To Thine Own Self

She smiled up at him. "And what did he say?"

He grimaced. "He said he'd take it under consideration." He shook his head. "You didn't have much faith in me, did you?"

Heat crawled up her neck. How could she answer that without hurting his feelings? No, she didn't have much faith in him, but that wasn't his fault. She snuggled close to him and when his arms comforted her, she sighed in contentment.

"I was a fool," she finally said. "I'd like to say it will never happen again, but …" She lifted her head. "I think you'd know better than that. I'll just say I'm sorry and I'll try not to be so hysterical in the future."

He chuckled. "I don't know about hysterical, but you do get emotional. Maybe passionate would be a better word. You care deeply about things, Carmen. I'm thankful that one of those things is me."

She hugged him. "I love you more than I can describe. I don't want you to ever be unhappy. I love the way you take charge; your confidence and the way you're so fastidious about everything. I don't understand what such a wonderful person sees in a hick like me. I'm afraid you'll grow tired of me or this place.

For a few moments he simply held her. When he spoke again, it was with the old confidence.

"The future is frightening if you dwell on it. It's good to have hopes and dreams, but we need to live today to its fullest because it's only going to happen once." He was quiet for a few moments and then he stroked her arms as he spoke.

"I fell head over heals with the little goat lady who had the courage to get right up into my face and give me what-for about a hen I threw to the fox. Remember that? It wasn't important whether you were right or wrong. I've seen you knocked to your knees with pneumonia, grief and a sick husband, but you always come right back up fighting. Life might get stressful at times with you Carmen, but I'll never be bored."

His fingers tightened around her upper arms and he pulled her away from him. Looking down at her, he continued.

"I don't want to run your life. I never did. I thought that was what you wanted. I want to protect and cherish you. If you think I'm getting paternal about it, just tell me and I'll back off."