Where I Belong (Pine Valley Book 2) Read online

  “Oh?” He narrowed his eyes. “Why am I just hearing about this now?”

  Even though Jane was twenty-seven, her father had no problem treating her like a fifteen- year-old sometimes. “Because I was just invited a short time ago.”

  “To a five-hundred-dollar-a-plate dinner? That’s some invitation.”

  “I know,” Jane said. “I don’t have to pay, though. One of my clients had his guest drop out.”

  “His? Who is this man?” Her father didn’t look pleased.

  “Don’t worry, Dad,” she said with a sigh. “It’s Cameron Vance, and it’s just business. His mother organized the whole thing, and it was all her idea.”

  Her dad’s brows shot up. “Louisa Vance?”

  “Do you know her?” Jane asked.

  “She’s donated to the assisted living center, that’s all,” her dad said. He used his cane to walk over to the water spigot and turned it off. Then he bent with a grunt and wound the hose.

  Jane knew better than to offer to help him. He was fiercely independent and stubborn. “I’ll get your dinner fixed. I’ll be eating at the gala,” she told him.

  “It’d better be worth the money,” he said.

  Jane smiled. “I don’t think it’s a meal worth five hundred; most of the money goes to the hospital.” She hurried inside and realized she’d been holding her breath. Why her dad’s reaction had bothered her, she didn’t know.

  She busied herself with making a chicken teriyaki meal for her dad with pre-cooked chicken. Then, while it was simmering, she went to her bedroom to find her shoes. She hadn’t worn her black heels in a while, and she didn’t realize how scuffed they were. So she grabbed a rag and buffed them out with a bit of Vaseline. She hoped no one would pay too much attention to them.

  She heard her dad come inside with his distinctive shuffle and turn the TV on in the kitchen. Some news program blared, and Jane sighed. He kept the TV on high volume when he was watching it, and the sound irritated her, but there was no use asking him to turn it down.

  Jane found a bag and put the heels in it, along with several makeup items, then went into the front room. She left the bag next to the door and joined her dad in the kitchen.

  “Smells good,” he said from where he sat at the kitchen table, facing the TV on the end of the counter.

  Jane checked on the meal, stirred it, then turned down the heat. She fixed a glass of ice water and set it on the table along with a plate and utensils.

  “You need to watch out for people like the Vances,” her dad suddenly said over the volume of the TV. “They’re uppity.”

  Jane turned to look at him. “They’re actually nice people.” She’d seen a whole different side to Cameron the past couple of days, and even though he was wealthy, there were worse flaws than that. Like Crystal-type flaws.

  Her father shook his head, but he remained silent until Jane served the food. She sat across from him and watched the news. The weather report had just come on.

  “Looks like it’s going to rain,” her dad said. “Take a jacket with you.”

  Jane almost rolled her eyes at the thought of wearing one of her old jackets over the thousand-dollar red dress. “I’ll be inside the whole night.”

  “You don’t want to catch a chill,” her dad said, his gaze sliding to hers.

  Jane appreciated the concern, but again, she was a grown woman. “I’ll be sure to keep an eye on the weather.”

  The next hour passed agonizingly slowly as her dad continued to make comments about the Vances and Jane straightened up around the house. Finally, it was time to take her dad to his game night. Jane usually went with him and enjoyed playing at one of the tables with the residents. Her dad’s friend, Pete Southerland, was a character and always made her laugh.

  The drive to the center was only a few minutes, and as they arrived, rain started to sprinkle on the car’s windshield.

  “I told you it was going to rain,” her dad said as she handed him his cane after opening his car door.

  She pursed her lips together and walked with him into the center. Once they were inside the gathering room, and the residents found out she wasn’t going to stay, Jane almost regretted accepting the invitation to the gala. Pete Southerland always joked with her, and several of the other residents had become dear to her.

  “I’ll be back next week,” she told Pete, squeezing his hand.

