Then You Happened (21 page)

Cameron followed and we swam back to the dock. Jolene was standing there and handed us some towels.

“I’m confused as to what’s going on here,” she said.

“We’ll explain it to you later. Tell Mom and Dad that Sierra’s in town and we’ll be back tomorrow. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Cameron took my hand and led me into the house and up to his room. He changed out of his wet clothes and had Jolene bring me one of her sundresses. He threw a few things in a bag and we headed outside. I threw him the keys to the rental car. He looked at the Escalade and shook his head.

“Of course you rented this.” He laughed.

“I tried to rent a Porsche, but the girl looked at me like I was crazy.”

The minute we climbed into the vehicle, he reached over and kissed me passionately. “I’m so happy you’re here.” He smiled.

“Me too. I’m just sorry it took me so long.”

“I would’ve waited for you forever if I had to, Sierra.”

A tear formed in my eye. “I wouldn’t have made you wait forever. Now, where are we going?”

“You pick.”

I pulled out my phone and pulled up google. I had only one bar of service and I was going to make this work.

“It looks like the only decent hotel around is the Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham.”

“I know exactly where it’s at and it’s only a few miles from here.”

“I just don’t understand why there aren’t any Hiltons or Trump Hotels here.”

He laughed as he picked up my hand and brought it to his lips. “I sure did miss you.”

Chapter 37

Cameron

I lay there with Sierra wrapped in my arms, cuddled up against me as tight as she could be. The sheets were torn off the bed and the phone and lamp were knocked over on the floor. We had amazing sex. Not once, not twice, but three times in the couple of hours we were in the hotel room. My fingers caressed her bare skin and I was the happiest man in the world. Sierra Adams told me that she loved me. Hearing those words come from her were nothing but sweet music to my ears. I was so in love with her and I was never going to let her go. She lifted her head and gave me a soft kiss on my lips.

“You taste good.” She smiled.

“You taste better.”

“I want you to know that I went to Danny’s Tacos and had a burrito.”

“You did?”

“Yep. I missed you so much that going there helped me feel closer to you, if that makes any sense.”

“It does, babe. It makes perfect sense. By the way, how did your meeting go with that ballroom dance company?”

“It didn’t go well. She wasn’t impressed. Right before I left to come here, I went to her hotel room and said a few things to her.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle because I could just see her doing that. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

“It’s fine. It’s her loss, not mine. And, by the way, you have our living room to remodel.”

“Ours?” I asked.

She lifted herself up and looked at me. “Yes, ours. That’s if you’ll move to L.A. and move in with me.”

“Back in the guest house?” I smiled.

“No! The main house.”

“That means you’ll have to share your closet.”

She bit down on her bottom lip and made the cutest face. “Oh. That’s something we’ll have to discuss later. My closet is my—”

I put my finger over her lips. “Shh, babe. I know and I’ll do whatever you want.”

“We have another problem,” she said.

“What problems could we possibly have?”

“Did you forget that your parents think I’m a Starbucks lesbian barista and my mom thinks you’re an escort I hired for sex?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I guess we’ll have to tell them the truth because I’m not going to have a lesbian girlfriend.”

“
Boom!
Another shock for Delia!” She smiled.

“My brother’s wedding is
this weekend. Are you going to be okay staying here a few more days?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because of the cell phone service issue.”

“Fuck work. I’m on vacation. Kirsty can handle things. I’m not worried.”

I smiled as I placed my hand around the nape of her neck and brought her lips to mine, starting round four.

****

Sierra

Cameron was still in the shower and I was looking through my suitcase for an outfit. I saw something out of the corner of my eye and, when I realized what the white furry thing was, I screamed at the top of my lungs and jumped on the bed. Cameron came running from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“What’s wrong?!”

“THERE’S A MOUSE IN HERE!”

“Where?”

“I think it went under the bed. OH MY GOD, do something! There it is!” I screamed again as it scurried out from under the bed and went under the desk. He grabbed a glass from the nightstand and put it over the furry little creature.

“There. I’ll call the desk and have someone come get him.”

“We’re leaving right now. I am not getting off this bed until that door is open and we leave.”

“Sierra, he’s trapped. It’s okay.”

“No. It’s not okay. Hurry up and get dressed. Hurry!”

