Okay. So this is the first Chapter that I'm flying solo. Sari isn't going to be adding to my chapters anymore she says. She read it through and helped me with the phrasing in some places, but other than that; the dialog and plot is all me. :) Really nervous and I hope it came out okay. I know that chapter is pretty long, but I couldn't cut it short; the story just kept coming. Let me know if it doesn't measure up and feel free to give me pointers. I'm kind of insecure without Sari doing her magic on it.

Peace out ~ Mollie

Song for this chapter You are the love of my life - Sammy Kershaw

Charlie POV

"Charlie!" I was surprised by the voice calling my name but recovered quickly and smiled, giving a wave. Billy Black was wheeling himself through the police station with his white smile fully on show.

"Hey Billy," I greeted when he came close.

"Charlie, it seems like it's been months since I've seen you." There was that look in his eyes when he knew something was going on and he was going to stare you down until you confessed. He should've been a cop.
"It has been a while," I agreed. "You were pretty busy on the reservation with Sam and Emily getting married and of course keeping all those boys in line."

Billy just watched me silently and when I didn't give anything away by even a facial tic, he nodded. "You're right. But we should catch up. How about I come over on Sunday to watch the game? I'll bring the beer and we can order pizza or something."

I stifled the cringe that rose in me. It wasn't that I didn't want to hang out with Billy; he was one of my oldest and best friends. But I would rather spend that time with Leah.

"Sure, but leave the food up to me. I'm not in the mood for pizza."

He chuckled but nodded. "Alright. Well, I just wanted to stop by and make sure you were still alive and kicking." He looked at me funny, but I shook it off. I must just be paranoid.

"Yep; I'm all here."

He left a few minutes later and I went into my office, dropped in my chair and rubbed my eyes. My lack of sleep was catching up with me in the late hour of the day and the mental stress of everything was starting to fray my nerves. I wanted to go home and hold Leah.

Just hugging her this morning -despite her tears- had soothed the anxiety I had over leaving her. For her sake, I tried not to show my negative feelings but I hated leaving her as much as she hated me leaving. I felt incredibly possessive of her and it was like some primitive cave man surfaced in me when it came to her. I didn't like other men looking at her; didn't like the thought of them thinking she was single and available. There was a need in me to mark her so no one could doubt she belonged to me. The scary part of that feeling was that it didn't have anything to do with putting a wedding ring on her finger. That primal side that was restless wanted to brand her body itself with something that made her mine. It confused and freaked the hell out of me because I had never felt that way before and I didn't understand what it even meant.

My cell buzzed and I looked at the screen. '1 new message'.

'I couldn't sleep so I moved'.

Under that one sentence was a picture of my bed. Well, the lower half of my bed with Leah's bare legs tangled in the blue striped sheets.

"Henderson; Tanner's on call tonight. I'm outta here."

My second in command grinned and followed me out through the little station to where I was parked.

"Hot date tonight?"

I chuckled. "Yep... With my pillow. I'm beat."

He gave me a skeptical look but didn't say anything more. I saluted him with a smirk and pulled out, headed home.

"I knew you couldn't resist," Leah said when I let myself into the dim house. She was leaning against the wall with her hair messy and just a button up shirt; my shirt. "I couldn't sleep after you left even though I am so freaking tired."

I locked the front door behind me and took the steps to meet her. "Have you eaten today?" She whispered as I pulled her into my arms. I sighed in contentment, having her right where I wanted her.

"Yeah. I needed coffee so I had breakfast at the diner. Muriel brought me a sandwich and made me eat it with an iced tea."

"Good, come sleep with me." She climbed the stairs with me one step behind. The movement of her leg muscles was pure art and I couldn't help but admire how perfect she was.

"I brought food for us later," she told me conversationally as she pushed open my bedroom door. She pulled the shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor as she walked towards the bed. Damn her body was fantastic!

"I'm so glad you haven't changed your sheets. I love how much they smell of you." She slid onto them and purred as she wiggled into place. I just stood in the doorway taking in her beauty.

