Out of the Blue Read Free Page B

shop for the perfect wedding rings for you.”
    Cam wasn’t one to shop, so Caroline and I made sure our trips coincided with his shifts. It gave me an outlet on the weekends he worked and also gave me quality time with Caroline. I needed her opinion on wedding rings as my tenth anniversary with Cam was a few months off, and I wanted to surprise him. Caroline was the only person that knew of my intention to ask Cam to marry me then.
    Cam and I hadn’t talked seriously about getting married, but it was always something we said we’d do when the time came. But I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it. I wanted to wear his ring and be able to call him my husband.
    “That sounds like a great idea,” I replied as I walked down our street. “Cam will be on day shift, so he’ll be working all weekend. Where are you thinking of going?”
    Opening the door to our building, I made my way up the stairs.
    “I don’t care where we go, but I need a new dress for a date.”
    “A date, huh?”
    “It’s Adam from work and I’ve been putting him off. I agreed to Saturday night because I had nothing else to do. He’s taking me to a new restaurant, and I haven’t got anything to wear.”
    I half listened, something about her dresses being too revealing for this restaurant, as I smelled a familiar scent in the air. Bessie’s special meat sauce. The aroma floated down the corridor. His grandmother’s special sauce took hours to cook, and Cam only cooked it when he was trying to take his mind off something. I’d had it numerous times, usually after a bad shift, and it tasted amazing.
    “Are you even listening to me?” Caroline asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.
    “Uh, sorry. I’ve walked in the building and I can smell Bessie’s sauce.”
    “Oh. Good luck with that. I’ll call you later so we can plan next weekend.”
    “Yeah, sure.”
    I unlocked the apartment door and was hit full force with the smell of tomatoes, basil and garlic and my mouth watered. I threw my keys on the table and dropped my bag onto the chair by the door. I rounded the corner and saw Cam in the kitchen, stirring the sauce and frowning at it.
    “Hey, Romeo,” I said cautiously.
    Cam looked up and appeared surprised to see me as I stood next to the counter. He must’ve been lost in thought. He dropped the spoon he was using into the pot and hugged me, burying his head in my shoulder.
    “I love you too, Romeo. What’s all this about?” I asked, rubbing his back.
    “Sorry,” Cam said, pulling back to look at me with tired eyes. “Night shift has my brain scrambled. I’m glad it’s over.”
    “Okay?” I wasn’t sure it was just night shift. I wrapped my arms around him once more and Cam rested his head against me. “Anything I can do to help?” Cam could become distant after a bad call. It usually wore off after a day or two, but I had never seen him this strung out before. My nerves were zinging throughout my body.
    Cam shook his head, then looked at me with warm hazel eyes that glittered with moisture. He flinched and my heart ached to see them filled with worry and concern, but I knew not to push, at least not now.
    “How’s the sauce coming along?” I asked, more to change the subject than anything else. I knew the sauce would be fabulous.
    Cam shook his shoulders and pulled himself together. A slight grin appeared, but it didn’t hide his uneasiness. “The sauce is good. Better than last time, I think.”
    “That’s good. Do I have time for a shower?” I asked, kissing his cheek.
    “Go ahead, I have to get the bread in the oven, then I’ll dish it up. Take your time.”
    “Put the bread in the oven on low and come join me.”
    “I already showered. I’ll set the table while you get cleaned up.”
    Huh. It wasn’t like Cam to turn down an offer like that.
    Ten minutes later and dressed in clean sweats, I made my way back to the kitchen. It was quiet, with no radio or TV on in the background like usual. I rounded