Methodically, she wrapped the frame, all the while coming to grips with the new level of pain that had settled deep into her chest.
“If you happen to have something that needs to be said, I could perhaps stop by and tell him before they take him away.”
Cameron’s generous offer hovered between them. After placing the package in the box, she closed the flaps and held her hand over the opening as she focused on Cameron.
“Tell him...just tell him I’m proud of him and I love him.” Megan couldn’t believe she’d never be able to tell him in person again, but if this was all she had, she was going to take it. Cameron nodded and turned to go. Megan stared at his back. Had he only come to deliver the message? Weren’t they going to talk about anything or even pretend to be...what? What could they discuss at this point? She’d thrown him out weeks ago, and she hadn’t extended a branch to him since.
“Cam,” she called just as his hand fell to her doorknob. “Wait.”
Glancing over his shoulder, he raised a brow as his eyes locked on to hers.
Gathering her strength and courage, she stepped around the coffee table and crossed the room to stand in front of him. He turned to face her, but the minuscule space between them may as well have been an ocean for all the tension that settled in the slot.
“Thank you.”
Megan looked up at him, at the man she’d fallen so deeply in love with, and seriously had no clue how she would go on without Evan or Cameron in her life.
“I know Evan and I had our issues,” Cameron started. “But we have one thing in common. We both love you.”
Megan swallowed the tears that threatened. The last time Cameron had been here she’d cried enough to last a lifetime.
“We both want to see you happy,” he went on. “Unfortunately we both had a terrible way of showing it.”
Cameron started to reach out, then stopped. She glanced at his hand, hovering so close, and slid her fingers through his.
“They always say the ones you love the most can hurt you the most.” The feel of his hand in hers sent a warmth spreading through her—a warmth she’d missed for two weeks. “I didn’t know that to be true until recently.”
Cameron’s free hand slid along the side of her face. Megan tilted her head just enough to take the comfort he was offering.
“To know that you did this for Evan means everything to me,” she added. “The thought of not seeing him again hurts, but it’s far better than seeing him through glass. He’ll have freedom and he’ll be able to start over. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for him.”
“What about you?” Cameron’s thumb stroked her cheek, the simple touch sending chills all over her body. “Are you going to start over?”
“That’s my plan,” she muttered. “It’s my only option at this point.”
Cameron’s mouth covered hers without warning. The hungry kiss started so demandingly, Megan had no choice but to clutch at his wide shoulders. Just as she was getting used to being overtaken, Cam lightened his touch, turning the kiss into something less forceful but every bit as potent and primal.
By the time he eased away and rested his head against hers, they were both panting.
“I’m begging you, Meg. Don’t leave.” Both his hands framed her face; the strength of his body covered hers, and the raw words hit her straight in her heart. “I don’t care if I look weak or pathetic. I’ll beg you to stay. I need you so much more than you need me. You’re so strong, and I know you would be just fine in Memphis. But I would not be okay here without you.”
Wrapping her arms around his waist, Megan couldn’t hold back any longer. The dam completely burst and tears she’d sworn never to shed in front of him again came flooding out. Cameron enveloped her, pulling her tighter against his chest as she let out all her fear, worry and uncertainty.
“I know I broke something in you with the choices I made.” His hand smoothed up and down her back, comforting her. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making all of that up to you. Please, please give me a chance.”
“I’m scared, Cam,” she murmured into his chest. “What happens when another big case comes along? What happens the next time you shut me out? What will I do when you decide the job is more important than I am or we are?”
Pulling back, Cameron looked her in the eye. “Nothing is more important than you are. Nothing. I came here expecting nothing from you, Megan. I came here to tell you about Evan, knowing full well that I could lose my job if anyone found out. I don’t care. You are worth every risk, every chance I’ll ever take.”
Megan hiccupped as the next onslaught of tears took over. “I’m a mess,” she told him, wiping the backs of her hands over her cheeks. “Look what you do to me.”
His eyes focused on her. “I’m looking, and I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my life. You’re it for me, Megan. I want to marry you and start a family with you. I know that’s a lot to absorb right now, but just stay so we can work this out.”
Megan couldn’t believe what he was saying. He wanted to marry her?
“If you can’t stay, if you’re already committed and cannot get out of the Memphis job, or if that’s really where your heart is, we can buy a place between here and there and we’ll commute.” Cameron kissed her lightly once more. “Just say you’ll give us a chance.”
“How could I refuse you?” she told him, raining kisses over his face. “How could I ever let you go?”
Cameron picked her up and started toward the hallway. “You’ll never have to find out.”
By the time they hit the bedroom, Megan knew she wasn’t going anywhere for a long, long time.
Epilogue
“How much farther?”
Cameron squeezed Megan’s hand and laughed. “Just don’t move that blindfold. We’re almost there.”