"Don't just stare," she said, beckoning me to her. I didn't take a second longer than was necessary to divest myself of work hardware and my clothes. I set my gun and cell phone on the bedside table and stretched out next her.

"Ahh, it feels so good to just lay down."

She scooted closer and laid her head on my shoulder. "I don't go on shift until nine thirty tomorrow morning." She pressed a kiss on my jaw and pulled my head so her face was against my cheek. "That means I have a whole fourteen hours with you."

I turned on my side so I could hug her fully and she sighed as she relaxed against me. "Wake me up when you're hungry. I have all kinds of good things and a can of whipped cream."

I chuckled. "Why does my mind immediately go to non culinary pursuits just by the way you said 'a can of whipped cream'?"

She looked at me through sleepy eyes. "Maybe because I plan to eat it off of you in a most deliciously wicked way." She had a playful, sexy smile as she toyed with my hair. "But that isn't until after we've slept. I feel nauseous I'm so tired."

Her whole demeanor was in stark contrast to how upset she had been earlier. She was peaceful and relaxed, her face smooth as she laid cuddled against me. I ran my hand up and down her back and she hummed in pleasure. "I don't want to sleep because I'm with you; but I want to sleep because I am with you."

I fully agreed with that statement but I couldn't stave off the bone deep exhaustion that crept up steadily. "Sleep," I whispered to her. "I'll still be with you when you wake up."

I don't remember falling asleep, but I did because the next time I was aware of my surroundings, it was well after three am. I felt re-energized by our eight-plus hours of sleep and Leah was awake in a good mood.

"Hi," she whispered as she stretched. I smiled back at her, unable to restrain the immense good feelings I got from waking up with her in my bed. "I'm going to brush my teeth and then I'll give you a proper good morning."

I raised an eyebrow and she rolled off the side of the bed and sauntered out of the room. I followed her and caught her around the waist in the hallway. "Can I get you in the shower with me?" I asked against her neck.

"Hmm. I think we should save the shower until after breakfast. I have a feeling it might be a bit of a sticky situation."

Breakfast was indeed a sticky situation and satisfied more than one hunger. I would never look at my kitchen in the same way but it didn't disturb me in the least.

"I guess I should be glad I have a fast metabolism," Leah said as she sat straddling my lap with her arms looped around my neck. "Because I have a feeling I'm going to want whipped cream a lot more often."

She leaned close and lightly bit my earlobe. "I especially enjoyed the method in which I ate it. Food and sex with you; best combination ever."

"It is, isn't it?" I cupped her hips and held her close. "I have to say, this has been a most memorable breakfast."

Leah pulled back and grinned. "We should go take a shower and make it most memorable too."

"Baby, as much as I love these memorable moments with you; you're going to have to give me a little time to regroup." I sighed and rubbed my hands over her butt. "Unlike some people, I am not twenty anymore."

She frowned a little and touched the side of my face. "Okay; for one, in my book that's a huge plus. Though I have a hard time picturing you as one, most twenty year old guys are immature douche-bags who know nothing about treating a woman right." She smiled softly. "And we don't have to have sex in the shower. I just like it when you soap me up."

Wow! I didn't know she felt that way about our age difference. 'A huge plus'. Awesome!

I gently nudged her off my lap and kissed her hard when we stood. "Come on then, I'll soap you up."

It was nearing six am by the time we finished in the shower and we laid on my bed together just relaxing while the sun rose.

"Do you work on Saturday?" I asked her as I stroked her arm repeatedly. We were propped up against the headboard and she had her head on my shoulder.

"Not that I know of. I'm going to on Sunday with Seth. He asked me to since we haven't seen each other much lately." She sighed. "I feel bad for him. He wants me to move back home and doesn't quite get why I'm not just 'getting over it' like I usually do. He is sympathetic but he doesn't really understand how much they hurt me by all siding together over the wedding."

She hugged my chest hard and I felt her face tighten against me. "I shouldn't have been asked to go much less be forced to be her fucking maid of honor. I mean, who even invites their fiance's ex-fiance to their wedding? Especially when they are your cousin and you were the home-wrecking whore who stole her man away."

