Perilous Assurance

  ******

  Mattie looked around her as Clay parked the Jeep near the trailer after their trip to the camp grocery store. "I really like this place, Clay. We'll have a view of the lake when the sun comes up." She could see a few more trailers nestled in the trees here and there, with the soft glow of their inside lamps emanating through the narrow curtained windows.

  "Cal was right...for once." Clay laughed as he opened the door of the camper and held her elbow as she stepped up. "Unfortunately though, it will be a quick view since we have to leave right about sunrise."

  "That's true. Have you got the dessert?"

  "Right here." They entered the small camper and Clay set the bag on the table and turned on the wall light, and they shrugged out of their jackets. As Clay hung their jackets in the closet, she pulled out the small chocolate cake and bottles of soda. Clay grabbed two forks out of the kitchen drawer and slid into the booth opposite her.

  Mattie took a bite of the cake and leaned back against the cushion. "Umm...so good." She smiled happily as she watched him take a large bite, and take a swig of his cola. "This is all a person needs, Clay. A cozy home and chocolate cake." She saw him purse his lips and narrow his dark eyes at her seriously, but his eyes were crinkling. "What?" She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and squinted her eyes at him and took another bite of the cake. "What?" She shook her head at him and sipped her cola. "Tell me what you're thinking."

  "Well...." He slowly stuck his fork into his side of the cake. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "When I told you earlier, Mattie, that you'd changed my life...I couldn't have been more serious." She swallowed and watched him quietly, as he continued. "You should know that I've never considered myself the type to settle down, nor have I been the type of guy to date a lot." He looked at her and smiled. "When you meet my family over Thanksgiving, I know for a fact that they'll tell you right off that I was considered the bachelor of the family...too serious into my work, and all of that. I'm just letting you know that meeting you will be a big shock for them. They're still upset that I had no interest in going to my high school prom." Mattie laughed at that, and she watched him take a bite of the cake, and he chewed for a moment, then took a swig of the cola.

  "I'm looking forward to meeting your family." Her voice was soft. "Especially Caleb, after all you've told me about your childhood adventures." She covered her mouth as she yawned. "We have an early morning tomorrow. Are you ready for bed?"

  "Yes, we most certainly do..." he grinned, and raised his eyebrow at her. "...and yes, I am."

  She watched as Clay cleared off the table, and she slid out of the booth and entered the tiny bathroom, so he could change it over. She glanced into the small round mirror Clay had hung on the side wall, and sighed happily.