  She left and hurried out into the rain. It was coming down pretty hard now. She drove straight to Mrs. Vance’s home and parked in the circular driveway, hoping she’d be out of the way of any other cars that might come and go that night. Cameron would be picking her up here at 7:30, but Jane failed to see how she’d be completely ready by then.

  Selena answered the door. “What a night,” she said when she saw Jane on the front porch. “Come in out of the rain.” She scanned Jane’s hair. “Good, you’re not too wet. Some dampness might work to our advantage.”

  “I don’t have a jacket that will go with the dress,” Jane said. “Do you have one of those large umbrellas?” She’d hate to get any water damage on the dress.

  “You can borrow Mrs. Vance’s wrap if it’s still raining when Cameron comes,” Selena said, leading the way up the curved staircase. “We have plenty of those golf umbrellas.”

  “Okay, great,” Jane said as they headed along the upper hallway. “I just don’t want to ruin the dress.”

  “A little rain won’t hurt it, but you don’t have to worry.” Selena opened the door to the bedroom suite. “These gowns are more sturdy than you think.”

  Jane walked into the suite and started to undress as Selena fetched the dress. With a little help, Jane was wearing the dress in a few minutes.

  “Have a seat at the vanity table,” Selena said and produced a large velvet jewelry box. “Mrs. Vance said you’re welcome to wear her pearls tonight. I think it will be just the thing.”

  She opened the box, and Jane stared at the lustrous pearls. They were beautiful.

  Selena swept back Jane’s hair and brushed it smooth, then pinned it into a French twist. When Selena had secured the pearl necklace, and Jane had put on the pearl earrings, Selena stepped aside. “Come to the mirrors to see what you think. Did you bring your shoes?”

  Jane pointed to the bag she brought with her, and Selena went to pull them out. She handed them over to Jane, who slipped them on and turned toward the mirror.

  “What do you think?” Selena asked.

  Jane wasn’t sure she knew the woman in the mirror. “I don’t think anyone will be recognizing me.”

  Selena gave a soft laugh. “Perhaps not, but they’ll certainly be noticing you.”

  Jane bit her lip. “I’m not sure I want that.”

  Selena turned back to Jane’s bag and pulled out her makeup pouch. “I’ll leave you to do your makeup. I’m going to slip on my dress too.”

  “Are you going to the gala?”

  “In an official capacity,” Selena said. “I’ll be running the credit card machine for the winning bidders. You won’t even notice me in the background.”

  “Thank you for everything.” Jane spread her hands. “I couldn’t have done all this without your help.”

  Selena smiled. “You’re most welcome.”

  Cameron was nearly twenty minutes late pulling up to his mom’s house. He snatched the umbrella from his back seat he’d stored there before leaving his house and hopped out of his car. He’d been wondering all afternoon which dress Jane would borrow from his mom. He probably shouldn’t be wondering about such a thing, but it was better than berating himself for all the time he’d wasted with Crystal over the past few months.

  It was strange not having her calling or texting him every moment, hovering, demanding. Peace. That’s what he was feeling for the first time in a long time. It didn’t mean that his work stress was gone, but he was no longer facing huge events like the wedding, honeymoon, and setting up house with Crystal. He could get back to the old Cameron. The one who use
d to enjoy life.

  Still, after his mom and Jane had left his house, Cameron had second thoughts about taking Jane to the gala. It might give off the perception that he was a player, and he didn’t need that image to interfere with the hospital benefit. Or at least people thinking that he was callous and already dating right after his canceled engagement. So he’d called his mom, but she was adamant about him keeping the obligation with Jane.

  “There’s no harm in bringing a date to the gala. Besides, everything isn’t always about you,” his mom had said. “You’re supporting your mother and the community. And you should see Jane in the dress she picked out. Canceling on her would be discourteous.”

  Cameron had sighed and hung up with his mom. Moments later, Crystal had sent a rather nasty text, basically threatening him that if he told anyone about the furniture purchase she’d made, she’d find a way to discredit him. Cameron had spoken too soon... apparently he wasn’t going to have peace quite yet. Crystal was a cunning woman.

