Only You (28 page)

“I took a back road, cell wouldn’t work,” Shane defended. It pissed him off that after years of friendship, Brody was questioning him this way. “The owner of the adjacent farm found me about twenty minutes ago, and I called as soon as we got back to his house, so lay off, Brody.”

“I’ll tell Camden. She’s not doing so well with treatment today,” Brody confessed, “so hopefully that will help.”

Panicked, Shane demanded, “What do you mean she isn’t doing well?”

Brody’s voice softened. “She’s okay, man. Doc said the longer she has the treatments, the weaker she becomes. She’s fine. They just had to slow the drip and up her anti-nausea meds.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Shane murmured.

“You do that, Shane,” Brody commanded. “She needs you.”

“I need her, too, Brody. Never doubt that.”

***

Shane looked expectantly at the wiry, freckled, man in front of him. He wore greasy blue coveralls and a smear of oil was on his cheek. His bright orange curls were covered by a dirty John Deere hat. His faded badge declared that his name was AJ, and the sign outside declared him the owner of the small garage.

“I don’t know how to tell you this, but your belt was cut.” AJ cleared his throat uncomfortably.

Shane’s expression grew puzzled. “What do you mean it was cut? It worked all the way from Jackson to here.”

“Well,” AJ explained, “It wasn’t cut all the way through. Whoever did it, they knew what they were doing. Cut the belt just enough to weaken it so that it’d break after you were on the road a bit. My guess is that they figured that would keep you from suspecting foul play.”

“How are you so sure?” Shane demanded. He didn’t know anyone that would benefit from stranding him in the middle of nowhere.

“Follow me,” AJ called. He adjusted his cap as he walked toward the back of the garage. “This,” he spoke, lifting a long black belt into the air, “is what a serpentine belt looks like when it breaks due to natural causes.” He rubbed his hand along the edge of the broken belt. He motioned for Shane to follow him again and walked to Shane’s truck. He looked under the hood, and waved Shane closer. “This,” he pointed to Shane’s serpentine belt,” is what yours looks like. You can see right here what is a clear cut. Someone didn’t want you making it to Milton today, man.”

Shane shook his head in disbelief. “Can you fix it quickly?”

AJ shook his head and pulled off his hat. Wiping his brow, he replied. “Sorry, man. I don’t have the right belt. My buddy over in Concord does, so I can definitely have it ready for you by tomorrow.” He paused, assessing Shane. “Dad said you needed to get to Milton to see someone in the hospital.”

“Yeah,” Shane admitted. “My girlfriend is having chemotherapy today.”

AJ locked eyes with Shane for a minute. He must have found what he was looking for, because he nodded once in decision.

“Let me get my keys from the front office. You can borrow my truck and come back to get yours tomorrow.”

Shane’s jaw opened in surprise. “Seriously?!”

“Yeah man. You’re only an hour or so away. Just take good care of her.” AJ winked.

“I will, man. Thank you!”

“I was talking about your lady,” AJ smiled.

“I’ll take care of her, too,” Shane promised. With a bounce in his step, he followed AJ to the front office of the auto shop.

***

Brody quietly entered the hospital room. Camden was sleeping, exhausted from the chemo. He was sure her tears had probably tired her further. She was snuggled into Eric, who lay sleeping, as well, his head resting on Camden’s. Brody smiled softly at his parents and Melia in greeting.

“I heard from Shane,” he informed them.

Molly jumped from her seat. “Is he okay?”

“That boy better have a good reason for not being here,” Jack grumbled.

Brody relayed the information Shane had told him. He hoped Shane arrived before Camden completed her treatment. He didn’t want to wake her, but the moment she woke, he’d tell her what was keeping Shane.

A few minutes later, Javi entered the room, arms laden with food and drinks. Melia hurried across the room to help him, and everyone settled into their seats. The guys were watching an MLS soccer game on ESPN. Molly was resting against Jack reading a book, and Melia was playing Sudoku on her phone. They were an odd little group, but Brody smiled because they were his.

