Seeking His Love (8 page)

A cool breeze blew up the hill from Bellingham Bay carrying the scent of the ocean as Rachel and Cam walked toward the café.

“So, how long have you lived in Fairhaven?” she asked.

“I grew up in Bellingham, just north of here. Went to Western Washington University.” He chuckled and shook his
head. “The first couple years I majored in fun and games, so it took me five years to get my finance degree.”

She grinned at his confession. “I see.”

“Then my dad passed away when I was twenty. That ended all the partying for me.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d lost your dad.”

“Yeah. It was a tough time. But it made me wake up and make some decisions about how I was going to live the rest of my life.”

She wondered what he meant, but he didn’t say more. “Is your mom still alive?”

“Yes. She is in her mid-sixties and is still going strong. She does a lot of volunteer work and walks every day.” They reached the café, and he held the door open for her. They sat at a table overlooking the Village Green.

“How about you?” Cam asked. “Where did you grow up?”

“I was born in Chicago, but my parents divorced when I was two, and Mom and I moved out to Seattle to be near my grandparents.” The server arrived and gave them menus.

“So, are your parents still living?”

“Mom’s in Seattle.” She hesitated. Her parents’ issues weren’t her fault, but for some reason she always felt guilty whenever she talked about them. “I’m…not sure about my dad.”

Cam looked up from his menu.

She swallowed and forced herself to go on. “He had a drinking problem and he made life miserable for my mom. Things got so bad she decided to leave.”

Cam frowned. “So, do you have contact with him now?”

“No. I never have. Mom was afraid he’d follow us, so she changed our names and kept a low profile.”

He studied her a moment longer, his gaze softening. “That must’ve been hard growing up without a dad.”

“Knowing I had a father I had to hide from was even harder.” She looked away and clutched her napkin in her lap. Why had she said that? Ever since she was a little girl, her mom had warned her to keep that information to herself. How many times had she heard her mother say,
Don’t hang your dirty laundry in public?

Thankfully, the waitress returned to the their table. Rachel ordered the first sandwich on the list—a turkey wrap with fresh fruit. Cam asked for a steak sandwich with fries and coleslaw.

Time to change the subject before he asked her any more questions about her father. “How did you get into framing when you graduated with a finance degree?”

“I started out working for a large investment company, moved up quickly, and was making a good salary, but I was putting in more than sixty hours a week. Definitely not a good thing for a man with a family.”

“So you changed careers to have more time with them?”

He shook his head, unmistakable sorrow lining his face. “I wish that was true.” He took a sip of his iced tea. “I didn’t change jobs until after the accident. I couldn’t go back to my old way of life. It all seemed so pointless. Finally, my uncle Ken hauled me down to his frame shop and put me to work. He told me if I kept my hands busy it might help me work through everything.”

“He taught you about framing?”

“Yes, and he probably saved my life in the process.”

His words settled over her heart, bringing new compassion and clarity. No wonder he struggled to see the cup half full. He’d lost his father, wife and son in a few short years, and now he faced losing his sister as well. She started to reach
for his hand, but the waitress returned, bringing them their meals.

He cleared his throat. “Sorry, that was a little heavy for dinner conversation.”

“No. I’m glad you told me.” She looked down at her plate. “Would you mind if I prayed?”

“No, go ahead.” He bowed his head.

She closed her eyes. “Thank You, Father, for this meal and for helping us find so many great things for Kayla’s room. Please watch over Shannon and Eric as they travel to Mexico. We ask for Your healing hand to be on Shannon, and we pray for Kayla, too. Amen.”

“Thanks.” Cam smiled at her across the table. They ate in silence for a few minutes, then he asked, “So did you go to college in Seattle?”

“Yes, Seattle Pacific. I majored in theater with a teaching emphasis.”

“Did you move up here to teach after graduation?”

She took a bite and chewed slowly. Her situation was complicated, but she didn’t want to mislead him. “I taught in Seattle for six years. But for the last three summers I came up to Bellingham and worked as assistant director of N.C.Y.T.”

He cocked his head. “So how long have you been the director?”

“Since January. I took over for my friend Suzanne. She and Josh are having a baby, and it was the right time for me to make a move.”

