Page 104 of Must Love Scoundrels
“I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t know how it works. I’ve never been in love before. Until now.”
Duncan’s hold on the chair faltered and he found himself kneeling on the floor.
Lucy was right before him, grasping his hands. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I had to tell you while I had the chance.”
“You’re wrong,” he croaked. “I do want to hear.”
She wiped at her eyes. “You do?”
“Say it again.”
“I know you don’t—”
“Not that part.”
“Oh, the part where I love you?”
He inhaled sharply.
“I do, Duncan. I don’t know how I didn’t realize it before, but I love you. All I could think about was you. I would stare at the stupid bunkhouse and wish you were there. I would think about all the things you do that I like and even the things I don’t like, and I’d miss you. A thousand times a day I’d want to share something with you. You were the first thing I thought about in the morning and the last thing at night. That must be love, right?” She didn’t give him the chance to answer, not that he had an answer. “And then when I saw you, my heart wouldn’t stop pounding. I wanted to go to you, to hold you, and tell you how I felt. I didn’t ever want you to go away again. But I didn’t think you still loved me.”
“I do.”
“I love you too. I was an idiot before.”
“No.”
“And that’s why I chose Mission B. I was hoping if we worked together again, maybe you’d give me a second chance.”
Duncan pulled her close and just held her. He closed his eyes as her scent enveloped him. He didn’t think he’d ever feel her body against his again. She put her arms around him and crawled into his lap. “Duncan?”
“Mhm?”
“I’m rather new at this. What does this embrace mean? Do I get a second chance?”
He pulled back and took her face in his hands. “You get a million chances. I love you, Lucy.”
Her face broke into a smile, and there were the dimples he loved. She kissed him, and he kissed her back, feeling as though he were home again. He was vaguely aware that the door opened, and Baron said, “I’ll come back later.”
Lucy laughed and broke the kiss. “Uncle Winn, I think this means we’ll take Mission B.” She looked at Duncan. “Together?”
He nodded.
“Very good.” Baron cleared his throat. “Perhaps you could continue with this, er—reconnaissance outside of my study?”
Lucy crawled out of Duncan’s lap. “There’s just one more thing. Stand up,” she told Duncan.
His knees were wobbly, but he managed it and reached to pull her up too. But she shook her head. “You stand. I must kneel for this.”
“For what?”
“The marriage proposal.”
Duncan’s jaw dropped. “Lucy—”
“Duncan—er, what is your middle name? Do you have one?”
“Patrick.”