  He’d texted back that only his parents knew, but they wouldn’t share it. This wasn’t entirely the truth, but if Crystal knew his parents were aware of the fraud, it might keep her on better behavior.

  Cameron opened his parents’ front door with his key, and as he stepped inside the entrance, he wondered if he should have knocked or rung the doorbell first. Now it was too late.

  “There you are,” Selena said, coming out of the kitchen. She was dressed in a classy navy suit, with a Bluetooth at her ear. “Oh, good, you brought an umbrella. Jane was worried about ruining her dress.”

  Cameron looked over at the living room. “Where is Jane?” Since he was late, he fully expected her to be waiting.

  “I’ll get her,” Selena said and started up the stairs.

  Cameron hoped that Jane wasn’t one of those women who kept a date waiting for an hour.

  But he didn’t have to worry, because moments after Selena disappeared from the landing, another woman appeared at the top of the stairs.

  Cameron stared as Jane walked down the steps. His mom had been right. Canceling on Jane would have been very discourteous. She wore a fitted red dress, accentuating the curves Cameron had only guessed at when she’d worn her jeans and T-shirts to clean in—not that he was admitting to guessing at anything. Her hair was done up, leaving her shoulders bare. The pearls she wore seemed to gleam beneath the glow of the chandelier.

  Cameron swallowed.

  “You brought an umbrella,” she said.

  Cameron held it up stupidly as if to say, yes, he had brought an umbrella that they could both plainly see. “It’s still raining,” he said.

  She had neared the final step, and Cameron instinctively held his hand out. Jane placed her hand in his as she stepped down the final stair and came to stand before him. She smelled like summer blossoms, and he noticed she wore dark red lip gloss, which complemented her dress very nicely. This gown couldn’t be his mother’s—or if it was, he’d never seen her wear it.

  “What do you think?” Jane asked in a soft voice.

  Cameron blinked, then realized he was still holding her hand. He released it and said, “You’re stunning, Jane.” Perhaps that wasn’t the right thing to say... In this circumstance, he should be more professional and cordial.

  Her rosy lips turned up in a smile. “You clean up well too, Mr. Vance.”

  “Cameron, remember?” he said.

  She nodded, making her teardrop pearl earrings sway. “I remember.”

  “Don’t forget your wrap,” Selena came down the stairs, carrying a black wrap. She set it on Jane’s shoulders with a smile. “I’ll see you there.”

  “Thank you,” Jane told Selena, then turned back to Cameron.

  He realized he was still staring at her. Forcing himself to walk, he crossed to the door and opened it. The rain had lightened up, but he popped open the umbrella and guided Jane to the car. Opening the passenger door for her, he made sure to keep the umbrella over her as she climbed in. Then he hurried around to the other side of the car, folded the umbrella, then set the dripping thing on the floor behind his seat.

  He didn’t know why his heart was racing after such a short jaunt to the car. He tried to calm his breathing so Jane wouldn’t notice as he started the engine. “Did you get your dad off to his game night okay?” he asked.

  Jane looked over at him. “Yes, although Pete wasn’t too happy.”

  “Pete? Your dad?”

  “Oh, no.” She gave a small laugh. “He’s the friend my dad visits. They go way back. I think Pete has a bit of a crush on me, although I keep telling him I’m too young for someone as classy as he.”

  Cameron chuckled. He didn’t doubt that this Pete fellow had a crush on Jane. She was easy to talk to, not to mention beautiful. “So... uh... Do you spend every Saturday night there?”

  “Yep,” Jane said, and he heard warmth in her voice. “The people at the center are so interesting to talk to. Their life stories are remarkable, and they’re also full of wisdom. If I ever have a question or problem, they’re quick to give advice, even unsolicited.”

  “Like Facebook gives advice?”

  Jane laughed. “That’s one way to put it. I prefer talking to people in person.”

  “Me too.” Cameron turned onto the street that led to the Pine Valley Ski Resort. The benefit would take place at the Alpine Lodge restaurant. He glanced over at Jane and saw that she was watching him.

