Alaskan-Reunion (12 page)

“No, thanks,” Paige said. “I’m holding out for some iced lemonade.”

“Suit yourself.”

Once it was in his hands, he took a huge bite and groaned loudly with appreciation. As Paige stood there watching him with amusement, he continued to devour his treat.

“If I remember correctly, you used to love these, too. Sure you don’t want the last bite?” he asked, holding up the final sliver.

She took a gentle bite, ending up with a trail of caramel dribbling down her chin. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the stick in a nearby garbage can, then reached out and wiped the caramel away with the tip of his finger. Their eyes met and held. Something simmered and crackled between them. A deep and heavy vibe pulsed in the air.

Cameron dipped his head down and placed his lips on Paige’s. He moved them over hers with sweetness, reaching out to cradle the sides of her face with his hands. This tender, soul-stirring kiss almost caused her knees to buckle. This moment had been years in the making. In the lonely moments in Seattle she had dreamed of being held like this by Cameron.

“Cameron,” she whispered as the kiss ended. She reached out and ran her finger along his rugged jawline. She felt the slight roughness of his half a day’s stubble.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since you came back to town,” he murmured.

“What took you so long?” she teased.

“I have no idea,” he said with a laid-back grin. “Maybe I was just waiting for the right time. I guess that I have to learn to make my own moments.”

They walked around the festival in companionable silence, the sort where it felt natural to not have to fill up the quiet with mindless chatter. Every now and again Cameron would point something out to look at or participate in. Paige shouldn’t have been surprised when he began racking up stuffed-animal prizes for Emma.

Although she was having a relaxed, enjoyable outing, her thoughts kept drifting to the next town hall meeting, which was scheduled for the following day.

“What’s this little frown for?” Cameron asked, reaching out to smooth away a crease between her eyes.

“I’m a little nervous about tomorrow evening,” she admitted. It was her last chance to speak about the cannery before the vote next week. If the proposal didn’t pass the vote, it would feel like a personal rejection of her and everything she was fighting for in Love.

“You’ve got this. There’s nothing to worry about. The whole town is buzzing about what a cannery would mean to our economy. It’s almost as if everyone is daring to hope again for prosperity.” Cameron grinned at her. She couldn’t look away from the way the corners of his mouth crinkled when he smiled. “And everyone thinks it was mighty brave of you to come back to Love.”

Paige ducked her head down. She felt a bit embarrassed by the idea of people praising her. She hadn’t done a single thing yet other than return money that should never have been taken in the first place.

She shook her head, pushing back strands of hair that had wandered in front of her eyes. “It’s hard to accept kudos for simply doing the right thing.”

“You’re pretty extraordinary. After your history with this community it’s amazing that you’re so committed to its recovery.”

Paige studied Cameron’s awestruck expression. “You forget that this is my hometown, too. I may not have been born here, but for many years it was my haven.”

“I didn’t forget. I’m just overwhelmed by your grace. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’ve changed. You’re so grounded in your faith and your principles.”

Paige smiled in acknowledgment. “Yes, I have changed. Being a mother will do that to a woman. My relationship with God has given me a new perspective. A lot of things make sense now. When my father passed, I drew to Him for strength.” She met his gaze, moved by the compassion and understanding etched on Cameron’s face. “I was at rock bottom when I left here. I was spiritually bankrupt for many years. It’s amazing what can happen when you surrender yourself to God and seek a faith-driven life. Everything becomes much clearer.”

“It’s sort of like having smudgy glasses and then getting a new pair,” Cameron said. “The whole world starts to look spanking new.”

Paige burst out laughing. “That’s a great way to describe it.”

Cameron looked down. All of a sudden his expression changed from lighthearted to somber. “I’m sorry you had to go through it all by yourself. The pregnancy. Emma’s birth. Raising her as a single mother. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”

Immediately she bristled. “Don’t feel bad for me. I made the choice to go it alone. It didn’t break me.” And despite everything, she had built a happy home for Emma.

“I don’t pity you. To be honest, I’m wishing that I had been at the hospital when Emma came into the world and took her first breath. I would have liked to cut her umbilical cord and to have learned how to change her diaper. But I’m very grateful that she had a mother like you who’s been with her every step of the way. Just watching her for a few hours the other day gave me a whole new appreciation for all your sacrifices and loving care.”

