“I was looking at Gavin's face this morning when he saw you in that dress and, honey, he liked what he saw! Now you lie here and take a nap. When you wake up, I'll help you bathe and we'll put some of that good-smelling stuff on you and comb your hair pretty. Tonight when he comes to bed, you prance around for a while real innocent-like in your lacy undergarments. Then strip 'em off, jump into bed, and cuddle up close to 'im. If he doesn't consummate the wedding, then he deseves to be called a damn gelding!”

“Did Franny tell you about her and Gavin's problem?""Yes,I'm afraid I pried if out of her. You know that was a good idea you gave her. Too bad it didn't work.""It didn't? Criminey, he must be made of stone!""She wasn't entirely without success. She got a rise out of him, that's for sure."Willow grinned at Miriam's unintended pun.The older woman pursed her lips by way of reprimand and continued. "Seems Franny jumped in bed with him in her natural state and he flew out the other side of the bed.""Then what happened?""He threw his clothes on and left the room for safer territory, I guess.""Damn! Sorry," Willow apologized for her lapse. "But I did mean damn. Darn just isn't strong enough to describe this here situation. Did you ever hear the like?""No,but perhaps we can think on it during your visit. Right now, we better get rolling before your father-""Woman,ain't you ready to leave yet?" Owen yelled through the door."Oh,hush up, you ole bad of wind," Miriam called back.”

“Willow turned her gaze from him as he sat down on the bed and smoothed her tangled hair off her face. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, sweetheart. Are you all right now?"Willow couldn't help flinching from his touch. "Of course I'm all right," she snapped.Rider jerked his hand back as if bitten. "Freckles, honey, is something wrong, something you're not telling me?"The angry redhead shrugged. "What could possibly be wrong?""I don't know. You just seem a little....out of sorts."Bastard, she silently cursed. But aloud she said, "I'm fine. Just tired, I guess.""Do you want me to bring your supper to you in here? I'd be happy to keep you company.""I would like to have my supper in here but don't bother yourself on my account. I'm sure you have things to discuss with Pa and the boys."Rider stood abruptly, obviously at a loss over her attitude. "Fine,Willow, if that's what you want.""It is."He opened the door to leave but halted when she called, "Rider.""Yes?""You better move your things in with one of the boys. Miriam is sharing my bed tonight.""Tonight? But I'm leaving tomorrow and won't be back until-""Really,Rider, it's only for one night and I ain't,er, am not in any shape for fooling around!""I know that," he bit out, his ire piqued now. "I just thought it might be nice to hold you."With that, he slammed out the door and Willow broke into tears. Before they stopped, her head was pounding all over again.”

“He clutched her close and gave her a quick, hard kiss. "I'll be back as soon as possible, love.""Rider?" He stopped and turned to her again. "I love you. Please, don't take any foolish chances with your life.""Never,darlin'. Not when I've got you to come home to.”

“Willow gazed up at him, her silly grin still in place. "You know wha'? You're kinda cute when you crook your eyebrows down like tha'."Rider muttered a curse, lifted her off the floor, and tossed her over his shoulder. "Juan, you and Hicks help Mrs. Brigham to her room. I'll take care of this little hellion."Willow lifted her head from where she dangled over Rider's shoulder. "See yuh later, Mrs. B."Miriam smiled and waved."i think Mrs. B is pickled," Rider's passenger said in a loud whisper as he hauled her out the door."No thanks to you,hellion," he growled, and smacked her bottom."Ow!"As he carried Willow into the house, Rider was hard pressed to quell a sudden urge to laugh. In her bedroom, he unceremoniously dumped her on her bed, but when he turned to leave, her pitiful sounding voice halted his exit. "Rider,come here a min-it.""Oh,hell, I suppose you're going to be sick." Grabbing a basin off her dresser, he shoved it under her chin. "It serves you right, you know." He watched nervously as she knocked the bowl aside."Dun...don't be mad." She held her arms out to him. "Come closer. Gimme a kiss and we'll make up. I like your kisses so-o-o-o much."This time Rider couldn't stall his grin and inadvertently leaned closer.She was on him like a duck on a June bug. With two hearty handfuls of his shirt, she yanked him down on top of her and plastered her mouth against his.Talking against his lips, the tipsy girl had the audacity to complain, "Not like this. Do it like before. You know, with your tongue."Rider squeezed his eyes shut and groaned. This isn't fair, he bemoaned silently. He tried to rise but Willow held tight, squirming her voluptuous little body against his. Sweat broke out on his forehead. If he didn't put a stop to this soon...He lifted his mouth from hers. "If I promise to kiss you with my tongue, will you let go of me and go to sleep?""Uh-huh." Willow's eyes drooped, but the affect appeared more seductive than drunken.Lifting her shoulders slightly off the bed, he wound his arms around her and covered her mouth with his. His tongue explored hers in a long, liquid kiss, tasting of wine and desire. Rider savored its promise, wishing just this once, he could be less a gentleman.Willow wrapped one of her legs over his and shifted her hips, innocently aligning his swelling heat with hers. He started and bolted off the bed. "Holy hell! You did it again!""What?" Her voice was sluggish and sleepy now.Disgusted with himself, Rider stomped to the door. "Sleep it off, Freckles."Outside Willow's door, Rider slumped against the wall and shook his head. Willow Vaughn was a constant surprise, and he loved the girl so bad it hurt.”