  “Did you get some sleep?” she asked. “You’re looking much better—not that a tux doesn’t help a man look better.”

  He smirked. “A tux does help, but yeah, I did crash for about an hour.”

  “I’m glad,” she said. “I didn’t want my charity date falling asleep on me.”

  “Charity? Is that what I am?” he teased, stealing a glance at her.

  “I’m the charity date,” Jane said. “But I don’t mind. It’s not every day a girl gets to wear a dress like this. I’m just afraid to eat anything. I don’t want to get it dirty.”

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to eat—it’s five hundred a plate, you know.”

  “Yeah, my dad told me.” She sighed. “Maybe I could ask for a to-go box.”

  Cameron laughed. “I dare you.”

  Jane shook her head. “I don’t think I’m that brave. Besides, I am pretty hungry, and it probably beats the chicken teriyaki I fixed for my dad earlier.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Cameron said. “I happen to know you’re a pretty good cook.”

  She smiled. “I can hold my own.”

  “Hmm,” Cameron mused. “You’ll have to let me know if the Alpine Lodge meal passes your muster. Have you eaten there before?”

  “Not yet,” she said. “Like I mentioned, my weekends are filled with work and playing card games with senior citizens.”

  Lights glowed from the Alpine Lodge as they turned into the parking lot, and Cameron pulled into the line of cars waiting for valet service. “Maybe someday I’ll check out the center. I’ve been known to win a few card games.”

  “They don’t play for money, you know,” she said in a teasing tone. “You’ll have to bring your own package of butterscotch candy.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Cameron pulled forward; there were two cars ahead of them. He looked over at her. “Hey, before we go into the gala, I want to thank you for agreeing to come tonight. I know it was last minute—”

  “No problem.” Jane lifted a hand to cut him off. “And don’t you dare offer me money again. Your mom tried multiple times. I’m happy to play Cinderella for one night. I just hope you won’t get any backlash from Crystal later.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Cameron said. “She’s already texted me a few threats today. I might see if I can snag my lawyer friend Dawson Harris while we’re here and show the texts to him.”

  Jane’s brows shot up. “What did she threaten?”

  “Nothing specific—just to cause trouble if I tell anyone about the furniture purchases,” he sai
d.

  A valet approached the car.

  “Well, here we go.” Cameron put the car into park. They were under the hotel awning, so he didn’t need to worry about using the umbrella to get Jane inside the building. He hurried around the car again and opened her door.

  She placed her hand in his as she climbed out of the car. Yep, she smelled like summer blossoms. Cameron moved her hand to the crook of his elbow. But then she turned and set the wrap she’d been wearing on the front seat of the car.

  Cameron was more than aware of her warmth on his arm as they walked to the front entrance. They were greeted by the director of the hospital, who had taken it upon himself to welcome every guest who entered the building. The director didn’t look surprised to see Cameron with a woman who wasn’t Crystal, so Cameron surmised that his mom had told the man about the breakup.

  The inside of the building had been decorated to look like a scene out of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with huge potted plants and billowing streamers flowing down from the ceiling. The benefit’s theme for the night was printed on a giant banner that read “Give the Dream of a Healthy Life.”

  In the main lobby, several tables were set up with auction items, and a young woman dressed in a fairy costume approached them with an auction number.

  “Are you together, or would you like your own numbers?” she asked.

  “We’re together,” Cameron was quick to say. He didn’t want Jane worrying about bidding on an item.

  The costumed woman handed over the auction number.

  “Thank you,” Cameron said and took the number.

  “What are your names, and I can tell you your dinner table number.”

  Cameron gave her his name while he glanced about. Several people milled about the tables, and a band played soft jazz music in the main restaurant beyond.

  “This place looks amazing,” Jane said, sounding truly impressed. “Did your mom orchestrate the decorations as well?”

  “She did,” he said. “She’s been working on the details for months.”

  “No wonder she didn’t want you to miss this.”

  Cameron laughed. “I think she’s got you on her side already.” He paused when he saw a man at the far table turn. “Come on, there’s my father. I’ll introduce you.”