Cam’s eyes widened as he looked past Rachel’s shoulder. “Oh no,” he muttered and ducked his head.

Rachel turned and looked across the café.

Melanie walked toward their table followed by Lilly. “Well, this is certainly a surprise. What are you two doing here?”

Rachel sucked in a breath and almost choked on her sandwich.

“We’re having dinner.” Cam’s tone was cool and even.

“I can see that.”

A nervous laugh escaped Lilly’s mouth. “We just had dinner, too.”

An awkward silence settled around them. Someone had to say something. “Cam’s niece is arriving tomorrow, so we were out shopping for some things to fix up her room,” Rachel said.

Melanie’s eyes flashed. “Shannon’s daughter?” Cam nodded. She hiked her purse higher on her shoulder. “How long is she staying?”

“I’m not sure.”

Apparently Cam hadn’t told Melanie or Lilly his sister had cancer again, or that he’d be caring for his niece this summer.

“Well, bring her by the shop, and I’ll let her design a piece of jewelry while she’s here.”

“Okay.” Cam’s answer didn’t carry much enthusiasm.

Lilly laid her hand on Melanie’s arm. “Well, Mel and I are on our way to do a little shopping. We’ll see you later.”

Melanie shot them one last heated glance then strutted out of the café with Lilly.

Cam focused on his plate and took another bite of his sandwich. His face definitely looked a shade or two darker than it had earlier.

Rachel suppressed a smile, but a giggle worked its way up her throat. She lifted her hand to stifle the sound, but it was too late.

Cam looked up. “What’s so funny?”

“Sorry. I was thinking about the way Melanie’s eyes just about bulged out of their sockets when she saw us sitting here.”

He gave in with a grin, which soon turned into a chuckle. “I don’t know why, but she doesn’t want to let go of the idea that we ought to be more than friends.”

Rachel couldn’t resist pushing him just a little further. “So, you two aren’t dating?”

“No!” He shook his head and actually looked pained by the idea. “Definitely not.”

Rachel smiled. “That’s…good to know.”

Cam led Shannon and Kayla down the hall, then pushed open the door to Kayla’s room. “Here you go.” He stepped back so his sister and niece could enter.

Kayla stood in the doorway, silently staring straight ahead. Her pinched expression and mottled skin made it clear she’d been crying on the drive from Seattle.

When she didn’t speak up, Shannon placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “It’s lovely, Cam. Such pretty colors. Isn’t it great, Kayla?” The forced brightness in Shannon’s voice didn’t fool either of them.

His niece nodded, but she looked about as happy as a patient waiting for a root canal.

Shannon squeezed her arm. “Come on, now. This is a great room, and your uncle went out of his way to make it special for you.” She nodded to her daughter, silently urging her to speak up.

“Thanks, Uncle Cam,” Kayla mumbled, then walked over to the bed and trailed her hand over the puffy comforter.

“Really, Cam, you outdid yourself. Everything looks so pulled together.” Shannon chuckled. “Sorry, I’m just surprised. Did you watch a home decorating show or something?”

“My upstairs tenant helped me pick everything out. She’s got great taste.” He smiled, remembering how Rachel had scouted out the best bargains and matched up all the furniture
and accessories. Then she’d spent this morning, helping him arrange furniture and hang curtains.

“She?” Shannon’s brows rose, and she sent him a questioning smile.

“Yes. She runs the kids’ drama program at the Arts Center.”

Shannon nodded and sent him a knowing smile.

“Don’t give me that look. We’re just friends.”

Shannon held up her hand. “Okay. I’m just glad to hear you have a friend.”

He huffed and glared at her. “Thanks.”

Shannon winked. Then she glanced at her watch, and worry lines gathered around her eyes again. “I’ve got to go, Kayla.” She crossed the room and stood next to her daughter. “Dad and I are meeting with our small group for prayer tonight, then we leave first thing tomorrow morning.” She gathered Kayla in a tight hug. Closing her eyes, she rocked back and forth. “I love you, baby girl. Promise me you won’t forget that.”

Kayla sniffed. “I promise.” She clutched her mom and pressed her face against Shannon’s shoulder.

When Shannon stepped back, tears glistened in her eyes. “You be good, and have some fun this summer.” She lifted her daughter’s trembling chin. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Everything’s going to be fine.”

