Page 32 of Baby Me

“Is it the jaw?” Charlie asked. Cameron shook his head and pointed to hisstomach.

“All right, ladies. I’m going to need some space to examine him. Lie down on the floor forme.”

Concerned, I pulled Evie aside. “Evie, you’re going with Dr.Lockheart?”

“Don’t worry, Kate. I know where your mind is going, and I can assure you that I’m not interested in Cameron, if you know what I mean.” She wiggled her brows as if that were our secret code. “We were going to leave in the morning, but now that Cameron’s hurt, I guess it makes sense to head outtonight.”

“‘We? So, you and Charlie are seeing eachother?”

“It’s nothing official just yet, but I’m hoping it will be. We’ve known each other for a long time, but the timing has always beenoff.”

“Evie, I’m so happy foryou.”

“Now you’re not just saying that because I’ll be out of your hair, areyou?”

“No, I’m not. I’m truly happy foryou.”

“Thank you. I love you, Katie, and I love Cameron and Brook as well. Cameron’s right. We are a family, and I’m so happy that he’s found someone as lovely as you. To be honest with you, I’ve always thought of him as abrother.”

“Wait… didn’t you twodate?”

“Yes, but that was before I thought of him as abrother.”

Right.

“Please take care of him, and becareful.”

“I will. You aswell.”

With the pain in Cameron’s abdomen obviously growing stronger, I quickly kissed him goodbye, and they were on their way. As soon as they left, I realized that he hadn’t even packed anything. A sudden overwhelming loss flew through me. Silvia must have noticed because she came to sit by my side at the table. Marianne came over next and sat on my other side. They each put an arm aroundme.

“Don’t worry, honey. Cameron’s resilient. He’ll be all right. I know he was planning on taking you up the hill this evening. If it makes you feel better, don’t go back to the cabin; stay with me until hereturns.”

“Thank you. I think I may. I have my clothes hereanyway.”

“Silvia!” someone yelled out at the back of the kitchen. “Silvia, your ducks were in my gardenyesterday.”

I saw Silvia’s neighbor, George, whom I’d been told had a thing for her, walk in through theback.

“That’s my cue to leave.” Marianne stood up and patted Silvia on her shoulder with support, thenleft.

“George, they’re not my ducks. They’re wild, and they’re free to come and go as they please. And your garden is half-dead anyway. Summer’sover.”

He grinned and shamelessly eyed Silvia from behind, then pulled out a free chair and sat near her. For a fellow who seemed to be upset at Silvia, he certainly wanted to be close toher.

“If they’re wild, it means they’re fairgame.”

“You wouldn’t,” she replied inshock.

“As of tomorrow, no more quack, quack. I’m gonna wring their necks; freeze one for the winter and bake the other one for dinner.” George laughed, then patiently waited for herresponse.

I cleared my throat. “Mr. Connors, I’m sure we can come to an amicable agreement without killing the ducks. They’re cute andfriendly.”

“They’re organically raised and delicious. That makes themfood.”

“How dare you!” Silvia gasped, holding onto herheart.

I placed my hand over her knee reassuringly and turned toward George. “They trust humans. Killing them would beinhumane.”

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