Perilous Assurance

  ******

  His pony tail had somehow come loose, and Mattie ran her hand through his long, black hair, as he kissed her shoulder. He tucked his arm under her and she nestled against him. She could stay like this forever, and she sighed languidly as she trailed her hand across his chest, her eyelids heavy.

  "I have to tell you something, Mattie." He slanted his eyes down at her.

  "Hmm..what is it?" she gazed at him through her lashes.

  He propped up on his elbow and she saw him take a deep breath as he gazed at her.

  "I want you to know that I love you." He blinked thoughtfully at her as he trailed his fingers along her jaw, and she felt her pulse quicken. "I love you." She searched his face, smiling at the warmth in his eyes, and the goodness of his heart. She laid her hand on his bearded cheek and gazed into his eyes.

  "Then, we're in complete accord, because I love you as well," she whispered, relieved to acknowledge her feelings, and she smiled at him softly, and her heart relaxed as they held each other.

  "What is so amazing to me," he whispered, "...is that the moment I saw you that night, and then spoke to you the next day? I knew that I never wanted to be without you...I just knew." He lowered his brows as he gazed at her, running his hand softly down her arm, and she smiled at him in the dim light of the camper. "And finding out that you feel the same is even more incredible to me. It's changed my thinking...my thoughts about the future."

  "What are your thoughts now?"

  "I see a future now that's full of possibilities....the two of us handling anything that comes our way...together. Truthfully, I always thought I could live alone for the rest of my life, but now, I know that I can't." He eyed her and she saw the laugh lines beside his eyes deepen. "And, to realize that so quickly. I'll forever be amazed," he laughed softly. "I can't live without you, Mattie...that's the truth, and I'm old enough to know that for certain." He reached for her hand, and lifted her fingers and pressed them to his lips. She gazed at him through her wet lashes, and knew that she did, indeed, feel the same, and she always would. They both understood that they were meant to be together. He leaned down and kissed her gently, then they settled themselves so they both were comfortable, and with his warm arms around her, she closed her eyes and fell into a sound, contented sleep.