She looked up at him. “He’ll be angry, I imagine. But he’ll either calm down and accept that I’m not coming home, or . . . he won’t.” She gave him a sad smile. “Perhaps Mary will be able to convince both him and Mama that I’m happier here.”
“So you wish to stay here, in Cañon City?” Images of a life together began to flood his thoughts, pushing away thoughts of death and guilt.
She tilted her head to the side and studied him a moment. “Perhaps. Unless the man I love wishes to live elsewhere.”
“Oh, you must mean Mr. Lindstrom.” It felt good to tease her, especially when the smile stretched across her face.
“I didn’t accept his proposal.” She paused. “Although I suppose I could . . .”
Mark looked around at the dismal, dark house. This was a place of desperation and sadness. He wasn’t about to ask her such an important question in here.
Instead, he took a step backward and dropped his arms to hold out one hand to her. “Come.”
She took his hand and followed him out the door. Outside, Young and the two remaining men had found a horse for Polson.
The sheriff glanced between Mark and Charlotte. “Come see me tomorrow.” And he gave them a knowing smile and began to lead the horse away, the other men, and McNab draped over another horse, following behind.
In the span of a few minutes, they were alone.
Charlotte looked up at him. “I believe you were going to tell me whether or not I should accept Mr. Lindstrom’s proposal. Perhaps—”
She stopped speaking when he dropped to one knee.
“Charlotte,” he started, suddenly feeling as if every word he planned to say sounded ridiculous in his head. He took a deep breath and began again. “Charlotte, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Making you laugh, saving you from whatever dark hovel you’ve ducked into for an adventure, and eating the terrible pie and tasteless cake you make and telling you how wonderful it is. Will you marry me?”
She covered her smile with her hand, and then nodded. “Yes. Yes, of course I will.”
And with that, he rose, gathered her into his arms, and did what he wanted to do ever since he had first seen her. Ever since she’d kissed him. And ever since she’d arrived safely back in his arms. He dropped his lips to hers and savored every second. Her breath caught and a soft sigh escaped her lips. He pulled her even closer, and kissed her as if he would never have the opportunity to do so again.
When they broke apart, she leaned against his chest, as if she no longer had the strength to stand.
“I plan to do that at least fifty times a day for the rest of our lives,” Mark said.
She looked up at him, her eyes soft and hazy in the darkness. “Well, then, I suppose we ought to get started.”
He laughed, and then he kissed her again.
