Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(61)
Tears streamed down my cheeks and I jumped in his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. “Oh my God, I don’t know what to say. Why would you spend all of that money? The land wasn’t worth that much.”
“It was to you,” he murmured. “You didn’t want to sell it and I knew that. I just wanted to make you happy.”
“You did,” I cried. “More than anything. But now I don’t know how to repay you.” I smacked him playfully and shook my head.
With a sly smile, he carried me over to the kitchen table and set me down. “I may have some ideas.”
“I like the way you think, Mr. Jameson.”
Two Months Later
FOR THE LAST week, Camden and I had spent time in the mountains with his family, preparing for Ryley and Ash’s wedding. I met everyone, including his mother, who was overjoyed to have her son back. With his history, I never expected him to have such a normal family, but surprisingly they were. His mamaw was my favorite, and her homemade biscuits were simply to die for. I think I gained ten pounds eating them and it showed by how snug my pants started to get.
Ryley and Ashleigh had a joint bachelor and bachelorette party where all of their friends and family got together for a bonfire and tons of food. I ate so much I got sick and threw up; it was embarrassing as hell. Luckily, only Camden witnessed the whole deal.
The day had finally come for the wedding and it was a crisp, autumn day without a single cloud in the sky. There were rows and rows of white seats out in the meadow with a small gazebo and arch. The flowers were beautiful and stationed at each row of chairs. It was perfect. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same for my dress. Ashleigh had asked me to be a bridesmaid a couple of months ago and I happily accepted. The only problem was that I didn’t know if it was going to zip.
“Shit, shit, holy hell shit,” I hissed.
Ashleigh and Gabby both laughed. “Having trouble?” Gabby quipped, sauntering to my side. We both had our hair down with the sides pulled back and a crown of vines. Ashleigh was serious when she said she wanted her wedding like the one in that Robin Hood movie. Our crowns had vines and berries, but hers was larger and intertwined with flowers. The dress I was supposed to wear was a silky, one shoulder ordeal in a deep red. Gabby looked great in hers.
Coming up behind me, Gabby grabbed the zipper and started to zip me up; it got stuck halfway. “Girl, don’t you have a girdle or something? What have you been eating? We work out every single day so I know you’re not sitting on your ass.”
“She could be pregnant,” Ashleigh chimed in nonchalantly. At that moment, Gabby and I froze and turned to Ashleigh who was putting on her earrings, laughing. When she saw us, her eyes went wide. “I was kidding. Geez, lighten up.” Then it all hit and a silence took over the room.
Gabby quickly turned me around and Ashleigh rushed over. They both inspected me like they’d be able to tell by just looking at me. “You have looked a little pale for a couple of weeks,” Gabby admitted. She then slapped a hand to her mouth and closed her eyes. “Oh my God, B. What if you’re pregnant? We’ve been sparring every day. What if I hurt the baby?”
Ashleigh put a hand on her shoulder and Gabby opened her eyes looking distressed. “Gabby, it’s okay. If she’s pregnant I’m sure she’s fine. You’ll just lose your sparring partner for a while.”
Gabby shook her head, all motherly. “Damn, what is it with you two. Why can’t you do things the right way and get engaged, then get married, and then get pregnant. I swear I’m the only responsible one here.”
“I’m not pregnant,” I said not too convincingly. Thinking back, I couldn’t even remember when I had my last period.
“When was your last monthly?” Ashleigh asked.
“I don’t remember. I take the pills and only have it four times a year. So much has happened, I haven’t even paid attention. I missed taking them a couple of times, but I always doubled up like I was supposed to.”
“Hmm . . . let me see.” Picking up the hem of her dress she hurried off to her bathroom and fumbled around, dropping things left and right. “Ah-ha,” she exclaimed. “I got one.” She came out of the bathroom with a pregnancy test in her hand. “Take this now. In the meantime, I’ll find you a pair of control top panty hose to hold you in. Your dress is long enough to where no one will be able to tell.” I took the stick from her and stared at it. Could this really be happening? “And you did get sick the other night during the bonfire. I saw you throw up in the bushes.”
I groaned. “I didn’t think anyone saw that other than Camden.”
“And he didn’t question why you got sick?”
“I just told him I ate too much.”
Gabby unzipped my dress and I stepped out, wearing only a strapless bra and underwear. “Go take the test, B. We’ll be out here waiting for you. If you are pregnant, Camden’s going to freak. Did you see his face when Ryley asked him to hold Emma?”
Ashleigh slapped her on the arm. “Gabby, shut the hell up, you’re not helping. He did well with Emma . . . maybe a little stiff, but still father material. You should’ve seen Ryley when he changed their first dirty diapers. Now that was a sight.”
Clutching my stomach, I leaned against the door frame and swallowed hard. It felt like I was going to throw up. “Guys, he’s not ready for this. What if he freaks out?”