“Of course I’m still here. Although I’ll need to head to my apartment at some point to grab more of my things. I figure I’ll move slowly.”
“I can take you after we prep the bar.”
I smile. Somehow I knew he would say that. “I brought my car.”
He raises his brows. “I know. I can still take you. No need to keep going back and forth. We can probably get a lot of things moved over today.”
My heart skips in my chest. But why does he seem like he’s in a rush for me to be here permanently when he’s only planning to leave?
“We can play it by ear.” After locking the door to my cabin, I step toward him. “Let’s go see Cay.”
Jami leads me down another new path that seems to be a direct route to the main house. Considering all the renovations to the property, I’m shocked to see the old blue house is as I remember it. All three stories of it.
“Is this where you stay when you visit every weekend?” I’m not sure if the question is appropriate, but my curiosity got the better of me.
“No. I’m in the guesthouse now. Figured I’d give Anderson and Hope their space.”
I smile at the mention of his older brother. I’ve always liked Anderson. He was always someone Jami looked up to and respected. It broke my heart to know that Jami stayed away for as long as he did… because of me. “Hope seems really nice. How did she and Anderson meet?”
“Hope worked here as the activities director for a few years before she took a marketing job in Seattle. Anderson was devastated to lose her, but she came back a year later and… well… the rest is history. She’s the best thing that ever happened to my brother.”
My smile widens. “Yeah, he seems less… intense than he used to be. I never really considered it a bad thing before, but seeing him with her almost reminds me of when we were all kids.”
Jami nods. “I feel the same way. You know, when I first came back here, it all felt so foreign. I almost couldn’t believe that I’d lived here. But slowly, that old feeling started coming back to me. Day by day, I started to remember what it was all like. The random adventures. The simple times. We were never bored here, were we?”
I laugh and shake my head. “We certainly were never bored. We also didn’t have the responsibilities we have now. Life was just for living.”
He exhales a heavy breath. “I want to get to that place again. Do you think that’s possible?”
As hard as it is for me to imagine feeling childlike and free, I say to him what I would tell my son. “Anything is possible.”
He squints, assessing me like he’s fighting what he really wants to say. Then he smiles. “You ready to go inside?”
I swallow down my nerves and nod. “Yes.”
He pushes open the door to the main house. All is quiet, save for the vintage wall clock that ticks every second. Everything about the interior is exactly the same—the flooring, the furniture, the decor—giving me an instant pang of nostalgia.
Jami walks me past the entrance and sitting room to the downstairs bedroom that sits between the entrance to the kitchen and the door to the basement. In the past, the room was always reserved for guests since all the main bedrooms, including the master, were upstairs.
The moment he opens the bedroom door, my heart feels like it’s in my throat. Because of the hospital bed, chirping monitors, and gray-haired woman in purple scrubs, I could almost mistake the room for one in a hospital.
A man who I barely recognize as Cayson is resting on the propped-up bed. His eyes are closed. and he looks to be at peace.
“Hi, Felicia.” Jami speaks softly. “This is Violet, a family friend. Actually, Vi used to babysit Cayson every now and then. She wanted to visit.”
Felicia smiles at us both, her eyes landing on me. “Nice to meet you, Violet.” Her tone is so warm and inviting, I’m instantly at home. “Cayson just fell asleep again.” She tilts her head apologetically to Jami. “I know you usually visit him around this time. He’s a little off schedule since the doctor visited last night.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize Doc stopped by.”
She waves her hand, gesturing that it’s no big deal. “Oh, don’t worry. I know you all had a big event last night. Dr. Normandy said he would call Anderson today to give him an update.”
Jami’s throat bobs with his nod. “Any good news?”
She seems to perk up a little. “Cayson was awake the entire time. Alert and responding well.”
Jami’s eyes go wide with surprise. “Responding as in talking?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet, but I’m confident we’ll get there soon. He was responding as in his reflex tests were remarkably better than last week. He’s making great strides with recovery.”
“Is there anything more we can be doing to help?”
Her smile brightens. “Just keep visiting. Talk to him even if he’s not responding. But right now, I think we can allow him some sleep.”
“Okay.” Jami looks at me. “Sorry, Vi. I know you wanted to spend some time with him.”
My heart jolts, and instinct has me weaving my fingers through his. “Don’t be sorry. I can stop by later, if that’s okay?” I look between them, hoping that I’m not overstepping.
“Come by anytime you want. The door is always open since there are frequent visits with Cayson here.” Jami looks at Felicia. “Thank you for the update. Please let him know we stopped by to see him.”
“Will do, sweetie.”
Jami leads me back outside of the main house and turns to me with a question in his eyes. “Still want to go for that run?”
I look around, taking in the cool winter breeze with a smile. It’s another cloudy day, the signs of early morning rain evident in the glistening leaves, shiny pavement, and small puddles on the worn driveway. February is normally one of the wettest months of the entire year, a fact I used to despise. But in my adulthood, I appreciate the change of pace that comes with the season. Like it’s a reminder to slow down, reset, and see the world from a whole new lens.
“Yes.” I smile back at him. “Maybe you can give me a tour of the camp, the old and new parts.”
Something in Jami’s gaze startles my heart, making it skip like the rocks we used to toss at the marina. “Deal.”
I keep pace with him as we head down a path along the water’s edge, appreciating the fact that he’s not taking us on an actual run. It’s more like a leisurely jog so he can point things out along the way. While the essence of the Bexleys’ camp hasn’t changed a bit, the updated buildings and additional amenities have me reeling.
We must have been at it for a half hour by the time we’ve completed one loop and then some. I’m chugging some water at the fountain near the barn before I stand to face Jami again. “No wonder Camp Bexley’s booked solid for the next two seasons.” I laugh, still in awe. “You guys have turned this place into a luxury destination compared to what it used to be.”
Jami leans against the barn to face me, and I can’t help but notice how sexy the man looks glistening with sweat. His short hair is spiked from him running his fingers through it, his top is clearly damp, yet he still looks like a freaking cover model for a sports magazine.