She heaved out a breath. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to say all that."

"You can say anything you want to me. I'm on your side no matter what." I kissed her forehead. "I know there's the whole 'need-to-know' side of things. But do they really not see how insane their thinking is?"

She shrugged. "Somehow, I'm the bad guy."

"No you're not." I reassured her with a squeeze. "You're the best."

She pressed her face into my neck. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," she whispered almost silently.

I was quiet for a couple minutes as she just held herself plastered to me. When she relaxed a little, I trailed my fingertips down her side.

"If you're free Saturday, do you want to go somewhere with me?"

She lifted her head a little and looked at me quizzically. "Where?"

"Uh uh. This is your turn to be surprised."

She smiled and folded her hands on my chest, propping her chin on them so she could look at my face.

"Okay. What should I wear? And should I bring anything?"

I shook my head. "I don't want you to do anything but sit back and enjoy yourself."

"And how should I dress to sit back and relax?"

I smiled. "It will be outside, maybe a bit windy but it's supposed to be sunny and warm. Just wear whatever is comfortable."
"Outside and maybe windy..." She pretended to consider and I shook my head at her.

"Don't even try to figure it out."
She grinned. "Okay. Should I bring a swimsuit?"

Leah in a bikini. I swallowed hard. "Uh..."

"I'll take that as a yes," she said, her eyes twinkling.

I pulled her face up to mine. "I think I've regrouped."

An hour later, I dressed for work and Leah put on a forest green tank top and black shorts. "I like your work uniform," I said teasingly as I strapped on my belt.

Leah raised an eyebrow. "This is just what I wear until I get to work. My work uniform is much, much skimpier."

My eyes widened and she giggled. "Don't worry. No one but you gets to see me naked."

"Oh. Uh well, that's good."

She rolled her eyes at my remark. "Like I would let any of the boys ogle me nude."

She made coffee for us when we went downstairs and I watched in amazement as she ate another complete meal. She offered me some and I just shook my head.

She shrugged. "I won't be able to get food until tonight and believe me; it's almost unbearable if I don't stuff myself before I go on shift."

She polished off her sausage cheddar quiche and ate a second bagel slathered with cream cheese. She had already eaten a bowl of strawberry yogurt with some kind of crunchy cereal she had in a ziploc bag. She said she liked to make her own as the granola from the store always tasted so 'cardboardy' and way too healthy.

I watched her as she puttered around the kitchen, cleaning up her second breakfast. I could get used to this; hell I already was used to it. I loved her in my house; cooking in the kitchen, leaving her stuff in my bedroom and bathroom. She even did my laundry. She was there now in the laundry room and I heard the dryer slam shut and start running. Water rushed in the machine and a minute later she came out.

"I got my shirt muddy yesterday and threw it in the wash with your stuff. So when you find a pink tank top, it's mine." Leah kissed me on the lips. "I just put that load in the dryer and washed your other clothes. When you get home later, make sure you dry the wet load so it doesn't smell funky."

"Thank you; you're seriously spoiling me."

She grinned. "Good. I better go so I don't end up late and make everyone all curious."

I caught her around the waist and she instantly reciprocated, sliding her hands into my back pockets. "You be safe out there," I whispered to her. I wasn't sure what exactly she did for 'work' but I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that it was dangerous for her.

"I always am; it doesn't matter though if my partner doesn't have my back." She sighed. "Which is why I only pair up with my brother or Brady these days."

I felt a surge of anger towards Jake and the other 'need-to-know's' that she was made to feel vulnerable because of their treatment of her. I squeezed her tight for a minute wishing I could keep her safe with me.

"You better go to work," she whispered and I pulled away.

"So, I'll pick you up on Saturday morning."

She nodded with a little smile. "Bye," she pecked me on the lips and straightened my collar.

I left for work in an exceptional mood.

I didn't see her on Friday and by the time Saturday morning rolled around, I was more than anxious to be with her again. But wanting to make sure she had plenty of sleep, I didn't head over until after nine.