I knelt down on the bed, grabbed my shorts and top, and zipped up my suitcase. Cameron went back in the bathroom, collected our things, threw them in his bag, and quickly got dressed. He grabbed my suitcase and opened the door.

“Come on, babe.”

“Hell, no. I am not stepping one foot on that floor. You come and carry me out that door.”

Cameron laughed. “Are you serious? He’s trapped.”

“I don’t care. Carry me!” I snapped.

He walked over to the bed and held out his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist and he carried me out of the room. Before he put me down, he brushed his lips against mine.

“You’re crazy, but I still love you.” He smiled.

“You better. Now we need to find a better hotel, even if we have to travel far.”

“We can stay at my house. You’ll sleep in my bed and my parents will have to deal with it.”

“No. We won’t be able to have crazy wild sex and, believe me, I’m nowhere finished with you.”

“Right. Start googling,” he said as he put me down.

I climbed into the car, trying to calm down from my near heart attack and pulled up a non-list of luxury hotels.
What the hell is wrong with this place?
I ran across an ad for a Smoky Mountain Mansion that was only five miles away from Cameron’s house. Now, we’re talking! I dialed the number as Cameron climbed into the SUV.

“Hello, I would like to rent your place for the next few days…I see… No, I want the house to myself.”

Cameron looked over at me. Poor guy was so confused.

“Well, I’m sorry, but a single room isn’t an option. I will pay you triple of what you’re asking for the rest of the week if my boyfriend and I can have the whole house to ourselves, plus a nonrefundable deposit. How does that sound?”

I smiled when the man on the other end of the phone agreed to my terms. “I knew you’d see things my way. We’ll be by shortly. Can you please send me the address?”

“What was all that about?” Cameron asked.

“I rented us a small house. Here’s the address. It’s only five miles from your parents’ house. We’ll have the whole place to ourselves and complete privacy.”

“I know these small houses around here, Sierra, and I’m not so sure you’ll be happy.”

I smiled as I looked over and pinched his cheek. “I’ll be happy, honey.”

The GPS told Cameron to make a left turn into the driveway. “This can’t be right. This damn GPS took us to the wrong place.”

I took in a deep breath. “No, this is the right place,” I said.

“Sierra, this is a mansion. You said you rented a small house.”

We got out of the SUV and I stood in front of the large house and smiled. “Isn’t it perfect?”

“Leave it up to you to find something like this in this small-ass town,” he said as he shook his head.

The man I spoke with on the phone, known as Blake, walked out and met us in the driveway. He led us into the house and into the kitchen, where I had to sign a rental agreement.

“Would you like me to show you around?” Blake asked.

“No, thank you. We can show ourselves around.” I smiled.

He handed me the keys and left.

“I can’t believe you did this. Wait; actually, I can believe it,” he said as he followed me around.

“Look at this amazing house, Cam. This is way better than any hotel.” There were open stairs to a lower level. I walked down them and gasped.

“Look, we have a pool table.” I smiled as I climbed on top of it.

“Okay, you’ve convinced me.” Cameron smiled as he held my face in his hands.

Chapter 38

Cameron

After having a make-out session, I helped Sierra off the pool table, which was going to be utilized by us later tonight, and went back upstairs. We reached the third floor and looked in all of the six bedrooms.

“Well, which one are we sleeping in?” I asked.

“Does it really matter? We’re going to be fucking in all of them.”

“I love the way you think.” I winked.

My phone started ringing and when I pulled it out of my pocket, it was my mom calling.

“Hey, Mom.”

“We heard Sierra was in town and want her to come over for dinner. It’ll be ready in an hour, so make sure you both are here.”

“We’ll be there, Mom. I know she’s really excited to see you.”

I hung up and wrapped my arms around Sierra’s waist. “We’re going to dinner at my parents’ house and we’re going to tell my family the truth about you.”

“Then we better stop on the way and grab a bottle of tequila or two.”

“Done. You know I’ll always take care of you,” I said as I brushed my lips against hers.

We stopped at the liquor store and bought a couple of bottles of wine and tequila. We pulled up to the house and I grabbed Sierra’s hand as she took in a deep breath.

“See what happens when we lie?” she said.

“You started it.”

She laughed and we walked into the house. Immediately, my mom ran from the kitchen and gave Sierra a welcome hug.

“We are so excited to see you again, Sierra.”

“How’s the barista business doing?” my dad asked her.

