Return To Passion. Carla Buchanan

that he’d laid eyes on her again. He’d admitted to Charlie that it was expected of him to wed Sonya at some point and he probably would’ve eventually allowed his grandfather to talk him into it. However, fate had stepped in to stop the mistake he might have been forced to make.

      Remi hated that it had taken a downturn in Reese’s health to get Camille back to town, but her arrival had come right at a time when Remi had been contemplating the next step in his future. He’d submitted his petition to run for mayor of Fairdell and it would be nice to have his personal life as well as his professional life in order. Knowing it would take more than just a heartfelt confession to win over the man, he’d appealed to Charlie’s’s emotional side. He’d told him about the snacks he’d sent to her grocer. He’d told Charlie about the yearly donations he’d sent to her school. He’d mentioned the gift he’d sent to her home and had been surprised that the man did not know about it yet.

      That was when Charlie had started to look uncomfortable. “You’re sort of a stalker, you know that, Rem? Not very becoming of the business tycoon and potential future mayor, don’t you think?”

      “How did you...?” Only a few people knew about Remi’s plans to run for mayor. It had made Remi realize how smart Charlie truly was and made him thankful Camille had the man on her side even though their friendship sometimes rubbed Remi the wrong way. “You know what...never mind. You’re avoiding what you know I came here for.”

      Charlie had moved through his living room toward the fireplace. Sitting on the mantel had been a picture of Charlie and Camille. He’d picked up the picture and stared at it for a moment before putting it down. “What did you come here for, Rem? You’ve said a lot, but it really means nothing to me. I want to protect my friend. Your feelings are of no concern to me.”

      Offended, Remi had said, “What the hell is that supposed to mean? I’m trying here, Charlie. I’m trying to make you see how I feel. I know I need your blessing to go forward with her, but I also know you know her secret—why she’s distancing herself from me. You can help me. I want to bring her back here. I want her here with me. I want—”

      “What about what she wants?”

      “I’m positive we want the same thing.”

      “How? From one little kiss? A promise you made to each other as naive teenagers? I thought you were smarter than that. It takes a lot more—”

      “Don’t you think I know that? It’s why I’m here! You know I hate this as much as you but we’re going to have to get along for her because I’m not backing off, Charlie.”

      “Can I ask you something?”

      This question had come out much calmer than any other statement he’d said all evening. Remi had felt calm, as well. Anger was not the way to go if he was going to get Charlie to tell him anything about Camille.

      “Sure.”

      “What the hell took you so long?”

      Remi had let those words process, then immediately started chuckling. “You know what? I really don’t know. I thought I was giving her what she wanted.”

      “This is Camille we’re talking about. She’d rather protect everyone else than do what she knows she truly wants.”

      He’d suspected a deeper meaning there. Remi hadn’t been sure if Charlie realized he’d let that slip. “Who is she protecting, Charlie?” The pointed look Charlie had given him had made it obvious that Remi was the one Camille was protecting.

      “I’m not going to give you more than I should, but I know she has some unresolved feelings for you. The truth will set her free in more ways than just getting closure with you.”

      A name and a place written on a piece of paper had been what Charlie had given him.

      After that, Charlie had drunk the rest of his liquor and had disappeared into another room, effectively dismissing Remi. Remi had sat there for a moment and then rushed out of the house. He’d raced home to his laptop and when he’d typed in the name Reese Elaine, he’d been surprised to see the magnitude of results. The one with the biggest number? Reese Elaine, author of women’s fiction. Number one seller of women’s erotic fiction, he’d had to correct himself after his research.

      Camille was this anonymous, world-famous author. She’d become famous without ever having to make a public appearance and the literary world speculated that she could be so much more if she’d come forward and reveal herself.

      This was why she’d left. She’d left to pursue this dream. But Charlie had said she was protecting him, as well. He’d sighed, knowing there was more to the story.

      That woman. Camille Ryan. That beautiful, smart, selfless woman had sacrificed the future they’d planned so they could both have their dreams. Remi wasn’t an idiot. He knew where they lived and he knew how conservative the town was. On a Sunday, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone not attending church somewhere. Even Frederick Krane spent his Sundays in God’s house, which was saying a lot.

      Then there was his responsibility to the company his grandfather had created. Krane Gourmet Snack Foods had been voted the most morally responsible company in the state and was top ten in the nation. And he had been slated to take the helm as president and CEO when his grandfather felt he had earned the position.

      On top of Krane, there were Remi’s political aspirations. He’d always dreamed of coming back to Fairdell after college and one day being a leader in his community, so he could serve them and care for them as they had for him growing up.

      Remi could understand why Camille would choose to flee. If she had told him she was going to leave so his future would be secure, he’d have stopped her. He’d have supported her dream, but he wouldn’t have let her give up their relationship, as well. He would’ve compromised and found a different way to achieve his dreams.

      He would’ve resented her for her hand in that, eventually. And he would’ve lost her anyway.

      Now, as he stood in front of her, he could see how much she still wanted to protect him. It made him angry that they couldn’t just be who they were and love each other without worrying what other people would think and say. He should be the one protecting Camille, not the other way around. And he’d do that. He’d stand by her and make her realize she had the support of her family and friends.

      Remi led Camille to a table that he’d reserved inside the restaurant. They sat quietly for several moments, letting Camille get her thoughts together. It didn’t take long for her to confirm everything he had already figured out. He found out she’d been encouraged by her English teacher to apply for an internship in New York that would get her a scholarship at the end and get her work in front of an editor. She said she hadn’t been sure if she’d take it, but she’d known it was a sign—an opportunity. She knew she’d be blamed for leaving him. She’d be hated. But in the end they’d both be able to follow their dreams. She thought he’d get over it eventually and move on, but little did she know that had not happened.