Your birthday present.
Its not my birthday until October.
She cocked a foot forward. This is relevant to what? You put up those giant Happy Birthday banners for me all over Main Street, and my birthday isnt until August.
What day?
The thirty-first. Her eyes narrowed. Dont distract me. Youre going to take that car back.
The hell I am, he said amiably. Just for the record, is the dog house-trained?
They said she was, at the rescue place, but When Daisy opened the balcony door, the pup leaped down from the bed and galloped outside, only falling over its feet once. My take is that shes well people-trained. If you let her outside every ten minutes, she doesnt go in the house. With the pup safely in the fenced yard, Daisy turned back to him and started up her rant again. Nobody gives me a car, Teague. I dont want to owe anyone, ever again. You know Im not rolling in money, but Ive saved almost every dime since coming home. I can do without until Ive got it together. I dont need charity.
Well, of course you dont. But I figured you knew I was nothing like Jean-Luc. You would never worry that I was trying to buy your affection or trying to con you. Right?
Well, of course thats right, but-
God, it felt good, hearing her say it. So he forged on, So I knew youd understand this was completely different. Id never do anything to undermine that fierce pride of yours. I just honestly thought youd need your own car if we were married.
That vulnerable expression intensified times ten. She sucked in a breath, and then, as if she still couldnt get enough oxygen, sank on the far edge of the bed.
You dont want to get married, remember? You cant seem to work with other people, you said. Youd given up on relationships, you said. Its not that you wanted to be alone, but you figured you were too ornery for anyone to survive living with you, you-
Yeah, I know what I said. He crooked his finger, urging her to come closer. But didnt you notice the strangest thing happening? That we were working together? Really well?
Well, I wouldnt say really well. I bossed you around that one day in front of your customer-
You did. And I was astounded how much I liked that. He crooked his finger at her again, since she still hadnt budged from the foot of the bed. Who would have guessed it could be so much fun to work with someone else? Since Im as mean as I always was, I realized the difference had to be you. You were the one who made it fun. And I figured if you could work with someone as pigheaded as me, marriage would be a piece of cake. Youd like it. We could have sex a couple of times every day. And we could eat together and work together and fight together. I could teach you to run a planer and a band saw. You could take me to a nude beach on the Riviera once a year. We could have kids. Have all our families together at Christmas. We could add and subtract from that general list, but doesnt it sound like a good basic plan?
His Daisy didnt cry. Ever. But suddenly her eyes welled up and were glittering like crystals, making him pretty sure-not positive, but pretty sure-she thought it was a good basic plan. He started breathing again. His heart was still scared, but not as gut-scared, soul-scared, aching-scared as it had been the night before.
But what about all those things you said, Teague-
We already talked about those. So how about if we talk about all the things you said? Since she seemed to be frozen in place, he sat up, reached over and tugged her over the comforter to his side. And when she was there, on his down pillow, all tangled up in sheets and comforter, he pinned her down, first by kissing her left temple, then her left ear, then her left cheekvery, very tenderly. You said White Hills made you feel stifled.
That used to be true, she affirmed.
So, just for the record, if its still true, I dont give a damn if we live in Timbuktu.
I think right here in White Hills might just be perfect, she said, and then closed her eyes, when he finished kissing the whole right side of her face and then honed in on her mouth. He had to linger over that kiss, because it wasnt funny, how afraid hed been that he might never hold her again, that she would leave him, that it was an impossible dream that she could ever love him.
Youre not bored here?
I havent had a second to be bored. Her fingertips traced his jawline, and although he knew he was out of his mind with hope, he could swear he saw both lust and wonder in her eyes. You know what? I used to think that the place you lived mattered. But the place isnt the source of excitement. You are, Larson.
Me? Im as ordinary as they come. And thats an honest problem, I realize. Youre exotic and rare and an orchid in every way. When Im doomed to be nobody fancy.
Teague?
What?
I have a secret to tell you. She motioned him just a little closer, which was a trick. When he obediently moved to accommodate her, she twisted until she was on top, and then exercised some kissing techniques of her own. She probably thought she had him pinned, which was certainly an illusion he wanted her to have, because he loved Daisy at her most dangerous. She kissed him and kept kissing him. Ardently. Winsomely. Sweetly. You love me, she told him.
