God knew he didn’t want to leave. But he saw the distrust—along with the passion—in her eyes. He knew he’d helped plant it there, but it hurt nonetheless. He wanted her, but he wanted her after she knew everything. Not now. Not when she was still swimming in confusion. Not when she was trying to ...
Simply breathing clean air was a novelty. The pinto obviously enjoyed it, too, Drew noticed. The horse’s steps were quicker, his head higher, his spirit almost exuberant. Damien Kingsley, however, was not a happy man. He was in his usual position, at center front of the herd, with his brother Ter...
If there was one thing she was not, it was clumsy. The question was why. Gabriel mused over that as he reached Stanhope, explained that he had clumsily spilled wine on Miss Freemont and she needed assistance. Stanhope looked down at his daughter, a slight sneer on his lips. “My daughter can help ...
He couldn’t go in, but he could look around outside. He could try to find out something from reporters who would be covering the story. Gene Adams might be there as well. Jake touched the gun in the bag beside him. He resisted the impulse to speed. Not with a gun in the car. Let her be all right....
It seemed they had spent a lifetime beside each other in a car. The small space wrapped a deceptive web of intimacy around them. They had stopped at a pistol range on their way. Irish wanted her to take another lesson, make sure she remembered everything. She did. Though she handled the gun awkwa...
He knew the dangers of allowing his attention to wander from the road. God knew he’d seen enough disaster that resulted from distraction. It was equally difficult to keep his hand from reaching for hers. He couldn’t quite believe the intensity of his feelings, of the need resounding inside. It wa...
Robin blurted out in what she immediately realized was not one of her more brilliant moments. “I hope it’s me,” he replied with just the barest hint of a smile. “Are you all right?” She tried to put some weight on the leg. A jolt of pain ran through it, and—for a second—fear struck that she might...
Nick’s knife wound was bleeding again, and Beth tended it, carefully sewing back where the threads had broken. Lori tried to calm Maggie and a disgruntled pig, which had been disturbed from its dinner. Neither of the men seemed disposed to talk about what had happened. After accompanying Nick bac...
She let him. And she let herself respond fully, without restraint. Not that he left her a choice. It had been the doubt in his voice and in his eyes—the sadness, the remorse, the guilt—that had melted her heart. Suddenly, she had understood. He was afraid, even more afraid than she was, of losing...
She glanced at the clock. Nine. Four hours’ sleep. She was surprised she had slept even that long. She heard nothing from the other room. Was Kelley asleep? She lay there for a moment. She’d had difficulty sleeping. Every time she turned, another part of her body hurt, ached or stung. Her ribs st...
Sarah Ann had cried, saying she wanted to go, too. Mary May had leaned down and kissed the tears away. “I’ll be back next week,” she promised. While Ben had learned the rest of “To Market,” Mary May had talked to Mrs. Culworthy. Worry puckered his companion’s face as she left the house, this time...
He was more subdued than usual. “Ma,” he said as she started for the door, “Wade says he’s leaving.” “I know,” she said. “Can’t you make him stay?” “I don’t think so.” “I’ll miss him.” “I know, love. So will I. Good night now.” He turned over, and she sensed he wasn’t at all satisfied with her an...
A number of people slept. Others read. She couldn’t do either. She was up and down, glancing at the door when anyone entered. The hands on the clock crawled. Even then she was startled when her name was called. She glanced at the clock. Only an hour had gone by since her mother was wheeled out. T...