The Thing About Trouble (Crystal Lake 1)

Alarmed at her words and the tone of her voice, Cam moved a bit so he could see her better. “You sound like you’re saying goodbye again.”

“I can’t stay in Crystal Lake, Cam. We can’t be together. There are things you don’t know. If I come back, your life will be ruined. Please don’t ask me to live through that kind of pain again.”

“I’m not afraid of Edward Barnes.” A muscle worked along his jaw. He planned on having a conversation with the man when he got home. He’d make it clear that no one messed with his family.

“You should be. He’s a lot like Pete. He’s not human.”

“He’s not worth your tears and heartache.” He held her face between his hands and searched her eyes. “I love you, Blue. He can’t touch us.”

But she was shaking her head. “No.”

“What are you so afraid of?”

She struggled to speak. “I’m afraid of losing again. Of hurting people I love.”

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“But that’s what love is all about. It’s messy and complicated and a lot can go wrong. When that happens, we don’t run, we deal. But when it goes right, it’s so damn good.” He looked her in the eye. “We have something special. You, me, and Tawny. I’m not leaving Nashville without you.”

“You don’t understand.”

Frustrated, he took a moment. “Then make me understand.”

“Edward found Tawny’s father. He told me that if I didn’t leave town, he’d make trouble. That this Cody Baker wouldn’t sign away his parental rights. He made other threats too.”

Cam was furious. Red-hot rage made it difficult for him to breathe. When he got back, he was going to finish, Edward Barnes.

“Cody Baker has already signed off on parental rights,” Cam ground out.

Blue’s head shot up. “What do you mean he has?”

“Barnes lied to you. Cody Baker is in jail, and my lawyer got him to sign the paperwork days ago.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” She got to her feet, and her whole body shook.

“I wanted to. I planned on it. But you hit me with all that bullshit about us not being good together and how you couldn’t raise another woman’s child. My good news didn’t seem so important anymore.”

“Oh my God. He lied to me.” She turned away from him, shoulders hunched forward, utterly defeated. “Why wouldn’t I consider that?”

Cam came up behind her. “Because you’re a good person and that’s not the way your mind works.”

“I signed away David’s company.” She was crying again, and this time, her whole body shook from the strength of her sobs. “What have I done?”

Cam folded her into her arms. He pulled her as close as he could and rested his cheek against hers. “Your brother intercepted the contract. Pretty sure he was going to rip it up and shove it down Edward’s gullet. Don’t worry about him. If that doesn’t work, he’ll have me to deal with.” He pressed a kiss to her face. “That’s what families do. We have each other’s back.”

He tilted her chin. “I love you, Bluebell. Tell me that you’re coming home with me.”

She reached up and kissed him. A long, slow, searching kiss that made his head damn near spin off his shoulders. “That’s a good answer,” he murmured, dipping his head for more.

A red ball bounced along the ground and hit Cam in the leg, coming to a stuttering stop a few inches away from him and Blue. They both turned as a golden retriever came running over the hill, barking with glee as it spied the ball. Her pink leash flapped in the wind, and just behind the dog, its owner came shouting for it to stop—the young girl from the house.

The dog, Shelby from the sound of it, scooped up the ball and stood there, sides heaving, tail wagging furiously. The young girl stopped a few feet away, unsure how to proceed considering the strangers near her dog.

Blue broke away and carefully picked up the leash. She smiled at the girl and handed it over, their fingers touching for the briefest of moments.

“Thanks,” the girl said, her expression more than a little curious, more than likely because Blue had obviously been crying.

“You’re welcome.”