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Then he headed out, thinking only of how quickly he could get to Cammie.
* * *
Daniel stood with his parents by the fireplace.
“What a caring family you’ve connected with,” his mother said, that look in her eye when she was wondering exactly how she could help someone in need.
Daniel couldn’t smile after witnessing the anguish written on Dane Harrington’s face. “They were orphaned at a young age. Dane was barely twenty-one and had to drop out of college. Ava did too. The others were still in high school or middle school.”
“You know what I think, honey?” His mother’s gaze roamed over the remaining Harringtons in the room.
This time, Daniel chuckled softly. “I already know, Mom. You’re always wanting to take in strays. Now you want to take in the Harringtons.”
“I barely know Dane, but I can see he’s a man who’s always taken care of other people. Maybe he needs someone to lean on too.”
Tonight allowed him to see the Harringtons in a new light. They might be leaders in their fields, but they were also orphans, without the love of inspiring parents. While they seemed exceptionally close, they hadn’t had Susan and Bob Spencer in their lives. Daniel and his brothers had achieved what they had only because of his parents. They’d taught him how to love. He wondered if he’d have recognized his love for Tasha without their inspiration in his life.
Maybe the Mavericks could bring more to the table than just some good business ventures. Maybe they could bring his parents and a share of the love he’d known all his life. Lord knew his parents had so much of it to give.
* * *
The bed stood in the center of the room, paintings of flowers and landscape scenes on the blue walls. Comfortable chairs sat on either side, and a long bureau held Lochlan’s things, though he no longer needed them and hadn’t for months. Cammie stood by the quiet form, holding his hand. She was exactly where she’d always been, at her uncle’s side.
That’s who Cammie Chandler was—steadfast, caring, and loyal.
The pain cracking her features nearly broke Dane.
Though he hadn’t made a sound, she turned, the tracks of dried tears on her cheeks. The moment she saw him, they flowed once more, and in the next moment, she was in his arms.
He held her tight as she shook against him.
She put on such a strong front. She was strong. That’s how the Mavericks had seen her at the soccer game. But inside there was a fragility she hid from the world, growing right along with her uncle’s disease. Dane knew how hard this was for her. It was why he’d rushed to her tonight, why he visited every week, why he video-chatted with her every night, trying to take her mind off the agony of watching her uncle deteriorate.
Holding her now, he whispered words she needed to hear. “You are the best niece in the world. You’ve done everything possible for Lochlan. And I’m not leaving your side while you go through this.”
She pulled back, swept a fresh wave of tears from her cheeks, and gave him a weak smile. “Thank you. I don’t want to be alone for this.”
He cupped her face in his palms. “You’re never alone. I’m always here.”
Then together, hand in hand, they turned to her uncle’s bed.
* * *
At dawn, Fernsby stood in the kitchen window of the Pebble Beach house, Lord Rexford in his arms. Dane pulled the Jaguar into the garage, and Fernsby fed Lord Rexford a bit of leftover roast beef. “You need a treat too,” he cooed to the dog. “You feel bad for Camille. As we all do.”
After Lochlan Chandler’s passing a few hours ago, Dane had stayed with Camille until she’d fallen asleep. But when she woke, she’d sent him packing. That was her way, always needing to show people how strong she was. Dane had respected that. So did Fernsby. But he knew it had been a long night for them both.
He shifted Lord Rexford in his arms. Camille would be coming home soon. It had been a terrible time for her, and Fernsby would treat her gently. Tomorrow, when she was rested, he would call her with his condolences and the words of comfort he could offer. “But it’s best she comes back where she belongs very soon,” he told the dachshund.
As he heard the garage door close, he gave the dog one final command. “Now it’s time to show those two they belong together. No matter how hard it is to get them to see that romance is inevitable. She needs him just as much as he needs her.” He kissed the tip of the dog’s nose. “We’re in this together, Lord Rexford. It’s going to take all our skills.”
Chapter Six
Cammie stayed an extra couple of weeks in San Juan Bautista. Ava had arranged a room for Cammie’s use while she’d cared for her uncle and hadn’t kicked her out even after Uncle Lochlan passed. She could never thank Dane or Ava enough for how much they’d both done. She’d known she couldn’t put her beloved uncle in an inferior home just because she was too proud to accept their assistance. And she would pay back every penny, even if it took the rest of her working life.
