"Meaning Jessica? " "I'm that transparent? " "No, but she is, " he
said. "She's always looking at you like she's thinking about shooting
you." Cole grinned. "It's love all right."
"How can you be so sure? Every one who meets you wants to shoot
you."
"We're getting married."
"Has she agreed? " "No." Daniel burst into laughter and was surprised
at how good it made him feel to let his guard down and relax for a few
minutes.
"Then how do you think you're going to get her to marry you? " Cole
smiled. "Ever hear of a shotgun wedding? " "No, but I've got a
feeling I won't want to miss it."
"Good, " Cole said, "because your attendance is going to be
required."
"Why? " "Who do you think is going to hold the shotgun? " They both
laughed.
Grace turned to smile at Daniel. She and Jessica were sitting side by
side at the edge of the creek, dangling their feet in the water.
"What do you think they're laughing about? " she asked Jessica.
"I don't know. I'm trying to figure out where they found the
strength.
I'm too tired to eat."
"Me too." S JuLie fanwood Jessica was walking back to camp when she
spotted Cole coming toward her. He wasn't smiling now, but looked
terribly serious, and when he reached her, he didn't say a word. He
simply caught her hand in his and kept walking. She either had to
follow him or fall down.
"What are you doing? " "You need to work the stiffness out of your
muscles."
"I'm too exhausted to walk."
"Walking isn't what I had in mind." Her heart felt as though it had
just skipped a beat. "Oh, no . . . you can't think . . . " "I can if
you'll let me." She tried to tug her hand away, but it was a
halfhearted attempt, and when he tightened his hold, she gave in. He
continued on until they were well away from camp, then turned to her.
In the moonlight, his face was golden. She stared into his amazingly
beautiful blue eyes, and she thought he was surely the most handsome
man in the whole world. How could he possibly love her? She was so
ordinary and plain, and he could have any woman he wanted. Why had he
chosen her?
"Do you still love me? " He couldn't believe she had to ask. "Do you
think I would change my mind so swiftly? No, don't answer that, " he
cautioned, "'cause then I'll get mad. Yes, I do still love you. "
"Why? " She was genuinely perplexed. Cole was astonished and realized
then that she had absolutely no idea of her appeal. Hadn't anyone ever
told her how perfect she was?
"Jessie, when you were a little girl, didn't your mother or father ever
tell you that you were smart and clever and sweet and good-hearted
andţ" He would have gone on and on if she hadn't interrupted him. "My