Page 51 of Rawhide and Ransom

“I know, but I’m right here.” He kissed her with his eyes. “And this is where I intend to stay.” It was his way of reminding her that whatever was coming, they would face it together.

Her eyelids fluttered closed. “I just want it to be over.” She wasn’t sure how much more bad news her heart could handle.

“It’s always the darkest before the dawn.”

Something tickled her left ear, making her squirm and open her eyes.

He was busy fiddling with the hair behind her ear.

“Please tell me it’s not a bug,” she squealed.

“It’s not a bug. It’s a rose.” He caressed her cheek, drinking her in. “A red one. The lady who sold it to me said it represents devotion, desire, and true love.”

“Oh, Hawk!” The way he’d managed to find a patch of beauty in the middle of so much ugliness made her love him all the more. “Thank you.”

He stepped closer to rest his hands on her waistline. “Is that all you’ve gotta say to the guy who just told you you’re his one true love?”

Her eyes widened. “You already know how I feel about you.”

“Yeah, but I wanna hear the words.” He dipped his head over hers, nuzzling noses with her.

“Are you sure about that?” After the way she’d kissed him on a number of occasions, there was no way he wasn’t crystal clear where he stood with her.

“Very sure.” He hovered his mouth over hers.

“There’s a bazillion people standing around us,” she protested.

“Not quite that many.” He didn’t sound the least bit worried about having an audience.

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not a chance.”

“Fine,” she sighed in surrender. “I love you, Hawk Chesney. Every part of me loves every part of you.”

“Now, kiss me.” He spoke against her lips.

She stood on her tiptoes to reach him. “Ruthless,” she whispered.

“Ruthlessly in love with you,” he agreed as he accepted her kiss.

Chapter 9: Fall Girl

Two days later

She loves me.

Though trouble was crashing like ocean waves all around the two women Hawk was protecting, he’d never before experienced this kind of contentment. Talk about finding peace in the middle of the storm! It was tangible, and it was real.

As part of his efforts to increase security, he’d set up a potting station for Annalee in the corner of his workshop. She was using it for the first time this morning, which made it easier for him to catch up on yet another saddle order. He lightly tapped down the leather seat with his mallet, glancing frequently up at the television mounted on the wall. He had the morning news channel on with the volume turned down, so he was mostly reading the scrolling headlines.

Miley hummed to herself as she carved a new set of leather coasters to replace the ones she’d sold on Saturday.

Annalee sent her a laughing look. “Is that yourI’m richsong, Miss Money Bags?”

“Maybe,” Miley giggled and kept humming.

“Or…” her mother taunted, clearly in the mood to tease her favorite teenager. “It’s yourJosh Chavez bought a wallet from mesong.”

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