Passionate Kisses Read online

St. John’s.

  With my Dad? And Ted? And your sister?

  Yes. lol

  This is not funny.

  I’m not being funny.

  Tell me what’s going on! We don’t need a fake wedding. Everyone is gone.

  I’ll explain when we get back.

  When will that be?

  Tomorrow. Just trust me. :)

  What were they up to?

  Elsie went in search of her mother. “Do you know what’s going on?”

  “No. Your father wouldn’t tell me.”

  There was a fresh blueberry tart cooling on the kitchen counter. Elsie absentmindedly picked at the crust.

  “Cam loves me,” she said.

  “Of course. Who wouldn’t love you?”

  Spoken like a mom.

  “I’m in love with him.”

  “I know.” Her mother poured up a glass of Malbec and handed it to Elsie. Then she poured one for herself. “Cheers to that. I’m very happy for you.”

  “But I’m not ready to get married. And I’m afraid Cam might be. I think he’s off planning some kind of surprise wedding. I don’t want a surprise wedding, Mom. And I’m not ready to get married. It’s one thing to fall in love in less than a week. And another to get married right away. This isn’t 1935!”

  “You’re right. So tell him.”

  “But what if he breaks it off? What if I say I don’t want to get married and he decides it’s over?”

  “Well, marry him then.” Her mother was being incredibly calm about this.

  “You are not helping me, Mother,” Elsie said. She’d eaten all the crust off the side of the tart. In for a penny. She grabbed a fork and dug in to it.

  “Do you want to marry him at all?”

  “I don’t know,” Elsie said, her mouth full. “How am I supposed to know that?”

  “Well, can you picture your future and see him in it?”

  That’s all she could see. That, and a little girl sitting on her lap while Cam taught their grandson to draw. Damn power of suggestion.

  “Ohhhh,” Elsie said. “He’s good. Really good.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Dirty trick, using grandchildren.”

  Her mother’s eyes lit up. “You’re -”

  “No! Not your grandchildren. Mine.” She rubbed her hands across her face. “Never mind. It’s nothing. You wouldn’t understand.” Elsie didn’t really understand either, and yet, here she was thinking about growing old with Cam. Which implied marriage. And children. Certainly children if the grandchildren were ever going to make it into the picture. Damn it. He could paint a picture as effectively with words as he could with a brush.

  “You’ve got that much right. But then again, I’ve never really understood you. I just sit back, take it all in, and marvel at the end result.”

  Elsie thought for a moment before committing herself.

  “Mom. Find Aunt Ida. We have a busy night ahead of us.”

  “There’s no one here tonight.”

  “That’s right. Which gives us plenty of time. He thinks he can spring a wedding on me? Well, I’ve got news for him. If we’re getting married, I’m the one planning it.”

  ——

  Once they managed to get Ida to stop cackling with glee, the real work began. Elsie had a vision, which she outlined in detail to her mother and aunt. It was simple. It was elegant. And it was exactly the wedding she and Cam deserved. The only thing that wouldn’t be perfect was that her brother wouldn’t be there for it. But she managed to get Will on the phone and discussed the whole plan with him. He even made a suggestion that she thought was even better than her original idea.

  The last thing she did before falling to sleep was call Cam.

  She tried to get him to tell her what he was doing, and why they weren’t home. But he wouldn’t budge.

  “Not even if I tell you what I’m wearing? And where my hands are?”

  He snorted. “You’re wearing some hideous flannel pants and a moth-eaten old shirt. And your hands are busy holding a cup of tea.”

  She looked around her room, expecting him to pop out of the closet.

  “Where are you?” she demanded.

  “I’m in a cheap hotel, sharing a room with my sister. Your Dad and Ted are next door. Although I’m not sure how wise that was.”

  “Then how did you -”

  “My love, I know you. I’ve always known you. Now drink your tea and go to sleep. You might be busy tomorrow.”

