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An Unexpected Family
Jenna Mindel
Finding redemption in Maple SpringsAfter her failed marriage, Rose Dean refuses to rely on any man. But when Cam Zelinsky steps in and helps save her diner, Rose starts taking a second glance. Cam could use a little redemption after some bad choices tarnished his reputation, but he never imagined having a family. Now Rose and her son are making him see that maybe he’s been chasing the wrong dream.


Finding redemption in Maple Springs
After her failed marriage, Rose Dean refuses to rely on any man. But when Cam Zelinsky steps in and helps save her diner, Rose starts taking a second glance. Cam could use a little redemption after some bad choices tarnished his reputation, but he never imagined having a family. Now Rose and her son are making him see that maybe he’s been chasing the wrong dream.
JENNA MINDEL lives in northwest Michigan with her husband and their three dogs. A 2006 Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, Jenna has answered her heart’s call to write inspirational romances set near the Great Lakes.
Also By Jenna Mindel
Love Inspired
Maple Springs
Falling for the Mom-to-Be
A Soldier’s Valentine
A Temporary Courtship
An Unexpected Family
Big Sky Centennial
His Montana Homecoming
Mending Fences
Season of Dreams
Courting Hope
Season of Redemption
The Deputy’s New Family
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
An Unexpected Family
Jenna Mindel


www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08426-0
AN UNEXPECTED FAMILY
© 2018 Jenna Mindel
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
“Irresistible?” Cam took a step closer.
Rose pushed at his chest, but laughed. “Impossible. You’re impossible.”
He grabbed her hand and held it, stroking her wrist with his thumb. He could feel the frantic flutter of her pulse and threaded his fingers through hers. It was all he could do to keep from pulling her closer to him.
Could they get involved? That thought scared him as much as it tempted him. Pursuing Rose meant settling down for the long haul. An image of the boxes stacked in the corner of her apartment came to mind, making him think about her and Greg moving into his house someday, making it a home.
Did he want that?
Searching her eyes, part of him wanted it very much. “I care about your son, Rose. He’s a good kid and I’d never steer him wrong. I hope you know that.”
She gave his hand a friendly squeeze. Her eyes had never left his, as if weighing his words. His motives. Him.
Finally, she smiled and pulled her hand away. “I believe you.”
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
—Proverbs 3:5–6
Dear Reader (#u280f5a7b-e090-5ed9-82f1-541606acf34d),
Thank you so much for reading the fourth book in my Maple Springs series. I hope you enjoyed the rocky road Cam and Rose took to reach their happily-ever-after. I knew Cam was a troubled soul when he’d lost his biggest sponsor in A Soldier’s Valentine, but I didn’t realize just how deep his shame and distress were until I starting digging into the whys that made up his character.
Uncovering Cam’s issues with reading came with lots of questions and lots of online research and I only scratched the surface. Dyslexia is a fascinating challenge, one that several well-known folks, including famous authors, have had to overcome. I applaud their grit and determination to master their gifts.
One program that I found amazing in their approach is the Davis Dyslexia Association International at www.dyslexia.com.
All of us have limitations. Some are big and some are small, but all can be covered by trusting in God’s grace. Even when life doesn’t go the way we think it should, God really can work all things together for good to those who love Him.
I love to hear from readers. Please visit my website at www.jennamindel.com (http://www.jennamindel.com) or follow me at www.facebook.com/authorjennamindel (http://www.facebook.com/authorjennamindel) or drop me a note c/o Love Inspired Books, 195 Broadway, 24th floor, New York, NY 10007.
Best wishes,
Jenna
A huge thank you to Ron Varga at Varga & Varga PC for answering my many questions about wills! Hopefully, I got it right.
For the sake of the story, I took fictional license with the world of professional bass fishing. Any inconsistencies are purely my own.
Contents
Cover (#ufc7d30a0-87e3-57b9-9fb8-9998c886d87f)
Back Cover Text (#ue63a2911-bd82-578a-b051-8e1e3dcfd8ba)
About the Author (#u3082d9ef-9b68-52c5-94c0-bf6d9de3f386)
Booklist (#u2b10fb81-185b-5d6f-bf51-ff9e71e34e54)
Title Page (#u4a7c67d2-714d-5615-98bb-77ad42b346a2)
Copyright (#u40f4157c-be38-5770-b1b9-39c8972f6c8d)
Introduction (#u77c6e5a0-5693-5874-9a0b-ba7d134efd36)
Bible Verse (#ud9bb8280-ff43-56e7-87ca-c01f99f7149d)
Dear Reader (#u31117e92-18d2-518e-91fc-ee3e3429215f)
Dedication (#u97d7fec9-b2bd-514b-b4fd-035134007c36)
Chapter One (#u054fae97-dcef-52c7-a59e-97ff70fcd9cf)
Chapter Two (#u6295e2b3-7663-5a68-9008-25a08eea82d0)
Chapter Three (#uaae4dc29-fbb4-5012-b901-7cfa9495112d)
Chapter Four (#u868dd92f-0d74-5493-a889-a2fbaa25be2d)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#u280f5a7b-e090-5ed9-82f1-541606acf34d)
“Hey, sleepyhead.” Rose Dean ruffled her eleven-year-old son’s brown hair. Soon to turn twelve, the kid was growing like a weed.
Greg jerked away. “Awww, Mom, cut it out.”
She watched him pad his way to the industrial fridge of the diner she’d inherited in Maple Springs, Michigan. Greg was tall like his father and she hoped the resemblance to her ex-husband remained outward. Refilling her coffee mug with freshly made brew, she said, “I like your hair.”
“It’s longer than yours.” He finger combed his bangs away from steely gray eyes as if erasing her motherly touch.
“That’s true.” Her son had never liked her short hair. But for Rose, it made things easier.
Three weeks ago, a few days before Memorial Day, they’d moved up north away from her steady job as an events manager at a conference center. Away from the steady influence of her parents, into a small town with a small high school that hopefully held smaller chances for trouble.
Rose wanted to be on her own. As much as she loved her parents and was grateful for everything they’d done for her, she didn’t ever want to move back in with them. She wanted her own home. Her own life. Independence.
She could model that independence only so much for her son. Greg needed strong male role models—maybe now more than ever, living away from his grandpa—but Rose wanted a good man. A man of his word. Maybe in this pristine lakeside town there might be a good teacher or coach who Greg could look up to. Staring out the window at some of the flashy cars parked along Main Street, Rose had her doubts, but she still prayed that God would deliver.
She straightened the stack of morning receipts and stuffed them into the bottom drawer of the cash register along with her fears. She needed to trust God on this one. Easier said than done. Coming here, Rose had taken a leap of faith. She believed that the Lord had given her this opportunity, so she needed to believe He’d take care of the rest.
Hearing grumbles, she looked at Chuck and muttered under her breath, “Now what?”
A grumpy cook had come along with her inheritance of Dean’s Hometown Grille from her mother-in-law, Linda Dean. Evidently, the terms of the will had been very specific. Rose did not just inherit the building; Linda had stipulated that Rose run the diner herself until such time Greg could take over. Rose had had no idea the woman intended to leave her anything. Why would she? Linda’s eldest son had abandoned Rose and Greg years before he died.
Chuck cursed and threw the spatula across the stainless-steel grill.
Rose glanced at the few remaining breakfast patrons seated near the sunny window overlooking Main. They didn’t appear to hear anything. Chuck’s colorful language had become more commonplace since Rose took over, and she didn’t like it. Not one bit. Chuck hadn’t liked her directives to rein in his tongue, either. Firing the cranky cook without a replacement wasn’t an option. She couldn’t cook.
Rose sighed. “What happened?”
“Burned my thumb,” the cook growled.
She glanced at Greg. Her son rolled his eyes and drained his glass of milk. Chuck was no role model. He wasn’t the kind of man she wanted Greg around. Rose had recently signed her son up for a summer program during the week. Although this little café was his legacy and more than likely the only reason Rose had inherited it, she couldn’t fill all her son’s summer vacation days with busing tables.
He was too old for day care, and Rose couldn’t make Greg stay indoors upstairs until the restaurant closed at two in the afternoon. Nor did she want her son roaming around Maple Springs on his own. Not yet anyway, not until she knew more about their new hometown. Even tiny resort towns held dangers for unsupervised eleven-year-olds soon to be twelve.
The bell over the front door rang, announcing more customers. This morning had been busy. Since she had taken over the diner, they’d been busy nearly every day. Except for Sunday. Rose had started something new by closing the diner on Sundays. That had earned more complaints from the cook. Linda never closed the diner.
