This was not going where she’d expected, but rather where she’d hoped. “Might?” she ventured carefully.
“Ah, that pesky word. I do believe it’s caused me more trouble than I anticipated.” He was holding her now, his arms warm, no evidence of a break in the circumference. He still smelled the same.
She touched his left arm while trying to inhale is scent without him noticing. “There is no pain?”
“An occasional twinge.”
“And your ribs?” She did not wish to return his embrace and cause pain.
“Still sore, but I do believe if you hug me back, it shall ease the ache in my heart.”
“Hearts do not ache unless they’re diseased,” she said, but she returned his hug. Her head rested against his chest, where the sound of that particular organ thumped rapidly against her ear. “No disease that I can tell, though your heart rate is slightly elevated.”
She leaned back to examine his face. “Skin tone appears normal. A slight flush to your cheeks.”
“All that thinking has obviously ill-affected me.” His dimple appeared, which made her smile in return. He had such a lovely mouth. It occurred to her how close they were, and that perhaps he might kiss her again.
And perhaps she might kiss him back.
“What were you thinking? I simply must know. You have teased me too much, my lord.” She tugged at a strand of his hair, relishing the thick silkiness of it, the fact that he was here, he was alive.
He bent his head. “I was thinking,” he murmured against her ear, “that it is madness to ask a woman for the fourth time to stay.”
“That would be madness,” she replied. “But as the woman has already made plans to stay, it is not necessary.”
“I was thinking that our village could use an experienced doctor. One who often attends symposiums and panels paid for by Lord St. Raven.”
“I quite agree.”
“I was also thinking—” and now his lips were closer to her cheek, almost touching her “—that it would be most practical to marry the one you want to spend the rest of your life with.”
“Most practical,” she whispered, her cheeks burning, her pulse racing beneath her skin.
“I was also thinking that using the word might with love is most unwise. Either one loves, or one does not.”
His cheek rasped against hers.
“Miss Gordon, I was thinking that I love you very much, and I dearly hope you love me in return.”
Now his lips hovered near hers. Waiting, she supposed.
“Those are many thoughts to be thinking,” she said softly. “But I must answer truthfully—I love you painfully so.”
“Ahem.”
The moment intruded upon, their heads snapped toward the doorway, where Louise stood with her arms folded and her foot tapping impatiently.
“I was thinking,” she said, “that if you two do not get married, I may as well take up hoydenning for life.”
“That is not a word,” said Henrietta promptly.
“Keep it in mind.” Louise winked at them, and then pranced off.
Laughing, Henrietta looked at Dominic.
“Yes,” she said at the moment he did.
“I think our life will be slightly unconventional with that one around.”
“Enough thinking.” She pulled his head down until her lips touched his. “I am not interested in convention, my love.”
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this book look for
THE MATCHMAKER’S MATCH and
A HASTY BETROTHAL by Jessica Nelson.
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE RANCHER INHERITS A FAMILY by Cheryl St.John.
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Dear Reader,
Henrietta, like many of my other characters, showed up fully formed. I knew she was stubborn, tenacious, and about to be confronted with a man who could calm her fears and give her a reason to love. Enter Dominic. *swoon* I really liked him myself, despite his flaws. He wants to be redeemed. He wants to change. And that is such an admirable quality in a human being. I felt he’d be perfect for Henrietta, a lady who has her entire life mapped out and who is resistant to change.
Enter a headstrong charge (Louise), and I knew I had a beautiful story worth telling. What I did not expect, however, was to be unexpectedly sharing the same circumstances as Dominic, caring for precious little family members who have lost both parents.
It makes this story especially poignant for me. I hope you enjoy it and, as always, I adore hearing from readers. Please forgive any mistakes I’ve made in facts and details. My imagination far outweighs my research skills.
You can find me by visiting my website, www.jessicanelson.net.
Happy reading and may God bless you in every way,
Jessica Nelson
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The Rancher Inherits a Family
by Cheryl St.John
Chapter One
Cowboy Creek
April 1869
Seth Halloway heaved a burlap sack of dry beans over his shoulder and carried it to the back of the wagon, where he vaulted into the bed and
