“It shouldn't make a difference to me, I suppose,but it does. I've grown to trust you, and I'd hate to think that I've been wrong about you.""Well,it's real nice to hear you like me, Freckles," he teased. "I kind of like you,too." He wiggled his eyebrows as he had earlier.Willow laughed and leaned over to swat at him but missed. "You know, I really don't have freckles. Why don't you call me Williw like everyone else does?""Maybe, because everyone else does." He shrugged. "Freckles is mine. My special name for you, that is. And you do have freckles, cute little ginger-colored freckles, all-l-l aross the bridge of your nose.""I don't!" Her mouth twisted in annoyance."Tell you what, we'll race on it. You win-you don't have freckles. I win-you do have freckles."Knowing her only chance to beat his big stallion was to get a head start, Willow didn't waste time agreeing to ny terms. She dug her heels into Sugar's sides and tore off across the desert."Hey!" Rider called, laughing and spurring Sultan into a run. "You're supposed to wait till I say go."Her laugh drifted back on the wind."Come on,Sultan. Let's show Miss Freckle Britches who she's dealing with."The spirited stallion's legs stretched out ith effortless grace, his body lowering in a ground-eating pace, and Willow's little mare was no match for the big stallion."See you back at the ranch, Freckles," Rider laughingly taunted as he rode past.”

“What are you smiling about?" Rider asked. Willow glanced at him and flushed. "That must have been some daydream you were having."If you only knew, Willow thought."Come on, Freckles, it's time you get back to the ranch. I have work to do."His big work-roughened hand swallowed hers as he helped her to her feet. Against her will, her body responded to its warmth. She snatched her hand away, garnering a searching expression in his dark brown eyes.She quickly excused her reaction with a flirty smile. "I promised not to touch you, remember?""Yes,but I dont't recall promising not to touch you." He wiggled his brows in a comical imitation of an evil villain in a bad play.She laughed and shook her head. "Help me mount Sugar before I decide to wipe that grin off your face.""And how do you propose to do that?" he asked, retrieving the horses and returning to he side. He bent down, cupped his hands, and boosted her into the mare's saddle. "You weren't planning on slapping my face again, I hope," he said, reaching for Sultan's reins."Oh,no, nothing like that." She batted her lashes coquettishly, the affect intensified by the naughty twinkle in her eyes."You better stop looking at me like that, or I'll have to follow Sultan's example and break down your door tonight.""I don't think Juan would be too happy about making me two new doors. It wasn't easy explaining what happened to the first one!”

“The children came to a perfume shop. In the show window was a large jar of freckle salve, and beside the jar was a sign, which read: DO YOU SUFFER FROM FRECKLES?'What does the sign say?' ask Pippi. She couldn’t read very well because she didn’t want to go to school as other children did.'It says, "Do you suffer from freckles?"' said Annika.'Does it indeed?' said Pippi thoughtfully. 'Well, a civil question deserves a civil answer. Let’s go in.'She opened the door and entered the shop, closely followed by Tommy and Annika. An elderly lady stood back of the counter. Pippi went right up to her. 'No!' she said decidedly.'What is it you want?' asked the lady.'No,' said Pippi once more.'I don’t understand what you mean,' said the lady.'No, I don’t suffer from freckles,' said Pippi.Then the lady understood, but she took one look at Pippi and burst out, 'But, my dear child, your whole face is covered with freckles!''I know it,' said Pippi, 'but I don’t suffer from them. I love them. Good morning.'She turned to leave, but when she got to the door she looked back and cried, 'But if you should happen to get in any salve that gives people more freckles, then you can send me seven or eight jars.”

“What are you doing?”“I...” He appeared to have no idea himself. “I wanted to see your freckle.”A vulnerable tenderness flashed across his face, more painful to see than the coldness. It took every ounce of strength I had not tobeg for one last kiss. As fast as his expression had softened, it was back to stone again.“What do you want from me, Kai?”“For starters?” His voice lowered to sexy, dangerous depths. “I want to introduce myself to every freckle on your body.”

“I shall freckle.""That doesn't bother me," he said with a shrug."It bothers me!""Don't worry. They'll be on your own face, so you won't have to see them."Ellie gaped at him, astounded by his illogic.”

“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.”