Well, Rose wasn’t Linda. Despite carrying the last name, Rose wasn’t a Dean. She hardly knew the family she’d married into twelve years ago, but then she’d ended up divorced five years later.
A man and woman walked inside and their laughter snagged her attention. The two greeted people they knew. The man was handsome, broad shouldered and tall with disheveled blond hair, but his bright blue eyes captured her interest. They shone like gemstones from all the way across the small dining area.
Those brilliantly colored eyes locked onto hers, and he smiled, showing off near-perfect teeth. It wasn’t a pleasant, hello-how-are-you kind of smile, either. He reacted with a lazy, I-can-show-you-a-good-time smile. This man recognized a lonely woman as if he could see straight through to her heart and the secrets locked there.
Rose ignored the hiccup of her pulse rate and looked away. What a jerk! Making eyes at her while he was with another. She nearly tore her order pad apart flipping over to a clean sheet.
Grabbing a couple menus, Rose approached their table. The woman was equally fine with long, straight blond hair and perfectly manicured nails. Figures.
“Are you the new owner?” The woman looked up and smiled. Her blue eyes were the same brilliant shade as the man’s. Now, what were the chances of that?
Rose smiled. “I am. In fact, this is my second Saturday.”
The woman held out her hand. “My name’s Monica. Welcome.”
“Thank you, Monica. I’m Rose Dean.” She shook the woman’s hand, liking her instantly even though she felt sorry for her bad taste in men. Rose had been there, done that.
Monica dug in her purse. “I’m so sorry for your loss. Everyone loved Linda and she’ll be sorely missed. If I may, here’s my card. Linda never wanted a website, but as a new owner, if you’d like to consider an online presence, let me know.”
“Oh.” Rose took the card and pocketed it. She wasn’t sure she could afford to hire anyone for a website. She hadn’t had a chance to go over the financials with more than a cursory glance. She didn’t know what to look for and that meant hiring an accountant to find out. Another expense she wasn’t yet sure she could afford.
“Nice sales pitch,” the man drawled.
“Just trying to help.” Monica forced another smile. “This is my brother, Cam Zelinsky.”
“Oh.” Maybe he wasn’t quite as despicable as she’d first thought, but Rose knew his type and didn’t take his offered hand. She gave him the menu instead. “Nice to meet you both. Our lunch special is a grilled Reuben with fries, and we serve breakfast till we close at two. Can I get either of you something to drink before ordering?”
Cam narrowed beautiful eyes. “An iced tea, no lemon.”
“Just water for me, with lemon,” Monica said.
Rose nodded. “Be right back.”
While she was filling their drink orders, more people came in. The bell rang again, announcing a few more. Rose checked her watch. Eleven o’clock seemed awfully early for the lunch crowd, but then, this was mid-June. Summer was in full swing and many folks vacationed up north.
Although she’d never lived here before, she knew northern Michigan was a destination for vacationers and summer residents alike. Her ex-husband had once explained that nearly three-quarters of this town’s residents lived here primarily in summer. In winter, Maple Springs rolled up and died.
Rose looked forward to that slowdown. But for now, she loaded her tray with more ice waters and got to work greeting customers and taking orders.
* * *
Cam took another bite of his grilled Reuben. He’d tasted better. He’d made better. Chuck was slipping, but then, without Linda Dean to keep him in line—
“Write so I can read it!”
Cam jerked his head toward the new owner, curious to see how she handled the cook’s rudeness. Rose. What an apt name for a woman with such a fresh face. Her skin flushed pink, looking as soft as a petal from the flower bearing her name.
He cringed. He’d never compared a woman to a flower before.
“I don’t recall seeing her at Linda’s funeral.” Monica watched her, too.
Dean’s Hometown Grille was a small place. It had been closed for only a couple of weeks after Linda’s untimely death. A restaurant couldn’t afford to close their doors for long and hope to survive. Poor Rose. After giving the cook a stern look, she darted from table to table, taking orders, putting them in, picking them up. She looked overwhelmed. A gangly young kid cleared the empty tables and wiped them down.
Cam sipped his iced tea. “I remember two of the Dean boys from high school, but not the oldest. I don’t remember them having a sister.”
Monica shrugged. “Maybe she’s a cousin or something. Word on the street is that Linda’s boys aren’t happy.”
“With what?” Cam asked.
“Her getting this.” His sister made a sweeping gesture.
“The street? Really, Monica?” Cam chuckled.
Maple Springs was far from city life. The only thing remotely urbane was the people that flooded the area for a few months in summer and the winter ski season. And the trendier restaurants that came and went hoping to capture high-end patronage. Maple Springs needed this hole-in-the-wall, fifties-styled diner for the locals. It had been here for as long as Cam could remember.
The clattering sound of a plate hitting the floor followed by language he didn’t often hear in public brought Cam’s head up fast.
“Chuck, that’s enough!” Rose hissed.
The customers fell silent as the cook stripped off his white apron and threw it at Rose. “Fine.”
“Where, where are you going?” Her voice wavered.
“I’ve had enough of you and your scribbles. Get someone else!” With that, the cook stormed out the back with a slam of the screen door.
Rose’s face flamed. She turned to the boy who had hurried to her side ready to do battle and whispered something in his ear. The kid nodded, grabbed a pitcher of water and made the rounds.
Conversation picked up slowly. A table of four that had waited too long for their orders to be taken got up and walked out while Rose cleaned up the shattered plate.
“Ow!” He felt a sharp pinch to his forearm. “What?”
Monica poked him again. “Go help her.”
Cam rose to his feet with a sinking feeling. This was what becoming a better person meant. Helping someone in need. Trouble was that Rose Dean looked like a woman with a deep well of need and Cam was a shallow pan.
Her back was turned while she washed and then dried her hands. She moved to the grill and stared at it, lost.
“Do you have another apron?”
She turned to him, her eyes big and shiny. This close, he could see they were grass green. Her hair was clipped too short for his taste and its drowsy color lay somewhere between blond and brown. “What?”
“An apron? I know how to cook.” He knew what needed done and he had some time to kill. Not much, only a few days before heading for the first of three qualifying bass fishing tournaments.
The bell jingled.
She glanced at the door as more people flooded inside. The lunch crowd rolled in with a vengeance. “Uhh—”
“Hey, kid, apron?” Cam went to the sink and washed his hands.
The boy disappeared in back for a second and returned with a fresh one, but scowled as he handed it over.
“What’s your name?” Cam asked as he pulled the strings around his waist and tied a bow in front.
“My son, Greg.” Rose stared as if either he’d lost his mind or she had. Probably a little of both.
“Those people want to order.” Cam nodded toward the dining area.
Rose scurried off.
Greg stared him down as if weighing in on Cam’s motives.
Truly, he didn’t have any, other than a recent promise he’d made to God. “It’s okay, kid. I’ve done this before. Go help your mom.”
Greg not only looked satisfied with that answer, he smiled and then hurried to bus a table while Rose took another order. Cam spotted Monica sliding a few bills into the pocket of Rose’s ruffled red-checkered apron before waving goodbye as she left.
“Let’s see here.” Cam looked over Rose’s order slips and grimaced. This was going to take a minute to figure out.
euR w/ y’s.
ɹo /ʍ qɔ
Chuck had been right. Her scribbles resembled the periodic table hanging on the wall in his high school science class. Fortunately, he’d muddled through math and science. He’d worked in enough restaurants to figure out scribbled order tickets, too, even though it took time. Time he didn’t have.
He glanced at Rose, remembering the specials she’d told him earlier and the letters finally made sense. A Reuben with fries and a cheeseburger with onion rings. Relief washed through him but it wasn’t sweet.
He had to get back on the bass pro circuit. If he didn’t qualify for next year’s schedule, he’d be a goner. Without fishing, this was the best he could ever do and even that was tough when it came to reading order tickets.
He looked around, found the prep fridge and got to work making that hot grill sizzle.
* * *
It was nearly closing time and Rose made change for their last customer and laughed at something the old guy said. She had a great laugh—deep and rich sounding. Nothing fake or put on.
The front door opened with a jingle. Two men entered and Cam’s stomach turned when he recognized them as Karl and Kory Dean. They raked him over with arrogant smirks reminiscent of high school days. They’d always looked down at him and called him stupid—
“Well, if it isn’t Cam Zelinsky. Aren’t you supposed to be fishing somewhere?” Kory didn’t bother hiding a sneer.
Cam’s professional fishing career was no secret, especially in Maple Springs. He’d been a guest on local outdoors shows and a few articles had been written about him in the local paper. It had been a few years since he’d won big, but no matter how well he’d done, there were always guys like the Deans who thought he was a waste of skin, wasting time chasing fish.
