Beneath the wide brim of his hat, his face was shadowed. When he reached her, he doffed the hat but the shadows remained in his eyes. She led him inside and paused in the entry hall as he closed the door behind them. “I’m sorry about Sam and Janie pestering you.” “They haven’t been any trouble.” “It’s so good to see you, Laura,” he said softly. Without warning, he reached for her. She knew she should protest, but all she could do was go completely still inside. His hand rested on her shoulder for a heartbeat before he pulled her into his arms and held her close. Her first instinct was to push back, to break his hold, but the way he held her was so natural that her arms slipped around him without hesitation. Slowly she uncurled her hands, pressed her palms gently against the back of his coat. Her heart was beating frantically, like the wings of a caged bird. She’d had countless encounters with men, but this gentle sharing was something she’d never, ever experienced.
