Page 79 of Landry

His heart swelled so much he was sure it would burst free of his chest. “I love you, too, Camille,” he said and knew it was true.

“I’m not going to remember this when I wake up, am I?” she said, her voice almost too faint for Landry to hear.

He chuckled. “I’ll happily remind you.”

“Good.” She sighed. “I was afraid I was dreaming.”

“You’re not. You’re alive. Billy Ray’s alive, and Ava will be thrilled to see her mama.”

Camille’s lips curled upward in a faint smile. “She loves you, too.”

Landry’s heart swelled. “Ava is an amazing little girl. I’m honored.”

For a long moment, Camille lay still, her chest rising and falling slowly.

Landry stared down at her, sure she was asleep and beyond grateful she was alive.

Camille’s eyes opened. “You’re still here?”

“I’ll be here until you leave the hospital.”

She drew in a deep breath and let it go on a sigh. “Does this count as going on past your assignment?” The question came on a breath of air.

Landry nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I never wanted strings again.” Camille lightly squeezed his hand.

Landry’s chest tightened. How could she love him and not want strings?

“Until you,” she added.

He let go of a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “Thank goodness. Because you have me tied up in knots.”

Her brow wrinkled. “Is that bad?”

“Only if you untie all the knots.”

“We haven’t known each other long.”

“I knew all I needed to know when you popped that chocolate into my mouth.”

The lines in her forehead eased, her eyelids drooped and a smile curved her beautiful lips. “Same.” Then her brow dipped. “I’m a two-for-the-price-of-one package deal. If you can’t love Ava as much as she loves you, it’s a deal-breaker. Ava will always come first with me.”

Landry raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “That’s one of my favorite things about you. You’re a loving mother, willing to do anything for your child. Not all mothers are like that.”

Camille tugged on his hand. “Come here.”

He smiled gently and bent closer.

“Your mother didn’t know what she had in you. You’ll make an excellent father.”

“To Ava?” he asked, a niggle of doubt making his heart beat faster. “What if I’m not very good at it?”

“You already are.” Camille’s lips curved gently. “But maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves.”

“Right.” He straightened. “You and Ava need time to get to know me.”

“And you need time with us to understand what you’d be getting into.”

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