“Sorry if I snapped at you,” Paige said with a rueful twist of her mouth. “That subject is a little prickly for me. Back in Seattle a lot of people looked down on me being a single mother raising a child on her own. Lots of prying eyes and endless questions. Even some preaching from members of my faith community. It taught me a huge lesson about judgment.”

“It’s no one’s job to criticize you,” Cameron said in a curt voice. “Thankfully, God’s forgiveness allows us to move forward without being beaten up or condemned over our choices.”

All of a sudden Hazel walked up, holding tightly on to Aidan’s hand while Jasper pushed Emma in the carriage. Paige couldn’t help but grin at the sight of the crotchety mayor of Love pushing a stroller. She saw Cameron’s lips twitching with laughter and she had to look away before she dissolved into giggles.

Little beads of sweat were pooled on his forehead. “All this walking has me hotter than the Sahara Desert,” Jasper grumbled as he fanned himself.

“Why don’t I go get us some lemonade,” Paige suggested. “That will cool everyone off.”

“Oh, I’d love one,” Hazel said. “I’m pretty parched.”

“Need some help?” Cameron asked.

She waved him off. “I’ll be fine. Why don’t you stay here with your daughter?”

It was amazing how good it felt to refer to Emma as Cameron’s daughter. And it didn’t escape her notice the way his face lit up with joy upon hearing her say it. She felt a pang remembering what he’d said about wishing he had been a part of Emma’s earliest moments. If she had to do it all over again, she would make different choices. She should never have withheld her pregnancy from him. But she couldn’t go back. Only forward.

Just as she reached the lemonade concession stand, she heard someone calling out to her.

“Paige.” She turned around at the mention of her name. Dwight was standing there with an intense look etched on his face.

After the way he’d reacted to her at the town meeting, she felt very skeptical about anything he had to say to her. She sincerely hoped he wasn’t about to lay into her about the cannery proposal.

“Hello, Dwight,” she said in a cool voice.

“I was hoping to see you here today. I have something for you.” He shoved a manila packet in her hands. “Don’t worry. It doesn’t bite,” he said with a smirk.

“What is this?” Paige asked. At the town meeting he’d made it clear that he didn’t approve of her bid to resurrect the cannery project. She wasn’t naive enough to think that he was trying to help her.

“Information that might change your mind about the cannery deal,” he said cryptically.

“And why would I do that?” she snapped.

“Because things don’t stay the same, Paige. Two years ago there wasn’t another cannery in this particular area of Alaska.” He shook his head. “A long time has passed since this deal was in the works. That’s a lifetime in the business world. Things move at the speed of light. I did some research. Three canneries have been opened during that time. Three! Two of them are doing quite well, while the third one is struggling. Rumor has it they might file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.”

Three canneries?
She hadn’t known that. Why hadn’t she known that? She had done some research but clearly nothing as comprehensive as Dwight’s inquiry.

“Do you have any idea how difficult it would be for us to compete against two other canneries that are already established?”

Although Dwight was the furthest thing from warm and fuzzy, his words had been heartfelt and to the point. This move didn’t reek of manipulation. There was something very authentic about it. Dwight adored his hometown and he didn’t want to see the town’s finances run off the rails again. And neither did she. She swallowed past the huge lump in her throat. Truth. That was what she had been fighting for ever since her father had stolen the town’s funds. And now, out of the blue, it was being handed to her on a silver platter from the most unlikely of sources.

“I understand,” she said with a nod of her head. “It might be risky to open a cannery here after those other outfits are already up and running successfully.”

But after everything she had endured, it was difficult to just give up on the dream. Maybe Dwight was wrong. “On the other hand, perhaps Love could do it better than those other two. There’s no need for doom and gloom.” She held her chin up even though she was trembling with doubt.

Dwight narrowed his gaze. “Or this town could lose a big chunk of money chasing a pipe dream. You seem to have a lot of pull here despite what happened with your father. You came back with your adorable daughter and the tragic news about your father. That could sway a lot of people to vote for a cannery project that isn’t a smart business decision. Plus, you seem to have the Prescott family in your back pocket,” he grumbled.

