cocked his elbow, and watched his watch and Shelly.
Cameron took Emma downstairs and sat in the living room with her. Several trays of diamond rings lay spread on the coffee table before them. He made sure to hold up the largest of them when Shelly came down the stairs. Drawn to the huge diamond, she frowned, her face heating with rage. Cameron felt a little satisfaction. Sam saw to it she was taken home in the cab waiting outside.
“I like this one the best. It sparkles the most,” Emma said and held up a ring.
Mr. Harrison smiled his agreement. “A fine choice, my dear. It does indeed sparkle the most.” He turned to Cameron. “It’s the most expensive piece I brought. Your daughter has excellent taste. It’s a round, brilliant cut diamond. Six carats and set in platinum. It would pair nicely with this diamond eternity band for the wedding ring. If the lady likes the sparkle, you can’t beat the two together. For spectacular, you could use two eternity bands and place the solitaire in between.”
He showed them how it would look and put the rings on Emma’s small finger.
She held it up, admiring them. They caught the light, the many diamonds twinkled.
“It’s like rain dancing in the moonlight,” Emma smiled and made the light dance some more.
That’s all Cameron needed to hear. He thought the rings looked great. He couldn’t have picked a better set for Marti. Emma helping him would make Marti happy.
“We’ll take all three.”
“Don’t you want to know the price?”
“It doesn’t matter, that’s the one she wants and I want. Marti will love it.”
“Yes, she will,” Elizabeth said. She and Jenna had sat with their children watching Cameron and Emma picking the rings. It was so sweet to watch the little girl with her dad getting a ring for a mom she always wanted.
Cameron paid the man and escorted him to the door, along with the two security guards who came with him.
He turned to everyone waiting in the living room. Only one thing left to do. Beg them to tell him where Marti is.
“Listen you guys, I know I’ve been a complete jackass. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you all sooner, and I’m even more sorry I hurt Marti and made Emma miserable. I hope you’ll all forgive me.”
Sam wanted to prolong the agony for Cameron a little longer. “We thought we’d take all the kids to the zoo today. It’s beautiful out and Emma said she’d like to go.”
“I like the zoo. They have monkeys.” She and Jenna’s twins sat on the floor at Jack’s feet.
“Do you want to join us, Cameron?” Jenna smiled and looked mischievous.
Jack wanted in on things himself. “How about we take Emma? She can stay the night with us and we’ll bring her back in the morning.”
Everyone got up to leave. Elizabeth carried Emma’s overnight bag.
“You look tired, Cameron. You should go upstairs and get some rest. A nice nap will do you good.”
“Wait a minute. Aren’t you going to tell me where she is?”
“Elizabeth already told you what you should do. I think you should take her advice.” Sam grabbed Cameron in a huge bear hug and slapped him on the back. He picked up his sleeping daughter in her car seat and headed out the door.
“Me too.” Jack gave Cameron another bear hug, slapped him on the back, and left with his twin sons holding his hands.
Jenna kissed him on the cheek and Emma hugged him tight and kissed him goodbye.
Elizabeth was the last to leave and before she walked out the door she kissed his cheek and said, “Make things right, Cameron. She’s been through enough. She loves you enough to forgive you and make it easy on you. She’s upstairs waiting for you. Jack carried her up while you were in with Shelly. We all love you and we’ll see you tomorrow when we bring Emma home.”
“Don’t make it early. I plan on sleeping in,” he said and ran up the stairs two at a time before the front door closed behind Elizabeth.
Chapter Forty-Nine
* * *
CAMERON STOPPED IN the double doorway and stared at the beautiful woman asleep on his bed. Wearing a white sundress, she looked like an angel sleeping on the blue and white bed cover. On her side, her dark hair spread back from her face and over the pillow. The outline of the brace on her knee keeping it straight showed through her dress. Her arm lay across her