“Get off your horse, Jack.""Why don't you just ride outta here, missy, and I'll forget this ever happened."Willow's voice trembled with fury. "Get off your horse," she repeated. "Slow and easy."Still grinning his contempt, he did as he asked."That's good. Now, real slow like, take your gunbelt off and toss it my way.""Like hell!" A shot rang out and nicked a chunk of leather from his boot. Cursing, he unbuckled his gun and tossed it at her mare's feet."Now,strip them britches off, underwear, too," she ordered."You little shi-" Bang! Jack's hat whizzed off his head. He dropped his pants in a puddle over his boots, trying his best to shelter his privates from her view."My,my,Jack." Willow laughed humorlessly. "Is that puny thing you're trying to hide the same thing you were threatening me with?"If looks could kill, Willow would have been dead and buried ten times over, then and there."Take them confounded boots off so's you can get your pants clear off," she ordered in mock exasperation.He wheeled around, gaining a modicum of privacy while he complied."You're puny all over, Jack. You got the boniest bee-hind I ever did see. You sure you ain't picked up a worm somewheres?""You're gonna pay for this,you little slut!""Shut your filthy mouth and pick them pants off the ground and toss 'em over here at my horse's feet. Then you can put your boots back on."He gave the pants a toss, put his boots on, and turned around to face her, cuping his privates in his hands."Okay,Jack, finish the job. You've been real generous but I'm a greedy cuss. Give me the shirt off your back, too."Cursing, he again turned around and obeyed."Oh,ah,Jack, you better reach behind you there,and get your hat. I'll let you keep it. We wouldn't want your bald spot to get sunburned."Scofield now stood in nothing but his boots, using his hat to shield his lower half. Humiliated, the gunslinger's eyes burned with bloody intent. Willow suddenly regretted her damnable quick temper and realized the folly of her reckless retaliation. No doubt,the heinous man would seek revenge. But the damage was done and the man was so mad that backing off now would be the same as signing her death warrant."Step away from your horse and start walking toward the ranch, Scofield.""You're out of your mind!""Maybe,but I bet you'll think twice before threatening to poke that puny thing at another lady.""You? A lady? Ha!"Willow's temper flared anew. "Walk, Jack. Real fast. Cuz if you don't, I'm gonna use your puny thing for target practice." Her bullet kicked up the dust at his feet and started him on his way.”

“If you aren't in love, Willow Vaughn, then my name isn't Miriam Brigham."Willow started out of her daydreaming and glanced up from the laundry tub. Miriam stood before her with her fists planted on her hips. "Now, Miriam, I-""No sense denying it, young lady. You've got that dreamy dazed glow about you. Rider Sinclair isn't much better, the way he hangs around you,like a bee drawn to honey. He's always holding your hand or throwing his arm around you when he thinks I'm not looking.""Well,even if I were in love, it wouldn't change anything. I still don't want another man to look after, and I don't need one looking out for me either. I can take care of myself!""Course, you can!" Miriam agreed, picking the last sheet out of the rinse water and wringing it out. "Most women can. Look at me, I run a boarding house and support myself just fine. But let me tell you something. That lonely bed of mine is mighty cold on winter nights, even here in the territory."Willow blushed and concentrated on her hands where they rested on the edge of the tub."Willow," Miriam continued, "you've been managing your pa just fine since he got home. A husband isn't any more difficult to manage than a father, unless, of course, you're married to a no-good lout."Willow dried her hands on the wide white apron around her middle. "But, Miriam, if I don't marry, then I don't have to bother finagling a man to my way of doing things. Staying single makes a hell of a lot more sense!""Watch the cursing, young lady."Miriam slung the sheet over the line and returned to help Willow with the wash tub. They each grapped a handle and carried it a few feet before setting it down to rest their arms a moment."Willow, use your noggin, will you? Part of the fun of being a woman is wrapping some big, handsome hunk of a man around your little finger. You do have to use your good sense, though, and realize when you're wrong and he's right. Of course"-Miriam chuckled-"that won't be too often."And you have to be careful not to hurt a man's feelings overly much. Men are funny creatures. They seldom let their emotions show because they think it isn't manly. But you can tell when they're upset.They start pouting like a little boy.I've always thought that was rather curious.”