Wiping his hands on the front of his apron, Cam came out from behind the service counter. “Just taking a break.”
“You work here?” Karl’s eyebrows rose.
“Filling in.” He wasn’t about to let on that Chuck had defected. That guy might cool down and come back.
“Hmm.” Karl looked around, as if he couldn’t care less what Cam did. “Is Rose here?”
Cam scanned the diner. Rose walked the customer she’d made change for to the door and then flipped the Open sign over to show Closed. Hadn’t these guys ever met her before? She was family, wasn’t she? “She’s right there.”
Kory sized her up, looking satisfied. “Rose Dean?”
Rose turned and smiled. “Yes?”
“I’m Kory and this is Karl. We’re Linda’s sons.”
Rose hesitated before finally reaching out her hand to each of them. “Hello.”
Kory turned to him. “Will you excuse us?”
Cam glanced at Rose. If she wanted him to stay, he would. In fact he hoped she did. He didn’t trust these guys, especially after what Monica had said about their not being happy with Rose inheriting the Grille.
“Cam, could you see if Greg needs help?” Obviously, Rose didn’t want him sticking around. To the Dean boys, she asked, “Can I get either of you a cup of coffee? If you’d like a meal, the grill is still hot.”
“No, nothing for us. We won’t be long.” Karl followed Rose to a table in front and sat down.
Cam waited a moment longer, but Rose didn’t glance his way. He entered the kitchen filled with the rattling sounds of Greg loading up the industrial dishwasher.
“Can I help?”
“Yeah.” Greg grinned and then nodded toward the diner. “Who are those guys?”
“Linda Dean’s sons Kory and Karl.”
The kid’s eyes grew round as a pair of bobbers. “Really? They’re my uncles.” He ran for the doorway and peeked out. “What do they want?”
“To talk to your mom. Haven’t you met them before?”
Greg shook his head, but continued to stare into the diner. “Nope. Never.”
Cam frowned. Evidently, Rose had married the oldest, Kurt Dean. Hadn’t she been welcomed into the Dean family? If that were true, then why had Linda left her the diner? Karl and Kory obviously didn’t know her. Rose must not have attended Linda’s funeral and clearly, Karl and Kory hadn’t been to Rose and Kurt’s wedding.
He glanced at Greg watching the Deans with wistful eyes, and his gut twisted. He knew that wish-filled feeling running through the kid. Wishing for things that couldn’t be or hadn’t been.
Cam wished he read more easily. He wished he hadn’t been disqualified at last year’s fishing tournament. He wished he hadn’t lost every last one of his sponsors because of it. He wished he could turn back the clock and do things differently. He had only today and all his tomorrows to make things right.
* * *
“Greg, honey, can you come out here?” Rose called to her son, hating the way her voice cracked.
“No need, Rose. We don’t need to meet your boy.” Karl got up from the table.
Rose stood, meeting Karl’s gaze directly even though her knees might give out at any moment. “He’s Kurt’s boy, too, and that makes him your nephew. My hope is to pass this diner on to him. It’s what Linda intended.”
The two brothers shared a look, then Kory spread his hands wide. “We’re just trying to help you out.”
She didn’t buy it. Not for a second. “Then why are you trying to take the diner away me?”
“We’re willing to pay—”
Greg came out from the kitchen and stood next to her. “Yeah?”
“Greg, these are your uncles. Kory and Karl Dean.” Rose stood straighter when her son reached out for a handshake like the properly raised young man he was. She wanted them to see Greg’s face. He looked so much like Kurt, their brother. Karl and Kory were taking from blood, threatening their own family.
“Hello.”
“Greg.” Karl briefly shook hands, followed by Kory. Neither man met her son’s eyes. “Rose, you’ve got a week to decide.”
Shame on them! She stood ramrod straight until they unlocked the front door and walked out of the diner. Then she crumpled into a chair.
“Mom! You okay?”
“Yes.” She sounded weary, even to her own ears.
Cam came out from the kitchen, looking concerned. “Greg, will you do me a favor and grab three beef patties from the fridge and throw them on the grill?”
Greg didn’t move.
Rose hated to see the worried look on her son’s face and smiled. “Go ahead, honey. We might as well have lunch before meeting Grandma and Grandpa.”
Cam locked the front door and returned. “What was that all about?”
Rose needed to unload before she saw her parents and fell apart. They had texted her before the Deans came in that they were getting settled into a hotel room in the larger town across the bay. She didn’t want to add to their worries about her. Looking up at Cam, she didn’t have time to be choosy. If she didn’t air this one out, she’d cry.
Rose hated to cry, so she gave way to anger. “They are threatening to contest Linda’s will if I don’t agree to a buyout of the diner.”
Cam whistled.
“Yeah. And I have a week to decide.” Rose threw her head back and stared at the ceiling, willing those unshed tears to stay put.
“Mom?” Greg sounded scared.
“It’s okay, honey. Just some business with the diner. Help Cam make lunch, okay?”
“I’m not a baby. You can tell me.”
Rose sighed. “Greg—”
Cam turned to her son. “Got those patties on the grill?”
“Yup.” Greg crossed his arms, refusing to move.
Cam placed a hand on Greg’s shoulder. “Let’s get the rest of the stuff we need and then we can talk while we eat.”
Greg looked ready to argue but glanced at her for direction.
“Go ahead with Cam. I’ll get us each a pop and we can sit at the counter.” Rose dragged herself out of the chair and headed for the soft-drink dispenser. She grabbed three plastic tumblers stacked on the shelf below and filled them halfway with ice followed by cola for her and root beer for her son. She didn’t know what Cam liked. “What kind of pop do you want?”
He shrugged as he flipped each burger. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Are you going to tell me, Mom?”
Rose looked at Cam. He didn’t look back and concentrated on placing a slice of cheddar on each burger. She faced her son. “Your uncles want to buy the diner.”
“But we just got it.” Greg’s voice rose.
“I know.”
“Will we move back home?”
She watched Cam construct each cheeseburger on the plates. He was clearly staying out of the conversation. As he should, but then Rose realized she’d raised her son’s hopes by keeping quiet on the Dean boys’ threat. “I don’t want to sell, Greg. I’d like to have something that’s ours. Yours and mine. Something you can take over after college.”
Greg mulled what she’d said. “What if I don’t want it?”
Rose chose her words carefully. “We can cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I like being my own boss. Here, I have more time with you.”
Greg shifted. “Awww, Mom...”
“It’s time we make our own home.” Furious for having to talk her son into this all over again, Rose quickly changed the subject. “Greg, will you grab the bag of chips in back? Cam’s got our burgers done.”
“K.”
When Greg walked away, Cam looked her in the eyes. “This diner might be worth more than you think. Maybe you should talk to Linda’s attorney, get his thoughts about today’s events. He’s right here in Maple Springs.”
“I can’t afford an attorney,” she hissed.
“You might not have a choice.”
Rose hated that he was probably right.
Greg tossed the bag of chips on the counter and sat on one of the stools and spun around a couple of times.
“Three cheeseburgers.” Cam set down three plates.
Rose wasn’t in the mood to eat, but took a bite anyway. The burgers were sloppy, stacked with lettuce and tomato and pickles. Perfect.
“Aren’t we going to pray?” Greg challenged her. He did that a lot lately.
She nodded, her mouth full.
Cam cleared his throat. “I’ll pray.”
Her gaze flew to Cam, but he’d already bowed his head. She did the same while he recited a formal-sounding prayer.
“Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts...”
Her mind wandered. She didn’t want to sell. The deed hadn’t even transferred to her yet, so how could she sell?
“Which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty...”
But then, what if Karl and Kory contested the will and she lost? She’d have nothing. No legacy for Greg. Nothing.
“Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.”
She felt a warm, large hand cover hers. Startled, her eyes flew open and locked with Cam’s. He looked kind and genuine.
His hand remained on hers. “How’d you find out that you’d inherited the diner?”
Rose slid her hand back and tried to think. She’d met this man only a few hours ago. Even though he’d helped her when things had gone from bad to worse, she shouldn’t trust him. Still, it’d be nice to unload on someone other than her parents. They worried about her enough as it was. “Um, I received a letter enclosed in a packet that I had to sign for. Would you like to read it?”
“Uh...sure.”
Rose popped off the stool and darted upstairs, returning in moments with a fat folder. Rifling through the financials that had been sent, as well, Rose pulled out the letter and handed it to Cam.
His gazed raked over the document as he chewed, then he waved it away. “Why don’t you read it?”
