They walked down the boardwalk, Lucas on one side and Sarah on the other. The apprehension was tangible, especially when she spotted Olivia Blakely standing outside the mercantile entrance.
The woman waved in greeting and Sarah giggled. Lucas cleared his throat and Camille stopped walking. "What is going on? Tell me. I will not take another step until someone explains what is happening."
Sarah raced away as Camille's jaw dropped open. Her friend had picked up her skirts and ran to Olivia Blakely who motioned with both hands. "Hurry up!"
When she turned to Lucas about to ask again what happened, he moved closer and swooped her up in his arms. His long legs made quick work of bringing them to the apothecary door, which was swung open by none other than Lacy, the saloon madam. "Good morning!" she sang out.
Lucas carried Camille into her shop and put her down. "You are a hard woman to surprise," he grumbled.
Sarah and Olivia came to the doorway and peered in with wide smiles. Inside were not just Lacy and Molly, one of the saloon girls, but also Ruth and her daughter, Gertrude. Everyone had the same look of satisfaction in catching her off guard.
It was then she noticed it. Every jar on the shelf behind the counter was filled with herbs and spices. Where she normally kept her soaps, new bins were neatly set up. On the counter were a new scale and a new roll of paper set up for her to package items.
"Go upstairs," Lucas prompted pushing her gently toward the stairs.
Without speaking, Camille went up. No one followed her. She could hear the hushed, excited whispers as she entered her living space.
There were new curtains hung; pretty, floral fabric framing each window making the space very feminine. The same material was used to make pillows for her two chairs. In the bedroom, the bed was made up with new bedding and pillows. New curtains were also hung; these were long and reached to the floor to allow her to have more privacy.
The wardrobe was open, a pretty robe and sleeping gown hung on the door. Inside were three new dresses, each one in a different appealing fabric. Two were in serviceable neutral tones of tan and brown, while the third was a yellow dress adorned with white buttons and thick lace. A new shawl was strewn over the back of one of the chairs.
Tears streaming down her face, she went into the tiny kitchen that had also been outfitted with new dishes and even some food.
She walked back into the living area and noticed on the wall was hung a small needlepoint. Bless this House stitched on it with a flower border.
Overcome by gratitude and happiness, Camille covered her face and sobbed. She waited to calm before making her way back down the stairs where the group watched her with expectant expressions.
"I am so...grateful...I owe you each..so much," Camille said, barely managing through the words before once again dissolving into sobs. Lucas embraced her. Laughter and chatter grew, each woman assuring her.
"You don't owe us a thing," Olivia Blakely pronounced. "If anything we all owe you for always being the person to call when something arises."
Ruth neared and patted Camille's arm. "Quite true. Everyone takes you for granted. You are the one to call for everyday necessities. Without fail, you take care of the sick, fill in for us when needed and constantly give of yourself."
Lacy nodded in agreement. "It wasn't until you were gone that the girls and I realized how much you do for us. Most people in town won't give us the time of day. You not only send teas and gifts to us, but you even came to the house when Molly was too sick to get out of bed."
Camille blinked as she looked to each person in the room. "Everything is so beautiful. I can hardly believe it.” She smiled in spite of the tears. "I am so very grateful. Thank you."
"Come next door," Olivia Blakely said and then gave Lacy and Molly a pointed look. "Everyone is invited for coffee and cake."
As the women filed out, Lucas remained with Camille. He waited until the women were out of sight then lifted her face to him. "I am glad you're happy. I hated seeing how distraught you've been the last few days."
She covered his hands with hers. "I know you had something to do with this."
His wide shoulders lifted and lowered. "I was mostly a pack mule. All of this was the women's idea."
She took one more look around the space. As much as she wanted to discuss where they stood with Lucas, this was not the moment. He was being attentive again; the anxiety over her living situation was taken care of. So for this day, she would concentrate on the blessings and not fret over the "what ifs".
When Lucas took her mouth with his, she melted against him unable to keep from taking what she could from the man she loved.
Each moment was precious, a lesson Camille would never forget.
He pulled her against him and brushed kisses across her face to her ear. "Let's go have cake." The hoarseness in his voice made her smile.
Lucas wanted her more than cake at the moment.
CHAPTER ELEVEN