so calm, so in control, so at home. Adam’s kitchen here in the Hamptons was no different. In fact, it might have been even better, since it was so well equipped. She could make pretty much anything she wanted. Oh, and given the guest list she was anticipating, she wanted to make practically everything.
After careful thought, she envisioned a nice candlelight event. There were some questions about the music, but she was leaning toward quiet music playing over the sound system instead of a live group. There would be a heavy buffet to go along with the cocktails. She was picturing a lot of seasonal drinks…egg nog, wassail, and mulled cider. There would be a two carving stations for ham and prime rib. This could be the party of the season…the party to start it all.
There were so many ideas competing in her head. Would the hour never be up? Would she never get to share these ideas with Adam? She smirked at the idea that she was actually excited to talk to Adam. Venturing into the great room, she saw him instantly, sleeping in the chair. Her initial reaction was pretty Camstandard. That’s what her family would call it. Yes, around the house there was the Camstandard and Cinnystyle. Her sister had a way, flair, while Cammie was simply predictable.
When she saw Adam sleeping, first her thought was that once again she was reminded that he couldn’t be trusted. He couldn’t even be left unattended or she would return to find no work had been accomplished. Then there was that moment of guilt as she walked closer and realized that he had scribbled notes and more notes. There were pages and pages of concepts and ideas. No wonder he was worn out. That, and the fact that he had been up early to ensure she had breakfast and coffee.
With a sigh she backed away. The very least she could do would be to make sure he had food when he woke up. They had passed a grocery store and a market on the way in the night before. She would simply retrace her drive and go there. It wouldn’t take long. She could whip up something amazing in no time and he would realize that his efforts to promote her would not be in vain. She was talented. She was capable. She was totally worth it.
When Adam woke, startled by the ringing of the phone, he realized as he rushed into the kitchen that Cammie wasn’t there. How long had he been asleep? Had she given up and run off on him. He picked up the phone distractedly, hoping that somehow it might be her.
“Hello?” He asked both confused and concerned.
“Adam, it’s Haley…” She began seriously.
“I’ll have to call you back.” Without even thinking, he hung up the phone. He could see that her vehicle was gone, but the question was whether or not she was coming back. Wandering through the house, he explored the guest room and discovered all of her belongings were still there, nice and neat in a big black duffle bag. He shivered. Did every woman have a big black duffle bag to squish her life into and run off? He was headed back out of the room when he heard a car door slam.
Cammie had returned. He breathed a sigh of relief even as he wondered why it bothered him so much. After all, her presence made more work for him. Her absence meant a week of leisure. He frowned. He’d had entirely too much leisure in this lifetime. It was time to make his life count. And the best way to do that was by helping others.
Smiling, he headed to the door just in time to help her as she struggled to open it. “Let me get that,” he said as he tried to collect the bags from her arms.
“I’ve got this but if you want to help, there’s still plenty more in the trunk that still has to be carried in.” She brushed by him and continued on toward the kitchen.
Shrugging, Adam walked to her car and saw that she wasn’t joking. The entire trunk was positively packed with groceries. He was still standing there eyeing the bags when she was suddenly at his side.
“Yo, genius, these bags aren’t going to carry themselves into the house.” And without another word, she simply started grabbing the bags and loading the plastic handles onto her hands.