"Good morning," Leah greeted me with a smile, rising from where she had been sitting on the top step of the porch. She was dressed in a yellow sundress and a pair of flip flops. "Am I dressed okay?" she asked, doing a little twirl.

"Oh yeah. You look amazing." I tugged her close and gave her a quick kiss.

She smiled at me, looking pleased and then stepped back into the house. "Do you want any breakfast before we leave or did you already eat?"

"Uh, you don't have to make me anything," I told her, not wanting her to feel obligated to cook me a whole meal.

She rolled her eyes and pulled me by the hand to the kitchen. "I'm not going to make you anything. I already have a bunch of food made and I did extra in case you were hungry."

True enough, there was a spread of food on the marble island in Esme's kitchen. "Wow!"

Leah chuckled. "I like to really enjoy what I'm eating. The guys just shovel whatever's available to them but I'm a little more particular. Plus, if we're going out for the day, we should start it off with yummy food."

It was 'yummy', like ridiculously delicious. "I know I've said this before; but you could have a really successful restaurant."

"Maybe, but I don't really want one. I wouldn't like being obligated to cook all the time. It would just stifle creativity and enthusiasm for me. But I do think I could make a fortune off of this french toast."

She had made french toast that was stuffed with some kind of cream and berry mixture and it was one of the best things I had ever eaten for breakfast and I don't even like sweet food in the morning.

After we had finished eating and she had stored the extras in the fridge, she grabbed a purple and black tote bag and smiled at me. "Ready."

I waited while she locked the door and she took my hand when we went down the steps. "Do you want to take the BMW?"

"Sure, if you don't mind. It's a little less conspicuous than the cruiser." In a repeat of last week, I pulled in an empty bay and she pulled the sleek dark car out if its slot.

"You're driving since I don't know where we're going," she told me as she circled the car to get in the passenger seat.

I took the 101 southwest and like a good sport, Leah didn't try to worm any information out of me. I could tell when she started recognizing where we were going and she smiled.

"Lake Quinault?"

I nodded. "Yep."

Her excitement built silently and by the time I pulled into our destination, she was grinning and bouncing in her seat. I opened her door for her and she got out, looking around with shining eyes.

"This is so pretty!"

We were parked near the lake, were a private dock floated, a really beautiful wooden boat moored to it. On the right of us was a picturesque cabin with a dozen chimes hanging from the front porch roof.

"Charlie Swan, you bastard!"

Leah whipped around at the gravelly voice and I just chuckled. The tall native man that came around the corner of the house was dressed in a greasy button up shirt and was rubbing his hands on a red cloth.

"Joe, how's it going?"

"Well, honestly I was beginning to think you had forgotten I was alive, but now that I see Miss Gorgeous here; I understand why."

Leah raised a brow. I squeezed her side lightly. "Leah, this is Joseph Tallfeather. Joe, this is Leah."

"Leah. Leah, Leah. Why do I think I know the name?" Joe pretended to think deeply and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"It's a pretty common name," Leah said with a hint of sarcasm.

He chuckled. "I like you. You have spunk. And it's nice to see Charlie with a good woman; although I do wish I had met you first."

"Yee-aah," she said and shook her head. "Never would have happened."

Joe laughed heartily. "You guys are definitely going to have to come down often. Sammi is going to love her."

We chatted for a few minutes and then Joe smiled politely.

"Well, I don't want to keep you from your day," he said, indicating the water. Leah took her bag out of the car and we locked it up. We followed him down to the dock and I looked at her.

"So, what do you think?" I asked Leah and she looked at me with wide eyes.

"It's awesome! You remembered what I said about boats." She squeezed my hand. "Thank you baby."

I led her down the dock and onto the boat. Joe grinned and cast off the line. "You two have fun and make sure you do everything I would." His tan face was wreathed in a mischievous smile and Leah looked at him uncertain.

I gave him a small salute. "Thanks Joe. You'll keep an eye on the car right?"

He waved us off. "Of course. Plus, anyone who would be tempted by it is too scared of me. It will be fine."

We motored out on the lake and she stood at the front of the boat with me, one arm around my waist. Taking us on a leisurely loop, we circled the lake and looked at the pretty shore views.

