival is a really big deal around here. I’m honestly shocked they would give the task to the newcomer, no offense. It isn’t just a silly project. It’s a chance to get area youth excited about something positive. To let them work hard at something then see the fruits of their labor. Instead of contemplating the next car to break into or what sign to spray paint or what profanity to paint on the water tower, they work together to do something constructive. It’s a great life lesson, and a chance to be involved in these teen’s lives, upfront and personal. Maybe I’m alone here, but I think it’s a pretty cool opportunity.”

  She wrapped her arms around her chest and stared up at him, the fire draining from her eyes. “Okay. You’re right. I’m sorry.” She took a slow breath, then walked over to her desk and dropped into her chair. “Might I ask, just what do you do that gives you this abundance of extra time you can commit to something like this?”

  A great question, because he wasn’t sure how he was going to do it either. But in that moment, it'd seemed like the perfect opportunity to get to know this crazy lady better, and he’d grabbed it.

  Something he might regret later.

  He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I’m actually into investments. I have several high-profile clients in Chicago I work for. I only go into the city a day or two a week, and the rest of the time I work from home. And as I’m sure Maddie was quick to point out to you, I’m single, so my evenings are mostly free except my time with Sean and soccer practice.”

  “Sean is your—?”

  “Mentee, or Little Brother I’d guess you call him. He actually used to see Melissa at the center, so he might be assigned to see you. The kid has had a rough time of it.”

  Rachel nodded, shuffled through a few folders, and picked one up. The top tab featured Sean’s name. “And you play soccer?”

  He reined in the smile that threatened to burst. She was softening. Just a little but—he’d take it. He lowered himself into the chair across from her desk. “Coach it. Used to play in high school and college and loved it.”

  “You seem to like kids, I guess.”

  Not many understood, but he had a passion to help kids like he’d been helped as a youth. Marcy, his ex-fiancée, had understood for a while, even admired him for it. Until she found out he wasn’t content with just helping them. He wanted to have a few of his own as well.

  And childbearing wasn’t something she was willing to consider. Ever.

  “I’ve always enjoyed working with them, teens especially. My dad died when I was eleven, and I had a few godly men come alongside me and help fill in the gap. I always aspired to do the same when I grew up.”

  Leaning back in her chair, she looked into his eyes. Something in her gaze had definitely changed. Instead of the caution and fear he’d once seen, there was a depth that spoke of deep scars that held beauty in their victory. It was as if she’d taken down her wall, just for a moment. “That’s—admirable.”

  He slid his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “Thanks.”


  She tilted her mouth into a half smile. “Well, give me a few days to go over the festival notes, then maybe we can get together and make a plan?”

  Cameron nodded, making a note to find more ways to soften those tough eyes of hers. “Sounds good. Maybe we can talk over dinner Friday night?”

  Her eyes clouded over again, but not by fire this time. Just a hardness that said, You were getting too close. “I’m, uh, busy. How about we just meet here, say, four o’clock? I should be finishing up with things by then.”

  Oh how he wanted to push her. But something told him he’d take about twenty steps backward if he did. “Four it is.”

  Four

  Rachel passed the turn for her house and continued down Holiday Drive, headed toward Reuben and Maddie’s.

  She had a sneaky feeling sweet Maddie had more than a little to do with the arrangements for the festival.

  While there wasn’t anything she could do about that, the meddling had to stop.

  Passing a woman jogging who she recognized from the one time she'd made it to the gym, she smiled and waved.

  She returned her attention to the road in time to see a car turn in front of her.

  Slamming on her brakes, she brought her little Honda to a stop just inches from the older sedan's rear driver's side.

  Adrenaline pumped through her veins. Thank you, Jesus, that I didn’t hit anything. What if it’d been a kid?

  Her hand shaking, she unbuckled her seatbelt and started to get out. But as she opened the door, the light-blue sedan peeled off around her and raced down the road behind her as if trying out for the Indy 500.

  Stupid, stupid driver. What kind of idiot drives like that when kids could be playing?

  The jogger she’d just passed approached. “You okay? That guy was an idiot.”

  Agreed. “Yeah, but I should have been watching where I was going.”

  “No, I saw it. It was almost like he watched and waited until you were almost on him before pulling out. He’s going to get someone killed. Geez.”

  Rachel held out her hand. “I’m Rachel by the way. You a runner?”

  The woman shook her hand. “Susanna. And yeah, I’m training for the Chicago Half Marathon in a few weeks. I’m also an off duty police officer. Already called the guy in. Only caught a glimpse of him, though. Mostly bald with a little red hair maybe. I couldn’t grab his license plate, unfortunately. You live around here?”

  Red? Great. Her life was doomed to be plagued with red-headed men. “Yeah, on Karen Drive. You?”

  “Just around the corner from you on LaSalle.”

  “Awesome. I need to get back into running myself. I just moved here a few weeks ago.”

  “You’re welcome to join me anytime I usually run early though.” Susanna reached up and tightened her pony tail filled with light brown hair. “I need to get going, but if you see that car again, try to jot down a plate, okay?”

  Rachel nodded. “Will do. Nice meeting you.”

  They waved, and Rachel made her way, slowly, to Maddie’s house.

  More than ever she was determined to stop her friend’s meddling.

  Flashes of Jared ran through her head.

  So strong. Larger than life. Those months of dating him had been deceiving. He’d been such a gentleman. Treated her like a queen. Paying for her drinks, but stopping her before she got too tipsy. Kissing her like no boy had ever been able to do. He’d satisfied the craving for adventure her parents had never understood.

  He'd talked about taking her hiking and skydiving. Maybe even to his native land of Ireland someday.

