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That was a lot.
And because she tried to be a fairly aware mom, she realized today had basically been all about Tyler squeezing in as much male bonding as he could. She flashed back to all his talks about camp. So many of them were about the coaches or the camp counselors. Sure, he talked about his guy friends, but she wasn’t so blind as to not spot the pattern that was growing before her eyes.
Maybe getting to spend time with Cam on the historic research would be good. Well, for Tyler at least.
She might have to have some tough conversations about where Cam fit in their lives, but that was better than just depriving him of the male role model he was obviously out there searching for.
His next step would be to become aware of it himself and place a billboard in town somehow.
“He can stay overnight if you’d like.” Mrs. Ross sounded so hopeful that it almost broke her heart to say no.
“I think I should take him home. He wasn’t expecting to wake up somewhere new, so it seems like maybe not the best idea.”
And she wasn’t sure she was ready for him to wake up somewhere new that wasn’t a friend-sleepover situation.
The first time, she’d been up the entire night, waiting with her cell in hand, just in case he needed her to come get him.
Spoiler, the next day he’d had the time of his life and she was exhausted.
After a moment, she added, “This time.”
“And, Vivian,” Mrs. Ross said, laying her hand over Vivian’s where it rested on the countertop. “I would really appreciate it if you called me Bev. You’re an adult and making me feel like I’m nearly dead instead of still a decade away from retiring.”
She gave a light laugh and squeezed Vi’s hand. “I know you left when you were young. Maybe I’m frozen in time when you were sixteen, but you’re a woman now. One of the most independent, strong women in this town. And so, I’d like us to meet as women instead of a child and an adult.”
“Oh.” Vivian shifted, but at the same time, she completely understood. There were people who would always be like,Listen, young lady, I’m your elder—even when they were eighty and you were sixty.
And then there was Mrs. Ross—Bev—who was just standing there saying, I see you, you’re a grown woman who deserves the respect of being treated like one.
Vi blinked. It had beensucha day.
“I’d like that, thank you.”
Another quick squeeze of the hand, and Bev was looking up at Camden coming in, Tyler still asleep and half over his shoulder.
“Wow, it has been a day.” Vivian realized she was echoing her own thoughts. “He’s sleeping like he’s still four.”
“Mom, we’re going to take the Toyota. I’ll bring it back in the morning.”
“I’ll be here.” She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “You’re a good boy, Cam.”
Vivian tried to shrug it off, but hewasa good boy—er, man.
14
Cam
Cam drovethem home and raced to get Tyler lifted out of the car before Vivian could beat him to it. No way was he giving up his chance to tuck him in.
She didn’t even argue, probably because it meant she didn’t have to haul his sixty pounds of dead weight up the stairs. But she opened door after door until Cam was settling him down, taking off his shoes.
It was literally the best thing he’d ever done in his life.
He turned around, and there she was. Standing in the doorway, the light from the hall putting her in silhouette.
So he did what he’d been wanting to do for over a year.
He crossed the room, reached his hand out to her face, and let his thumb slide down the sharp angles of her jaw, then lowered his mouth and kissed her.
