Race to a Happy Ending

Chapter 6

After spending a night at a Mooresville hotel, Kate left fairly early to sign the paperwork for the apartment. Her dad and brothers would drive the truck and meet her there after an hour or so. She was pleasantly surprised to find that the apartment lease agent had made a mistake in putting her in a two bedroom. Since there were no one bedrooms available, and the paperwork had already been filled out, they made a rare exception in letting her keep the two bedroom apartment at the one bedroom price. What a blessing that was to Kate! Now she could have an extra bedroom for when company came and she would still be within her budget.

As she drove around the complex towards the back, she smiled when she saw Cameron's old black pickup parked at her building. He, along with two other men, was standing on the sidewalk, talking and waiting.

"What are you doing here already? And how did you know where my apartment was?" she asked as she exited her car.

"I sweet talked the agent into giving me your building number. He wouldn't give me your actual apartment number, so I talked him into the next best thing," Cameron replied. He reached over and gave her a big hug. "I'm so happy to see you," he whispered in her ear. She smiled and stepped back. He looked like he had just woken up and she could tell he was bleary eyed from an overnight flight. "Kate, this is my brother Levi and my brother-in-law, Mike. Mike is married to my sister, Sharon. Guys, this is Kate."

Kate stepped forward and shook both of their hands. "It is so nice to meet you. I really appreciate you coming out to help us. I know my dad and brothers will be very glad to see you."

Cameron looked back towards the parking lot, "So, where exactly is the truck?"

"They left a little while after I did, so they should be here any minute. I called them when I left the apartment office and gave them the number. They were just getting off the interstate then."

Levi and Mike agreed to wait outside for the truck while Kate and Caleb went to unlock the door. When they entered the apartment, Kate found a huge vase of various flowers arranged in a fall theme on the kitchen counter bar area.

"Wow! These are beautiful! I wonder where they came from?" Kate silently assumed the apartment managers had put them in there. She figured it was something they did for all new leasees. She pulled out the card and read that it was not at all from the apartment complex, but it was indeed from Cameron. "How did you do this?" she asked him.

"I can pull a few strings every now and then," he said with a sly voice.

"These are absolutely gorgeous!" She reached over and gave him a big hug. He smiled and pulled her back, still holding on to her waist.

"Have I told you yet that I have really missed you?" he said to her softly.

"Have I told you yet that I really missed you, too? And is that weird, since I've only known you for less than two weeks?" she answered.

"I don't know if it's weird or not. But I do know that I'm glad you are here now. I can't wait to find out where this 'thing' between us is going."

She grabbed his hand and led him around the apartment and showed him the rooms of the apartment. She showed him where the furniture was to be placed. And while she was in the middle of vividly explaining her visions for decorating the living room, they heard the men entering the apartment.

"Dad," Kate called to him. "I see the guys found you. "

"Yep, sure did." He answered.

Kate turned to Cameron, "Dad, this is Cameron. He's the one I told you about last week, who helped me when I ran out of gas. We've become quick friends. Cameron, this is my dad, Kenny. Over there are my two brothers, Doug and Keith." The men all shook hands and made a little small talk and then starting tackling a plan for moving everything in by order of importance.