  He’d even understood her art. She’d shown him her abstract paintings, and he’d look at them in awe, proclaiming she was the next Michelangelo.

  Her dad had just frowned at them, lecturing her that art wouldn’t pay the bills. That she needed a solid career to support her hobby.

  She’d clung to the man whom she thought understood her like no other.

  But then everything had changed.

  She could still feel his fist slamming against her temple, the trickle of blood hot on her cheek.

  Pulling into Maddie’s driveway, she blinked away tears. No. She wouldn’t be fooled again. Slamming her car door, she pressed fingers to her eyes to erase any sign of crying and made her way up the pebbled sidewalk to the entrance at the side of the house.

  Rachel pushed the doorbell three times and tapped her foot on the brick porch.

  Maddie and her cute little basketball belly opened the door. “Impatient much?”

  Stepping in, Rachel turned to face her conniving friend. “You set this up.”

  “Set what up? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  The preggo lady looked way too innocent to believe. “Don’t lie to me. You had something to do with this whole festival thing with Cameron and me. You need to stop, Maddie. Now.”

  Maddie shrugged and made her way to the leather recliner in the living room to sit and prop her feet up, giving Rachel no choice but to follow. “I simply was discussing the festival with Serena, and your name happened to come up. She brought up Cam’s name, and it just seemed like the perfect solution. It was all her idea.”

  Rachel would believe that when sandwiches started flying. “Why are you so set on hooking the two of us up? He’s not my type. I’m not going to date him, and that’s final.”

  “I think you’d make a cute couple, actually.” She motioned to the couch. “Come on, tell me what’s bothering you. And by the way, everyone calls him Cam. You might as well too.”

  Rachel fell onto the couch, flicked her flip-flops off, and curled her legs underneath her. “I just don’t like him, okay? Every word out of his mouth annoys me.” Except when he talked about Sean and helping kids. “His red hair is blinding.” In an irritatingly sexy kind of way, making it all the worse. “And I’d need a pogo stick to even be able to see what color eyes he has.” Dark Godiva brown.

  “So I should tell him to cut off his legs at the knees and dye his hair black to have a shot at a date?”

  Put like that, her objections sounded ridiculous. Goodness, she only half believed them herself. But they were her objections to have. It was her life. She could date whom she pleased. And Cameron was not that person. She couldn’t date a guy who reminded her of everything her “old” self had wanted in a guy. She’d grown up. Moved on.

  No. She would get through this festival, keep her distance as much as possible, then be done with him. “Everyone has a type, Maddie. And he’s not mine, okay?”

  “Regardless, you’re stuck planning the festival with him, so you might as well be nice.”

  “Has he said I haven’t been?” If that man so much as complained even once about her to the Callahans, she’d—

  “Of course not. But I saw you Friday night. You weren’t exactly warm and hospitable.”

  While she didn’t think she’d been mean, per say, Maddie did have a point. But she didn’t want him thinking she was prime dating material either.

  Visions of Jared flitted in her mind. Tall, red hair, loud, boisterous. Much, much older than her. He had been the exact type of man who would send her parents to an early grave. At twenty-one and rebelling against their unjust treatment of her, she’d run away with him partially out of spite.

  Now she was ready to find the opposite. Maybe a short, scrawny man with black hair and glasses or something, who worked in an office all day. Basically, a nice, safe geek.

  Cameron might fit the office part of her scenario, but none of the rest. How could she date a man who brought all those bad times front and center? No, it wasn’t his fault. But she’d made up her mind seven years ago she would never date any man who even remotely reminded her of Jared.

  She couldn’t. And wouldn’t. Shaking her head, she stood, stepped into her sandals, and turned to face the woman who really should understand her point of view more than anyone. Jared was, after all, Maddie’s father. “I’ll be nice, but you have to stop trying to push us toget
her. I don’t like him, and that’s final.”

  ***

  Cameron took a detour to the Sandwich Emporium on his way home from coaching soccer practice. Not only was he starving and not looking forward to anything he could rummage together in his cupboards, he also needed to have a chat, man-to-man, with Maddie’s husband.

  Stepping inside the upscale restaurant, he shook his head again at the genius of the place. Only Reuben could take a simple idea such as a family-owned sandwich shop, kick it up a notch on the fancy scale, and make a chain of restaurants people flock to just for expensive sandwiches.

  If the sandwich connoisseur ever decided to expand on a wider scale, Cameron already had a few investors in mind to steer his way.

  Tilly hurried to the hostess stand and grabbed a menu and set of silverware wrapped in black cloth. “Sorry, short staffed tonight. By yourself today, Cam?”

  Way to dig the knife in. “Yeah. Need to grab a bite and was hoping to see Reuben for a minute if he’s still here.”

  She motioned him over to a booth close to the office door. “You’re in luck. He decided to stay in case Lori doesn’t make it in to hostess. I told him I had it handled, but he’s a stubborn man. I’ll let him know you want to see him.”

  “Thanks. Hey, I hear you’re having a birthday coming up.”

  The older woman, who didn’t look a day over twenty-five except for some light crow’s feet starting to gather at her eyes, crossed her arms. “We’re not discussing my birthday.”

  He held his hands up. “My apologies.” He clamped his mouth shut before he could do more damage. Secrets were never his strong suit. The only reason he had this birthday knowledge was because Maddie was planning to throw the long-time employee a massive fortieth birthday party next month.

  “Who told you it was my birthday anyway? They better not be planning anything. I told Maddie I planned to spend it at home, alone with a nice pint or two of Ben and Jerry’s. You remind her of that, will you?”