Perilous Assurance

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  "Oh, I've missed the camper." Mattie slid out of the car, leaving her cane behind. She figured she wouldn't need it until the morning. She smiled as she looked over the trailer, the soft gold light filtering through the curtains making it look so cozy and inviting, and she couldn't wait to get inside the space filled with so many memories of the two of them together. And after nine hours total on the road, she was ready to relax. She unlocked the trunk, and pulled out her smallest tan suitcase, packed with a couple of changes of clothes, and bathroom essentials. Clay joined her and took the suitcase from her, leaning down to give her a quick kiss. He unlocked the narrow metal door, and held her elbow as she stepped up into the tiny camper. She stood in the kitchen as Clay closed the door, and saw a chocolate cake, wrapped in cellophane, on the kitchen counter and smiled up at him.

  "I saw it on the shelf at the bakery, and it reminded me of our trip to Fallingwater," he smiled.

  She turned to look at the rest of the camper and tears came to her eyes as she stared at the bed, and saw what he'd done for her arrival. The bed was covered with crisp white sheets, turned down neatly over a beige blanket, and there were two plump white pillows at the top. She smiled through her tears as she saw the red roses, tucked in white florist paper, laying against her pillow, and she turned and reached her arms up to his shoulders. He set down her suitcase and wrapped his arms around her waist, and nuzzled her neck. She slid her hands up behind his neck and ran her fingers through his short hair.

  "There are seven roses, one for each month since I met you," his voice was husky as he whispered, and she felt his warm breath on her ear. "I love you, Mattie, and I'll be thankful for you the rest of my life." She felt his warm hand brush her hair back from her cheek, and she lifted her face and gazed at him through her lashes as he bent to kiss her.