Page 18 of Only in Our Dream (Moonflower Cove #15)

Melanie

F or a few weeks out of the year, the Baxter Tree Farm became the most bustling place in the Cove.

People came to the farm in droves to pick out their perfect Christmas tree and to shop at the festival market the farm hosted on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Although Melanie’s allergies hated the farm, she loved getting to spend time with Cameron and her kids.

Especially since she hadn’t gotten to see them much since Thanksgiving.

She had seen Cameron at the hospital a handful of times, but busy work schedules had kept their time together limited. Melanie tried not to pout about it when Cameron had invited her to the tree farm with them the day before.

“So,” Cameron tapped her fingers on the desk as Melanie looked up at her, “would you want to join me and the kids tomorrow as we pick out the West family Christmas tree?”

“Is this going to be like the Griswolds?”

Cameron chuckled. “You never know with our crew.”

“I’m in.”

“Good. I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“You saw me yesterday.”

“Oh, yes, our lunch together in a loud cafeteria was exactly how I wanted to spend time with you.”

“Well,” Melanie felt her eyes sparkling, “I guess you’ll have to make it up to me then, hmm?”

Cameron licked her lips, driving Melanie wild. She was thankful that no one else was at the nurses’ station because she wasn’t sure she could control the thoughts running through her mind much longer.

“How about dinner at the bar after tree shopping?”

“It’s a date.”

“But not officially,” Cameron winked, walking away as Melanie kept her eyes on her until she was out of sight. With a board meeting scheduled for later in the day, Cameron had worn a tight-fitting navy dress with pearl earrings and heels that would have Melanie’s feet ache in ten seconds flat.

It was a stark contrast to what Cameron currently was wearing. Her pink snow boots matched her pink puffer jacket and accompanied her dark jeans well. She had her hair under a Taylor Memorial Hospital beanie, which made Melanie laugh. Especially with the obnoxious white pom-pom on top of it.

“What?” Cameron nervously laughed as she bumped her hip against Melanie’s as they walked behind the kids through the rows of trees.

“Did you buy that goofy hat?”

“I won it at one of those stupid employee meetings that could have been an email.”

“Ahh, so they were just trying to get rid of them.”

“Exactly.” They took a few more steps before Cameron held up a finger. “Wait, does that mean you don’t think I look good in this hat?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“It was implied.”

“Well,” Melanie laughed, playfully flicking the pom-pom, “let’s just say it’s not what I pictured you wearing.”

Cameron smirked, arching an eyebrow as she tenderly placed a hand on Melanie’s chest. She said something—Melanie could tell by the way Cameron’s lips were moving—but she had no idea what she said. Her entire brain was focused on the feel of Cameron’s hand on her boob.

Oh, my god. What does this mean? She had to know she’s doing this, right? Oh, my god. And we’re out in public. Oh, my god.

“Mel?”

“Yeah?” Melanie said at several octaves higher than her normal voice.

“Did you hear what I said?”

Melanie shook her head.

“I said, why don’t you tell me what you were picturing me wearing?”

Leaning in ever so slightly, Melanie knew exactly what Cameron’s intentions were. She was going to kiss her. But suddenly, Melanie became keenly aware of where they were and the possible consequences of said kiss.

“Cameron,” Melanie could feel herself blushing as she took a step back from her, “not here. Not with the kids and probably a hundred eyes from the Cove watching us.”

It was the first time since they’d admitted their feelings for each other that Melanie was keenly aware of the line they had been toeing.

Yes, on the one hand Melanie was getting divorced and had no plans to ever be back with Rob.

But on the other, she didn’t want to be seen alone with a woman’s hand on her breast as they chatted about intimate things. They weren’t there yet.

“Okay.” Cameron held up her hands as she turned to walk away from Melanie. “I’m sorry.”

“Wait,” Melanie called after her but Cameron didn’t stop, so she went after her. “Cam, wait.”

