Page 48 of Only in Our Dream
“It’s only nine, Mammaw.”
“Like I said,” Wilma Dean entered the room and stood at the end of the bed, “it’s late. Now come on downstairs, the sausage isn’t going to eat itself.”
As Wilma Dean walked back out the door, Dylan whispered in Cameron’s ear. “That’s what she said.”
“Dylan,” Cameron playfully pushed her shoulder as she stood up, “don’t be like your brother.”
“Sorry, Mom.”
Cupping Dylan’s cheek in her hand, Cameron took a moment to study her daughter. Her blue eyes were the same as Cameron’s, as was her fair complexion. Just like Cameron, her blonde hair was a mess of bedhead. Cameron gently rubbed her thumb over Dylan’s cheek.
“I want you to know that I will never do anything to hurt you or your brother.”
“I know, Mom. But being with Aunt Mel isn’t going to hurt us.”
Leaning down, Cameron kissed Dylan’s forehead. “I love you, Dylan.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
“Now, come on,” she said as she pulled Dylan to her feet. “Let’s go eat that sausage.”
“I’m so telling Aunt Mel you said that.”
“Oh, shit. I need to text her back.” Grabbing her phone off the bed, Cameron sat as her thumbs hovered over the keyboard. Dylan sat beside her, looking down at the screen.
“Do you need help?”
“No.” Cameron thought for a moment. “Yes.”
“Give me.” Dylan took the phone, typing out a message to Melanie before handing it back to Cameron. “Here you go.”
Morning babe! I can’t wait to see you. I miss you so much and wish you were here with us. The kids miss you and wish you were here too.
“Damn, this is good.”
“Don’t act so surprised.” She playfully tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I know my Aunt Mel.”
“Indeed, you do.”
Hitting send, Cameron tucked the phone into the pocket of her sleep pants as she and Dylan headed downstairs for breakfast. Her phone buzzed halfway down the stairs, and Cameron fished it back out of her pocket. She paused to read it, not confident in her ability to walk down stairs while reading a text. Dylan did the same, hovering over the phone as she read the message.
I love those kids so much. I can’t wait to see them. I miss them!!
“See,” Dylan winked, “she loves us. This is going to work outperfectly.”
Chapter 16
Melanie
For a few weeks out of the year, the Baxter Tree Farm became the most bustling place in the Cove. People came to the farm in droves to pick out their perfect Christmas tree and to shop at the festival market the farm hosted on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although Melanie’s allergies hated the farm, she loved getting to spend time with Cameron and her kids. Especially since she hadn’t gotten to see them much since Thanksgiving.
She had seen Cameron at the hospital a handful of times, but busy work schedules had kept their time together limited. Melanie tried not to pout about it when Cameron had invited her to the tree farm with them the day before.
“So,” Cameron tapped her fingers on the desk as Melanie looked up at her, “would you want to join me and the kids tomorrow as we pick out the West family Christmas tree?”
“Is this going to be like the Griswolds?”
Cameron chuckled. “You never know with our crew.”