“I think you’re just driving in circles,” she mumbled. “If you keep going too much farther, I’m going to get carsick. We’re supposed to be on our way to our honeymoon.”
They’d been married for three hours. He’d promised her a memorable wedding night, and he intended to deliver, but they weren’t going far. He’d requested she keep her wedding dress on, told her it was important to him.
He glanced over, still a little choked up at the vision in white lace beside him. Her strapless gown fitted her body beautifully from her breasts to her waist with such a delicate fabric, he was afraid to touch her. In just a few short minutes she’d see why he wanted to keep her in her wedding gown. The airport could wait until tomorrow.
Tonight, he had a special surprise.
Cameron turned onto the dirt road and brought his truck to a stop just in front of the clearing. “Don’t move. I’ll come around to get you.”
By the time he’d gotten Megan out of the truck and stood her beside him, she was looking a bit pale.
“You feeling okay?” he asked. “I thought you were joking about the carsick thing.”
Megan whipped off her blindfold. “I’m not carsick—I’m pregnant,” she cried.
Shock slid over him at the same time she gasped as she took in her surroundings. “What are we doing back here?” she asked.
Cameron couldn’t think, couldn’t speak. His gaze darted to her flat stomach beneath her vintage gown and all he could think was he was going to be a father. He and Megan were going to be parents.
With a shout, he wrapped his arms around her, picked her up and spun her in a circle, the train of her dress wrapping around his feet.
“Sickness, remember?” she yelled.
Easing her down, Cameron kissed her thoroughly. “How long have you known?” he asked when he pulled back.
“I just took a test at home this morning. I wanted to wait until after the reception to tell you, when we were alone, but then you said you had a surprise for me so I waited.”
The flash of her coming down the aisle, smiling with tears in her eyes took on a whole new meaning now. She’d been radiant, beaming, a bright light coming toward h
im to make his life complete. She’d been there all along, and he was so thankful she hadn’t given up on them.
Their ceremony had been perfect, planned by his sisters-in-law, his mother and Megan. The church had been covered in a variety of flowers, vibrant colors splashed all around. No doubt all of it was gorgeous, but he’d only had eyes for Megan. There was nothing more beautiful than seeing your best friend walk toward you, knowing you were going to start down a path that would forever bind you in love. And when she’d kissed him, he’d felt every bit of her love. And he wanted to spend the rest of his life showing her how precious she was to him.
Cameron choked back his own tears because this was the happiest day of his life. He didn’t deserve all of this, but he was going to embrace every bit of it and build a family with the only woman he’d ever wanted.
“You’ve picked the perfect time to tell me.” Laughing, Cameron held out his arms and eased the train aside with his foot. “This is it. I bought this for us to build our house on.”
A wide smile spread across her face. “You’re serious? You mean it?”
Seeing how happy she was made draining his entire savings completely worth it. A baby on the way, a new house and a wedding just around the holidays was a whole lot to be thankful for.
“I wanted to see you here, on our land in that dress.” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “I wanted to capture this moment, this memory with you because I know it’s only going to get better.”
“I’m so glad I decided not to take that job in Memphis,” she told him, still smiling. “How did you keep this a secret from me?”
Cameron shrugged. “It wasn’t easy and I know I promised not to lie to you ever again, but I really wanted this to be a surprise.”
“Oh, Cameron.” Megan plastered herself against his side, wrapping her arms around his waist. “This is going to be perfect for our family. And maybe by this time next year we’ll have our house done, and we can have all of your family over for the holidays. We’ll have our little baby for everyone to fuss over.”
Kissing the top of her head, Cameron smiled as he surveyed the land. “I think that sounds like a plan. First thing we’ll move into the house will be—”
“Don’t say it,” she warned.
“Come on,” he joked. “The lamp has to come with us.”
Megan tipped her face up to his. “The only place that lamp needs to go is the Dumpster.”
Squeezing her tight, Cameron rubbed her back. “Well, we can negotiate that later, but I think it would be a great piece for the nursery.”
Smacking his abdomen, Megan groaned. “I will not give our child nightmares.”
“You’re right. It should stay in the living room. It has made quite a conversation starter.”
Megan laughed, easing up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “You know I love you, but it’s either me or the dragon lamp.”
Turning to fully engulf her in his arms, Cameron smiled and slid his lips across hers. “You. It’s always been you.”
* * * * *
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Chapter One
Ryan Ford signaled and pulled off Main Street into the parking lot of Jenkins’. The pub’s name was a testament to its no-nonsense atmosphere as a favorite local hangout. He might not be a drinking man, but he wasn’t abstaining from the best hot wings in Peach Leaf, Texas. After turning off his vehicle, he headed toward the door.
Walking into that pub was like taking a step into the past. The thick, delicious scent of frying chicken hit his nostrils, and the twang of country music from an ancient jukebox spilled out over heel-marred hardwood floors.
