“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.”

“I thought I heard Delia calling for help.Once I stepped inside,I was able to follow the sound of her voice.""Apparently you had some angels on your side,Delia.""Angels? More like demons,sending me flying like this.”

“If you wouldn't mind driving my truck across the tarmac,I'd like to unload the medical supplies and deliver them to the clinic on the way to Delia's.""Good idea.Let's kill two birds."Marilee shook her head. "Please.I'd rather not talk about killing any birds."Wyatt paused and touched a hand to her cheek.She felt the heat all the way to her toes.He stared down into her eyes,and his lips curved into a killer smile that had those same toes curling with pleasure."My fearless,independent adventurer. You handle a plane like you were born with wings.I've watched you patch up battered, bloody cowboys without flinching. But you can't even think about harming a bird."She couldn't say a word.Her throat was dry as dust.With a thoughtful look he rubbed a thumb over her lower lip,then turned away and headed toward her truck.Marilee remained where she was, absorbing the aftershock of his touch. She'd thought he would kiss her.Had wanted him to.Desperately. Instead, all he'd done was touch her.And that had been enough to reduce her to a weak, trembling mass of jelly.She was going to have to do something about these jumbled hormones.She sucked in a deep breath and got to work hauling the cases of medical supplies.By the time Wyatt drove the truck close to the plane,she was in control and able to work alongside him without sighing like a girl with her first crutch.But just barely.”

“And that unfortunate loss? Was that really an accident,or did you lose deliberately so I wouldn't have to pay the bill?"He shrugged. "My lips are sealed.""I should have known."Once on the open highway he turned on the radio,and they both sang along with Garth as he lamented his papa being a rolling stone.When the song ended,Marilee looked over. "I'll consider that a sermon. According to Garth, a woman would be a fool to lose her heart to a man who'd rather drive a truck than be home with her."Wyatt winked,and in his best imitation of Daffy's smoky voice he said, "Honey, a man may love the open road,but any female with half a brain can figure out how to compete with a truck.Just bat those pretty little red-tipped lashes at any male over the age of twelve, and his brain turns to mush.Next thing you know, instead of revving up his engine, he's on his hands and knees, carrying a toddler on his back around a living room full of toys and baby gear."Though the image was a surprisingly pretty one,Marilee had to wipe tears from her eyes,she was laughing so hard. When she caught her breath she managed to say, "You've got Daffy down so perfectly,you could probably answer the phone at the Fortune Saloon and no one would believe it wasn't her.""She's easy." He chuckled. "I think she's the only female with a voice that's deeper than mine."She looked out the window at the full moon above Treasure Chest Mountain in the distance. "It's a shame to waste such a pretty night.Maybe you ought to pull over and park.We can make out like teenagers.""Not a bad idea." At his arched brow she added, "It would give me a chance to see if I could turn your brain to mush.""Believe it.”

“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.”

“It's hard to imagine you working as a waitress in some college-town bar, Aunt Cora. Were you wearing Coot's overalls back then?"The older woman put a hand to her hip. "I'll have you know I was once considered quite a babe."While the others were grinning, Cal rushed to her defense. "Still are to me, Cora."Then,realizing what he'd just said, his face reddened.His discomfort wasn't lost on the others.Amy and Marilee exchanged meaningful looks, while Jesse,Wyatt, and Zane jumped at the chance to start teasing him."Careful,Cal." Jesse winked at his cousins. "Next thing you know,Aunt Cora will invite you to her studio to pose for a portrait."Wyatt chuckled. "Just remember to keep your boots on,Cal.”

“Wyatt." She tore it open and stood there, drinking him in.Just the sight of him had her heart doing a happy dance in her chest."Don't throw me out." He lifted a hand. "I come in peace.With food."When she didn't say a word he added, "Pizza.With all your favorite toppings.Sausage, mushrooms, green...""Well,then." To hide the unexpected tears that sprang to her eyes,she turned away quickly. "Since you went to so much trouble,you may as well come in.""It was no trouble.I just rode a hundred miles on my Harley,fought my way through the smoke screen at the Fortune Saloon,had to fend off Daffy's attempts to have her way with me, and discovered that I'd left my wallet back at the ranch,which meant I had to sign away my life before Vi would turn over this pizza,wine,and dessert. But hey, no trouble at all.It's the sort of thing I do nearly every day."He followed her to the kitchen, where he set down the pizza box and a brown bag.He glanced over at the stove. "Are you going to lift that kettle, or did I interrupt you making a recording of you whistling along with it in harmony?"Despite her tears,she found herself laughing hysterically at his silly banter.Oh,how she'd missed it.He set the kettle aside.The sudden silence was shocking.Because she had her back to him, he fought the urge to touch her.Instead he studied the way her shoulders were shaking. Troubled,he realized he'd made her cry."Sorry." Deflated,his tone lowered. "I guess this was a bad idea.""Wyatt."He paused."It was a good idea.A very good idea."She turned,and he saw the tears coursing down her cheeks."Oh,God,Marilee,I'm sorry.I didn't mean to make you...""I'm not crying." She brushed furiously at the tears. "I mean I was,but then you made me laugh and...""This is how you laugh?" He caught her by the shoulders and held her a little away. "Woman,I didn't realize just how weird you are. Wait a minute.Do you think being weird might be contagious? Maybe I ought to get out of here before I turn weird,too."The more she laughed,the harder the tears fell.Through a torrent of tears she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on, burying her face in his neck. "You can't leave.I won't let you."He tipped up her face,wiping her tears with his thumbs. "You mean that? You really don't want me to go?""I don't.I really want you to stay, Wyatt.""For dinner?""And more.""Dessert?""And more."His smile was quick and dangerous. "I'm beginning to like the 'and more.'"She smiled through her tears. "Me,too.""Maybe we could have the 'and more' as an appetizer, before the pizza."Her laughter bubbled up and over, wrapping itself around his heart. "Oh, how I've missed your silly sense of humor.""You have?""I have.I've missed everything about you.""Everything?" He leaned close to nibble her ear,sending a series of delicious shivers along her spine."Everything."Catching his hand,she led him to the bedroom. "I worked very hard today making up the bed with fresh linens. Want to be the first to mess it up?"He looked from the bed to her and then back again. "Oh,yeah."He drew her close and brushed her mouth with his. Just a soft,butterfly kiss, but she felt it all the way to her toes. "I mean I want to really, really mess it up.""Me,t..."And then there was no need for words.”