"This is so nice," Leah sighed with her chin on my shoulder. I turned my head so I could see her face. Her eyes were closed and she had a little contented smile on her lips.

"Do you want to take the wheel?" Her eyes opened wide and her smile followed.

"Seriously?"

I laughed at her enthusiastic response and moved so I was behind her. I pointed out the controls and after a little experimenting she handled the boat with confidence. I pointed to the middle of the lake.

"You can head out there if you want and open up the throttle. I just took the slow loop so we could look at the scenery."

She accelerated happily and we sped over the water.

After an hour or so, we slowed in a calm sunny spot on the water where there were no other boats or jet skis. The water wasn't as deep as we were only a couple hundred yards from shore.

"If you're hungry, I have food."

Her eyes lit up. "You brought food?" Then she looked curious. "How? I mean you didn't bring anything with us."

I smiled smugly, pleased that I was able to surprise her. "Well, like you I have contacts. Joe's sister Sammi has a restaurant with some really good food. I asked her to pack us something and Joe put it on board."

I dropped the small anchor so we didn't drift without noticing and showed her the built in refrigerated chest. It was actually under one of the padded bench seats and she was surprised at how ingenious Joe was with the design of his boat.

We took out everything Sammi had packed and I had to admit; it looked pretty delicious.

"Yum!" Leah said as she opened a paper wrapped pastrami sandwich. She sniffed it and then took a bite. "Oh," she groaned as she chewed and swallowed. "That is so good."

I liked that Leah enjoyed eating. I had never been comfortable around women who didn't eat normally. She handed the other half to me. "You've got to taste this. It is the best sandwich I've ever eaten."

Along with several sandwiches, there were Sammi's own pickles, potato salad, iced tea, coke and a pie sampler. Sammi was known for her pie and I had asked her to just put a couple different kinds in one pie tin. I figured we could take it home with us.

"I am so full but I really want some pie."

I chuckled. "I can't believe you're full. But we can eat it later and take the rest home."

With a little nod, she leaned back on the cushioned bench, turning her face up to the sun. "I wish I lived near a lake so I could go out on the water everyday."
"Well, it probably wouldn't happen everyday, but Joe doesn't mind me using his boat. We can come down whenever you'd like."

"You should've brought fishing poles," she said conversationally and I grinned.

"Well, actually..."

She opened her eyes and grinned at me. "You did?"

"Not quite, but Joe always keeps a few on board and a tackle box."

"We should totally see what we can catch." She looked excited and of course I couldn't refuse her.

Ten minutes later, we had Joe's fishing poles out and had our lines cast over the side.

"It's pretty shallow. Do you think we'll catch anything?" Leah had her nose scrunched up as she slowly reeled in her line. I loved that expression on her when she was concentrating on something. She looked so... cute.

"Maybe. Live bait may work better, but since we're just doing this for fun, I'm not too eager to dig any up or drive around looking for a bait shop."

Catching nothing where we were at, Leah had me move out to deeper water. She caught a few small fish and I caught one that was slightly larger. After tossing them back, we returned the fishing gear to its place.

"When does Joe want his boat back?" Leah was washing her hands over the side of the boat and then sniffed them. She made a nasty face. "Can you get out the pie?"

"Huh?" She had raw fish on her hands and she wanted pie?

Seeming to understand my confusion, she chuckled. "There are some lemon slices on some of the pie. I want one to make my hands smell good."

"Oh." I dutifully got out the pie, taking care to handle it with a napkin so I didn't foul it with fish. Leah opened the plastic lid with two fingers and gingerly took a lemon slice off of the meringue. She squished it and rubbed it all over her hands, making sure to get all the acid and peel oil out of it. She rinsed her hands again and was happy with the results.

"Remind me to bring some soap or something next time we come down."

Next time. Nice to know she was thinking of the future.

She picked off the other lemon for me and I followed her example. I have to admit, it made my hands smell much better.

"Can we circle around the lake again and then race across the middle?" Leah was happy and eager and I nodded.

"Do you want to drive?"

