“Emergency One.What's the problem?""It's my heart."The familiar deep voice had her pausing mid-stride. "Wyatt?""Yeah.I meant to ask you to call me when you got home so I'd know you were safe. Now I've been having heart palpitations worrying about you all alone on that long stretch of highway.""Pretty good timing,rebel.That highway is just a memory now.I'm already inside my apartment and heading toward the bedroom.""I'm betting you set a new speed record."She laughed. "And broke a few speeding laws along the way.But I'm home now,safe and sound. I hope this eases your worries about me.""Yeah.I can sleep now.But I still wish you'd agreed to bunk out here with me. Good night,Marilee.”

“A hundred bucks,cuz.And judging by that spectacular toss over the rail, I'd say you earned it."Wyatt tucked the money into his pocket. "It was pretty spectacular, wasn't it? And it worked. It got the attention of our pretty little medic."Jesse,Amy,and Zane stopped dead in their tracks.Amy laughed. "You did all that to get Lee's attention?""Nothing else I've tried has worked. I was desperate."Jesse shook his head in disbelief. "Did you ever think about just buying her a beer at the Fortune Saloon? I'd think that would be a whole lot simpler than risking broken bones leaping off a bull.""But not nearly as memorable.The next time she sees me at the saloon, she'll know my name."Zane threw back his head and roared. "So will every shrink from here to Helena. You have to be certifiably nuts to do all that just for the sake of a pretty face.""Hey." Wyatt slapped his cousin on the back. "Whatever works.'"Zane pulled out a roll of bills. "Ten says she's already written you off as someone to avoid at all costs."Wyatt's smile brightened. "Chump change. If you want to bet me, make it a hundred.""You got it." Zane pulled a hundred from the roll and handed it to Jesse. "Now match it, cuz. I was going to bet that you can't persuade Marilee Trainor to even speak to you again. But just to make things interesting, I'm betting that you can't get her to have dinner with you tonight.""Dinner? Tonight? Now you're pushing the limits,cuz. She's already refused me.""Put up or shut up."Wyatt arched a brow. "You want me to kiss and tell?""I don't say anything about kissing. I don't care what you do,after you get her to have dinner with you.That's the bet. So if you're ready to admit defeat, just give me the hundred now.""Uh-oh." Wyatt stopped dead in his tracks. "Is that a dare?"Amy stood between them,shaking her head. "You sound like two little kids."Wyatt shot her a wicked grin. "Didn't you know that all men are just boys at heart?"He reached into his pocket and handed Zane a bill before he strolled away.Over his shoulder he called, "I'll catch you back at the ranch. You can pay me then."He left his cousins laughing and shaking their heads.”

“I'll find you, don't worry. My body won't be with you all the time, but you'll always have my heart. I'm your worrier, remember?" "I'll never forget. I promise. I'm your High Priestess and you've pledged yourself to me. That means you have my heart, too.""Then both of us better stay safe. A heart's a hard thing to live without. I should know. I've tried it.”

“"Joss""What?""What?" Dylan asked back."You just said my name.""No I didn't""Sorry that was me."I sat up, banging my head on the roof. "Who is that?""Hey, stay down here where the air is good, okay?" Dylan pulled me gently back down. "Hows your head?""Not good, I think.""Um, okay, so you here me. Heather's right, you do think loud. I mean, I've never heard you before, but my Talent seems to be a lot more selective than her's. But now that she's got me turned in to you-""Who are you?""It's still me, Marshall. It's Dylan. I'm right here.""My name's Joel.""Joel?""Joss, what are you talking about?" He took my face in his hands. "Who's Joel?""The voice in my head, I guess.""Jesus.”

“In a hurry to escape he let himself out of the house and walked to the truck. Before he could climb inside Marilee raced down the steps.Breathless,she came to a sudden halt in front of him.At the dark look in his eyes she swallowed. "Please don't go,Wyatt. I've been such a fool.""You aren't the only one." He studied her with a look that had her heart stuttering.A look so intense, she couldn't look away. "I've been neating myself up for days,because I wanted things to go my way or no way.""There's no need.You're not the only one." Her voice was soft,throaty. "You've always respected my need to be independent.But I guess I fought the battle so long,I forgot how to stop fighting even after I'd won the war.""You can fight me all you want. You know Superman is indestructable." Again that long,speculative look. "I know I caught you off guard with that proposal. It won't happen again. Even when I understood your fear of commitment, I had to push to have things my way.And even though I still want more, I'm willing to settle for what you're willing to give,as long as we can be together."She gave a deep sigh. "You mean it?""I do.""Oh,Wyatt.I was so afraid I'd driven you away forever."He continued studying her. "Does this mean you're suffering another change of heart?""My heart doesn't need to change. In my heart,I've always known how very special you are.It's my head that can't seem to catch up." She gave a shake of her head,as though to clear it. "I'm so glad you understand me. I've spent so many years fighting to be my own person, it seems I can't bear to give up the battle."A slow smile spread across his face, changing it from darkness to light. "Marilee,if it's a sparring partner you want,I'm happy to sigh on. And if,in time,you ever decide you want more, I'm your man."He framed her face with his hands and lowered his head,kissing her long and slow and deep until they were both sighing with pleasure.Her tears started again,but this time they were tears of joy.Wyatt brushed them away with his thumbs and traced the tracks with his lips. Marilee sighed at the tenderness. It was one of the things she most loved about this man.Loved.Why did she find it so hard to say what she was feeling? Because,her heart whispered, love meant commitment and promises and forever after,and that was more than she was willing to consider. At least for now.After a moment he caught her hand."Where are we going?""Your place.It's closer than the ranch, and we've wasted too much time already.""i can't leave the ambulance...""All right." He turned away from the ranch truck and led her toward her vehicle. "See how easy I am?"At her little laugh he added, "I'm desperate for some time alone with you."Alone.She thought about that word. She'd been alone for so long.What he was offering had her heart working overtime. He was willing to compromise in order to be with her.She was laughing through her tears as she turned the key in the ignition. The key that had saved his life."Wyatt McCord,I can't think of anything I'd rather be than alone with you.”

“You nodded towards the cup. "Wantmore?"I shook my head. "What about the car?""Didn't find it. You were heading back towards me when Ifound you.""Towards . . . ?"You nodded. "So I reckoned the car had probably got stuckor died somehow, and you were just coming home.""Home?""Yeah." Your mouth twitched. "Back to me.”