Abruptly, Cameron stopped walking. Melanie nearly ran her over as they stood dangerously close yet again.

“I’m sorry,” they said in unison.

“I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry,” Cameron repeated. She motioned toward the kids, who were now significantly farther down the path. “Let’s just go catch up with the kids and find a tree, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

Although Cameron didn’t sound angry at her, the mood between them had definitely shifted.

Gone was the flirting that had been there before and in its place were two adults trying to act like nothing was wrong for the sake of the kids.

They followed Jonah and Dylan around from tree to tree until they both agreed they’d found the perfect one.

Melanie volunteered to go let someone know they’d found a tree, if for no other reason than it gave her a second alone to think.

She hadn’t meant to shut Cameron down like that. Truly she didn’t. Melanie had just suddenly become keenly aware they were pushing past the friends stage they needed to stay in until after her divorce and into something more.

Stuffing her hands into the pocket of her jacket, Melanie made her way down the well-worn path to the small group of seasonal workers who helped with cutting down the trees. She noticed Oakley Cooper, a friend of one of her nieces, and waved at her.

“Hey, Mel.”

“Hey, Oakley.” She quickly hugged her neck. “It’s good to see you.”

“You, too. Did you find a tree?”

“We did. Thanks.”

“Perfect.” Oakley picked up an axe as if it were a toothpick and slung it onto her shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Oakley was a quiet woman with long brunette hair she currently had braided down her back.

She owned Oakcrest Lumber, the business that Charlie Monroe, the farm’s manager, contracted out to help with the cutting.

Melanie’s niece Hunter and Oakley had been friends since they were kids, so she had known Oakley for years.

Showing Oakley to the tree, they all watched her and her coworker expertly cut, wrap, and load the tree into their truck. Cameron paid them and made an appointment for the delivery the next afternoon. As they all stood in the parking lot, they debated what to do next.

“I have homework I need to finish,” Jonah squirmed, probably knowing Cameron would have changed their plans if she knew he had homework. “Sorry, Mom.”

Cameron sighed. “It’s okay. Why don’t you and Dylan grab something to eat on the way home? I promised Mel dinner, so she can take me home later.”

Fishing her keys out of her pocket, Cameron handed them to Jonah as the kids got into her car and left. Alone with Cameron again, Melanie leaned against her car and studied her. She looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t, which was odd for Cameron.

“What’s on your mind, Cam?”

“I’m just hoping I didn’t screw things up back there.” She looked as if she might cry, and Melanie quickly pulled her into a hug. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I just got…”

“Carried away. I know. I almost let you get carried away, too.” Melanie tenderly tucked Cameron’s hair behind her ear as she looked into her blue eyes. “I just want to do this right. I know it sounds stupid since Rob is off living it up with some other woman, but that’s not me.”

“I know, Mel. I’m sorry I ever made you feel that way.”

“Shut up.”

Cameron looked taken aback as she clutched her heart. “Excuse me?”

“You’re totally not sorry.” With a wink, Melanie opened the car door for Cameron. Cameron laughed as she got in.

“Okay, fair. You caught me.”

“I know you too well.”

Smiling at Cameron, Melanie carefully closed the door as she hurried around to the driver’s seat. They drove to Straight to Ale in relative silence as their hands felt like magnets between them. Unable to stand it any longer, Melanie wrapped her pinky around Cameron’s.

“Just keep thinking what you’re thinking for a few more weeks.”

“Babe, I don’t have any other option.”

Biting her lip to keep from smiling too big, Melanie found a parking spot near the bar.

She and Cameron exited the car and walked side by side into the crowded restaurant.

Melanie was glad she knew Cameron was the same way as they asked for a booth away from the bar.

Although the bar offered more one-on-one time with the staff and was closer to the pool tables and karaoke stage, it was also the loudest part of the entire restaurant. Everyone wanted to sit there.

Except Cameron and Melanie.

