Silver reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Life has a funny way of doing that, usually when we aren’t expecting it.”
Hope nods. “But we become stronger for it.”
I let out a relieved sigh, feeling strangely comfortable. “That we do. I’m definitely having a full-circle moment being back at Camp Bexley.”
Hope’s smile widens, and she darts a glance at Silver like they speak a secret language. “This place has a funny way of doing that to you, huh?”
Suddenly, I want to know everything about Hope, namely how she and Anderson got together. Jamison gave me the highlights, but I want the details. Anderson was always the most serious of all the brothers. He never made time for relationships because he was so focused on taking over for his father. But I also remember how much Jami looked up to him growing up. I’m getting nostalgic thinking about it.
“I love seeing Anderson so happy. I always swore that man was blind to the female species.”
Hope rolls her eyes. “Tell me about it. I guess I cracked the Bexley code.” She lifts her brows. “By the way Jami looks at you, so have you.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Maybe seven years ago, but everything is different now.”
“How so?”
“Jami lives in Seattle now, for one.”
Silver shrugs. “But he’s here at least three days a week.”
“Not forever. As soon as Cayson’s back on his feet, he’ll disappear again.”
Silver and Hope look at each other, their smiles dimming, then Hope shrugs. “Tell him you want him to stay.”
My gut twists. “I can’t do that. Jami has a whole life in Seattle. Besides, I don’t even know where we stand anymore. I really messed up back then. Even if Jami were to trust me again, who’s to say we’d still be compatible.”
Silver smiles, like she knows something I don’t. “Hope and I both witnessed the way Jamison was with you at the saloon the other night.”
“And yesterday.” Hope’s eyes are twinkling as she references when she saw us at the barn. “I might have seen you two kissing.” Her expression changes like she’s realized something. “But don’t worry. No one else saw. I was coming out to tell you Brayden got on one of the ponies, and you two were mid lip-lock, so I just turned right back around.” She holds up her hands and grins. “Promise. I didn’t even tell Anderson what I saw.”
I can’t help but laugh. “But you told Silver.”
Hope hooks her arm through Silver’s. “You’re going to need to get used to that.”
“Fair enough.”
Silver leans forward again. “My point was… there’s definitely something between you two. You’re not fooling anybody, and now is not the time to play hard to get. If you have feelings for that man, don’t hide it. Don’t play games.” She shrugs like what she’s saying is the easiest advice in the world to take. “Just let him love you.”
I get what she’s saying. I understand what they’re both telling me and encouraging me to do. And while I can go along with seeing if the spark Jami and I have always shared can still burn strong, I’m uncomfortable with trying to convince him to stay any longer than he’s already planned.
“You two are wise beyond your years.” I smile. “I guess I have time to think about it all before Jami gets back on Thursday.”
Hope’s gaze slips away from my face, toward the entrance. “Um, Violet. I don’t think you have that much time.”
My heart flips in my chest. I don’t have to turn around to know who she spotted. Swallowing, I turn slowly to look over my shoulder, confirming what I already knew. Jamison Bexley isn’t in Seattle. He’s right here. And his eyes just found mine.
Chapter Twenty-Three
JAMISON
Three pairs of eyes stare back at me but mine gravitate to Violet’s instantly. After spending an entire day in my Seattle office, I knew I wouldn’t survive another three days before seeing Violet again. So before I left for the Anacortes ferry, I congratulated Jared on his new promotion to VP and told him I’d be working remote for the foreseeable future.
It wasn’t a hard decision. It was a necessary one. If I needed any reassurance that I was making the right choice, those pretty brown eyes are it.
I take the long strides required to make it to Violet’s table. All the while, she seems to be frozen in shock. Her mouth hangs slightly open and her eyes are wide, tracking my every step.
“Hi.” It’s all I’m able to say with my heart hammering away in my chest.
“Hi.” She blinks, shakes her head then lets out a breathy laugh. “I thought you were staying in Seattle until Thursday.”
“That was the original plan, but why would I want to sit in a stuffy downtown office when I can be here working remotely?” I shrug like it’s no big deal. “My associates can handle my in-person meetings, and I can work from the office of the saloon. This way, I can help around here more while still running my company. Seems to benefit all.”
Her mouth twitches into a smile. “How charitable of you.”
I’m still locked on her eyes when another voice greets me. “Hi, Jami. Nice to see you too.”
I look across from Violet to find Silver grinning at me. Hope is beside her, batting her eyes at me and adding, “Yeah, Jami. So nice of you to notice us.”
Chuckling, I take one step over the bench to face Violet and sit. “Sorry. I was kind of on a mission to find Violet.” I bat my eyes back at both of them. “I hope you two don’t mind.”
They’re grinning while knowingly sneaking glances at each other. “That’s okay,” Silver says before standing. “Hope and I were just heading back to work. Tell Anderson we took off, okay?”
I knew Silver had talked to Anderson about coming back part-time. I just didn’t know she was coming back so soon. “Sure thing.”
While the girls are making their way to the door, I take a quick, sweeping glance of the nearly empty cafeteria before turning back to Violet. “A little early for dinner, isn’t it?”
She nods to the kitchen where Anderson is. He’s not alone. A grinning Brayden sits on the counter beside him, wearing a chef’s hat that looks ridiculously big for his head. “Anderson is helping him prepare an afternoon snack. We’ll grab dinner at the saloon later.”
I can’t help but notice Violet is wearing long black leggings and a long-sleeved purple cropped shirt. I always thought she looked so sexy in her dance attire. Nothing has changed there. “Did you teach a class today?”
“Two.” Her smile is so big, so natural, that it reaches her eyes. “It’s all I had time for after I stopped by my apartment to grab more things.”
The joy it brings me to hear her say those words… “So, Brayden’s okay with the move?”
Violet looks over at her son like she’s considering my question. “He doesn’t know our stay here is permanent. I wanted him to experience it for himself before I broach the subject. He’s already having so much fun. I think Camp Bexley could be exactly what he needs right now.”