“You had to ask. Even though you believed something inside,” June placed her hand over her heart, “you had to know for sure.”
He set his jaw in a stubborn tilt. “I wish she’d come clean about why she did it.”
“It’s a personal thing for her,” June soothed. “When she’s ready to share, she will. Until then, I can stand the heat.”
She wasn’t sure what to think when he pulled her into his arms for a fierce hug.
“I don’t like anyone thinking badly of you,” he whispered against her hair.
“The only Driskills whose opinion of me matters are Hal’s and…” She looked up and met his gaze. “Yours.”
June couldn’t stop the tears that began slipping down her cheeks. It had been a hellish twenty-four hours. “I hurt you, I know I did, and I’m sorry. Sincerely sorry. You mean so much to me. I was scared. Scared of losing someone I lo—” She stopped and regrouped. “Someone who means so much to me.”
“Hey, you can’t get rid of me that easily.” He tipped her chin up with his finger and gazed into her eyes, eyes that still swam with tears and emotion. “I’m stuck like that piece of gum on your shoe. Remember at the festival?”
“How could I forget?” June gave a watery laugh and swiped at her eyes.
“You and I, we just needed to work through a few things, that’s all.” His voice, warm and low, soothed and comforted.
“You forgive me?”
“Nothing to forgive.” His lips twisted in a wry smile. “If anyone needs forgiveness, it’s me for reacting so badly.”
She offered a hesitant smile. “I guess we’re even, then.”
“I guess we are.” Placing both hands on the sides of her face, he kissed her softly.
With a contented sigh, she laid her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“Remember when we talked about everything happening for a reason?” His voice was a deep rumble against her ear.
June lifted her head. “I remember.”
“I believe that you and I are meant to be together.” His gaze searched hers. “We could have so easily tossed aside what we are building. Instead, we’ve taken a step back and thought about what’s really important.”
He glanced at her for confirmation, and she gave a cautious nod before he continued. “We’re able to work through the challenges tossed in our path because of the feelings we have for each other and the respect we have for each other. I firmly believe we can handle anything, as long as we’re together.”
Though June’s heart lifted, she wanted to be realistic. Cameron was close to his family, and their opinions mattered to him. The last thing she wanted was to come between him and those he loved. “You know your family won’t approve.”
As there was no disputing that assertion, he didn’t even bother to try.
“We’ll have each other and Hal. It’s enough.” He smiled, and his voice softened. “Besides, I have every confidence they’ll eventually come around.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hey, they got over my sister marrying a Flock, didn’t they?”
June laughed. Flinging her arms around his neck, she held on tight. Cameron was right. They could face whatever the future held, as long as they were together.
* * *
When Cameron Driskill first appeared in DON’T SAY MAYBE, I knew that he would have to have his own love story…and that somehow they mysterious JUNE PARKER would play a part. I hope you agree that Cameron and June make a great couple.