They settled into a booth tucked away by the large window overlooking Main Street. Melanie ordered a water and a cheeseburger while Cameron ordered a Diet Coke and chicken fingers.

“You and Isla and your Diet Coke,” Melanie laughed.

“It’s an addiction.” Across the table, Cameron grinned at her over the cup. As she sat it down, she leaned onto the table slightly. “So, I have a proposition.”

“Oh,” Melanie sat up straighter in her seat, “okay.”

“Nothing crazy. Just something I talked with the kids about earlier and I wanted to run it past you now.”

Melanie’s mind ran crazy with possibility, but thankfully Cameron cut straight to it.

“We would like to officially invite you to spend Christmas with us.”

“Aww,” Melanie put one hand on her chest and the other over her mouth as she processed what Cameron had just said. “Really?”

“Really,” she laughed. “The kids kept asking why you didn’t join us for Thanksgiving so we all decided you should join us for Christmas. If you want. No pressure if you already have plans or…”

“I don’t.”

“Good.” Cameron’s smile melted Melanie. “The kids will be so happy. And so am I.”

“Me, too.”

Slowly, their hands inched closer and closer together on the tabletop.

Their fingers intertwined slower as Melanie savored the way it felt to hold Cameron’s hand like this.

She could have stayed like that forever if their food hadn’t arrived at the most inopportune time.

They chatted about the kids and work while they ate before circling back around to Christmas.

“So, what do I need to bring?”

“Your hot ass,” Cameron smirked, which made Melanie roll her eyes.

“Seriously, Cam. I’m not coming over empty-handed.”

“Honestly, we don’t go big for Christmas. It’s usually pancakes for breakfast before the kids open gifts, then we make homemade pizzas for dinner and watch Christmas movies.”

“That sounds perfect. Much better than singing Christmas carols with Rob’s family around the kitchen table.”

“Woof,” Cameron groaned, “I forgot about that.”

“Those memories are forever engraved in my mind. I just feel bad for my nieces.” Melanie felt her shoulders slump slightly. “I always loved reminiscing with them about that afterward because we all hated it so much.”

“I’m sure they’d still love to see you.”

Melanie shrugged. “Maybe. I haven’t been the best at reaching out to them since everything happened.”

“You’ve had a lot going on.”

“It’s not an excuse to be a shitty aunt to them, though.”

Reaching out, Cameron put her hand on Melanie’s arm.

“Melanie Lucille Wright, you are a lot of things but you are not a shitty aunt. Those girls love you and you love them. They’re lucky to have you. Just like my kids are lucky to have their Aunt Mel.”

“Cam…”

“I’m serious, Mel. You’re too hard on yourself sometimes. You have to give yourself some grace. Nothing about the last few months has been easy for you. You have earned the right to process that however you’ve needed. The girls will understand. They love you too much not to.”

She knew Cameron was right. Jade, Hunter, and Ashlyn loved her.

Melanie knew that from their texts over the years, and especially since the divorce was announced.

If anything, Melanie just needed to make time for them too so she felt less guilty about how happy she was at the idea of spending Christmas with the West family instead.

“You’re right.”

“I hate hearing that.” Cameron smirked, taking a sip of her Diet Coke.

“So,” she sat up in her seat slightly, “any ideas what I can get you or the kids for Christmas?”

“The kids are too spoiled. They don’t need anything.”

Melanie waved Cameron off dismissively with a laugh.

“Me, on the other hand,” Cameron twirled her hair around her finger, “I can think of a few things I want.”

“Oh, really now. Like what?”

“Like to finally be able to kiss you without feeling guilty.”

A heat coursed through Melanie’s body unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. Her palms started to sweat as she felt her face flashing. How did Cameron have such a pull over her like that? Licking her lips, Melanie tried to compose herself.

“Well, then let’s hope Santa brings me a finalized divorce for Christmas so we can make that happen.”