Rose glanced at Greg. Her son nodded in agreement as he took the last bite of his cheeseburger. She slid her plate toward him. “You can have mine.”
Greg reached for her sandwich with only two bites taken. “Mmm, yeah.”
Rose made the mistake of looking back at Cam. Gazing into those brilliant blue eyes full of concern brought a hitch in her breathing. Now was not the time to fall apart. Taking a deep breath, Rose rallied her strength and read.
“‘I am hereby writing to inform you that the inheritance process has been successfully completed and the will of Linda M. Dean has been put into action. According to said will, Rose Dean will immediately inherit the business titled Dean’s Hometown Grille and the commercial building therein at the bequest left by Linda M. Dean to you.’”
Rose lowered the letter. “Then there’s the stuff about transference of property and Linda’s wish for Greg to eventually take over. Financials were also included in the package.”
“Sounds legit,” Cam finally said.
“Well, yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I don’t know.” Cam gestured to the packet. “So all that came with the letter?”
Rose nodded and pushed the folder toward Cam. “Three years’ worth of business tax returns.”
“Have you looked at them?”
Rose shook her head. She’d never been good with that sort of thing. She couldn’t even figure out her own tax returns let alone a business like this one. “I don’t know what to look for.”
Cam pushed his plate out of the way. “Greg, would you mind taking the dishes to the kitchen? I’d like to talk to your mom a minute.”
Greg looked at her.
Rose nodded. “I got these. Why don’t you go upstairs and clean up.”
Greg slid off the stool, but he gathered up the empty plates anyway. “Thanks, Cam. The burgers were really good.”
“You’re welcome.” After her boy entered the kitchen, he added, “You’ve done a good job. He’s a good kid.”
“Thanks. My parents helped, especially my dad.” She searched Cam’s face. “What am I going to do?”
“To my knowledge, the Deans live downstate and have never been involved in the diner. My guess is that they think you’re sitting on a gold mine. You need to find out if that’s true in those financials.”
“I can’t afford an accountant and even if I could, would he have the answer in a week?”
“I can take a look.”
Rose stared at him. “You know what to look for?”
Cam nodded. “I know how to find a business’s cash flow. I’ve kept track of my own and double-checked my business manager’s figures.”
Cam had a business manager? Rose wrestled with that bit of information. What exactly did this man do for a living?
“Rose, you can trust me.”
He’d misunderstood her silence. But trust wasn’t something she should hand over along with her financials. Drumming her fingertips on the laminate countertop, Rose had an idea. Hopefully a good one. “Okay. You can look them over on one condition.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What’s that?”
“You have to teach me how to figure them out, too.”
Cam smiled, broad and sure. “Done. We can get started right now if you’d like.”
Rose stood and gathered up her packet of information. “I can’t. My parents are up for the weekend.”
“How about Monday? After we close the diner.” Cam stood, too. “I’ve worked in restaurants on and off since I was a kid. I can fill in for a few days.”
Rose ignored the flutter of nerves hearing them described as we but she didn’t have many options. She didn’t have much time, either. Squaring her shoulders, she agreed. “Monday, after we close.”
Her future and Greg’s legacy depended on this. Rose needed all the facts before seeking out Linda’s attorney. Time wasn’t on her side and Cam might be her only hope. He was also an attractive man. One she knew little about. If this was some sort of game for him, a way to come on to her, he could prove to be her biggest fear.
Chapter Two (#u280f5a7b-e090-5ed9-82f1-541606acf34d)
“Oh, Rose, this is lovely!” Her mother looked around, smiling as she entered the diner. Her parents had showed up sooner than expected. “Your father is parking the car. This is so nostalgic with the red vinyl chairs and spinning stools. I love it.”
“I’m glad.” Rose gave her mom a big hug.
Many told Rose that she resembled her mom. They shared the same eye color and clothing size and practice of dyeing their hair. Although, her mom covered gray with a light brown shade; Rose used her naturally mousy color to hide. She didn’t care to be noticed, especially by men. Once upon a time, Rose had experimented with more striking shades for the fun of it. Not now. Everything she did had to have a bigger reason, a purpose.
The rattle of pots and pans sounded from the kitchen. Her mom craned her neck to see. “Is that Greg?”
“He’s upstairs getting cleaned up. That’s our cook.” Rose hesitated. Cam was only filling in, but she didn’t want her folks to know about all the drama today.
Her mom frowned. “We came too early.”
“Not at all.” Rose had finished wiping down the tables and chairs while Cam cleaned up the prep station and last bit of the kitchen.
Her father tapped at the front door.
Rose waved him in and gave him a hug. “Thanks for coming.”
Her father gave her an extra squeeze before letting go. “We had to see where you were and this is quite a place you’ve got here.”
“Grandpa!” Greg charged straight for him.
“Heyyyyy.” Her father enveloped her son in a bear hug.
Watching them, Rose swallowed the lump lodged in her throat and turned to lock the front door. She and Greg hadn’t been here a month, yet it seemed much longer. Maybe accepting the Deans’ offer would give her enough for Greg’s college fund if she put it all away. Maybe she should play it safe and not risk her son’s future. Greg might be better off near her dad facing the high school years.
Maybe her dreams should wait.
“Rose, I’m taking off.” Cam stood in the kitchen doorway.
Thoughts scattered and she momentarily stared. “Yeah, okay.”
Cam stared back. “I’ll see you Monday.”
His tousled hair curled from the steam of washing the remaining dishes. The front of his shirt showed water spots, as well. Why did he have to look so good? “Thanks for everything.”
Her mother stepped forward. “You’re the cook?”
“That’s Cam,” Greg volunteered. “He took over after Chuck quit right in the middle of lunchtime.”
Too late, Rose couldn’t shush her son from letting that news out of the bag.
Her mom cast her a worried frown before extending her hand toward Cam. “I’m Louise, but my friends call me Lou. And this is my husband, Frank.”
“My parents.” Rose pointed out the obvious.
Cam shook first her mother’s hand and then her father’s, giving them that gleaming smile of his. “Nice to meet you both.”
“So, what happened?”
“Mom, I’ll tell you later. I’m sure Cam wants to leave.” She gave him a pointed look. She didn’t need her folks knowing anything but the positive stuff.
“Right, okay then.” Cam hesitated.
Her mom’s gaze swung from Cam back to her.
Greg kept going. “Chuck got mad at Mom and quit. Cam was in here eating lunch and he just started cooking. It was great.”
“I’m filling in until Rose finds someone permanent.”
“I see.” Her mom’s eyes narrowed. “Thank you for helping Rose.”
“He makes the best cheeseburgers,” Greg said. “Way better than Chuck.”
“Not better than mine.” Her dad ruffled her son’s hair.
“I don’t know, Gramps. They’re pretty good.”
“Thanks, buddy.” Cam fist-bumped her son’s ready hand. “I really do need to leave, though. Very nice to meet you both.”
“See ya, Cam.” Greg grinned.
They watched him leave, and Rose braced for the inevitable questions.
“Is that true? He just got up and helped out? Who is this guy?” Her father beat out her mom.
“His name is Cam Zelinsky. He grew up here and he’s got restaurant experience.”
“Doesn’t he have another job?” her mom added.
Rose sighed. She didn’t know exactly. She was placing the future of her diner in a stranger’s hands reviewing those tax returns. “He owns his own business, but I’m not sure what. I’ll find out more next week.”
“Hmm.”
Rose could see the gears turning inside her mother’s head. “Come up and see the apartment. I’ll change and then we can go for a walk around town.”
Her mom kept pace with her while Greg and her father dawdled, looking over the diner more closely.
Rose paused, in case there was something on his mind, but her father was looking at a grouping of framed vintage postcards that depicted Maple Springs around the turn of the century. Even then, this area had lured folks from downstate for the pristine summer months.
“Greg sure seems to like this Cam fellow,” her mom whispered.
“Mom...” Rose knew where this was headed and slammed on the brakes. “We met him today. Please, don’t even go there.”
“What?” Her mother tipped her head. “Why not?”
“Because.” Rose kept walking.
Her mother knew better than anyone the heartache she’d gone through when Greg had turned four. That’s when Kurt had served her divorce papers and Rose had been a mess. Her mom had urged Rose to move back home, so she did. Her mother had watched Greg while Rose worked erratic restaurant hours waitressing. In time, she’d been promoted to waitstaff supervisor and then finally she’d landed an events manager position. Her parents had been the anchor she’d needed after being set adrift by her husband.
The sad thing was that even after a failed marriage and her last dating disaster, her mother still wanted to see her only daughter walk down the aisle. Rose had robbed her parents of a wedding day when she’d eloped with Kurt. They’d been disappointed for sure, but adamant that she stay in college. She’d let them down on that one, too.
