Page 2 of The Beachside Cafe 4
She could hear the grin in his voice. “Yeah, that’s right where I am.”
“Under that shade tree that’s inside that little shelter?”
“All right, how’d you know? Are you around here?”
“I’m not, but I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay, see you when you get here.”
Jaymee slid off the stool, pressing the end button and wishing she’d found a reason to talk to him for a little longer. She was the one who would be driving. If he was just sitting there, she wouldn’t mind keeping him company while he waited for her.
Russo came out of the back kitchen with the special Saltwater Café apron on and gave her a wide-eyed look. “Everything okay?”
Jaymee checked herself for everything while glancing at him apprehensively. “Do I look nervous or something?”
“No, you look in a hurry.”
“Cameron called and wants to meet at the courthouse. If you need me, call my cell. It will be on. If I don’t answer, call his. If you neither of us answer, call Lou or John at the police station.”
“Will do. You gonna get married?”
Jaymee stared at him for a moment before a grin cracked on his face and she realized he was joking.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. In her mind, she thought,In my dreams.
She ran out to her forest green Honda and jumped in. It wasn’t as new or as nice as any of Cameron’s three cars, but it suited her well and she liked the pick-up it had from stand still to moving down the road. It had a good engine even after driving it for three years.
Ten minutes later, she was zipping along the streets of Grand Bay, going toward the middle of town, away from the water. She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel in time to the beat from music on her radio. It was only out of instinct that she was doing that. Her mind was elsewhere.
If she had it her way, shewouldbe meeting Cameron at the courthouse to get married. She didn’t see the sense in a big wedding at her age. Once it came out what Doug was doing, everyone would understand why she ended their 22-year marriage after he had disappeared into thin air.
But he hadn’t asked her yet and they weren’t really at that stage, she didn’t think.
Not yet.
Soon, maybe.
Soon, hopefully.
TWO
Cameron looked sharp in his suit and tie, pressed slacks and shiny shoes. He had one hand in his pocket and one leg was on a stair higher than the other. Jaymee’s heart went into overdrive as soon as she saw him.
She parked the car facing him. He was looking down at his phone. She wondered if he was talking to someone or reading something. He didn’t look up but there was no reason he should know she had just pulled in. She hadn’t honked.
“How am I supposed to concentrate when he looks like that?” she mumbled sarcastically, turning the mirror and making sure she looked the best she could. She grunted, figuring she looked good for her age, which was 43 in two months.
She pushed open the door and stepped out, turning back to lock it before slamming it shut.
She jogged to the sidewalk and crossed the two-lane street between herself and the courtyard at the top of the steps. Cameron was at the very top, still looking at his phone.
“Hey there!” she said, crossing the street, lifting one arm and waving at him. She got a little thrill when she saw the look on his face when he turned his eyes and saw her coming. His smile was gigantic and his eyes lit up. Her heart warmed over as she hopped up the steps to him.
“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” she said.
“Of course not. I would have anyway. I wasn’t going to go in without you.”
“Well, I’m not exactly dressed for something like this, Cam, really.” Jaymee looked down at herself. She was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans. She hadn’t refreshed her makeup or brushed her hair since that morning. “Did you make an appointment?”
