Page 73 of Call It Home

When the show was over, people cleaned up their picnic area and came over to Mac and me. “You’ll get ‘em next time,” was a common phrase we heard over and over again, as if we were still competing.

The crowd thinned out. After big hugs, Bristol and Em took their families home to put their kids to bed.

“Think they’ll make us do this for every episode?” Mac asked as we walked behind The Dogtrot where I parked my car.

I shook my head. “But you never know what Beverly Seymour has planned. Although, I don’t think it’s hit her yet that there will be a film crew here for the last episode and the live shots.”

“I’d nearly forgotten that myself. What do you want to do?”

I lifted a shoulder. “Then? I don’t know. Now? I want to go back to your place and be where there’s no one but me and you and for you to make me forget about everything else.”

And without question, that’s exactly what he did.

Chapter28

Mac

I pulledup to the old Victorian house and followed the signs for parking. I’d only been to Bristol’s house once before when Reid thought she was being held against her will while he’d been involved in busting a dogfighting ring. It had been a crazy night, so I hadn’t had time to appreciate all the details of the house or how much property it sat on.

Today would be the exact opposite. It was Bristol and Reid’s wedding day. They were having the ceremony outside, behind the house. I’d heard Chase bitch a few times about all the work he’d put into creating a nice garden, but I didn’t pay any attention. There wasn’t anything that guy wouldn’t do for his sisters—or his friends, for that matter.

Cam had arrived hours earlier to be part of whatever it was that women do the morning of their wedding. Something about a champagne brunch, but I kind of tuned out at the wordshairandmakeupwhen the girls were talking about it.

When I grabbed my phone, I noticed I had a missed call with the same area code of where the prison was. Worried, I quickly pulled up the voicemail.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Caldwell. This is Marti Rivera. We spoke about the farm property a few weeks ago. I wondered if you’d come to any decision. Please call my office and let me know. I have someone else who might be interested in that property. Thank you.”

Shit. I hadn’t done anything about that property yet. Marti had said there was no one else looking, so I assumed I had plenty of time. When Trey had asked about it, I put him off, saying I was waiting to see if the family would come down in price. While that was true, it wasn’t the only reason I’d put off making a decision. I wasn’t ready to leave Sterling Mill—more specifically, Cameron Allen. I hadn’t expected things to continue between us. I’d figured, like nearly anything that blazed so hot so fast, it would burn out just as quickly. Instead, the flames had fanned and spread. Now it was hard to envision a life that didn’t include her.

But then there were reminders like this.

But today was not the day to make decisions. I’d deal with Marti and the farm another day.

I followed a gravel path to the back of the house. Lanterns with purple bows on top lined the walkway, with purple and white flower petals scattered on the ground between them. Rows of white chairs were set up in front of a temporary white gazebo, which had floor-length sheer white material hung from the corners and gathered with small rings of purple flowers. Ivy had been woven along the spindles at the top, and a spray of white roses with a few peeks of lavender-colored lilacs and greenery peeked out. It was simple and pretty. A guy with an acoustic guitar played in a corner.

I took my seat among the other guests. It wasn’t long before Reid came out, with Zach close behind, both wearing gray suits with white shirts. Reid looked more relaxed than I expected him to, but then he was as sure as he could be about everything. As I watched, his eyes lit up, and then he looked a little emotional. Along with everyone else, I turned to see Lexi walk down the aisle, looking surprisingly grown up as she beamed at all the guests, then broke into a huge smile when she caught her dad’s eye. She’d never had the chance to know her real mother, but it was obvious she thought of Bristol as her new mom in every way.

As she took her place up front, it was Zach’s turn to gasp as his wife came down the aisle, followed by Paige. Then, a familiar face appeared, and I realized why he reacted the way he did. Cam’s hair was swept up in some kind of twist that still allowed for some pieces to fall softly around her smiling face. Her dress swished softly as she walked. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. It wasn’t just her beauty, but it was the way her eyes softened and shone even brighter when she saw me staring. She didn’t look that way at another person. Just me. Like I was the only thing that really mattered to her. Like she loved me.

I swallowed hard. Was that what that look was? We hadn’t discussed feelings. Was it what I was feeling?

My eyes followed her all the way down the aisle, and when she took her place, her eyes immediately sought mine. I was pretty sure it was a big, goofy grin that formed across my face.

“You look beautiful,” I mouthed, hoping she’d be able to see and interpret. Judging by the brightness of her smile, she did.

Then her eyes shifted behind me. Reid’s mouth dropped open. I turned to see that Bristol had made her entrance on the arm of Chase. She looked stunning, nothing like the tomboy I knew her to be. Nothing like a woman who got dirty and greasy under the hood of cars.

But even the bride didn’t hold a candle to the woman I had eyes for. As Bristol took her place beside Reid, the bridal party turned toward the gazebo, but not before I saw Cam take a last peek over her shoulder at me. A sense of peace like I’d never known settled over me.

The pastor began the service, and when it was time to exchange the rings, I expected to see Zach and Cam give the rings to Reid and Bristol. Instead, Bristol turned around with a grin. She gave a sharp whistle, and to everyone’s surprise, Mayor Sterling flew from the back to land gently on her arm. A tiny black top hat has on his head, held in place by a little strap around his neck. In his beak was a little bag, which Bristol took and handed to the minister.

“Thank you, Sterling,” she said.

“That’s Mayor Sterling,” he chirped back, then, following a little cue from Bristol, he flew back to where I saw him land beside the real mayor.

It took a minute for all the guests to stop laughing, including me. That bird was something else.

Minutes later, the service was over, and a beaming Mr. and Mrs. Reid Braxton walked back down the aisle. I waited impatiently until the multitudes of pictures were over, then I finally was able to get to Cam.

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