Rose sighed.
“Tired, honey?” Her mom followed her up the steps that led to the apartment over the diner.
Her father and Greg had caught up to them and four sets of feet stomped up the narrow wooden stairwell.
“A little.” Rose was more scared than weary.
Aside from a few months of college, she was truly on her own for the first time in her life. Part of her wanted to run back to the comfort of living with her parents, but God had given her this opportunity.
Linda’s sons had thrown her off balance today with their threat to take her inheritance away. Linda’s will had been so clear; at least that’s the way it had sounded from the packet she’d received.
Once Rose understood those financials, she’d have a better reference point to consider whether the Deans’ offer was a good one. After all, knowledge was power. She hoped Cam knew what he was doing and she prayed he wasn’t playing her.
* * *
What was he doing?
Cam stared at the flames licking the dry tinder he’d helped his father stack into the fire pit. It might not have cooled off enough to need a campfire, but what was a summer’s eve gathering without one?
Seriously, what made him think he could teach Rose to read her business returns? Read. Ha! That was an odd choice of terms considering his issues with written words. Numbers were different. Numbers were concrete and made sense, like that periodic table.
“You can toss that log on now.” His father touched his shoulder. “Cam?”
“Huh? Oh.” He tossed in the piece of wood he’d held and then reached for another.
“You okay, son?”
“Yeah, sure.” He’d escaped from the noise of the back deck to help his father while everyone else cleaned up after dinner.
In honor of Father’s Day, his mom had gathered his siblings for a cookout. Matthew was out on the Great Lakes with his job as a freighter first mate, but his wife, Annie, and her baby, John, were here. Zach and his fiancée, Ginger. Even Darren, although he’d sulked through dinner, since his girlfriend had recently left for her music thing in Seattle. Of course Monica, his younger brothers—Ben, Marcus and Luke—and their baby sister, Erin, were here, too. His sister Cat, working on assignment somewhere, was also absent.
“Something on your mind then?”
Cam looked his dad in the eye. Retired from a long army career, Andrew Zelinsky still carried an air of authority that encouraged the truth or else. As usual, Cam darted around giving a straight answer. “I’ll figure it out.”
“No word on a new sponsor.”
“Not yet.”
“What’s past is past.” His father nodded. “You’ll make a comeback.”
“Right.” Cam snorted and stared at those flames some more.
He’d leveled with his folks to an extent. He’d been disqualified from a tournament last year because he’d broken practice rules by fishing after dark. He’d broken more than that with an illegal catch, but nothing had been proven. Still, that decision had not only dropped his standings to the bottom of the pile, but cost him his last sponsor. It could have been worse. He could have been banned from the profession and it would have been justified. Although rumors swirled, his business manager had been able to keep things relatively quiet.
Still, Cam had pushed things far too many times in his fishing career. When competition got fierce and the stakes were high, he’d cut corners. Literally. He’d trimmed fins on fish to make sure they qualified. He’d even stuffed a couple lead sinkers into the bellies of bass for better weigh-ins.
Cam had massaged the truth so well that he’d gotten away with it too many times. It had finally cost him, though. Like now, offering to teach Rose how to review her financials when he only knew what the numbers meant and where they should be.
“How’s the new job?” Monica wiggled her eyebrows at him with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Relieved for an escape from his father’s scrutiny, Cam laughed. “I’m just filling in.”
“I can’t believe you’re cooking at my favorite place to eat. Don’t mess with it too much.” His brother Darren pulled a soft drink can out of an ice-packed metal tub and cracked the tab.
“Come by and see.” Cam tossed another log on the fire, grabbed an icy beverage and kept staring into the flames.
“I don’t get it, why are you working there? If you need money—”
“The new owner is pretty and single,” Monica pointed out.
“Ahh.” Darren nodded. “Now it all makes sense.”
Cam took a long drink and shrugged. “She needed help and I’ve got a few days before fishing in the first Northern Open.”
“So, you swooped right in and saved the day.”
“It’s what I do.” Cam winked.
“Poor woman. Does she know about you?”
“Not yet.” Cam laughed, but his brother didn’t realize just how loaded his teasing words were.
“I’m hearing good things about Rose Dean. The women on the church planning committee are looking for a place to have their meeting. I’ll tell them to go there.” His mom wrapped an arm around his waist and gave him a squeeze.
“Thanks, Mom.” Grateful for the switched focus, Cam scratched his forehead.
“Is everything all set for the Fourth of July barbecue?” Monica asked. “It’s only two weeks away and I need to print off the flyers.”
“It’s a go.” His mother looked up at him. “Would you be interested in grilling? It’s going to be big this year. The chamber is sponsoring a live band for entertainment complete with a dance floor.”
“Nope.” Cam backed away from his mom and slid onto a lounge chair. He took a long pull from his drink. If he fished well at the tournament the weekend before the Fourth, any number of opportunities could arise and Cam wanted to be ready to accept.
Darren raised his hands. “Don’t look at me. I’m on duty that day.”
Cam watched their mom wrangle their younger brothers into manning the huge grills for their church’s biggest fund-raiser. Ignoring the stitch of guilt that tweaked for not helping, Cam figured he’d buy a ticket instead. Maybe two or three, enough to take Rose and Greg, if he was around.
No matter how attractive he found Rose Dean, Cam knew better than to ask her for a real date. Romancing Rose would be like walking into quicksand. Not only was there a kid involved, but Cam didn’t do anything long-term. Fishing came first and fishing kept him traveling. It wasn’t only his livelihood, it was his life. It’s all he had and he’d come too close to ruining it for good.
Going to the Fourth of July barbecue would be about introducing Rose to more folks in town. Establishing her as the new owner of the Grille and proving she belonged there. He didn’t want those Dean boys getting their hands on the diner. Not when Linda had wanted Rose to have it. Not when Rose wanted it. Whatever it took, he’d help her keep it.
* * *
Monday morning, Rose entered the diner a little before six in the morning. The early sun shone on a quiet Main Street, making the overnight dew glisten. It was so quiet this morning, she hated to ruin it. But she had a business to run and dropped whole roasted coffee beans into the large grinder and pressed the button. She ignored the teeth-jarring sound and savored the rich smell of fresh ground coffee. Would Cam be late? He knew the diner opened at seven, but they hadn’t talked about when he should arrive.
A rap at the door startled her. Cam peered through the front door glass waiting for her to let him in. The sun hit him from behind, making the ends of his blond hair shine like gold. He wore khaki shorts and a T-shirt and a colorful bandanna over his head like a cap.
Her mouth dropped open, so she closed it quick. “You’re early.”
“Good morning to you, too. Haven’t you ever heard the early bird gets the worm? Believe it or not, I’ve always been a morning person.” He winked at her.
Rose felt her cheeks heat and looked down, spotting a brand new six-pack of tall glass tumblers in his hand. “What are those for?”
“Iced tea. I like my iced tea in real glass.” Cam headed for the kitchen like he owned the place. “Any specials today?”
Rose hadn’t thought that far. Chuck had always been the one to decide which specials to make. “You choose.”
He opened the industrial fridge and grinned. It was the same good-time smile he’d given her before. “I’ll see what you’ve got.”
Rose ignored the swirling butterflies that raucous grin produced and followed him. “There’s a load of whitefish in the freezer Chuck was supposed to do something with.”
Cam grabbed a small metal cart with shelves and loaded it up with things needed for the prep station. She’d had her doubts but this morning, Cam eased them. He definitely knew his way around a restaurant.
Rose relaxed. “Coffee’s done, would you like a cup?”
Cam didn’t even look up from the depths of the fridge. “Yeah. Light cream and sugar.”
Rose fixed them each a mug. Easy, since they drank their coffee the same way. She offered a steaming cup to Cam as he filled the prep station with the items from the cart. “Here.”
“Thanks.” He accepted it, took a sip and then looked at her. “It’s good.”
“Hey, I want to thank you for all this.”
Cam nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“You said you’ve done this before?”
He grabbed a metal mixing bowl and the muscles of his arms flexed. “From low-end to high-end, I’ve worked in a lot of restaurants. I used to wait tables at the Maple Springs Inn during my high school years. So, how do you fit into the Deans? You married Linda’s eldest son, right?”
Rose sighed. “Yes. I was married to Kurt.”
Cam looked concerned. “I read about Kurt’s death in a tour bus accident a few years ago. Then Linda—man, I’m sorry for your losses.”
Rose had lost a mother-in-law she barely knew and an ex-husband she’d rather forget. She’d lost her husband years before his death, before his career really took off, but Cam didn’t need to know all that. “Thank you.”