She took the wheel and we followed a similar pattern as earlier. By the time we neared Joe's dock, it was around five in the afternoon.

"I need a bathroom," Leah said and I nodded. "Yeah, I shouldn't have drunk that second tea."

We floated slowly up to the dock and I hopped out to tie us to the post. I helped Leah out and we walked up to Joe's house. There was a note tacked to the front door.

Went to Sammi's.
Should be back B4 you.

The door was unlocked and we went inside.

"He's kind of trusting, huh?" Leah asked and I chuckled.

"No one messes with Joe. He's pretty chilled but if you do something stupid or criminal, he doesn't take it well."

I showed her to the guest bathroom and used the one off of Joe's bedroom. I hadn't realized how long we had been out on the water and I reentered the open living area feeling much more comfortable.

"Wow, for a guy, he has a really nice house," Leah commented as she came back out. She was rubbing her hands together and she sniffed them. "His guest bathroom is really nice and he even has hand lotion on a little shelf."

I looked around the nicely decorated yet still masculine house. "Yeah. Joe's always had good taste. I've never been here since it was built, where the house wasn't really nice and comfortable. He needs a wife, but not to help his home." Unlike me, I added mentally.

"Would you like to go over to Sammi's? Her restaurant is really neat and I think you'd like her a lot."

Leah nodded. "Sure. Should I get my stuff off the boat first?"

"Is it anything valuable?"

She shook her head. "No, it's just clothes and a towel."

I shrugged. "If you want, but it will be fine until we get back."

We drove the four miles to Sammi's restaurant – Hidden Hollow, and Leah's eyes grew round when we walked in the front door. It was pretty cool inside but I had been here before so I wasn't surprised. The whole inside of the place was like a forest wonderland. The floor was wooden, with slopes and angles going up to the different tables. Each table was a little world of its own, a small wooden shanty built around it with windows filled with macrame or dream catchers. Some of the spaces had feather artwork woven in them. The benches and chairs were all hand crafted and were comfortable but completely beautiful in a rustic way. The table tops were huge free form slabs of wood with thick epoxy layers. In the natural dips and holes of the wood, rocks and moss and pressed flowers had been placed artistically before the epoxy had been formed.

"This is amazing!" Leah whispered. I smiled at her wonder, glad I had thought of bringing her here.

"I see you guys missed me!" Joe said jovially as we walked further inside. He was standing next to a curving bar with a small black-haired woman.

"Actually, I thought Leah might like to see Sammi's place."

"Well, I'm glad you did," the short woman said. I smiled at her.

"Hi Sammi, it's been awhile." I shook the younger woman's hand and she rolled her eyes.

"It's been forever, is what it's been." She turned to Leah with her infectious grin. "I'm Sammi Tallfeather and my brother says I'm going to love you."

Leah looked a little surprised but covered it quickly. "I'm Leah Clearwater. Nice to meet you."

"So, how do you like my restaurant? I had a picture in my mind for years and Joey build the whole place for me."

Leah shook her head. "It's unreal. Totally beautiful."

"You want to leave the guys to hang out and I'll show you the whole place?"

Leah glanced over at me. "Go on, I think we'll survive," I told her and she smiled.

Joe and I sat at a table with a couple beers and caught up for a good half hour while the girls toured the building. I had already seen it all; the main dining area, the kitchen, the pretty garden that let in to a really spectacular party space. Sammi and Joe had done an unbelievable job bringing her dream to life.

"So, Charlie Swan brings a woman to my place. You're either bragging or seriously in love with her." Joe watched me shrewdly and I chuckled. He was one of my only close friends outside of Forks and La Push.

"The second," I admitted. I may be a quiet person who doesn't talk much about my feelings; but I was starting to chafe over the secrecy I was forced to use in my relationship with Leah.

Joe took a long pull on his beer and watched me. "What, no details?" he finally said.

I sighed. "Let's just say there are a lot of outside factors that prevent us from being able to have a normal relationship."

