Page 73 of The Woman Left Behind

“’Night, Lilly,” he replied.

It took a while, but eventually Harry felt her relax in his hold as sleep claimed her.

Then, as it claimed him and he gathered Lillian even closer, he thought he’d never know what kind of woman a black hat would win.

What he knew for certain was the men who wore the white hats got the best ones.

EIGHTEEN

But You Will

Harry

It was unsurprising when Harry woke up the next day, he saw Lillian’s head on his shoulder, and he knew she was already awake.

It had been so long, he gave himself a selfish moment to savor the feel of waking up with a beautiful woman pressed to him in bed. To feel her softness. Smell her scent. Support her weight.

In the night, they’d moved only so he’d fallen to his back and she’d cuddled to his side, but their legs were still tangled, and he had his arm around her, she had hers resting along his stomach.

This was probably why she sensed him awake and tipped her head back.

“Hey,” she said softly.

He turned to his side and into her.

“Hey,” he replied.

“Sleep okay?” she queried.

He nodded.

“Worth me wasting breath to ask if you did?” he inquired.

“Not really,” she mumbled.

“Honey,” he whispered.

“Though, it’s been an enjoyable few hours, watching the sunrise illuminate your chest,” she quipped. “You’re pretty built, Sheriff Moran.”

The position of the sun was a problem.

He’d slept in.

Harry didn’t mention that. “That’s good, since I work hard at it.”

“I can tell.”

He smiled at her.

“You make plans with Ronetta today?” he asked after what he overheard in snippets the evening before.

“Yeah,” she said. “I have a couple of clients coming into town this weekend. Ronnie’s coming with me to do a little tidying at their places. Then Jenna needs help at one of her greenhouses, so we’re going to go over there.”

This was the Lillian he was getting to know. She preferred to be busy.

“Want me over tonight?” he asked.

She gave him a squeeze. “Yes, please.”

---