"You have just turned horribly pale. What is wrong?" Sarah's voice permeated through the dread.
"It’s just that you're acting so strange and why is Lucas coming here so early?"
Sarah's nervous giggle did not settle her nerves one bit. Camille stood. "I can't possibly eat. Please just tell me what is happening."
"Come. It’s best we go ahead and go before I ruin everything." Sarah took Camille's hand, pulling her to the door while managing to grab their shawls. "Come, hurry."
Once outside in the brisk morning air, spying Sarah's barely concealed smile, Camille felt better. "Where are we going?"
"To see Olivia Blakely," was the curt reply as Sarah pulled her forward. "No more questions."
Lucas was crossing the road towards them. His hat pulled down, it cast a shadow over his handsome face. He wore a long, unbuttoned duster that flapped back from behind his legs as he made his way closer. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach when his blue eyes met hers. It was somewhat settling when he came closer and hugged her, lingering a bit longer than appropriate for public display. He kissed her temple. "Good morning, beautiful." The softly whispered words made tears of relief immediately spring and she blinked them away.
"No time for that right now," Sarah said, thankfully interrupting her from being silly.
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
"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 fee
l 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."
The bright summer day arrived with the fanfare of bright sunrays, birdsong, and light warm breezes. Camille strolled down the center of the small chapel to the front where Lucas and Brogan already stood. The entire room was filled for the occasion, everyone in town glad for an excuse to celebrate.
Both the sheriff and his deputy looked exceptionally handsome, Brogan with his long hair pulled back with a strap and Lucas next to him in a white shirt and vest. Her lips quivered at noticing how nervous the men looked, both swallowing visibly with rounded eyes. If one didn't know any better, it could be assumed they were about to be hung.
Camille motioned to them to relax lest they pass out and make a spectacle at the wedding. Sarah would be mortified if she were to be upstaged by two men fainting.
Violin music played and everyone stood to watch Doctor Sutherland escort Sarah down the aisle. She looked resplendent, her long, blonde hair pulled up, a long veil flowed down her back. Her face was pink with happiness as she locked eyes with her soon to be husband. Camille sighed at the sight of undeniable love between the two.
Just past them, Lucas watched her, his warm gaze sending shivers of delight through her. They'd be married the next week in a much simpler ceremony.
Although she'd told everyone she didn't want all the fanfare of a wedding, now witnessing Sarah and Brogan exchanging vows before so many well-wishers, she wondered if perhaps she'd made the wrong choice.
Instead of the chapel, they'd chosen to have an outdoor wedding, which would be more their style. So far, the only guests invited were the Blakelys, Brogan, Sarah and Doctor Sutherland. She'd asked Lacy, who'd politely declined stating it wouldn't be feasible. Of course, women like her were not sociably accepted, especially not at a religious ceremony. Still it saddened her.
The couple kissed and everyone stood once again, cheering and clapping as they made their way out. Lucas took Camille’s hand and placed it on his arm as they followed the newlyweds. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear.
"Next week we'll be in their shoes."
Camille smiled, unable to keep from giggling like a schoolgirl.
That night, Camille couldn't sleep. She fidgeted at every single sound. Since returning from her ordeal, nights had been horrible. Every time she was close to falling asleep, something would wake her. Now the sound of men arguing sent her from the bed to the window.
Below, in the middle of the street, two drunken men argued, pushing each other to make a point. A third man ran over and before long, all three were yelling curses and fighting. She moved away from the window and let out a sigh. Although she and Lucas had yet to discuss where they'd live, she would prefer to move away from the center of town. It was too noisy.
A shot rang out and she shrieked when her window shattered. Camille fell to the floor and scrambled to the kitchen. With her back to the far wall she waited to hear what happened next.
"Camille!" Lucas called out from below and Camille blinked away sleep. She'd fallen asleep on the floor for fear of another shot.
She jumped to her feet and went to the window. Careful of the broken glass, she peered down. "I'm here. Is everything all right?"
Lucas nodded. "Are you hurt?"
"No. Give me a minute." She motioned for him to wait as she stepped over broken glass, grabbed a robe and wrapped it around her.
Once downstairs, she opened the door to Lucas. His hair stood at odd angles, since he'd obviously been awakened out of a dead sleep. "I had to lock the drunks up before coming to check on you. When I saw they'd shot your window, my heart sank.” He hugged her tight and lifted her face. "Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"I was frightened, but I'm fine otherwise. I was already awake when they shot the window. Thankfully, I'd just moved away from it."
She shuddered and he cursed at the thought. "I had a surprise for you, but given the situation, tomorrow you are moving to our house."
"Our house?” Camille took a step back. "What do you mean?"
"The house that was just built down the road from where Brogan and Sarah live. I bought it."
Camille shrieked with happiness and threw herself at him, making him stumble backwards. "I am so very glad. It hadn't occurred to me until tonight that we had not discussed our living plans."
Her wedding day finally arrived.
"I never imagined that the weather might not cooperate," Camille said frowning. "It's summer for goodness sakes. Why is it so windy?"
Mrs. Blakely patted her hand. "Don't you worry, sweetie. It will all be fine. Just wait and see."
They were under the cover of a makeshift tent, as the guests assembled before a large oak tree. It was the same tree Camille had
climbed on the day the bull had chased her.
Both she and Lucas had decided it was the perfect place, since it was a short ride from town and there was plenty of shade under all the nearby trees.
Just then, a gust of wind blew, billowing up the flaps of the tent. Sarah laughed at Camille's shocked expression when her skirts threatened to fly up.
"Let's get this done before we all end up blown away or rained on," Camille grumbled, picking up her dress.
When she stepped from under the tent, she stopped and her mouth fell open. There were at least twenty people there. She could only gape at the tree. All the lower branches had been decorated and standing before it was Lucas. Once again, he was handsome in his dress clothes. But on this day, his face was bright with a wide smile when he looked at her.
Nothing else existed as she repeated words after the pastor and listened to Lucas' deep voice repeating the same words. Finally, they were pronounced man and wife.
Everyone gathered there chuckled when Camille cried out "Hurray!" and wrapped her arms around her new husband. The kiss was lighter than she expected, but due to the fact there were so many witnesses, she was tickled that Lucas was a bit shy about it.
Arm in arm, they greeted the guests and everyone spread out to picnic in the shade. Thankfully, the wind died down as she and Lucas made their way to where Mrs. Blakely and Sarah had set up food for them.
"Look," Lucas pointed across the way to where cattle were fenced in. "A well wish for you from an old friend."
On the other side of the fence, the bull stood watching her, around its neck a wreath of wildflowers and ribbons.
"Oh my goodness," Camille laughed at the spectacle. "How did you ever manage that?"
Lucas chuckled. "Surprisingly, he's pretty docile. His owner helped me do it. Even made sure he'd been within eyesight."
The bull shook its head, seeming to be confused.
"Serves you right," Camille said to the animal that decided to ignore the obstacle and lowered its head to graze only to jerk back up when the wreath slipped down past his face to plop on the ground. The animal studied it for a second and then galloped away.
Seven Nights of Sin: Seven Sensuous Stories by Bestselling Historical Romance Authors Page 51