Cam’s intent gaze studied her. “I can fill in for Chuck until he comes back.”
“But don’t you have another job, your own business perhaps?”
Cam’s bright eyes dimmed. “Not for a little while.”
Rose scrunched her nose. What did that mean? “I’ll pay you the same rate as Chuck. He was paid pretty well, but I don’t want him back. I’ve already emailed the newspaper to run an ad for a new cook.”
He nodded as if the money didn’t matter. “That’s fine.”
Rose went to grab the new hire paperwork from a small file cabinet under the cash register stand. She hadn’t even checked him out, references and the like. What if— No, he’d proven himself capable. “If you wouldn’t mind filling out your information and the W-4, I’ll place you on the payroll effective this past Saturday.”
“Okay.” Cam took the forms and pen she offered. It didn’t take long before he handed them back.
Rose glanced over everything. Cam’s handwriting was atrocious. “So, what is it that you normally do?”
“Does it matter?”
Rose felt her stomach clench. “It might.”
Leaning against the counter, Cam folded his arms, which were already nicely browned from the sun. Those pesky muscles of his flexed again, too. “I’m a professional fisherman.”
Had she heard correctly? “As in like a charter boat or guide?”
His lips formed a grim line for only a moment, then that flirty grin returned. “As in the Bass Pro circuit. I’m heading for a qualifying tournament this upcoming weekend, so I can cook for the next few days until you find someone permanent.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what that meant, but it sounded an awful lot like something her ex-husband used to say when he was between music gigs.
“It’s none of my business, but is it only you and your son working here?”
Rose nodded. “After Linda died and the diner closed for a bit, the waitress she had went to another job. I just hired a replacement. She and a busboy both start later this morning. I enrolled Greg in a summer program that goes from eleven to four. Today is his first day.”
“My church has a summer teen program. If it’s the same, Greg’s in good hands. They do a lot.”
Cam went to church? He’d prayed over their food Saturday, but it was a rote prayer. Rose narrowed her gaze. “What church do you attend?”
“The big white one at the end of Main, the other side of Center Park. Can’t miss it.”
Rose knew exactly where he meant. The structure was Christmas-card beautiful as well as a traditional denomination she didn’t belong to. Looking into Cam’s blue eyes, she wondered where he was coming from. Nobody did something this big out of the goodness of their hearts without wanting something in return.
He went to church.
Anyone could attend a church. What really mattered was where a person placed God in their lives. “Why are you doing this?”
Cam shrugged. “Let’s just say I’m trying to be a better person.”
Rose didn’t like the sound of that, either. What had he done to make him need redemption? With his looks and lazy smiles, she could only imagine. She might find Cam attractive, but she wasn’t stupid, nor would she allow herself to become interested. Rose wanted to keep the vow she’d made not to date until after Greg was grown and gone off to college. She’d be older and hopefully wiser by then.
Her husband had walked out on her and their four-year-old son. The next man she’d offered her heart to had crushed it. He’d turned out to be a fraud with no genuine interest in Greg. Her son had been only eight at the time. Old enough to have his heart trampled, too.
Soon after, they got word that Kurt had died.
Nope, Rose had been burned well enough to know not to misplace her trust ever again. Staring Cam down, she weighed her options and didn’t have any. She needed a cook and he’d offered to fill the gap, for a few days anyway. “We’ve got a deal then.”
“Yes, we do, Rose.” Cam gave her that lazy smile. “Now, I’ve got a special of the day to plan.”
“Yes, you do.” Rose watched him return to the kitchen before settling on the stool near her cash register with her tablet.
She didn’t like the way he’d spoken her name like a caress. No wait, she did like it, and that was the problem. She refused to be putty in anyone’s hands. If he expected her to fawn over him, he was wasting all that charm.
Professional fisherman. Ha!
The lines around Cam’s eyes hinted that he had to be close to her age of just over thirty, but he seemed like a big kid at heart. What kind of career could someone really have fishing? The image of Huckleberry Finn came to mind and Rose nearly giggled.
Cam was a character, all right, but men like him and her ex-husband were all too common. They didn’t want to grow up and certainly wouldn’t live up to their responsibilities. Her ex had barely paid his child support and that had been the extent of his fatherly duty. The last time Kurt had seen his own son had been after Greg had turned six. Kurt had shown up with a sorry excuse for missing their child’s birthday.
She heard the rattle of the metal cart being pushed to the prep station once again and took in the items on top. The frozen whitefish, potatoes, cabbage, raisins, almonds, lemons and sweet pickle relish.
Curious, she got up and went toward him. “What do you have in mind for today’s special?”
Cam’s blue eyes gleamed. “I have that whitefish you mentioned. I’m thinking fish and chips with a side of kicked up coleslaw.”
“Kicked up?”
He winked. “You’ll see.”
Rose ignored the flutter in her belly. “I’ve some paperwork to do before we open. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
Rose returned to her spot by the cash register. She had a bar stool and her tablet for inputting sales into a rudimentary spreadsheet. She’d never owned a business before but keeping track of income and expenses seemed like a good start.
She caught the sound of Cam’s humming as he worked getting the two fryers heated up. It sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place the tune. Cam had a deep tone to his voice that was definitely distracting. She’d get nothing done if she didn’t stop noticing every little thing about him.
“There’s a radio on the shelf, if you need music. I usually play the country station.” It’s the music she’d been around most of her adult life. The radio wouldn’t pull at her like Cam.
“Maybe later.” He continued to hum.
She couldn’t stand it. The familiarity of the song remained out of reach over the sounds of metal spoon scraping metal mixing bowl. “What’s that you’re humming?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know the name, but I heard it on the Christian radio station, about the Cross.”
“As in Calvary?”
He looked confused. “As in Crucifixion.”
Rose nodded. Her church lingo might be different than his, but he seemed to be a genuine believer. Concentrating on entering the previous day’s receipts, she didn’t notice Cam’s approach until she sensed him standing beside her.
“Try this.” He held out a forkful of creamy, golden-colored coleslaw toward her.
She went for the fork, but he pulled away slightly with a teasing look in his eye. “I’ve got it, just take a bite.”
Rose wished he’d back up a little. Standing this close, she could smell him, and Cam smelled nice. Over the tangy coleslaw, Rose detected a crisp, clean lemony scent that tempted her to inhale far deeper than she should. She looked at the forkful and then up into his eyes.
Big mistake. He had that flirty, good-time smile going again.
She tasted the slaw. Very creamy and sweet with a hint of something she couldn’t name—“Is that curry?”
He nodded. “Very good and yes, it is. I prefer dates, but raisins work well in a pinch.”
Rose smiled at him—a little stunned, a little thrown off guard and a whole lot grateful. Cam might be the best cook this diner had ever seen. “That’s really good.”
“I know. Want me to get the door?”
Rose checked her watch. Five minutes to seven. She slid off her stool, grabbed her checkered apron and headed for the front. “I got it. You do your thing.” Then she stopped and turned. “Cam?”
“Yeah?” Wearing that silly bandanna, he looked like a rescuing swashbuckler off the pages of one of her childhood books. No black patch, but his longish blond hair with ends that tended to curl and those piercing blue eyes nailed the descriptive. He might wield a spoon instead of a gleaming sword, but he’d saved her from a big headache. He’d saved the diner, too.
She needed to get those fairy-tale images out of her head and fast before they swept her away. “Thank you.”
He gave her a pleased smile. “You’re welcome, Rose.”
She grit her teeth at the sound of her name on his lips and headed for the front door. The man knew how to make her head spin. Heart pounding, Rose kicked herself as a fool.
Why did she do this? Why did she always cast a man who showed a speck of interest in helping her into the knight-in-shining armor role? She had learned the hard way that every one of her past knights had proven themselves tarnished and lacking in honor.
She’d inherited a diner and although she’d been in the foodservice business for years, ownership scared her. Cam’s charm scared her, too. Men like Cam couldn’t be trusted and Rose needed to keep that at the forefront of her mind. His employment was temporary. Everything about Cam screamed temporary and irresponsible.
A man better left alone.
Chapter Three (#u280f5a7b-e090-5ed9-82f1-541606acf34d)
By 2:05, the diner was empty save for her, Cam and Jess, the pretty new waitress who had started this morning, along with the new busboy named Chris.
Rose locked the front door and flipped over her sign. “Phew, busy day.”
“I’ve seen worse.” Jess grinned. She’d held her own today.
Rose smiled back. The girl was nice, cheeky but respectful, even toward Cam. Especially toward Cam. “You did well today. Thanks for your help.”
