Lover's Leap by Emily March Read Free Book Online

Davenport, a distant cousin of Cam’s, whom he’d met when Jack rented the Bliss for a private day cruise seven or eight years ago. Idle conversation had revealed the family connection, along with the fact that Jack had built a house on inherited land outside of Eternity Springs.
    That had been the first of a half-dozen visits Jack had made to Cairns, and he and Cam had become friends. When Cam decided to make this trip, he’d debated taking Jack up on his standing offer of Colorado lodging but eventually decided against it. This was a trip, an effort, he needed to make on his own—even if it meant sleeping with ghosts.
    “It’s just a house, Devin,” Cam replied, meaning it. Now that he’d taken action and outed himself, the nervousness that had churned in his gut on the way into town had dissipated. Unfortunately, however, the weight of the old familiar chip had slipped right back onto his shoulder with ease.
    Childish of him, Cam admitted, but he wouldn’t beat himself up over it. His anger at this town and these people had simmered inside him for most of his life. No sense trying to pretend otherwise.
    He pulled his Jeep to a stop at the curb in front of 354 Seventh and took time to study the little two-bedroom house. The place looked good. It sported a fresh coat of appropriate Victorian-era blue paint and white shutters and gingerbread trim. Baskets of red geraniums adorned the porch, and hummingbird feeders swung from the eaves. The grass was trimmed, the rosebushes tended, the flower beds tidy. The house had never looked this good when Cam and his father lived there.
    “This is it?” Devin asked. “Home not-so-sweet home?”
    “This is it.”
    “Looks girly. Like a dollhouse. I can’t imagine you living here.”
    “Not exactly my style,” Cam agreed.
    Their home in Australia had the smooth, sleek lines of modern architecture. It occurred to Cam that whenever he had a choice to make, if one option reminded him of Eternity Springs in any way, he always chose the other.
    Cam tensed as he unlocked the door. He couldn’t help it. Drawing a deep, bracing breath, he stepped inside.
    The scent of fresh paint and varnish swirled in the air. Wood floors gleamed; the light fixtures, window curtains, and furnishings were all new. The walls sported photographs of scenic views of the mountains around Eternity Springs and framed and matted inspirational quotations. Taking a closer look, he saw that the quotation theme extended to pillows on the sofa, doo-dads on the tables, and even the throw rugs on the floor. The interior looked nothing like how Cam remembered it, and he relaxed. No ghosts here, after all.
    “Which room do I get?” Devin asked. “Both bedrooms have queen-size beds.”
    “Take your pick.” Devin chose the room that once upon a time had been Cam’s. Cam carried his suitcase into his parents’ old room. A skylight and new windows had transformed it. He could be comfortable here. Tossing his suitcase on the bed, he began to unpack. His gaze fell on the two black velvet jewelry boxes tucked in with his socks. He debated for a moment, then picked up the smaller box containing the white-gold earrings shaped like boomerangs that he’d purchased to give to Lori. He stuck the box in his pocket, then, when he turned to leave the room, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a mirror. Hmm. Maybe he should run a comb through his hair before he went looking for his daughter. He’d already given her a bad first impression. He wanted to improve this time around.
    Cam took another look in the mirror, then said, “Devin, I think I’ll take a quick shower.”
    He wasn’t putting off one of the biggest moments in his life. He was practicing good grooming.
    Yeah, right .
    The truth was that he was nervous about how Lori might react to seeing him. He hadn’t chased after her that day at the marina because at the time, he’d thought it the best for everyone. What if he’d been wrong? What if today turned