Page 59 of Landry

She touched the button to receive the call and muttered an expletive beneath her breath. “Missed it. Maybe whoever it was will leave a message.”

After a few seconds more, the phone chirped.

“Voicemail.” Camille clicked the button to play the message and raised the phone to her ear.

Landry moved closer but couldn’t hear.

Camille’s brow dipped. “He had something come up and was delayed. He’ll be here in an hour.”

Landry cocked an eyebrow. “You’re not going to wait for him, are you?”

“Well, he did leave a message.” Camille chewed on her bottom lip. “But I don’t see hanging out here for an hour.” She smiled up at him. “Do you like hot dogs?”

He couldn’t resist her smile. “Only if it’s loaded with mustard and relish.”

“If you’re up for it, we can do as Gisele said and ride a few rides, eat a funnel cake—after the hot dog, of course—and listen to the zydeco band.”

“I’m up for it.” Landry waved toward the festivities. “Beats hanging out here for an hour.”

She sighed. “I wish I’d gotten his number. I could’ve broken the date and skipped all this angst.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. If the guy really wanted to be here, he would’ve been here by now.” He held out his hand. “Let’s ride a spinning ride before we indulge in hot dogs and funnel cakes.”

“Right. And, since I’m not driving, I want a Hurricane in one of those tall tube thingies.”

Landry chuckled. “This is a whole other side to you I haven’t seen.”

“I don’t get too many nights to be just me. Not a businesswoman. Not a mother.” She stopped for a moment and stared up at him, wide-eyed. “Don’t get me wrong. I love Ava more than life itself. She’s the center of my universe, and I’d do anything for her. It’s just that I don’t get to do adult things when she’s with me.”

Landry touched a finger to her lips. “It’s okay. I’ve seen Mama Camille in action with Ava. I believe you. You’re a good mother. You don’t mind spending time with her. You don’t ditch her with a nanny and fly off to France for weeks at a time. You don’t resent her presence at your work. You’re patient with her and love her unconditionally.”

“I believe in spoiling a child with experiences, not things. I’d take Ava with me to France. What an experience it would be for her.” Camille frowned. “Besides, I can barely stand to be away from her for a night. What mother ditches her child with a nanny to fly off to France?”

“Mothers who never wanted children.” Landry stared straight ahead rather than meet her gaze.

“You sound as if you speak from experience,” she said softly. “Was that what your mother did with you?”

“She wasn’t the maternal type.” He gave her a twisted smile. “I think if she could’ve outsourced her pregnancy, she would have.”

“I’m sorry.” Camille squeezed his hand.

“No need to be,” he said, regretting telling her that little bit of his pathetic childhood as the only child of wealthy parents. Some people would have loved to live in luxury, despite having parents who didn’t give a damn about him except when it came time for him to take over the family business.

“Look, they have a Ferris wheel. Let’s ride it.” Camille tugged him toward the giant miracle of engineering, operated by people who probably hadn’t made it past sixth grade.

Landry dragged his feet. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights,” Camille said.

“I’m not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of dying. You don’t know when this thing was last maintained or inspected, if ever.”

“Come on, Landry. You only live once.” She released his hand and hurried to a ticket booth.

He followed, a smile playing on his lips at Camille’s excitement over a carnival ride. She seemed younger, less stressed and happy.

He couldn’t say no when she handed him a ticket and led him to the line for the Ferris wheel.

“We’ll be okay.” Camille hooked her arm through his and leaned into him.

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