“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.”

“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.”

“Looks like everybody's asleep. Don't they keep a light on for you?""They probably figured I wouldn't be needing it.""Sorry to disappoint your cousins.""Not to mention me.I'm gravely disappointed at the way this evening has ended.You're going to ruin my reputation as a lady-killer." He flashed her one of his famous smiles.He opened the door and climbed down.When he rounded the front of the truck, he paused beside her open window. "Good night,Marilee. I appreciate the ride home. I just wish you didn't have to make that long drive back to town all alone.""I'll be fine.I've got my radio to keep me company.""You could always coe inside and bunk in my room.""What a generous offer.But once again, I'm afraid I'll have to decline,though I have to admit that I've had more fun in a few hours with you than I've had in years."The minute the words were out of her mouth,she wanted to call them back. What was it about Wyatt that had her trusting him enough to reveal such a thing?Though she barely knew him,he'd uncovered an inherent goodness in him that was rare and wonderful.This had been one of the best nights of her life.Still,he'd gone very quiet.As though digesting her words and searching for hidden meanings.As he turned away she called boldly, "What? No kiss good night? Just because I refused to spend the night with you?"He turned back with a smile, but it wasn't his usual silly grin.Instead, she noted,there was a hint of danger in that smile.He studied her intently before reaching out as though to touch her face. Then he seemed to think better of it and withdrew his hand as if he'd been burned.His eyes locked on hers. "I've already decided that I'll never be able to just kiss you and walk away.So a word of warning,pretty little Marilee. When I kiss you,and I fully intend to kiss you breathless,be prepared to go the distance. There's a powerful storm building up inside me,and when it's unleashed,it's going to be one hell of an earth-shattering explosion.For both of us."He walked away then and didn't look back until he'd reached the back door.Startled by the unexpected intensity of his words,Marilee put the truck in gear and started along the gravel lane.As her vehicle ate up the miles back to town,she couldn't put aside the look she'd seen in his eyes.The carefully banked passion she'd taken such pains to hide had left her more shaken than she cared to admit.In truth,she was still trembling.And he hadn't even touched her.”

“You had a right to vent. I was behaving like a mother hen.""A very sweet mother hen with too many chicks.""I promise to back off." He offered her another bite of pizza. "But I can't promise not to worry.""Fair enough." She kept her hand on his. "It's natural to worry.But you have to trust,too.""You know what I've decided?" He plumped up a pillow and stretched out beside her. "You're even more of a rebel than I am.""You think so?""Yeah.""Next you'll be loaning me your Harley.""I could be persuaded." He linked his fingers with hers.She stared at their joined hands and sighed. "This is nice.""Yeah.I was just thinking the same thing." He leaned his head back and began chuckling."What's so funny?""I've been a bear for the past week. I'd have happily snapped off anybody's head who dared to cross me.""I know what you mean.Fortunately, there was nobody around for me to snap at. I had to content myself with yelling at the talking heads on TV." She paused. "How're you feeling now?"He looked over at her. "What a difference a week makes. The thunderstorm's gone. The cloudy skies. The nasty rain. I'm all sunshine and blue skies and sweet-smelling flowers, thanks to you.""Me,too." She set her wine on the nightstand and leaned over to brush a kiss over his mouth. "I'm so glad you're here,Wyatt.This has been the longest week of my life."His arms came around her,gathering her close.Against her lips he whispered, "Speaking of which, you make me weak.""And you make me..."His kiss cut off her words.As they rolled together, one word played over and over in her mind.Content.Wyatt McCord made her feel content. And safe.And absolutely, completely, thoroughly loved.”

“I was never in any danger, Cal." Cora's tone was patient."So you say.But you admitted that the heavy snow brought down a tree right beside your tent. You could be lying out there right now, pinned and gravely wounded,and we wouldn't have a clue.""Cal,I always have my cell phone under my pillow.""A lot of good that would do if you were crushed beneath a tree. The calendar may say it's springtime, but somebody forgot to tell Mother Nature. If it isn't a tree falling,it could be an avalanche. And there you are, all alone in the wilderness,at the mercy of any number of dangers."Cora gave a long,deep sigh. "You know I'm not going to give up my excursions. It's where I do my best work.I love it too much to ever stop.""And I'm not going to stop worrying. I've been doing it too long.""Now,children," Jesse said with a laugh. "There will be no fighting at the table.”

“I think,to add to the festive occasion, we ought to turn on the lights and siren." He turned to Delia. "What do you say?""Oh,heavens,no." She covered her mouth with her hand before giving it a second thought. "Sorry.That was the old Delia. The new Delia says yes.That would be so exciting."Beside her,Marilee said sternly, "The old Marilee says you'll be breaking the law."Wyatt winked. "This old rebel says he doesn't care. A celebration requires some noise."The two exchanged a long look, then broke out into peals of laughter.As they sped along the open highway, lights flashing,siren blasting, Delia found herself laughing along with them in absolute delight. Despite all the heartache,and all the turmoil,she was sharing a ride with Coot's grandson, heading out to Coot's ranch for the first time in over fifty years,and having the time of her life.”