  “Whatever you’re planning, Cam, it’s not going to turn out the way you want it. So you might as well not bother.”

  He laughed.

  “I’m serious. Don’t waste your energy.”

  “Good night, my love. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He was laughing as he hung up.

  Cam could laugh all he wanted, but Elsie had all the control.

  FOURTEEN

  Cam woke with one thought in mind. He was getting married today. It could rain, hail, snow, or shine, and it didn’t make a difference. There was nothing that was going to put a dent in his plans—other than Elsie. It was all dependent on her. But he was confident she would indeed say yes. Daphne thought he was crazy. Not for wanting to marry someone he’d known for only days, but to try and pull off such a stunt. George Walsh, on the other hand, thought it was perfect. Cam thought he knew Elsie pretty well, but her father knew her much better. It was his idea to send her the photos of the wedding gowns.

  “Trust me,” George had said as they enjoyed a delicious meal of fish and chips. “This is the way to get her brain moving in the right direction.”

  In a couple of hours his parents and siblings would arrive, and they’d be ready to head back to Heart’s Ease. All that remained was to go gather up the few things they needed to bring back with them. Namely, a ring, some flowers, and their suits. Ted was travelling back separately, his part of the plan requiring a larger vehicle.

  It had to work. Cam wasn’t willing to consider any alternative. When you knew what you wanted, you made it happen. It was that simple. And he wanted Elsie. Not just for some casual, long-distance relationship. He wanted a life with her. Wanted to wake up with her every morning, and go to bed with her each night. He wanted to be there to watch her business continue to grow, and be her sounding board when she wanted to make a change, or try something new. He wanted to give her everything she wanted, and to open her eyes to things she’d never dreamed of. He needed her to challenge him, to force him to rethink what he thought he understood. He was better with her. And he believed they’d be better together.

  It was risky, this plan of his. It could backfire. Push her away. But he felt he knew her, understood her soul, and the way she thought. She just needed a little prompting. And that’s all they were doing. Easing her into it.

  “Come on, young fella,” George said, coming into the dining room of the hotel. “Big day. And we’ve got a lot of work to do if it’s going to happen.”

  “Were you talking to Elsie? Or her Mum?”

  “Just got off the phone. There’s definitely something going on back there. Noreen wouldn’t tell me what, and played dumb when I dared to suggest she was keeping something from me. But mark my words, they’re up to something. We better get back soon. I told her to expect us around two. Sound right?”

  “Sounds right to me.”

  “So, let’s skedaddle. My second trip in two days to pick up your clan.”

  “I know, sir. I really appreciate your support.”

  “Ah, it’s all good. We’ll be family before the day is out, if we’re lucky.” He clapped Cam on the back and they headed out to set things in motion.

  ——

  The place was in a state of utter chaos. Elsie had commandeered every one she could to make this happen. Ida had even convinced her to hire “that poor young photographer” to take her wedding pictures. She’d agreed, once he’d signed a contract not to sell the photos to the press.

  The hardest par
t was finding someone to conduct the ceremony. There was a small Catholic church in Heart’s Ease, but Father Kevin said he wasn’t allowed to marry anyone outside the church. Rev. Susan from the United Church in Heart’s Content had a funeral and didn’t think she should do it. Which left a Captain in the Salvation Army from the church in Heart’s Delight. He was thrilled to do it, and promised to bring his accordion with him. Elsie wasn’t sure an accordion was quite the instrument she envisioned walking down the aisle to, but then again, nothing about this wedding was on par with the dreams she’d had as a young girl. Which was most likely for the best, since she didn’t really have the body mass to hold up the huge taffeta pink gown she had cut out and glued in a scrap book when she was ten. That thing probably weighed a hundred pounds.

  No, her wedding dress was going to be much simpler. When she’d bought those new dresses during her trip to town with Cam, she hadn’t realized she was picking out her wedding gown. But after they’d examined her closet last night, it now seemed like the dress had been made exactly for that purpose.

