The Western Dare (Harlequin Heartwarming) (29 page)

“Married?” Yvette gaped from Camp to the woman who stood at his side. She clucked sympathetically. “Another good woman bites the dust. Well, congratulations...I guess.” She slid a glance at Sherry, who’d turned back to her wagon. Camp and Emily left to talk with the reporters.

For the next hour, everyone jabbered at once. Until the outfitter collecting the wagons to make the return trip to Missouri arrived, and the pain of parting struck them all.

“I won’t really turn you into the Better Business Bureau,” a very subdued Philly promised Maizie. “This trip proved what a man’s made of. Uh, and a woman,” he added, gazing sheepishly at Sherry. “If any of you are ever in Philadelphia, look me up.” He passed everyone a business card.

Camp stuffed the card in his pocket. “I hate goodbyes. Anyway, you’re all invited to Emily’s and my wedding.” He named the date in November. “It’ll be a great reunion. I’ll send everyone a copy of my paper, too. Is that fair?”

“Suits me,” said Maizie. “I want you to know that this trip is one for the books. I owe you my thanks, Campbell. The last few days I haven’t even missed my tobacco. Robert’s gonna buy me a year’s supply of gum before we head home.”

“Hip hip hurray!” Vi and Doris led a cheer.

Brittany and Megan squeezed into the circle. “We want to confess to the firecracker caper. We’re sorry.” They grinned at each other. “Even with all the stuff that happened, we agree this summer’s been boss. Rule! The best,” Megan interpreted.

Gina limped forward, aided by a cane. “Camp and I, we have a date with the doctor. Oh, and my gift to each of you is going to be a framed picture. I’ll mail them.”

“Gifts. That reminds me.” Camp snapped his fingers. “Hey, Mark. Toss me that blue duffel, will you?”

Gazing adoringly at the man he’d soon call “Dad,” Mark brought the bag.

Camp found the sack with the gifts he’d bought at Fort Union. He even gave key chains to the three men who’d joined the excursion late. The reporter, Jeff Scott and Lyle Roberts didn’t know what to say. Each looked floored by Camp’s generosity as they pumped his hand.

To break the silence, Emily rose on her tiptoes and kissed Camp. Out of breath as she pulled away, she whispered, “That’s thanks from everyone for sponsoring the trip. I’ll save mine for later.” She added more loudly, “
After
I edit his academic paper, of course. While he’s with the doctor, I’ll collect the last data sheets. So make them count, ladies. Make them count. We don’t want history repeating itself.”

Camp kissed her then. The kiss went on for so long the others drifted away. The couple surfaced and found themselves alone. Laughing, they linked arms and strolled toward the doctor’s office.

“The past defines the present, Emily. And the present determines how we look at the past. Lyle is dead wrong about people not paying attention. Our paper will shake a few trees.”

“
Our
paper?” Emily’s steps faltered. “You actually will let me edit it?”

Camp flattened his hand comfortably at the small of her back. “Oh, did I forget to mention that you and I are going to coauthor this piece? Plus, I really do have an idea for a book that I’ll need your help with.”

Grinning, she leaned into the hollow of his shoulder. “That book will dislodge a few opinions and revise a few so-called facts. And when the dust settles, Camp, maybe we’ll influence the future.”

“I think we influenced some people on this trip. Regardless, we’ll influence the future of our kids.”

“Mark and Megan, you mean?”

“Um...and others.” This kiss made him late to see the doctor. Very late, but he didn’t care. Professor Campbell felt he had the world by the tail.

* * * * *

Look for Sherry’s story in
THE BOSS NEXT DOOR.
Coming March 2013
from Harlequin Heartwarming.

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ISBN: 9781460304372

Copyright © 2013 by Rosaline Fox

Originally published as ANYTHING YOU CAN DO...
Copyright © 1998 by Rosaline Fox

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