"I knew I recognized her name but I couldn't remember why until she introduced herself to Sammi. Clearwater. She's your friend Harry's daughter, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and her mom will flip. There's also the issue of some tribal inner workings. All in all, it's starting to drive me crazy."

"You told her yet?" He asked and I frowned, confused. Joe rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Have you told her you love her?"

I shook my head. "I don't want to scare her or make her freak out because of the tribal pressure and run."

Joe looked at me incredulously. "Are you blind, man? That woman loves you; it's just written all over her whole body. Take it from me. Women want men to love them, and they want the men who love them to tell them they love them more. So do yourself a favor and tell the girl how you feel."

I thought on that for a minute and Joe changed the subject. We were talking about the Mariners two wins against the Yankees when the girls walked up.

"It was pretty sweet," Leah commented and Sammi grinned.

"I'll bet. How happy was he when you caught the home run for him?"

Both of us gaped at her and Joe let out his booming laugh. "What? You didn't realize you were on TV? Although you were a little small. They should have put you guys up on the kiss cam."

Leah looked pale and I saw her fists clench at her sides. Sammi noticed that she looked a little upset and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I doubt many people recognized you, you weren't in tight focus. Joe and I only recognized Charlie and that's probably because Joe has a hundred inch high-def screen."

Leah relaxed fractionally with a little half smile.

Sammi invited us to stay for dinner and we accepted. The four of us sat together for a leisurely meal and drinks. Leah finally loosened up and I could tell her tension had dissipated. When we were finished and Sammi had packed a small box of stuff for Leah to take home, Sammi hugged Leah hard.

"You have to come visit me sometime. I don't have many girl friends and Joe was right; I really like you."

Leah hugged her back and then smiled. "I'll definitely come back. And when you can get away; we're going to have to go on a girl's trip to Seattle."

We drove back out to Joe's and the sun was just beginning to set.

"Can we go for one more ride in the boat?" Leah asked hopefully.

"Of course."

We motored out on the calm water, no other boats in view. I shut off the engine in the middle of the lake and we just floated, sitting on the comfortably padded bench, watching the sky turn colors.

Tell her how you feel.

"Leah," I said, running my fingertips along her hairline and she cocked her head to look at me curiously. "I know you said you weren't asking for a commitment."

She was instantly alert; her back straightening as she suddenly looked serious. I hurried to finish before she pulled away. "I'm not asking you for anything you don't have to give. I just want you to know that for however long you want me, I'm yours."

Her face went soft as a little smile started to form on her lips. Feeling emboldened by her expression I continued.

"And for as long as you have me, I want you to know that I love you. If that freaks you out, I'm sorry. I never expected something like this to happen to me and me telling you this does not mean I expect you to feel obligated for anything you don't want. I just want you to know I love you and I'm not just using your body."

A tear rolled down her check. "Oh Charlie," she whispered and pressed her lips to mine. I tasted the salt of her tears. She pulled back and gave me a watery smile. "I love you too, so much. I just didn't think I should say anything because I told you at the beginning that I wasn't asking for a commitment."

"I'm committed to you as long as you want me," I assured her and she bit her lip.

"I keep thinking that this is going to mess up somehow," she said uncertainly. "I just keep thinking that it's too good to be true and I don't deserve to be this happy. But I am; I'm happy with you in a way I never have been. I feel like I don't even have to try, that I'm just me and it's enough for you."

I pulled her gently to me and kissed her sweetly. "You are more than enough for me Leah," I told her in a rough voice. "You are more than anything I have ever dreamed of. And until you send me away, I will do everything in my power to make you happy."

She hugged me tight around the neck, quietly crying but I could feel she wasn't upset. I held her close to me, rubbing her back in slow strokes.

"Please don't ever leave me," she whispered and I shook my head.

"Never," I promised.

"I love you. I love you more than anything."

There was something about hearing those words and I felt my heart soar as she spoke them again.

I wiped her tears and kissed her eyelids. She sighed with her eyes closed and when she opened them again she smiled at me. For the first time, it was full joy; no haunting shadows in her eyes, no fear or insecurity.

"Let's go home. I just want to be with you." She whispered and I smiled back in kind.

"Always."