Jess lifted her wad of tip money. “Not bad for a Monday. I can’t wait to see what the weekend brings.”
“Not bad at all.” Rose had never seen so many receipts skewered onto the check spindle by the cash register.
The two of them had quickly turned over tables, keeping the busboy busy. Chris clanged around in the kitchen, loading dishes in racks that rolled through an industrial dishwasher. The kid had done a good job today, too. Rose had him only through the summer until he returned to high school in the fall.
Rose itched to get at those financials, but that would have to keep until after cleanup.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jess waved and then yelled out to Cam, who was busy breaking down his prep station.
“See ya, kid.”
Rose chuckled as she headed for the kitchen. Cam didn’t flirt with Jess. He’d joked around, but that was it. No good-time smiles and a good thing, too. Jess wasn’t yet out of her teens.
Rose had been only eighteen when she’d met a twenty-five-year-old Kurt Dean. He’d swept her away with his artistic dreams and careless good looks. Kurt hadn’t been old by any means, but certainly old enough to know better than to fill a young girl’s head with promises he never intended to keep.
“Need help in here?” Cam’s voice sounded close behind her.
She’d been standing in the entryway lost in thought and didn’t hear his approach. Rose could feel his warmth behind her and quickly stepped away. “Chris has it under control, but thank you.”
“Any word on a cook?”
Rose shook her head. She’d placed the advertisement only this morning. “No. Nothing yet.”
A slow smile spread across his handsome face. “I’ll help you interview if you get any hits this week.”
“Thanks. That’d be great.” Rose carried her bucket of soapy bleach water with her to wipe down the tables and chairs.
Cam was a good diner cook. He’d waited on folks seated at the counter while she and Jess had been busy. Where would she find his equal let alone a replacement by the week’s end?
It was nearly two thirty when they’d finished cleaning up and Chris clocked out. Rose turned toward Cam. They had an hour and a half before Greg came home. “I’ll grab those financials.”
“Sure. I’ll be in the dining area.” Cam nodded.
Rose scurried up the stairs to the roasting apartment above the diner. It might not be the ideal living situation, with only one small bedroom that she’d given to Greg, but it had come with the building she’d inherited along with the business. She was determined to make do until she knew what kind of income to expect after a year or so.
When she returned to the coolness of the air-conditioned diner, even with the lights off, there was plenty of sunlight streaming in through the plate glass window facing Main. Before Rose joined Cam at the table in the sunniest spot, she asked, “Want something to drink?”
“No.” Cam pulled off the bandanna and finger combed his mop of thick blond hair. “Look, Rose, I’m no accountant. I can only tell you what I see.”
“I understand.” He’d already gone above and beyond and was even now, off the clock helping her. “Whatever you teach me will be a big help and much appreciated.”
“Yeah? How much?” He grinned at her, teasing. It wasn’t the good-time look he’d first given her, but softer. More like the kind of smile a kid might follow up with What will you give me?
Rose laughed.
“I see you’re not taking me seriously.” Cam pulled the manila envelope close and emptied the contents, then he winked at her.
She ignored the erratic dance of her pulse and watched as he spread the stack of paperwork out and thumbed through the pages. Her heart sank when he didn’t say anything for quite some time. “Well?”
Cam leaned back and sighed. “The Grille has made a profit each of these three years, but the most recent one saw a slight increase.”
“And the bad news?”
Cam shrugged. “There isn’t any that I can see.”
Rose pulled the paperwork closer and zeroed in on the first page and a line called Ordinary Business Income. “It sure doesn’t look like that big a profit.”
“That’s not the whole picture.” Cam flipped further into the packet and pointed. “This schedule is pretty much a balance sheet. There’s no paper losses or depreciation deductions here. This shows real dollars. Cash at the beginning of the year, cash at the end, and how that cash is used. These payments by the business are more than likely rent paid to Linda.”
“But it was all hers. Why pay rent to herself?”
Cam chuckled. “In a nutshell, The Grille paid Linda rent to help decrease its taxable income.”
“Oh.” Amazed, Rose stared at him. “How come you know so much about this stuff if you’re a fisherman?”
He looked surprised, as if he wasn’t used to such a compliment. “Even though I have my taxes done, I still review both my personal and business returns to make sure they’re correct. I keep track of my income and expenses throughout the year and always have.”
“Smart.” Rose nodded. Considering the scope of not only owning the diner, but the building, too, she needed to hire an accountant and soon. “So, based on what you see, am I sitting on a gold mine?”
“Not quite, but I think you inherited a good business and, with the right people, you can increase profits.”
He was one of those right people. He not only made super-tasty food, but he was good with the customers. He welcomed the volume instead of cursing it like Chuck had. Having grown up here, Cam knew everybody and greeted them by name. The dining patrons loved seeing Cam at the grill, too.
“You’d really help me interview cooks?”
He gave her a slow smile. “And transition them, if I can.”
“But you’re only here for a few more days.”
“I won’t leave you hanging, Rose.”
She searched his gaze, wanting to believe him, not knowing how he could possibly deliver when he was leaving at the end of the week.
He pointed at the bottom of the first page, bringing her attention back to the books. “Based on profits, you can certainly afford to hire an accountant. This is the firm Linda used and as far as I know, they’re good.”
Rose hadn’t paid herself a salary other than her tips because she’d been afraid of the immediate bills, including the cook’s payroll, eating up profits and the modest business checking account she’d also inherited. She’d deposited all cash receipts until she figured out a budget.
“So, what do you think the Deans are after? I can’t see them running this diner.”
“No. I can’t, either,” Cam agreed. “Maybe the building? Rents are high on Main Street.”
“Show me more.” Rose scooted her chair closer to make it easier to see the pages. Staring at those pages, she hoped they’d uncover the motive for the Deans’ threat.
Maybe then she’d know how to stop them.
* * *
Sitting this close to Rose, Cam detected a delicate fragrance. Underneath the cloying aroma of French fries and bacon grease that clung to both of them, he inhaled her soft scent. Leaning closer, he breathed deep.
She was dangerously sweet.
He appreciated the way her short hair swirled to a point at the back of her slender neck. His fingers itched to trace that hairline and see if her skin felt as soft as it looked.
Rose leaned back. “Okay, so you were saying?”
What was he saying? “Ummm, yeah.”
“Earth to Cam.” She laughed, having no clue that he’d been checking her out.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Rose immediately looked repentant. “I’m sorry, it’s been a long day and you’re tired. We can do this another time.”
He didn’t dare meet her eyes. He wasn’t that tired. “It’s fine. Let’s see. The balance sheet—”
Rose scooped up the paperwork and stuffed it in the envelope. “Nope, this is too much for today.”
He glanced at the clock reading 3:15. They’d been going over figures for nearly an hour. “How about we get some fresh air? We can walk to the beach and meet your son before the program lets out and see how he likes it. On a hot day like this, they’re probably there.”
“And if they’re not?” Rose looked like she relished the idea but wasn’t so sure of walking there with him.
“Leave a note for Greg that we’ll be back.”
She stared at him a moment longer and then agreed. “Okay, let me grab my keys.”
The public beach wasn’t far, only a couple short blocks across the street from the diner. Cam walked beside a quiet Rose. Outside the diner, she seemed tense and barely looked at him.
“Where’d you live before here?” Cam asked.
“Kalamazoo. It’s where my parents live.” Rose didn’t embellish. She was all business, as if this wasn’t a social outing.
Cam wanted to know more about her. He’d meant what he’d said about not leaving her hanging. He didn’t know how he’d manage that, but it would come to him. “How do you like it here?”
“So far so good.”
“It’s still new.” Cam chuckled. “But take a look at that lake and name a better view if you can.”
Maple Bay shone turquoise near the shoreline until it blurred into a band of deep blue that touched a sunny, cloudless sky. A couple small yachts were anchored offshore.
“Beautiful, although I prefer the simple sailboats ambling in the bay instead of those big yachts.”
“Crazy, isn’t it? A small town like this draws people from all over in summer. Some of these yachts come from Florida, up the coast then through the lock system in New York and the Great Lakes.”
“Crazy.”
They slipped back into silence.
Cam searched the park and zeroed in on the far corner of the sand beach beyond the bathhouse. “The youth group is over there, playing volleyball.”
“There’s Greg.” Rose pointed. “Can we sit here for a little bit? I don’t want to interrupt the game and seem like I’m checking up on him. Even though I am.”
“Sure.” He waited for Rose to perch near the edge of the park bench before he sat down with plenty of room between them.
Rose turned to him, looking wary. “Why are you helping me?”