“The townsfolk are savvy enough to make their own decisions,” she pointed out.

Dwight held up his hands. “My job here is done. The data I gave you is worth looking at before the upcoming vote. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her reeling with the ramifications of the information he had just shared with her. She took the envelope and folded it into a small square, then stuffed it into her purse. As she purchased the lemonade and walked back toward the rides to meet up with Cameron and Emma, her mind whirled with the impact of her run-in with Dwight.

With another town meeting scheduled for tomorrow in preparation for next week’s vote, she had no idea what to do in order to best serve the town she loved. The responsibility was weighing heavily on her. At the moment the stakes really couldn’t get any higher.

Chapter Ten

B
right and early the next morning Cameron was serving customers at the Moose Café and whistling as he worked. He was still feeling content after the fun-filled day spent at the spring festival. The kiss he had shared with Paige had been tender and unforgettable. If he closed his eyes, he could almost feel the softness of her lips. Something hopeful had been in the air between them and he sensed that Paige had felt it also.

Was this a sign of new beginnings?

After such a long time of stuffing his feelings down, it was freeing to actually be hopeful about having a future with Paige. And he couldn’t even describe how it had felt to be a family unit yesterday with Emma by their side. He had to believe that in bringing them to Love, God had been shining a light on the path He wanted him to take.

“You seem happier than a hummingbird in flight,” Sophie said as he walked into the kitchen whistling an upbeat tune.

“It’s going to be a good day, Sophie. I can feel it,” he said. And he could—all the way down to his bones. He felt as if a powerful, sweet change was blowing in the wind. And he couldn’t wait to see what bloomed as a result.

The energy surrounding tonight’s town meeting had reached a fever pitch. Most folks in town seemed invigorated by the possibility of Love moving forward to reinvent itself.

Sophie grinned at him, showcasing her girl-next-door smile. “I sometimes have feelings like that, too. Good vibrations, I call ’em.”

“Good vibrations. I like that,” Cameron said.

Yes, indeed. Things were turning around. Not only for the community but for him, as well. His life was different since Paige had returned. He’d been enriched by Emma. His little girl made him think of the future and how he could shape it for good. It wasn’t enough to sit on the sidelines and hope for the best. He’d given up on that front after the cannery fiasco, but he was committed to making Love prosperous again. Paige had forced him to recognize his own pride and blindness. And judgment. Never again in his life did he want to falsely tarnish the character of another human being. Particularly someone he adored.

Although the knowledge of his colossal error had been working its way through him ever since Paige’s return, he’d resisted taking stock of everything. It was painful to realize that he’d been so terribly wrong about this woman who had been his first and only love. Emma’s mother. A woman he had wanted to make his bride.

Two years ago he’d lacked the courage to stand up for Paige amid all the accusations lodged against her. His devotion to her hadn’t been strong enough to silence the doubts. And now Cameron could see even more amazing sides to Paige Reynolds. And when he added up all the pieces, her innocence shone through like a beacon. He couldn’t turn back time and undo the damage, no matter how fervently he wished it were possible. But he could move forward and humbly apologize to Paige. He could try to make amends.

“Cameron. Can you help me with these drinks? I’m getting a little backed up,” Sophie said as she placed two orders on separate trays.

“Sure thing. I’ll follow right behind you.”

“Let me get the door for you,” Hazel said, moving ahead of them so she could help out.

Sophie sailed through the door with Cameron following right behind her. All of a sudden she stopped in her tracks, causing Cameron to nearly lose his balance and the drinks he was holding.

“Hey. Watch it, Sophie. That was a close one,” he said.

“Look, y’all. Gunther is on his knees,” Sophie shrieked.

Gunther Reid was a regular customer at the Moose Café. Born and bred in Love, he’d been a friend of his since they were kids in the schoolyard. Affable and honorable, Gunther was the kind of person you rooted for.

Sure enough, when Cameron looked over at his pal’s usual table, he was on bended knee.

“I’m about to swoon,” Sophie gushed. “They are so inspiring.”

Everything was hushed and still in the eatery. All eyes were on Gunther.

“This is where we had our very first date,” Gunther said. A huge smile was plastered on his face as he gazed up at his beloved, Wanda. “It’s a fitting place to ask you to spend the rest of your life with me and make me the happiest man in Alaska.”

