“His Maggie is dying,” I say with a soft sigh, brushing loose sawdust from the scrolled arm of the bench. “A whole life together, and now, he’s not sure what to do with himself if she’s not there. They have grown kids, one works with him on the family farm, but it won’t be the same without her.”

Cameron is quiet. “No. I don’t imagine it will.”

“So,” I say, straightening and taking the piece from him. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close. “I love you.”

He huffs a laugh, stirring the hair at my neck. “I love you, too. And I love that I can say that now.”

“You could have said it before.”

“I tried to.”

I take a half step back, arching a brow.

He laughs again. “What? I did! It was just with my eyes. And, like, my … intentions.”

“Your intentions?”

“Whatever, I can say it now. I love you.” He takes a deep breath and yells, “I LOVE SHELBY SPRINGFIELD!”

I giggle, lifting on to my toes and kissing his cheek. “You’re a dork. You don’t have to use my last name all the time, you know.”

His eyes twinkle with mischief. “Oh, I do, though. I want to make sure there’s no confusion with all the other Shelbys.”

I sigh, taking in his open, handsome face. He’s so steadfast and strong. Solid, like this oak pew, ready to take on the test of time.

“I’m sorry for the things they said in the article, Cam.”

He furrows his brow.

“I know,” I say at the exasperation in his expression. “I didn’t write it and had nothing to do with it, but you can’t say this didn’t happen because of me. I brought this on you, just by being with you … That’s how this is always going to be. Twenty years from now, they’re gonna dig out my mistakes and pin them to your name. No matter what we do, my past will haunt us.”

“Twenty years from now, huh?” he asks, his face transforming and his white teeth flashing in an easy grin.

“I’m serious, Cameron. There’s no way the pilot will sell after this. And what about National Geographic?”

“What about them? I’m being serious, too.”

I take a deep breath. This needs to be said. Before we go any further. “Cam, I’m the same girl I was five years ago, and you didn’t want—”

His gaze darkens and he steps out of the cradle of my arms. He reaches for my hands, opening them faceup and pressing a gentle kiss to each palm. I bite my lip against the sudden rush of emotion cutting off my breath.