Chapter 9 - The Garden Party
Six months later, summer had returned to Alder House.
The estate gardens were in full bloom, filled with red roses, white hydrangeas, and sweet jasmine that filled the warm afternoon breeze.
Instead of a formal corporate gala, the back lawn was set up for a casual afternoon barbecue. The staff were sitting at linen-covered tables alongside Mason's top engineers and closest friends. Ruth Calder was laughing with the head chef, while children of the estate workers ran through the sprinklers on the lower lawn.
Camille walked across the stone terrace wearing a yellow sundress that caught the summer light. Her dark hair was soft, framing a face that no longer carried the shadow of fear or exhaustion.
Mason stepped out from the shade of the pergola, carrying two glasses of iced lemonade.
"You look beautiful," Mason said softly, handing her a glass.
"Thank you," Camille blushed slightly, looking out over the crowded lawn. "It's a wonderful party, Mason. The staff are so happy."
"It's not a staff party, Camille," Mason said gently. He took her hand, his long fingers intertwining with hers naturally. "It's a family party."
Camille looked into his dark eyes, feeling her heart flutter in her chest. Over the past six months, their quiet evening conversations over tea had grown into something deep, strong, and undeniable. Mason had become a constant, protective presence in their lives—a man who listened, who cared, and who looked at her not as an employee, but as an equal.
"Mason..." Camille whispered softly.
"I know I moved fast when I bought out Langley's debt," Mason smiled, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. "And I know I can be grumpy sometimes..."
"Lily was right about that," Camille teased softly, a bright smile lighting up her face.
"She was," Mason chuckled. "But she was wrong about one thing."
"What's that?"
"He's not a grumpy prince," Mason said, his voice dropping into a tender, serious tone. "He's just a man who was waiting for the right people to show him what a home actually means."
From down on the lawn, Lily came running up the stone steps, her yellow sundress wet from the lawn sprinklers, holding a large, somewhat messy bouquet of wild dandelions.
"Mason! Mommy! Look!" Lily shouted, skidding to a stop in front of them.
Mason dropped down onto one knee, completely unconcerned about getting grass stains on his trousers. "What do you have there, cheetah?"
"Magic flowers!" Lily declared solemnly, holding out a single dandelion seed head. "You have to blow on it and make a big wish!"
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Mason looked up at Camille, whose eyes were shining with tears of pure happiness, then looked down at the bright, bold little girl standing in front of him.
"I don't need to make a wish, Lily," Mason said softly, taking the dandelion from her small hand and pulling both Camille and Lily into a tight, warm embrace. "Everything I ever wanted is standing right here."