“Both of you come in the kitchen and I’ll pour you some iced tea,” Luanne said.

“What’s in the bag, son?” my dad asked as I set it on the counter.

“Oh, just a couple bottles of wine and tequila for later.”

****

Sierra

I felt like I was in the kitchen of Paula Deen. I can say that because I was a few years back when Adams Advertising was a sponsor for her TV show. She invited my father and me to come and watch her cook a meal for her show.

“It smells amazing in here, Luanne.”

“Thank you, sweetie. There’s nothing like a southern home-cooked meal. I called everyone in the family and they should all be here any minute. Now, you and Cameron go sit down.”

I looked at Cameron as he held up the bottle of tequila and smiled. I smiled back as I held up two fingers, signaling to make it a double. The rest of the Cole Clan breezed through the door and hugged me one by one. Mark pulled me over to the side and kissed me on the cheek.

“Thank you, Sierra. You have made my brother very happy.”

“He’s made me very happy.” I smiled.

“What’s going on over here? Are you trying to steal my girlfriend?” Cameron whispered to his brother.

“Nah. I tried that the last time she was here. She wasn’t falling for it.” He winked at me.

We all took our places at the table and Cameron set down the glass of tequila in front of me. I so desperately wanted to give him a thank-you kiss, but the cat wasn’t out of the bag yet.

Luanne and Kelly set the food down on the table. “Here we go everybody. We have southern fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, corn bread, mashed potatoes and gravy, and some sweet creamed corn.”

To me, it all looked like a heart attack waiting to happen.
A bonafide artery clogging meal. Everyone passed the food around one by one. I took very little of everything so I didn’t appear rude.

“You owe me food later,” I whispered in Cameron’s ear.

“And you owe me a pool table.” He smiled. “Well, since the family is all here, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Oh boy, here we go. I picked up the glass of tequila and threw it back.

“Sierra and I are now officially dating and I’m going to be moving in with her.”

The table fell silent and all eyes turned to me.

“But she’s a lesbian,” Luanne blurted out.

I wanted to crawl under the table and hide.

“No, Mom. She’s not. We just made all that up on the spot. You know, like a joke.”

“So then she’s not a lesbian barista. She’s just a barista?” Jerry said.

“No, Dad. She’s neither. She’s not a lesbian or a barista.”

I placed my hand on Cameron’s arm and told him to let me as I stood up.

“Cole family,” I spoke. “I’m sorry if Cam and I lied to you. It was solely meant for a joke and, to be honest, I didn’t think I’d ever really see any of you again. My name is Sierra Adams and I’m the CEO of Adams Advertising and Design. I run one of the top ten advertising firms in the country. I have a home in Hollywood Hills and I’m madly in love with Cameron. And if it makes you feel any better, my mother thinks he’s an escort I hired for companionship.”

I took another drink of my tequila and sat down.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Jerry said. “Look at that, Lu. We have a celebrity right in our very home.”

“So you’re not a lesbian?” Jolene asked.

“No, sweetie. But I totally support them.” I smiled.

The rest of the family was cool about it, but Luanne didn’t seem happy.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Cameron asked.

“Nothing. Now that we know the truth and that you’re moving away, it’s all good.” She started to cry as she got up and left the table.

“Aw, damn,” Jerry said. “Let me go see if I can talk some sense into her.”

Cameron looked over at me with a sad look on his face.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, babe. I’ll talk to her later.”

A few moments later, Luanne came back and sat down at the table. She wouldn’t look at me and I felt horrible. Needless to say, dinner was a silent one. After we ate, and I finished off another double of tequila, I helped clean up the table and the kitchen, and went down by the lake with Cameron.

“I think we hurt your mom’s feelings,” I said as I ran my hand up and down his back.

“Nah. I think she’s upset because I’m moving to California.”

“Do you want to move back with me?” I asked nervously.

“Of course I do. I love you, Sierra.”

“I love you too. Why don’t we go give your mom a drink and talk to her?”

“We can try.”

We walked hand in hand up to the house and something was going on in the living room. There was a lot of discussion going on.

“What’s going on in here?” Cameron asked.

“It looks like we need to postpone the wedding,” Jaden said as he held his crying, I assumed because I’d never met her, fiancée.

“Why?”

“The hall where the reception was booked burnt down this afternoon. Magnolia called all over town and there’s nothing available for month
s,” Luanne spoke.