He swore not a single thing had changed, not even the barstools, which were made from salvaged tree stumps after a field nearby had caught fire a good twenty years ago. Each of the stools was carved into something unique—from horse behinds to totem poles. He couldn’t help himself. The stupid old things still made him chuckle. The only thing notably absent from the setting was a thick cloud of cigarette smoke.
Ryan smiled to himself, thinking of the ruckus it must have caused with the locals when whomever had been in charge decided to do away with smoking in bars.
The wall was still decorated with photographs of famous folks who had managed to stumble into Peach Leaf on their way to somewhere else. In snapshot after snapshot, famous arms were draped over and over again around the pub’s heavyset owner, Maude Jenkins, and her rail-thin husband, Jimmy. The couple smiled in each and every one, including the shot of Ryan and the rest of the senior varsity football team. A few of the photos were newer—ones Ryan hadn’t seen before—and the evidence that two of his favorite people were still happy after all this time made his heart dance a little two-step.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” The deep, smoky voice jolted Ryan out of his thoughts and he turned from the wall, smack into the arms of Maude. “Where in the hell have you been, boy? What’s it been? Fifty, seventy-five years since you’ve graced us with your presence?”
Ryan wrapped his arms around Maude’s broad shoulders and squeezed her into a hug. Her warm scent—a strangely comforting combination of leather and flowers—brought back memories of Friday nights after football games, when a good portion of the town had come to this same dive to celebrate wins.
“Hi, Mrs. Jenkins. How’ve you been?”
Maude flashed a huge, pink-lipsticked grin and held him out with her arms to give him a long once-over. “I’ve been fine, kid, just fine. But never mind. How the hell have you been?” She embraced him again and patted him on the back.
The woman was strong as an ox. The team had always teased her that she would make an excellent linebacker, and Maude, bless her, had never once taken offense, but rather accepted the comment as it was meant coming from clueless male teenagers—a compliment. Those pats would have knocked the wind out of a smaller man, but Ryan held his own at six-foot-two.
“Just fine, Mrs. Jenkins. Just fine,” he said, careful not to say too much.
Ryan and his father had discussed the sale of the Peach Leaf Pioneer Museum for months before they’d coordinated that morning’s face-to-face meeting with the owner and director. The museum—a centerpiece of Peach Leaf and a gold mine of West Texas history—would itself become a thing of the past in the near future, as Ryan’s architecture firm partnered with his dad’s construction company to build a cancer treatment hospital in its place. He knew and respected Mrs. Wallace’s reasons for selling her land, but the town was understandably upset about the coming change.
Arrangements were already being made for every artifact, along with the buildings, to be preserved. The university in Austin would take all of the smaller pieces, while the old settlement homes, dating back to the 1800s, were to be transferred to a similar museum just outside of Dallas.
It bothered him a little to know that the old houses wouldn’t be in their o
riginal location, but Mrs. Wallace had revealed that they were in desperate need of repair and preservation work. Her family had lovingly allowed visitors to trample through them for years, and the wear and tear had begun to take its toll. Ryan’s father, for all his faults, had worked hard to find a highly recommended specialist to handle the work, and the buildings would be well cared for at their new locale.
It was for the best.
But the town wasn’t likely to see it that way. He knew that it was only a matter of time before word got out that the museum as they’d known it would be gone, replaced by a new, very modern cancer-treatment hospital, and it wasn’t going to be pretty once word hit. The locals would see the benefit of a medical facility: plenty of much-needed new jobs, advanced health care nearby and so on...but they wouldn’t be pleased that the hospital would cost a piece of their heritage.
Ryan stopped that train of thought; it shouldn’t bother him. After all, Peach Leaf wasn’t his home anymore, and after he designed the buildings, the rest was his father’s problem. Ryan planned to be long gone by the time the news hit the fan.
Mrs. Jenkins chatted with him for a good half hour before finally releasing him from her grip to grab his arm and drag him over to the bar. She planted him on a stool and set to work, and before long the most decadent meal he’d had in ages was spread out in front of him like a king’s feast. He took a bite of a home-style fry and savored it before tucking into his chicken and munching with contentment while Maude chattered away about the locals.
It was early in the evening, and his only companions were Mrs. Jenkins and a few people he didn’t recognize, so if the President of the United States himself had walked in from the kitchen a moment later, it wouldn’t have surprised Ryan more than who actually did.
* * *
If there was one thing worse than getting laid off from a job you loved, it was having to ask for an old job back that you, well...didn’t.
It wasn’t that working for the Jenkinses fresh out of high school was bad; it just wasn’t what Katie had wanted to do for the rest of her life. Maude and Jimmy were wonderful employers who’d treated her the absolute best for the two years she’d worked for them, but even they had been glad when Katie had accepted the offer at the museum—they had known it would make her happy, and told her they were glad for her each time she dropped by for a Coke in the years since.
From Best Friend to Bride Page 16