Two hours later, Camden began to stir. The effects of her anti-nausea medicines were fading, and she lunged toward the waiting bucket. Eric stirred immediately and began rubbing her back soothingly. Molly hurried across the room, speaking softly to Camden. She pressed the call button, and Christopher was in the room in less than a minute. Brody really liked that dude. He was always prompt and alert. Christopher added some more anti-nausea medication to Camden’s picc-line. As Camden tried to relax against Eric once again, Brody walked over.

“Hey, girlie,” he murmured. “I talked to Shane while you were sleeping.” Camden flinched, and Brody saw pain flash through her eyes. “His truck broke down, Cam,” Brody informed her. “He was on his way here.” Relief flooded her face, but she still seemed hesitant.

“Brody?” she whispered. “Where did he sleep this weekend?”

Brody looked at her, a puzzled expression on his face. “Well, since Melia is using his apartment, he slept in my guest room.” He raised his eyebrow in question. “Why?” he probed.

“Forget it,” she whispered, shaking her head slowly. Before Brody could push for an explanation, the door to the room was shoved open and a breathless Shane entered.             Shane’s gaze came to rest on Camden, and a sigh of relief came from his chest. He hurried to her side.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” he cried. His eyes were watery, and Camden forgave his absence immediately. Shane raised his questioning gaze to Eric.

“Thanks for holding my girl, Eric, but now that I’m here…may I have my job back?”

“Sure,” Eric winked. Teasingly, he continued. “She’s a little too clingy for me.”

Camden smiled weakly as Eric exited the bed. Shane climbed behind her, spooning her, his hand resting on Lauren. As the nausea began to subside, Camden grew drowsier. Shortly, she fell asleep in Shane’s embrace.

***

Chapter 34

Camden smoothed her pale pink cashmere sweater and tucked her legs underneath her. Her gray leggings and fuzzy striped pink socks helped warm her, but she was still cold. She tugged her beloved beanie lower on her head. Eric had made two more since the first one, but the first was still her favorite. She grasped a fuzzy pale green blanket beside her, laid it over her lap, and leaned against the pillows resting on her headboard.

“You ready, mama?” Eric asked.

“I think so.” She smiled at him. He hid his disappointment when he saw that her smile was forced. He longed for her traffic-stopping grin.

“Alright.” He muttered under his breath as he reached for the record button on his camera. “And action,” he called, fancying himself a director.

“Hi, Lauren!” Camden smiled and waved at the camera. “I’m your mommy! Uncle Eric is behind the camera making sure I look good for you.” She winked at the camera, and Eric was amazed. Moments before, she was still acting like a zombie, but she had come to life the moment she started talking to her baby.

“Mommy is very sick, Lauren. “ Camden’s face grew sad. “I’m not sure that I’m going to be around to give you hugs and kisses like I want to, so I’m going to make some videos to tell you things you need to know about growing up.” She smiled sadly at the camera.

“First, though, Lauren, Mommy wants to tell you some things about the people who love you and will always be there for you.  Do you want to hear some stories about them?” As if Lauren was actually responding, Camden paused and held her swollen belly.

“Let’s see. I think I’ll start with the story of the first time that I knew I loved your daddy.” Camden smirked as her eyes grew unfocused, lost in the memory.

“I was ten years old, and your daddy was thirteen. I was in the fifth grade, and I had my very first boyfriend - Alan Trimble. I had gone to a birthday party, and the kids started playing a kissing game. Alan was the first boy picked, and he had to kiss a girl named Janice Short.” Camden frowned. “Someone set a timer for seven minutes, and Alan went into a closet with Janice. On his way into the closet, Alan looked at me like he was worried about how I would react, but I smiled at him because I didn’t feel the least bit jealous. When they came back out, Alan’s hair was all messy and his glasses were crooked. He told me that he liked Janice, and he broke up with me in front of everyone. I should have been humiliated, but I didn’t care.

