Courted by Trouble: A Courting Romance (In Hyacinth Book 3) Read Free

eating lunch, Jerod excused himself and it was just the two of them.
    “Looks like you found a good one,” Stephanie said after he left. She rather liked the thought of her friend with Jerod Kinsley. He was a very nice man.
    “Yes, I did,” Camille said, pausing as if looking for the right words. “Steph, can I help?”
    “With what?”
    “I don’t know. You’ve been gone and now you’re back and if you need any help, I’m here.”
    Cami had a lot of her father’s strength of character and Stephanie smiled. “Thanks, but I’m good. I work as a seamstress and have a nice little cabin nearby.” It was nothing like the houses Cami lived in. Not like her parents or the one she would live in with Jerod. A small tinge of jealousy touched her but Stephanie kicked it right out. Cami deserved to be happy. “So, what’s it like dating a therapist?” she teased.
    Cami laughed. “He’s wonderful, he truly is. I screwed up big time a year ago when things happened with Damian and Jerod never lets me get down on myself about it.” She grimaced and rubbed her backend. “He really doesn’t let me get down on myself.”
    Sputtering a laugh, Stephanie grinned. Her father hadn’t been big on spanking, but she had heard of it often enough from her friends. “I don’t know how you handle that.” Cami and Dora had always been happier after a disciplinary action by their fathers and Stephanie had always craved that kind of peace. In fact, she now knew that was what she’d been trying in her way to achieve those last six months with her father, pushing him further and further, trying to get him to discipline her like their fathers did. It had blown up in her face.
    There was a pause and the most blissful expression crossed Cami’s face. “Jerod loves me. Discipline just sets things right. I feel better after it’s done and sometimes just the act of him turning me over his knee brings everything into alignment.”
    “Over the knee? Really?”
    Snorting a giggle, Cami nodded. “Yeah, Dad only did it once. But Jerod prefers it. And so do I.” There was a pause and her friend reached forward and took her hand. “Steph, your father was sick. None of that was your fault.”
    Gulping, Stephanie nodded. “I know. But that doesn’t make everything okay.”
    “I know,” Cami sighed, nodding. “Believe me, I know.” As if Stephanie had asked, Cami opened up and told her everything that had happened with her over the last year. By the end of their talk, both of them had tears running down their eyes.
    “If I ever see Damian, I’m gonna kick his butt,” Stephanie said, dabbing at her eyes with a napkin. “Though I’ll admit, I never thought he was good enough for you.”
    “People say that now. I don’t ever remember anyone saying it before,” Cami said wryly. “But I’m okay with it now. I have someone so much better who loves me in a way I never could have imagined.” A small smile covered her lips. “Don’t give up, Stephanie. I still think the right guy is out there for you.”
    Grimacing, she shook her head. “No. I don’t think I ever could trust someone enough.”
    “Okay, but can you still be my shopping buddy? After all, I shop for a living now.”
    Laughing, Stephanie nodded. “I’d love to. I don’t have a phone, but I’m here once every two weeks to meet with your fiancé. Leave a message with him and we can work something out.”
    “Wait. He’s your therapist?” Cami asked, gaping at her, an expression that was so Camille it made Stephanie grin. “Oh, I hope you don’t feel strange about it. Jerod never talks about his clients. Ever. Except to say they aren’t sick, just needing someone to talk to.”
    They spoke for a few more minutes before Cami had to leave to go home. “I’m looking forward to when this is my home,” she said as she and Stephanie hugged before she left.
    As Stephanie walked home, she felt a little hope. Maybe things were truly looking up.
     
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