Page 29 of Rawhide and Ransom

Oka-a-a-ay.Annalee swallowed a lump in her throat. It was hard to hear Chayton’s stepmother practically rejoicing over the fact that her own beloved husband was already dead. “I’m happy for him, ma’am. I truly am.” Her voice trembled with barely suppressed emotion.

Rosamund drew a sharp breath. “You’re happy that Ace is dying? What an awful thing to say!”

Annalee’s lips parted in shock.You’ve got to be kidding me!“But I didn’t mean?—”

“Get out,” the hateful creature snapped. “Now!”

Annalee couldn’t leave the room fast enough. Thoroughly shaken, she stepped into the hallway, quietly shutting the door behind her. Then she kept walking, picking up speed until she was practically jogging.

Hawk’s long legs had no trouble catching up to her. He didn’t say anything as he fell into step beside her.

“Well, that went about as well as could be expected,” she grumbled. The only good thing about the encounter was that it was over.

“But you did it, anyway.” Hawk reached for her hand again. “I’m proud of you, Annalee.”

“Thank you.” A delicious feeling spread through her. It had been a long time since anyone said those words to her, and they felt good. Really, really good! Holding his hand felt wonderful, too. She hadn’t realized until now how much she missed such simple things.

They reached his truck, and he lifted her up. She waited for him to climb in after her and clasp his seatbelt before turning impulsively his way. “Thank you for bringing me here. I don’t know if it did any good, but it was the right thing to do. You were right about that.” She could see that now. “I guess while there’s still breath in the man’s lungs, there’s hope.” He must have had his reasons for agreeing to visit with her.

“There’s always hope, Annalee.” Hawk reached out to cup her face with one large hand.

She could tell by the way he was looking at her that he was experiencing a whole different brand of hope. “I’m still not ready,” she whispered.

“I’m a patient man, Annalee.” He let her go, but he didn’t turn on the motor and start driving just yet. Propping his arm across the seat back behind her, he embraced her without touching her.

It was comforting sitting this close to him, just absorbing his strength and his presence. He was good medicine — the kind that she sensed would help her heal. In time.

A thought struck her, making her wince.

“What is it?” He lightly drummed his fingers against her shoulder, making her shiver — not from the cold, but from his nearness.

“Am I being selfish?” She gave him a pleading look. “Soaking up all of your goodness while giving you nothing in return?”

He gave her an incredulous look. “Number one. We’ve only known each other for a month. Number two. Who says I’m not getting anything in return?”

“You’re probably used to women falling all over themselves, trying to get your attention.”Ugh!Being this honest was so embarrassing, but he deserved nothing less than the truth from her. “And here I am, constantly putting on the brakes.”

“I’m interested in you, Annalee, so please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say next.” He dipped his head closer to her. “I don’t want to move any faster than you’re ready to move, even if you’re never ready to move any faster, you hear?”

“But you deserve to be loved, Hawk,” she protested. “You deserve to be held, kissed, and made to feel as special as you are. Yet here I am, broken and damaged. Not sure what comes next or when I’ll be ready for it.”

He almost smiled. “I’m not complaining, Annalee. Wanna know why?”

“Yes, please,” she said softly.

“Because you’re one of those rare people who are worth waiting for. That’s why I’m putting my order in now, hoping maybe I’ll get to jump to the front of the line when you’re finally ready.”

“Oh, Hawk!” She squeezed her eyes shut, longing to become the woman he deserved someday. Hopefully, not in the too distant future.

“The longer you wait to kiss me for the first time,” he continued huskily, “the more I get to look forward to it.”

Her eyelids flew open again. “How can you be so sure we’ll ever…?” She didn’t finish the question, not wanting to hurt his feelings. But hadn’t he just finished saying that he understood she might never be ready?

“Oh, it’s gonna happen.” He sounded so convinced that it rocked her all the way to her soul. “It’s not a matter ofif. It’s a matter ofwhen.”

The rumble of a motor approached them and grew louder.

Hawk glanced over his shoulder, and his expression changed. “Hold on tight!” He threw one arm around her waist like a vise and locked his other elbow behind the back of the seat, bracing his feet against the floorboard.

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