Page 40 of Love Unscripted
There were already several vehicles parked. She slipped into a spot beside a white Toyota Corolla she vaguely recognized—one of the crew members who had been at church.
Grabbing the box of goods, she followed the sound of voices and laughter around the side of the house. A stone pathway curved beneath her feet and opened onto a large, shaded patio.
They were all there—the crew, the cast, Aaron… and Madison.
The little girl was crouched low, completely absorbed, drawing bright chalk flowers across the stone.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Aaron called gently. “You’ve got to wash up. We’re eating soon, okay?”
Madison, tiny curls framing her face and wide blue eyes fixed on her masterpiece, pouted. “Just one more flower.”
Aaron shook his head. “That’s what you said five flowers ago.”
Camille smiled despite herself. “Hey, Madison.”
Madison turned—and lit up instantly. “Miss Camille!”
Aaron glanced over, his expression warming. “You made it.” His eyes dropped to the box in her hands. “Want some help with that?”
Madison was already running toward her, excitement bubbling over. “Daddy says you’re Queen Esther. The one who saves all the people.”
Camille laughed softly and handed the box to Aaron. “Well, I had a lot of help,” she said, her gaze dropping fondly to Madison before lifting to him. “Just some wine and cider… and donuts I picked up from the orchard down the street.”
“That’s nice of you. You didn’t have to do this.”
She smiled, easy and sincere. “I wanted to.”
Then she lowered herself to her haunches in front of Madison. “So… what else did your daddy tell you about Queen Esther?”
“I was telling her after church how much Esther trusted God—even when she was afraid,” Aaron said over his shoulder as he carried the box up the steps.
Camille glanced after him, a teasing note in her voice. “Preparing for Bible study already?”
Before he could answer, Madison thrust a piece of chalk toward her. “Do you wanna draw with me?”
Camille hesitated, flicking a quick glance toward Aaron, then back to Madison. “I do… but your dad says you need to wash up first. So we’ll draw after lunch, okay?”
Madison considered this with surprising seriousness, then nodded and slipped her small hand into Camille’s.
Aaron watched them as he set the box down on a nearby table, something like quiet gratitude settling across his face.
“The bathroom?” Camille asked, glancing back.
“Through those doors on the right,” he said. “Madison knows the way.”
“Thank you,” Camille said, smiling.
He held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary.
“No,” he said softly. “Thank you.”
~*~*~*~
As they disappeared into the house, a bittersweet feeling settled in Aaron’s stomach.
Camille was effortless with Madison. His daughter could be a handful—some said spoiled. He knew he indulged her too much, but he didn’t quite know how not to. With her mother gone and his own frequent absences, overcompensating felt almost unavoidable.
He forced himself back into the conversation with the guys, debating the Rams’ latest loss as they helped themselves to the buffet. Even while he talked, part of his attention drifted toward the house.
