Page 14 of Finally Home

“Bring Cami with ya.” He didn’t miss the hopeful tone in her voice.

“Don’t count on it.”

“I have faith in you, Son. I’ll check in with you again later, or if I hear anything from the sheriff.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

He had taken the phone from his ear when his mom’s voice called out, stopping him. “Oh, before you go, your bitch—I mean ex-wife—called looking for you.”

West rolled his eyes. Fucking Tiffani. “Just send her to voice mail.”

“I will from now on. But you should know, I may have told her you were stuck on the mountain with Cami. Call me petty, but it was worth hearing the string of curses she let loose.”

He chuckled. “Fantastic. I’ll take care of her.”

He could only imagine how Tiffani had reacted. She knew about Cami and his past. His mom had made sure to bring it up the only time he’d brought Tiffani home to Aspen. Then he heard about it for months. It was why he never brought Tiffani back to Aspen, always insisting his mom visited them instead.

“Love you.” Her singsong voice made him smile. The woman was a riot.

“Love you too.”

West ended the call and looked up from the far end of the raised patio to see Cami step out and close the sliding door.

She looked at him, coffee in one hand, bacon in the other, and a smile on her face. “I could get used to waking up to coffee and bacon made just the way I like it.” Momentary panic crossed her face, and she fumbled over her words. “I mean—not that I want—”

He smiled and helped her out. “Me too. Which is why you’re on breakfast duty tomorrow. I like my bacon extra crispy, by the way. In case you didn’t remember.”

She giggled, and damn if he couldn’t live on that sound alone. “You got it. What are you doing out here?”

“Mom called. I didn’t want to wake you.”

“She was really worried yesterday.” Cami shifted on her feet. If he had to guess, his mom wasn’t the only one concerned about him, and his heart swelled at the thought.

He nodded. “She’s more upset that I won’t be home for Christmas.”

“I’m sorry about that too. I’m sure she was thrilled to finally have you home for the holidays.”

He wasn’t sorry he was there with her instead. Not one bit.

“It’s not your fault. Plus, if I had to spend Christmas stuck on a mountain, I’m glad I chose your shop to get stuck at and not Stinky Sam’s up the road.”

“He’s not that bad.” She pressed her lips together in a smile, and a small laugh escaped her, though it came out more like a snort as she tried to hold it in.

West raised a brow. “Cami, he smells like feet all the time. I’m not sure how it’s even possible, but he does.”

She tipped her head back and released a laugh. Her red curls fell behind her. They were the kind of curls a man loved to tangle his hands in. Something he wanted to do more than anything in the world.

“So what’s on the agenda today?” He cleared his throat and tried to distract her from the growing hard-on his sweats did little to conceal, but the only thing that helped was shifting away.

Which made it more obvious.

“Well, I need to get a tree and decorate the house. You think you’re up for helping me?”

He was a bit sore still, but he’d do just about anything to spend time with her.

“How is it that Christmas is your favorite holiday, but it’s the day before Christmas Eve, and you haven’t gotten anything done?”

“I’ve been busy at the outfitter, and the retreat center has been booked solid for winter break. I’m sure if I hadn’t blacked out the dates, I would’ve had a group up here over Christmas.”

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