  She popped into the ballroom to take a look at how preparations were going. The ceiling was aglow with white icicle lights. Brown sheers draped everything that could be decorated, and the room was taking on an intimate warmth. The chairs were arranged in a shape that was somewhere between a circle and a semi-circle. It was Aunt Ida’s idea that since there would be so few guests, everyone could have a front row view if they exchanged vows in the centre of a circle.

  Exchanged vows. Elsie shivered with anticipation. She’d tossed and turned the whole night, testing herself with countless scenarios and theories to make sure she was making the right decision. To her satisfaction, her analytical mind could come up with no reason why she shouldn’t marry Cam today. She’d had an easier time listing reasons why it was better to do it now, than later.

  5 Reasons To Marry Cam Today

  (in reverse order, because all the best lists should lead up to the most important things)

  Number 5: It’s bound to happen eventually so why wait and obsess about planning (which I will do because that’s my nature) when we can do it right here, right now.

  Number 4: It’s best to marry him now while he thinks it’s a great idea, than have to convince him later on down the road.

  Number 3: Less money spent on the wedding means more money for a honeymoon in a hot clime! Woo hoo!

  Number 2: I love him. I really, really do. As amazing as that might be.

  Number 1: He loves me. Even more amazing. And he wants to marry me. And he’ll make me happy. And I’ll make him happy. And even though I may want to ignore him sometimes, he’s always honest with me. And how can you not want to marry a man that’s honest with you? And loves you. And is great in bed. And anywhere else, for that matter.

  ——

  So her number one reason might have had a few things going on, but it all boiled down to one thing. The normal, expected, typical thing to do would be to wait and marry him after they’d had a few years to really get to know each other. And to date, there was nothing normal or typical about anything they’d shared. She knew the important stuff. The rest of it she could discover as the years went by. The more she thought about it, the more she hoped she was still learning things about him when they were as old as Aunt Ida.

  And a small part of her couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise on Cam’s face when he realized she’d beaten him to the punch. He could show up at her door with a wedding chapel on a flatbed truck and they’d still have the wedding she was planning. He could bring in Gordon Ramsay to cook, and they’d still eat the moose stew and homemade rolls her mother was cooking. She might not refuse some flowers, if they were simple enough, but that was it. Unless Asher wanted to play. But since he was the best man that wasn’t likely. Captain Squires’s accordion it would have to be.

  By one thirty she had made sure that every possible thing was ready. Then she locked the ballroom door. It was important that the house not appear as if anything special at all was planned. She wished the wedding could take place the moment he arrived, but they had to wait until Captain Squires could get here at four thirty.

  She went to her office and tried to focus on work, but it was difficult. Every few seconds she was peeking out the window to see if Cam had arrived. Curiosity played a big role in it. While she wanted the wedding she was planning, she was dying to know what Cam had planned. Her wedding was small, and homey, and intimate. Rooted in her favourite things. Was Cam thinking along the same vein, or was he concocting something more elaborate and grand? If the wedding gown pictures he’d sent were any indication, it seemed like he was leaning towards classic traditionalism. Big fluffy white gowns, and taffeta, and tulle. Was there a way she could sneak a peek at his wedding before beginning hers?

  Part of her felt guilty, letting him carry out his scheme. But she had warned him not to do anything. It wasn’t her fault if he was a stubborn man and didn’t listen.

  At almost two o’clock on the dot, Cam and her father pulled into the driveway. There was no sign of Daphne or Asher. They must be in charge of set up, she thought. What if Cam’s wedding wasn’t happening here? She was going to have to find a way to get them here in time.

  She sat up straight, and focused on her laptop. Cam was likely to pop in looking for her. Sure enough, his heavy footsteps echoed down the hall, coming closer.

  “Hi,” he said, coming in and wrapping his arms around her. “Busy day?”