Later that afternoon, I was walking home and saw your daddy and Uncle Brody at the park near our house. They were with some girls, and I walked up to them to tell them what happened at the party. As I was walking over to them, one of the girls leaned forward and kissed your daddy square on the lips. I was so angry. I hadn’t been upset at all about Alan, but I felt like my chest was going to explode when I saw Ruthie kiss your daddy. I walked right over and punched her in the eye!” Camden laughed.

“Your Uncle Brody freaked out. He thought I’d gone crazy, and your daddy looked at me in total shock. I was embarrassed, so I said something about kissing being gross. I told them about Alan and made it sound like he broke up with me because I wouldn’t kiss him. They believed me, and I was off the hook.” Camden smiled softly. “But that was the day I knew that I loved your daddy. I never wanted anybody else.”

Camden giggled and looked into the camera lens. “You know, I just realized something. Alan came to school with a black eye that matched Ruthie’s the next week. I wonder if your daddy had anything to do with that.”

Camden sighed, and her mouth opened in a yawn. Eric paused the recording to talk to her.

“You doing okay, Camicake?” he asked, his piercing grey gaze laced in concern.

“Just feeling tired, Eric.”

“Do you want to stop?” he suggested. “We can record more later,” he stated hopefully.

“No. I have chemo this week. I need to record as much as possible now. I doubt I’ll have the energy over the next two weeks.”

Eric nodded in understanding. “You’ll let me know if you need to stop?”

“Yes, Eric. I promise I’ll tell you.” Her eyes narrowed. “Now, are you ready to record again?”

Eric saluted Camden playfully. “Yes, sir!” Camden smirked, and Eric
pressed the red button to resume recording.

“Lauren, I need you to take care of Daddy. He’s the most special man in all the world, and he will love you and care for you with all his heart. Please give him lots of kisses and hugs, and tell him every day how special he is. Tell him Mommy loves him with all her heart. If I’m not with you, I’ll be watching you both from heaven, and I want to know you will be happy.

When you fall in love, look for someone just like your daddy. He is smart and loyal and hard-working. Look for a man who will love you with all his heart, who will sacrifice anything to be with you, and make sure you do the same. A man that special deserves the same devotion. Don’t settle for anything less than an epic love.”

Camden traced her lips with her fingers. “His kisses should make your whole body tingle, and his arms should feel like the safest place in the world. His voice should cause you to shiver, but never in fear. He should feel like your anchor in a crazy world.” Eric gasped at the look in Camden’s eyes. Her love for Shane shined, and she’d never looked lovelier. She was bald and gaunt, and her skin was pale, but the love in her expression surpassed all that.

“Uncle Brody is going to be crazy protective of you. If you have problems with boys, go to him. He’ll take care of it. He’ll also spoil you rotten. Don’t believe anything he says about dating. Uncle Brody doesn’t have the best track record, so take those questions to Grandma Molly or to your Daddy.

Watch out for Uncle Brody, too. He needs to find someone to love, and I know loving you will help teach him how to open up to love again. Make sure he has fun. Uncle Brody laughs a lot, so he’ll be good to talk to when you’re sad.

Grandma Molly and Grandpa Jack are my mommy and daddy, and they are the best parents in the world. They’ll try to spoil you rotten, and you should absolutely let them.” Camden grinned. “In return, make sure to spoil them with hugs and kisses, and never forget to tell them you love them. Make sure they keep camping every year, and while the boys are fishing and hiking, spend time with Grandma cooking and talking about boys and school. She loves that. She and Grandpa can tell you lots of stories about Mommy and Daddy and Uncle Brody, too.”

Camden shifted, her body fighting to stay alert, but she pushed through the fatigue, wanting to talk to her daughter a little more.

“Uncle Eric is Mommy’s best friend. He took care of me when my family and your daddy weren’t around. In case Mommy isn’t around, Lauren, I am giving you Uncle Eric. He’ll be the best friend you ever had. You can tell him all your secrets. When you are sad, Uncle Eric will help you be strong. He will fight for you, and he’ll help you make sure Daddy becomes happy again if Mommy is gone. I love Uncle Eric with all my heart.” Camden’s eyes watered as she looked at Eric. “He has never let me down, and he’ll never let you down, either.”