“Just Alaska?” Cameron muttered, earning him an outraged frown from Sophie.

“Shh,” she said, placing her finger on her lips.

Wanda let out a scream of delight. “Oh, Gunther. Yes! Yes! Of course I’ll marry you.” She swooped down and wrapped her arms around Gunther’s neck.

“W-Wanda. C-can’t breathe.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” she said, releasing Gunther’s neck from her grip.

Gunther reached into his pocket, pulled out a wooden box and popped it open. “It’s not the fanciest of rings, but it’s straight from the heart.”

The simple solitaire diamond shimmered and glinted from inside the box. Tears gathered in Wanda’s eyes. “Oh, it’s stunning. Please put it on my finger so I’ll know I’m not dreaming.”

She held out her hand and Gunther took the ring and gently placed it on Wanda’s finger.

It was almost as if all the diners in the café had been holding their breath during the proposal. Once it became official, loud applause rang out in the room.

“Wait till Jasper finds out,” Hazel said. “He’s keeping a tally of all the engagements that occur as a result of Operation Love. Not sure what we’re up to now, but Jasper’s program really is working.”

“Happy endings and all,” Sophie chirped. “I sure hope mine is finding its way toward me.”

Happy endings. Seeing Gunther and Wanda so ecstatic over their engagement was an awesome moment to witness. Before Wanda came to Love under the Operation Love program, Gunther had been a lonely bachelor. He had been shy and reserved. A bit of a homebody. Falling in love with sociable Wanda had forced him out of his shell. He had been the first one in line to court her when she had arrived in town. From the very beginning, Gunther had known Wanda was his one true love.

His
one true love was Paige. It always had been. And he didn’t have a single reason now not to pursue his own happy ending. So what if his parents hadn’t gone the distance? That shouldn’t define his own future. It didn’t mean he couldn’t make things work with Paige.

For far too long pride and circumstances had been stumbling blocks in their relationship. For two long years they hadn’t been in each other’s lives. They had both changed for the better in the past few years. Leading faith-driven lives had given them more purpose and a spiritual focus. He didn’t think he would ever make the same mistakes with Paige that he had made in the past. Not many people were allowed a second opportunity to get things right.

Tonight after the town hall meeting, he planned to make a huge declaration to Paige, one that would hopefully change their relationship forever. He prayed that she still had feelings for him and was open to exploring a life together. If need be, he’d get on his knees and apologize to her for all the suspicions he’d harbored in his heart against her. For all the time they’d wasted.

Cameron stood at a distance and watched Gunther and Wanda as they celebrated their engagement with two frozen caramel mochaccinos. A feeling of excitement mixed with raw nerves rushed through him. He was ready to fight for his own happily-ever-after.

* * *

By six o’clock Paige was a bundle of jitters. Her palms were moist and a huge lump had settled in her throat. So much was riding on tonight’s meeting. Love’s prosperity was hanging in the balance. After reaching out to Grace last night, she had felt more reassured about the path she needed to take. Hours of brainstorming and prayer had helped her sort everything out. Before any vote took place next week, she needed to address the residents. She had no idea if her words would be well received, considering her history, but she was convinced that if things went her way, the town would be heading in the right direction.

In stark contrast to the last time she’d walked the gauntlet toward the town council’s meeting room, this time she was stopped by dozens of well-wishers. Some folks congratulated her for being dedicated to the cannery project, while others asked her about Emma and thanked her for returning the money to Love. Although it felt nice to be greeted so warmly, she couldn’t help but wonder how everyone would react to her change of heart.

Paige had made a point to get to town hall just as the meeting started so she wouldn’t have to sit by Cameron. By not telling him about her encounter with Dwight and the information he had shared with her, she felt as if she had hidden something from him. He’d been so supportive of her desire to achieve redemption for her father and revitalize the cannery project. Because of the way she felt about Cameron, she knew he might be able to sway her opinion. And she hadn’t wanted to make her decision based on what someone else thought. Love’s financial recovery had been her only focus.

