“I want to believe you,” she said as tears filled her eyes, “but it is so hard for me to trust you.”
“Ahhh, lass,” Edward lifted her hands to his mouth so he could kiss her knuckles. “Trust is not given, it’s earned. We know this. We’re only asking you to give us just a little bit.”
There was so much vulnerability in her gaze while she searched his face, then said softly, “I’m afraid to hope.”
“You’re breaking my heart,” he groaned as he kissed her knuckles again. “I wish we had the time to properly court you, to prove our worth, but please, give us a chance. I swear, your hope and trust won’t be misplaced.”
She let out a long, deep sigh then nodded. “Okay.”
A knock came from the doorway, and Garret appeared a moment later, wearing a smart brown suit with a crisp white shirt and bronze vest. With his hair slicked back and freshly shaved, he looked more like the officer Edward remembered than the rancher he became. Garret sucked in a sharp breath of air as he got a good look at their Rowan.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said in a reverent tone that made Rowan blush prettily.
“See?” Edward said with a smile. “I told you.”
Ignoring Edward, she ducked her head down and said, “You look very handsome as well, Garret.”
Moving closer, Garret’s smile slipped as he said, “Have you been crying?”
Edward stood from the bed, the frame creaking as he stood next to Rowan. Even with all her glorious hair piled atop her head, she still only came up to his shoulder. Despite her diminutive stature, she fit perfectly into his side as he gave her a one-armed hug.
“I’m afraid Cassandra decided to stop by, unannounced, and made her displeasure over our change in marital status known,” Edward said as he gave Rowan’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “But our little tigress here chased her off.”
Garret swore softly then gave Rowan an apologetic look. “I am so sorry—”
She shook her head, cutting him off as she said, “You have nothing to be sorry about. It was all that…woman’s fault.”
“She called her a heifer,” Edward said, barely holding back a grin. “Right before she threatened to drag her out by her badly dyed hair.”
Garret looked so shocked, Edward laughed.
Rowan said in a prim voice, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go freshen up before dinner.”
“Ahhh, lass,” Edward said as he kissed her temple. “Don’t be mad. I’m proud that you fought to defend your claim on us.”
Garret leaned forward, his light brown eyebrows drawn down into a V as he stared at Edward’s neck. “Did Cassandra bite you?”
“No, our little tigress did that. Said she wanted a visible claim on us to keep the hussies away.”
Rowan, blushing so hard now her ears were red, started to walk away. “Yes, well just give me a few moments, and I’ll be ready.”
“Wait,” Garret said as he caught her by her slender wrist. “There’s something I want to give you first. A claim of our own, but without the biting.”
“I don’t know,” Edward said as he gave Rowan a teasing grin. “I kind of like the biting.”
Garret snorted, then pulled a small black leather box out of his pocket. “I’ll gladly wear your bite mark, Rowan Larsen, if you’ll do us the honor of wearing our ring. And, before you say you can’t, just think of it as promise that you’ll give us a chance to prove that we can make you happy.”
She stood very still for a few long moments, and Edward literally held his breath until she said, “All right, I’ll wear your ring, but I’m not promising to marry you. Only that…I’m heavily considering it.”
Edward and Garret exchanged a glance filled with victory before Garret opened the box, revealing a platinum ring with a sparkling blue stone a few shades darker than Rowan’s eyes in the center.
“Oh! Oh, my goodness,” she breathed, her eyes wide and her pink lips slightly parted. “It is beautiful. It must have cost a fortune. Where did you get it?”
Garret looked over to Edward, who gently held Rowan’s hand in his own as Garret slipped the ring on. “Dr. Tibbs sold it to us. He had Mrs. Tibbs measured your finger size while she was helping you bathe, and together we found a ring that we felt suited you. If you don’t like it, I’m sure we can find something else.”
“No,” she said quickly, snatching her hand back and holding it to her chest. “No, I love it. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn.”
Relief filled Edward at the sight of the ring on her finger, another battle won in the war for her heart.
Still looking at the ring, Rowan said, “Let me go freshen up, and then I’ll be ready for dinner.”
“Take your time,” Garret said as he took a seat in one of the high-backed chairs by the fire. “They serve dinner from six until eight o’clock for the guests and whatever town folk decide they want to dine at the Inn for the evening.”
A determined look came over her face as she crossed the room, then she paused at the doorway connecting to her suite and looked over her shoulder at them. “Thank you. For everything.”
She disappeared before he could respond, the door closing quickly behind her.
“Edward,” Garret said in a low voice as he gestured to the chair opposite of him. “Come here. I have some news. A telegram came in while we were bathing from our friend Henry the pub owner back in Butte. Henry’s kept his ears and eyes open for any news on Mr. Charles,