He looked out over the water and figured he’d be up-front with her. “Would you believe that I made a deal with God? I promised to be a better person if He’d give me back my livelihood.”
“Give it back?”
“I lost my sponsors last year after I tanked at a big tournament.” Not quite all of the truth, but enough. Cam continued, “My placements had been low for a while, and so this year I’m pretty much starting over and paying my own way. This weekend’s tournament is one of three held over the next three months. I have to fish each one and end in the top five to qualify for next year’s circuit. If I do well, I have a good chance of securing new sponsors who’ll help fund next year and so on.”
Her eyes wide, she asked, “And if you don’t do well?”
“Not an option.” Cam would redeem his career however long it took, even if it was the last thing he ever did.
Rose looked thoughtful. “I suppose I’d believe that, but making deals with God shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Cam laughed. “You know, my mother said the same thing.”
Rose frowned. “Maybe you should listen to her.”
“I’m working on it.” He laughed.
That much was true. He needed to change and this time he was serious. This time, he’d do things differently. He’d get it right. He’d do right instead of wrong.
He’d grown up attending church. He’d even been part of the youth group, same as the rest of his brothers and sisters, but that didn’t mean the words had sunk in. The idea of eternity had been lost on him. He’d lived for the present too long and it had cost him.
Cam scanned Rose’s profile. She seemed much too serious for a pretty woman with a whole lot of life left to live. He supposed losing both her husband and mother-in-law couldn’t be easy on her or her son. She’d had to be tough.
He made her uncomfortable with his teasing, and yet he hadn’t imagined a tug of awareness between them. He wouldn’t explore it, though. Not when he needed to focus on fishing and the tournaments that kept him on the road about 70 percent of the year.
She caught him gawking. “What?”
“Does your boy like to fish?”
“I don’t know.”
Cam’s eyebrows rose. “Didn’t he ever go with his father?”
Rose’s warm green eyes turned cold. “Greg was six the last time he saw his father.”
That statement hit like a center punch to the gut. Kurt Dean had died maybe three years ago, but they’d busted up long before that. Cam couldn’t keep the words from falling out of his mouth. “Maybe I can take him.”
“Look, Cam, I appreciate what you’re trying to do. But please don’t.”
“Every boy needs to learn how to fish and if anyone can teach him quickly, it’s me.” Cam had fished from the time he could walk.
His folks still lived in the house on a small inland lake where he grew up. He’d had a Snoopy fishing pole until he turned ten and his father had given him a real, cork-handled rod like the pros used for his birthday. From then on, Cam had fished more than he did anything else.
“We’re not some project for you to feel better about your life.”
Cam hadn’t meant it that quite that way. Rose hid some deep hurts and rocky bitterness and it was small wonder. Kurt Dean had abandoned them.
Rose stood. “It looks like the game is over. I’m going over there.”
“Mom,” Greg called out and waved.
She waved back and walked toward him.
Cam followed.
At least he could introduce her to the youth director, who happened to be his cousin. If nothing else, he could rely on John to say something good about him. He wanted Rose to trust him. He meant what he said about being a better person and part of that included helping her and her son. Whether she wanted him to or not.
Chapter Four (#u280f5a7b-e090-5ed9-82f1-541606acf34d)
Rose walked toward the volleyball net set up on the beach. The foamy plastic clogs she wore filled with warm sand. When was the last time she’d even been to a beach? Maybe this upcoming Sunday, if the weather held, she and Greg could make a day of it here. She’d even pack a picnic lunch.
“Hey, Mom, I’m going for a swim with the others, okay?” Greg ran toward her, smiling. His eagerness was a good sign that he liked the program.
Before she could answer, her son ran into the water and dove straight under, following in the wake of a couple of other boys his age. “Well, yeah, go ahead.”
“Maybe we should join them,” Cam whispered close to her ear.
“No. No way.” Rose ignored the little voice inside that disagreed with her quick refusal. The old Rose would have jumped in without a thought to a towel or the fact that she wore jeans and a T-shirt.
“Hi, Cam.” The youth director’s smile was wide and welcoming.
“John, this is Rose Dean. Her son is Greg Dean. They’re new to the area.”
John extended his hand to her. “Right. New owner of Dean’s Hometown Grille. You must have met with my wife when you signed up Greg. He’s a good kid.”
“Thank you.” Rose kept her eye on her son splashing with the other kids.
“There’s two lifeguards on duty. One on the beach and one on the raft out there. Is Greg a good swimmer?”
Rose bit her bottom lip. She’d enrolled him in swim lessons when he was little, but it had been ages since they’d been to any sort of pool or lake together. Greg had gone with her parents a few times near where they lived, but that had been while Rose worked. “He’s passable. I think.”
“He’ll be fine. It’s not too deep by the swim dock. Maybe seven feet. Cam and I spent many a summer on that dock.” John nodded toward Cam.
Rose located Greg. He’d made it to the dock and was climbing up the ladder only to jump back in and repeat the process. “So, you’ve known each other a long time?”
“John’s my cousin,” Cam explained.
“Ah.” Rose saw a faint resemblance.
“Cam was a huge help earlier this month with our canoe trip and fishing the river across the bay. This guy volunteered as if his life depended on it and I appreciated the help.”
“Yeah, about that.” Cam rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m pretty much tied up cooking for Rose. This week and maybe next.”
Rose flashed him a look. That was news to her. He’d said he’d fill in a few days this week and she thought that would be it.
John looked at her and then back to Cam. “He’s a guy of many talents.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” Rose agreed.
Cam laughed, but it sounded awkward and lacked conviction. “That’s me.”
John looked at her as he slapped Cam on the shoulder, then he checked his watch. “I’ve got to round up the troops before send-off. Nice to meet you, Rose.”
“You, too.” Rose cringed when John blew a whistle for his group to gather round.
She glanced at Cam. He’d volunteered for the youth program at his church. It was for his cousin, so maybe that didn’t count. Or maybe that comment about becoming a better person was true. Cam had made a deal with God and Cam appeared to be holding up his end of the bargain.
Rose headed closer to the shoreline and waited for Greg. “Thank you for introducing us, although I’m sure I would have met your cousin in time.”
“You would have, but you’re welcome anyway. I’m going in for a quick dip. You sure you don’t want to join me?” He stripped off his T-shirt.
Rose did her best not to look at him and failed. Every inch of his exposed skin was golden brown. He looked like a man who didn’t take life seriously. A man who had no one but himself to worry about.
She stood there like an idiot, unsure what to say or do, her face probably flaming red to boot. “Ah, no. You go ahead.”
He gave her that smile. That smile that said he knew how he affected her.
She was sunk.
Greg saved the awkward moment by running toward her. “Can I go back in with Cam?”
“Come on, I’ll race you to the raft.” Cam waded in the water.
Greg beamed. “Can I?”
Rose sighed. “Go ahead. I’ll wait here.”
She plunked down in the sand, kicked off her shoes and sunk her feet into the water lapping up on shore. She wiggled her toes and stared at the luscious blue water of Maple Bay that opened into the broad expanse of Lake Michigan.
Closing her eyes, she leaned back on her hands and tipped her face toward the sun. It was hot, but nice, especially with her feet up to her ankles in water that bordered on cold. She was glad she hadn’t gone swimming. At least, that’s what she wanted to believe. Where had all the fun in her life gone?
She suddenly felt drops of water and sat up quick.
“You should come in. The water’s great.” Cam shook his head, sending more droplets raining over her as he slipped back into his T-shirt.
“It’s too cold.” Rose wiped off the water from her skin before zeroing in on her son. He was jumping off the raft with a couple of boys from the group.
“Some things never change.” Cam nodded toward where kids jumped and dove into the water only to climb back out and do it again. And again.
Rose wasn’t so sure about that but watched the activity viewed by a male lifeguard perched in a tall white chair with red lifesaving rings looped on either side. The kid had a smear of zinc on his nose and didn’t look that much older than those he watched.
“Can you swim?”
Rose glared at him. “Of course I can, but that doesn’t mean I want to wearing jeans.”
“It’ll loosen you up.” He grinned at her, completely unrepentant for tossing out such a passive insult.
“I think I’ll stay tight and dry.” Loosening up led to trouble.
“This feels like the summers I remember.” Cam grinned as he sat next to her, looking out over the water. “My brothers and I used to come here after school and swim as early as mid-May. It was a game to see who’d go in first.”
“You must have a lot of memories here.”
He nodded. “Both good and not so good. We’re the reason there’s a lifeguard on that raft. My brother Darren started a fight with a couple of the Bay Willows kids that ended in an all-out brawl when I was about Greg’s age.”

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