Cameron shot her a quizzical look as she settled in a few rows behind him rather than joining him. She nodded in his direction, then looked away. It was better this way, she realized. She needed to keep her eyes on the prize and concentrate on the reason she was here tonight. Her feelings for him had never done anything but lead her astray.

Paige sat through the meeting and waited for the perfect opening to say her piece.

Just as Jasper began to talk about voting, she stood up. She cleared her throat. “Jasper. I’d like to share a few thoughts before we get started tonight. I’ll try to be brief.”

Jasper peered at her over his spectacles. His expression reflected his impatience. “Go ahead and say your piece, but we’ve got a long agenda to get through. Keep it short and sweet, just like my baby granddaughter.”

For once Dwight didn’t seem to have an objection to her taking the floor and addressing the townsfolk. He eyed her with simple curiosity.

Her walk to the front of the room felt like an endless march. With a steadying breath, she faced the crowded-to-capacity room, twiddling her fingers in front of her to relieve some tension.

Please, Lord, let the words flow easily from my lips so that I can present this in the best way possible. I love this town so dearly, and I want to help them prosper.

“Good evening, everyone. I wasn’t expecting to be up here tonight, but my conscience won’t allow me to stay silent. Yesterday Dwight shared some information with me that changes my position on the cannery project.”

Shocked gasps rang out along with a host of groans. People began grumbling and she could hear Dwight’s name being murmured. They seemed upset. She held up her hand. “Please don’t be upset with Dwight. He was acting as a dedicated steward of this town.” She sent him a nod of acknowledgment. She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but she was almost certain he smiled at her. Paige turned back toward the audience, making an effort not to lock gazes with Cameron. She could only imagine he was probably confused and hurt that she hadn’t discussed this with him prior to tonight’s meeting. But up until a few hours ago she hadn’t been exactly sure of what she was going to say or do this evening. It had all come together at the last moment.

“There have been three canneries in the southeastern part of Alaska that have opened their doors in the last two years. I’ll admit that I wasn’t aware of that figure until yesterday. The last one that opened isn’t doing very well, no doubt because of steep competition from the other two.” She swung her gaze around the room. “Why does that matter to us, you might ask? Because if the town decides to put a considerable amount of money into this project, it’s important to consider the existing market. Knowing what I know at this moment, I think it’s too risky. Could it be a success? Very possibly. But it’s also likely that the cannery could go under. A few hours ago everything became crystal clear.

“For me the cannery project has always represented a lost opportunity. Its failure was a symbol of my father’s sins and my own banishment from Love.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I truly love this community and it’s imperative that I do right by it. The success of this town can’t be about my father’s redemption. And it shouldn’t be about things that have been lost. I tossed and turned last night trying to figure out what’s in the best interest for Love. And it’s not the cannery. I know that now. Jasper was right when he said it’s about moving forward, not backward.”

She looked straight at Cameron. His eyes glinted with disappointment before he turned his gaze away from her. In that single moment she feared she might have lost him forever. She paused for a second to steady herself against the pain ricocheting through her.

“So it sounds like we’re right back where we started from,” someone in the audience called out.

“No, actually, we’re not,” Paige responded in a firm voice. “Far from it, in fact. Hazel’s boots are a far better investment than a cannery, considering the unique marketing slant and the freshness of the idea. There are no other shoes on the market that can claim to be authentic Alaskan-made boots. And the unfinished cannery building could easily be converted into a production facility for the boots. If we scale back the scope of the building, it could be finished in a matter of months—weeks, even, since we have extended hours of sunlight now.”

She glanced over at Grace, who had promised to sit near the front row so she could be available to speak. “Grace, could you help me out with this part?” Her call to Grace last night had led to hours of discussion, during which Boone’s wife had acted as a sounding board and helped her analyze the benefits of a cannery versus a shoemaking enterprise. In the end, her assistance had been invaluable.

Grace came up and stood next to her. “The money Paige returned to the town could easily be used to jump-start this new business. We’ve already been working on a cost analysis for the launch, and these additional funds could really assist in establishing Hazel’s boots. It’s an amazing opportunity to truly put our resources behind what could be a huge revenue stream for this town.”

“I love it!” Hazel cried out, thumping her palm down on the dais. She paused to swipe away a few tears. “It’s a brilliant plan, as far as I’m concerned.”