Magnolia? Was that her real name?

“I can’t wait months. I’ll look like an ole beached whale if we wait and I don’t want to look like a whale,” she cried hysterically.

Jaden tried to comfort her, but the more he did, the worse she cried.

“I have an idea,” I spoke up.

Magnolia looked up at me. “And who are you?” she asked.

“I’m the person who’s going to make sure you have a fabulous wedding.”

“Sierra, what are you talking about?” Cameron asked with a panicked tone.

“Long story short, I rented Cameron and me a mansion for the next few days and the back yard is huge. It even has a pavilion. It would be the perfect spot for a wedding reception, especially being right on the lake.”

“It’s too late to plan all that. The hall was taking care of everything,” Magnolia cried again.

I walked over to her and grabbed her hand. “Magnolia, darling. It’s never too late to plan a spectacular event. Leave everything to me.”

“Sierra, I don’t think—” Cameron started to speak.

“Then don’t, darling. Do you trust me?” I asked seriously as I looked into his eyes.

“Yes, I do.”

“Then leave it at that. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Cam and I are going to go back to our rental house. I have some phone calls to make.”

“Thank you so much. I don’t know how to ever repay you,” Magnolia said.

“The only payment I’ll accept is that you two love each other for the rest of your lives. Come on, Cameron,” I said as I grabbed his hand and pulled him along.

We climbed into the Escalade and I pulled out my phone. “Hurry and get me to where I’ll have a good signal.”

“Do you know what you’re doing?” he asked.

“Do you know who you’re dating?” I replied.

Once we pulled out of the driveway and were halfway down the road, I got two bars on my phone. I dialed Kirsty.

“Hey, girl! James and I were just talking about you.”

“I need you to listen to me very carefully. I’m going to do a three-way call with Sasha, so hold on.”

I dialed Sasha.

“Hey, boss lady,” she answered.

“Hi, Sasha, I have Kirsty on with us. I need your full attention. I need your help pulling off a wedding reception for this Saturday.”

“OH MY GOD! You and Cameron are getting married!” Kirsty squealed.

“No. It’s not for me. It’s for Cam’s brother and fiancée. Their hall burnt down today along with all their plans, so I’m stepping in.”

“Oh,” they both said.

“I need you both here. Bring James and Rosa too.”

“What?” Kirsty asked.

“You heard me. So get on the next flight out here and don’t forget to arrange for a car service to pick you up from the airport. I’ll text you the address to the rental house Cameron and I are staying at. It has six bedrooms, so you’ll stay with us.”

“Fine. We’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Thank you. I love you both. I’ll see you soon.”

I hung up and Cameron took hold of my hand. “There goes the house to ourselves so we better fuck like rabbits tonight.” He smiled.

“We’ll start as soon as we get back. Now, I have another call to make.”

I pulled up Paul’s number and hit call.

“Is that you, Sierra?”

“Hello, Paul. I need a favor.”

“Anything for you, darling.”

“Can you ship some wedding dresses to North Carolina, like overnight tonight, and also throw in some cocktail dresses for me?”

“Of course. What’s going on?”

“Cameron’s brother is getting married and there’s a problem, so I’m helping out.”

“Of course. That’s very sweet of you, Sierra. Text me the shipping address and I’ll go pull some now. What size is the bride?”

“She’s about five feet five inches and I would say she’s about a size 6.”

“Perfect.”

“Oh, Paul? It’s an outdoor reception. Keep that in mind.”

“Will do, doll. Toodles.”

I took in a deep breath as we pulled in the driveway. “A couple more calls, and then I’m all yours.” I smiled.

“You better mean that.”

“Promise on my Prada.”

I pulled up my contacts one more time and dialed Paula St. Hue. Her company supplied the tents, tables, linens, and chairs for events. They were a huge client of Adams Advertising and she owed me a favor.

“Paula, it’s Sierra. How are you?”

“I’m good, Sierra. How are you doing?”

“Great. I need a favor. Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t you have a huge warehouse in Knoxville?”

“Why, yes, we do. It’s our second largest.”

“Perfect. I need about eighteen tables, 150 chairs, and two large white tents. It’s for a wedding over in Robbinsville, NC. I’ll text you the address. If you can have them here by Friday, I’ll be a happy woman.”

“Consider it done. I’ll call the warehouse now.”

“Thank you, Paula. I appreciate it.”