You think thats a secret? Hell, Ive known that for ages. He started unhooking the overalls. I adore you, Dais. I love your fancy side and your practical side. Your elegance and your common sense. Your spirit. Your pride. Your heart-and I promise, Ill spend a lifetime protecting that wonderful, giving, precious heart of yours.
Can I tell you another secret?
We have to keep talking?
Just for a little longer, she promised him. I just wanted to tell youI love you. I never thought Id find a man I could be honest with. A man I could trust. A man who didnt want a woman to walk in his shadow. I always thought I had to hide who I really was.
He cut her off, not because he didnt want to talk to her for the next hundred years. But because shed hit him where it counted.
She knew him. Really knew him. Knew about his dog, knew about his faults and weaknesses, knew things about him no one else did-and still loved him. It was what he wanted to give her for a lifetime, that total trust that she could be herself with him, that she was safe, that theyd protect each other through lifes challenges.
Right then, though, hed just as soon she didnt think he was totally safe. She could cope with a little danger. She liked a little risk. And as soon as he got the rest of her clothes off, he felt inspired to give her all the danger and risk she could handle-along with that other wild four-letter word. Love.
Epilogue
Daisy tiptoed upstairs, where her sisters baby was sleeping in the old nursery. She found Rose awake. Not wide awake, but awake enough that she was surely justified in picking her up.
She crooned softly as she carried her niece over to the window overlooking the backyard. I finally got you alone, didnt I, little one? How are you ever going to know that Im your favorite aunt if everyone else always grabs you? But Ive got you now, you darling
Below, the family party was in full swing. Daisy gave herself full credit for the reunion-it was her birthday today, August 31-but the day was just an excuse. As close as their family was emotionally, it had been years since theyd had a chance to really spend time together-much less at the Campbell family homestead.
Below, Cameron and Pete, her brothers-in-law, were both holding spatulas in front of a flaming barbecue and looking bewildered. Petes two teenage boys had gotten ahold of a hose, and were racing around, soaked to the bone. God knew how many dogs were chasing them. Hussy II fit right in with Camilles pack, but Daisy only recognized the shepherd and the bloodhound-the rest looked like the derelict rescue dogs they all were. Violets cats were supervising the party from the cool, safe height of the shade trees.
Her gaze softened as she spotted her parents. Margaux was carrying another bowl outside-two picnic tables were set up and already sagging with food, a good thing since nothing coming off the grill had a prayer of being edible. Colin stepped up behind Margaux and swung her in a hug. The two looked at each other the same way they always had when they thought their three daughters didnt notice. Even after all these years, the love between them glowed like sunshine, silent, warm, healing.
You know Grandma and Grandpa, dont you, Rose, Daisy murmured. Grandma always smells like lavender. And when you get a little older, shell let you make cookies and all kinds of messes in the kitchen. And then Grandpaoh, youre going to love Grandpa. You get just a little bigger, and hell swing you up in the air and tickle you and make you laugh
She heard a footstep behind her and half turned.
She heard a footstep behind her and half turned.
I wondered where youd disappeared to-but it wasnt too hard to guess, Teague said wryly.
Not that she was prejudiced, but her husband was the handsomest of all the men there, so tall and lean, so full of hell with those dark eyes and sexy smile. She smiled when he bent down to kiss her. You surviving my family okay?
Theyre terrific.
You were worried?
How could I not be worried? I had visions of three more women just like you and the kind of father who thinks no man is ever good enough for his daughter.
Ha. My dad took one look at you and said Id finally developed some judgment in men. She added wryly, Which was true. Im keeping you, Mr. Larson, and thats that.
Yeah, well, Im keeping you, Mrs. Larson, and thats that.
She grinned, until the baby suddenly let out a small squall, as if offended to be ignored for so long. You want to hold your niece? she asked Teague.
Not exactly. Theyre pretty scary when theyre that little. Um
She didnt give him a choice, simply lifted the baby into Teagues arms. He looked alarmed for several seconds, but then Teague was complete mush in the heart area-which she knew. His arms instinctively snuggled the baby. Rose opened her eyes and blew a bubble for her uncle.
Im in love, Teague admitted gruffly. Shes scary, mind you. But if ours is even half this beautiful, Ill be okay. I think. Possibly. Maybe.
Ours? Daisy repeated.
His gaze shot to hers. Did you think I wouldnt guess?