"IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN AN EVENT-FILLED DAY," Camille told Lucas who walked up the stairs before her carrying a bag she'd packed at Sarah's. "Thank you again so much for everything."
He placed the bag on a chair and faced her. "Stop thanking me. I am supposed to take care of you, it's my duty."
"Duty?" She raised an eyebrow and studied him. "Interesting choice of words."
He looked to the floor and then back to her. "You are my woman aren't you?" His lips curved into a flirty grin. "Mine."
"So how did you come to this conclusion?" She couldn't wait to hear his reply.
Lucas frowned and cleared his throat. "I suppose I shouldn't speak for you. But Camille, damn it, I've been clear since the beginning. I plan for us to be together for the rest of our lives."
She walked closer and pushed at his chest with both hands. "Your plan? Have you considered taking my opinion into consideration?"
When he didn't stop smiling, she wanted to kick him. Instead, she huffed and crossed her arms. "Well?"
Lucas stopped smiling and dropped to his knees. He looked up at her, meeting her gaze. "Camille Johnston, will you please marry me? I won't take no for an answer. Just a warning."
Camille opened her mouth then closed it. What kind of a proposal was that?
"You are the woman for me and I know you feel the same. Be my wife, Camille."
Her heart melted at the anxious expression when she didn't reply right away. "Lucas McKade, I would be happy to marry you." Camille lowered to the floor and wrapped her arms around his neck bringing him to kiss her.
She'd never tire of his larger body, the heat that coursed through her veins when Lucas touched and kissed her. Just to be in his presence was enough to make her feel secure and safe.
"Let’s get married right away." Lucas held her against him. "I don't want to wait."
Camille allowed him to assist her to stand. "I don't know, Lucas. I think we should wait until after Brogan and Sarah's wedding. They get married in a few days. We should at least wait a day or so later."
"I suppose." Lucas held her hand and sat in a chair, pulling her to sit on his lap. "How long before we get married then?"
It was nice to laugh while talking to the man she loved. "I'll speak with Sarah and see what we come up with. I'd prefer something simple. No need for a fancy dress or anything of the sort. I'd rather it just be us, Sarah and Brogan at the church. Is that all right with you?"
Lucas caressed her cheek. "If that is what you wish. I know you don't like to have a lot of people about."
"Actually, I don't mind being around groups of people. In the past, I was nervous Tim or another of the Burns family would be among a crowd without me knowing."
"You were in hiding. I understand."
Camille relaxed knowing he did, indeed, understand. "There is so much we have to learn about each other." She giggled. "I'm glad we're getting married right away before you change your mind."
"I never will."
Cupping his face, she pressed her nose to his. "I need to ask you something."
"I'm listening."
"Does my past bother you in any way? Five years from now will you bring up that I was married to an outlaw?"
"Everyone has a past. If anything, when I think of your past, I can't help but admire how courageous you were to escape and manage to keep from being caught."
"I couldn't take living under those conditions any longer. It was either leave or eventually die. My spirit was dying. I found no reason to keep living."
He held her for a long moment, neither of them speaking. How wonderful it felt to be accepted by this wonderful man who loved her no matter what.
Lucas reveled in the feelings of his woman. She was like no other he'd ever known. She had so many good qualities; it astounded him that she felt as if he could judge her in any manner.
"Camille. Have you thought about the fact I may have been the one to kill your husband? Although we were all shooting, the two other men were felled right away. Only Brogan and I remained. I am pretty sure I killed him."
Her somber eyes looked past him for a beat before meeting his gaze. "I have thought about it. I know it will sound harsh, but I didn't feel sadness when they told me he died. It was going to happen sooner or later. Bill Burns was poison, not only to his family but also to the entire town. I have a feeling now that he's gone, Blairsville will flourish."
"I hope so. You didn't answer my question."
Her lips curved and he couldn't resist kissing her. "If anything, I should thank you. You saved me from a horrible outcome. If he'd been alive when I was returned, he would have beaten me. Tim was his father's son."
Lucas didn't want to imagine what Camille had gone through at the hands of the Burns’. Instead, he concentrated on the present. "I should go. I'm impatient for the time to come when I don't have to leave you."
With reluctance, he let her slide off his lap. She straightened her skirts, the actions, although prim, were very alluring. "You should go Deputy McKade. Both of us have a lot to do tomorrow."