Page 13 of Finally Home

His phone lit up, and the chirping started. He quickly silenced it, hoping it didn’t wake Cami.

Two missed calls from his mom and ten from Tiffani.

West shook his head and pinched between his brows. The damn woman couldn’t leave well enough alone.

It had been five years since the divorce was finalized, but recently Tiffani had wanted to try to fix their marriage. No. She didn’t want to fix their marriage. She wanted back the cushy life West had once provided her. Since she’d run out of money, he’d put up with her extravagant attempts to woo him back, only to be followed by her violent outbursts when he rejected her. West had no doubt that if he let her back into his life, she would get comfy, then find another side piece the moment he let his guard down. Not that he wanted her back.

He’d known she was trouble from the first night they met. Then Shelby came along and changed everything.

The phone lit up in his hand, his mom’s photo appearing on the display.

He slid the bar over and brought the phone to his ear. “Hold on a second, Mom.”

Grabbing his jacket, he toed on his boots, not bothering to tie them, and stepped out the sliding door on the back patio.

“Sorry, had to step outside. Cami’s still asleep.” The cold bit at his exposed neck, and he flipped his jacket collar up.

His mother’s panicked voice filled the speaker. “It’s so good to hear your voice. Are you okay? I was worried sick when Cami called last night.”

“I’m fine, Mom.”

“Are you?” She questioned him in a way only a mother could. Like she knew he was lying.

“A little banged up, but I’ll be okay.” It was mostly true. Physically he was fine. Mentally was another story completely, but he didn’t want her to worry.

“I have no doubt. You’re in good hands with Cami.”

If he knew his mother, she was tickled pink he was stuck on the mountain with Cami. She always hoped Cami would be part of the family someday and made no attempt to hide her thoughts on the matter.

“About that.” West raised a brow and playfully scolded. “Don’t think I don’t know you sent me up here specifically so I’d run into her.”

She scoffed, and he imagined her clutching her pearls. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Uh-huh. Sure you don’t.” He rolled his eyes. God love his meddling mother.

“Far be it from me to help my son along when he’s got his head up his ass and won’t see reason.”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?” He knew what she meant, but he wanted to see if she would go so far as to say it. She’d been growing bolder as she got older, and he loved pushing her buttons.

“You and I both know she’s the great love of your life. You said as much when I visited you at the Air Force Academy. I won’t say you made a mistake when you knocked that wretched woman up, because it brought me my granddaughter, but you didn’t do yourself any favors marrying her. When you returned a week ago and hadn’t asked about Cami, I knew you wouldn’t grow a pair and go up there after your interview, so I helped you along.”

Well, damn if she didn’t have him pegged. He hadn’t planned to seek Cami out until he knew if he had gotten the job, and that could have been after the new year. Shit, it could have been a month from now. He would have kept putting it off until fate stepped in and forced him to see her.

But, of course, he wouldn’t tell his mother that and give her the satisfaction. “Am I supposed to say thank you?”

“That’s customary when someone helps you, and I raised you to have manners.”

He let out a deep laugh. “Well, thanks, Mom.” He meant it too.

“You’re welcome, Son.” She sighed and her voice turned serious. “While I’m glad you’re patching things up with Cami after all these years, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m disappointed that after finally getting you home, you won’t be spending the holidays with us.”

“I’m sorry about that too. I was looking forward to your banana pudding after Christmas dinner.”

“I put a call in to the sheriff. He’s going to see if he can get an emergency crew up there as soon as possible, but it still might not be soon enough.”

West’s throat tightened at the thought. It was great he and Cami were talking again, but he wasn’t ready to leave her yet. He needed more time to assess what was between them. He knew he still loved her—one of the main reasons he was trying to get a job in Aspen in the first place—but he had no idea where her head was. Or if she’d be able to accept who he’d become. It was the risk of a lifetime.

“We’ll celebrate Christmas when I get off the mountain. Save a plate for me.”

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