  “Not bad,” she said, smiling before tilting her head up in the hopes of getting a kiss. She wasn’t disappointed. “So, are you going to tell me now what’s going on?”

  “Of course I am. But not here. Would you come down to the cottage with me?”

  Ah ha! That was the plan. Keep her busy down there while they set up here. That would work out for the best. Cam would be with her, and her mother could fill everyone else in on what she had planned. That way, Daphne and Asher wouldn’t waste their time. And Cam would be none the wiser. She could keep him occupied for an hour or so.

  She grabbed her coat and they set off.

  As they walked down the path she tried to pry information out of him, but he was a closed book. A horny, closed book, truth be told. He couldn’t keep his hands off her.

  “I don’t know what I want to do first when we get inside,” he said, caressing her rear as they walked. “I’m a fan of these jeans, by the way.”

  “You were the one who chose to stay away last night,” she teased.

  “It’s tradition,” he said.

  “What kind of tradition?” She was willing to play dumb if that’s what he expected of her.

  “We’re not having this conversation yet,” he said, pushing open the door.

  A warm blast of air greeted them when they entered the cottage. She’d had a fire lit earlier because this was where she intended to spend her wedding night. During the ceremony, Norah, one of the housekeeping staff, would bring champagne and fruit-filled pastries down. She’d also bring Elsie’s bag. Elsie was delighted with her foresight. There was nothing she enjoyed more than having a plan, and ensuring it was carried out.

  “I missed you,” Cam said, kissing her the instant the door was closed.

  She missed him as well. It was amazing how easily she’d become used to having him around.

  Maybe they had time for a little bit more than kissing before she had to go back to the house and get ready.

  She tried to lead him towards the bed, but had no luck.

  “No way, ma’am. Not yet anyhow.” He untangled himself from her and grabbed the throw from the bed, putting it in front of the fire. Then he tossed some cushions to the floor.

  “Have a seat,” he said, nodding to the floor.

  She shrugged off her jacket and sank down onto the cushions, watching as he rummaged through one of his bags. “Close your eyes, please,” he said. “And no peeking.”

  Idiot! Of course he needs to propose!

  Suddenly she was gidd
y with nerves. There was no question that she was going to say yes. But she also wanted to savour the moment. She only planned on having this experience once in her life.

  She felt his hand brush her knee as he sat on the floor. “Alright, you can look.”

  Cam held a rolled up scarf in his hands.

  “I bought this for you the day we were exploring the city. There’s been so much happening these past couple of days that I didn’t get a chance to give it to you.”

  She reached out to take it, but he pulled it out of her reach.

  “Now, please keep in mind that when I went shopping for this, I wanted to get you something unique. It’s really not much, but, well... here. Open it.”

  Elsie unrolled the scarf, which matched her mitts. “I love this,” she said, rubbing the soft wool against her cheek. It smelled like chocolate. Then she looked at what was wrapped inside.

  A dark chocolate chest. She was amazed it hadn’t melted or cracked. It had little bits of wool stuck to it.

  “There’s more. Open it,” he said. Elsie had seen many sides to Cam in the past week or so, but this was the first time he’d seemed nervously excited. He reminded her of how she used to feel as a child when she’d paint a picture in school and bring it home to her Dad. She knew she lacked the skill of other kids when it came to art, but she still made it for someone special, and hoped he could see the thought she’d put into it. Cam had that same spark about him.

  “This is really sweet, Cam,” she said, before opening. Elsie expected to find a ring inside. She was not expecting the ring to be made of green candy. With a purple plastic base.

  “I’d gone to a jewellery store, but I thought any man could buy you something there. I wanted to get you something unexpected. Something that symbolized you and me.”

  Elsie wasn’t sure how to react. He’d put a lot of thought into this, and if she hadn’t been expecting an engagement ring, she knew she would have found this very sweet. Sweeter than sweet. She would have loved it, and it would have made her fall more in love with him. But right now, she was wondering Where’s the real ring?