Kayla grabbed her mother in a tight embrace once more as tears coursed down her cheeks.

Cam swallowed hard and clenched his jaw. What made him think he could handle a situation like this? How would he comfort Kayla and help her deal with all the emotions she was feeling? How would he answer her questions? How could he explain why terrible things like this happened to a wonderful woman like Shannon?

Rachel took a fortifying gulp of her French vanilla coffee and motioned Chandra over to the classroom doorway. “Could you take my group for a few minutes. I need to make a phone call.”

“Sure. Everything okay?”

“I’m having a hard time straightening out my bill with the storage company. They want to charge me for June, even though I moved everything out by the end of last month. I was hoping if I called them first thing this morning, I might catch someone in a better mood.”

Chandra sent her a sympathetic smile. “I’ll pray for you.”

“Thanks. I need it. It’s not a huge amount of money, but right now, it’s the difference between eating real food or macaroni and cheese for the rest of the month.”

Chandra squeezed Rachel’s shoulder. “Let me know how it goes. And remember, my fridge is your fridge. Come over any time.”

“Thanks. I may take you up on that.” Rachel sent her friend a grateful smile.

Chandra walked to the front of the classroom. “Morning everyone. Time to settle down and get started. We’ve got a lot planned today, but first I want to remind you about the auditions for our summer musical on Saturday morning. We’ll be doing
Anne of Green Gables.
” She took a stack of papers from the desk and sent them around the room. “Auditions start at 9:00 a.m., so read all the info, and be sure to take this sheet home to your parents.”

“Ms. Wetzel?” Ten-year-old Gabriel waved his hand to get her attention. “That sounds like a girl’s story. Are there any parts for guys?”

“Yes, Gabe. There are twelve parts for guys and fifteen
for girls. Plus we’ll need lots of help on the stage crew, so there’s something for everyone who’d like to be involved.”

Gabe grinned and nodded, looking pleased.

Chandra rounded up the ten youngest students and sent them with Amy. Rachel shot off a silent prayer, asking the Lord to give the timid girl courage.

“I’d like the rest of you to come with me to the auditorium.” Chandra lifted her finger and waited. “And remember, we need to be quiet in the hallway.”

“We know the drill, Ms. Wetzel—keep a lid on it, or else!” Steve’s perfect imitation of Rachel’s daily mantra made them all laugh.

“Okay. Glad you got the memo. I don’t expect to hear a sound until we’re settled in the auditorium.”

The chattering faded as they walked out of the classroom, leaving Rachel alone to make her call. She pressed in the number to the storage company.
Lord, please help me reach the right person. You know I can’t afford to waste this money.
But she got an answering machine—again. With a sigh, she pressed the off button and slipped her phone in her pocket. She’d have to try again later.

“Rachel?”

She turned as Cam approached her classroom doorway.

Uneasy lines creased his forehead, but he looked as handsome as ever. “Do you have a minute?”

A shiver raced up her back. “Sure. Come on in.”

He shuffled over to the desk. “Kayla has barely spoken since her mother dropped her off. She spent most of yesterday shut up in her room. And this morning she announced she was not going anywhere—especially drama camp.”

Rachel’s stomach dropped. “So what did you say?”

“I told her staying home wasn’t an option.” He crossed his arms. “I don’t get it. Shannon said she liked the idea of
going to drama camp. Why would she change her mind now that she’s here?”

“She’s probably just upset about her mom.”

“I’m sure she is, but I can’t let her sit home alone all summer.”

“So did you talk to her?”

“What’s there to talk about? She said she won’t go. I told her she either goes to camp or she has to sit in the shop with me all day. She can’t stay home.”

“How did that go over?”

“Not too well.”

“I can imagine. So where is she now?”

He glanced toward the door. “In the shop, sitting on a stool, looking like the world is coming to an end.”

“Poor kid. She must be really miserable.”

He cocked his head and sent her a confused look.

“Try to see it from her perspective, Cam. She’s probably frightened about her mom being sick. She might feel abandoned by her parents. But she can’t get mad at them, so she’s focusing her anger on you.”

His shoulders sagged. “I’m sure you’re right. But I don’t know how to help her.” He lifted his gaze to meet Rachel’s. “Would you talk to her?”