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“I have no idea,” he said with a laid-back grin. “Maybe I was just waiting for the right time. I guess that I have to learn to make my own moments.”
They walked around the festival in companionable silence, the sort where it felt natural to not have to fill up the quiet with mindless chatter. Every now and again Cameron would point something out to look at or participate in. Paige shouldn’t have been surprised when he began racking up stuffed-animal prizes for Emma.
Although she was having a relaxed, enjoyable outing, her thoughts kept drifting to the next town hall meeting, which was scheduled for the following day.
“What’s this little frown for?” Cameron asked, reaching out to smooth away a crease between her eyes.
“I’m a little nervous about tomorrow evening,” she admitted. It was her last chance to speak about the cannery before the vote next week. If the proposal didn’t pass the vote, it would feel like a personal rejection of her and everything she was fighting for in Love.
“You’ve got this. There’s nothing to worry about. The whole town is buzzing about what a cannery would mean to our economy. It’s almost as if everyone is daring to hope again for prosperity.” Cameron grinned at her. She couldn’t look away from the way the corners of his mouth crinkled when he smiled. “And everyone thinks it was mighty brave of you to come back to Love.”
Paige ducked her head down. She felt a bit embarrassed by the idea of people praising her. She hadn’t done a single thing yet other than return money that should never have been taken in the first place.
She shook her head, pushing back strands of hair that had wandered in front of her eyes. “It’s hard to accept kudos for simply doing the right thing.”
“You’re pretty extraordinary. After your history with this community it’s amazing that you’re so committed to its recovery.”
Paige studied Cameron’s awestruck expression. “You forget that this is my hometown, too. I may not have been born here, but for many years it was my haven.”
“I didn’t forget. I’m just overwhelmed by your grace. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’ve changed. You’re so grounded in your faith and your principles.”
Paige smiled in acknowledgment. “Yes, I have changed. Being a mother will do that to a woman. My relationship with God has given me a new perspective. A lot of things make sense now. When my father passed, I drew to Him for strength.” She met his gaze, moved by the compassion and understanding etched on Cameron’s face. “I was at rock bottom when I left here. I was spiritually bankrupt for many years. It’s amazing what can happen when you surrender yourself to God and seek a faith-driven life. Everything becomes much clearer.”
“It’s sort of like having smudgy glasses and then getting a new pair,” Cameron said. “The whole world starts to look spanking new.”
Paige burst out laughing. “That’s a great way to describe it.”
Cameron looked down. All of a sudden his expression changed from lighthearted to somber. “I’m sorry you had to go through it all by yourself. The pregnancy. Emma’s birth. Raising her as a single mother. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”
Immediately she bristled. “Don’t feel bad for me. I made the choice to go it alone. It didn’t break me.” And despite everything, she had built a happy home for Emma.
“I don’t pity you. To be honest, I’m wishing that I had been at the hospital when Emma came into the world and took her first breath. I would have liked to cut her umbilical cord and to have learned how to change her diaper. But I’m very grateful that she had a mother like you who’s been with her every step of the way. Just watching her for a few hours the other day gave me a whole new appreciation for all your sacrifices and loving care.”
“Sorry if I snapped at you,” Paige said with a rueful twist of her mouth. “That subject is a little prickly for me. Back in Seattle a lot of people looked down on me being a single mother raising a child on her own. Lots of prying eyes and endless questions. Even some preaching from members of my faith community. It taught me a huge lesson about judgment.”
“It’s no one’s job to criticize you,” Cameron said in a curt voice. “Thankfully, God’s forgiveness allows us to move forward without being beaten up or condemned over our choices.”
All of a sudden Hazel walked up, holding tightly on to Aidan’s hand while Jasper pushed Emma in the carriage. Paige couldn’t help but grin at the sight of the crotchety mayor of Love pushing a stroller. She saw Cameron’s lips twitching with laughter and she had to look away before she dissolved into giggles.
Little beads of sweat were pooled on his forehead. “All this walking has me hotter than the Sahara Desert,” J
asper grumbled as he fanned himself.
“Why don’t I go get us some lemonade,” Paige suggested. “That will cool everyone off.”
“Oh, I’d love one,” Hazel said. “I’m pretty parched.”
“Need some help?” Cameron asked.
She waved him off. “I’ll be fine. Why don’t you stay here with your daughter?”
It was amazing how good it felt to refer to Emma as Cameron’s daughter. And it didn’t escape her notice the way his face lit up with joy upon hearing her say it. She felt a pang remembering what he’d said about wishing he had been a part of Emma’s earliest moments. If she had to do it all over again, she would make different choices. She should never have withheld her pregnancy from him. But she couldn’t go back. Only forward.
Just as she reached the lemonade concession stand, she heard someone calling out to her.
“Paige.” She turned around at the mention of her name. Dwight was standing there with an intense look etched on his face.
After the way he’d reacted to her at the town meeting, she felt very skeptical about anything he had to say to her. She sincerely hoped he wasn’t about to lay into her about the cannery proposal.
