He should've known better. Her eyes were wide with wonder, and he groaned as he took her mouth again.
She tasted like the cobbler they'd enjoyed earlier in the afternoon. Her hands rested against his chest.
He wanted her closer, but he let her go and stepped back. He wouldn't take advantage, especially when she was distraught.
Adam still had to fetch his stallion from the corral and saddle him up, but he didn't think he could take any more of the soft look Breanna was giving him. Better to saddle up alone.
"Can I call again tomorrow?"
Those words did the trick. She wrapped her shawl more tightly around her, backed up a step. "I guess so."
He nodded. "Then I'll see you tomorrow."
4
Dear Seb,
Things here are fine.Daniel is working in a family practice. We have settled into a little house. The mountains are lovely.
I have no plans to return to Bear Creek. You should ask Lottie to the church social.
Sincerely,
Emma Morris
Seb reread the letter.If you could call two measly paragraphs a letter.
He thought to crumple it and toss it into the brazier of the stove that kept him warm in the bunkhouse, but instead he tossed it onto his bunk and ran both hands through his hair.
I have no plans to return.That was news to him. When Emma and Daniel had left weeks ago, she'd been distant and polite as she'd hugged him the same way she'd hugged all his brothers and his Ma and Pa. No hint that she’d been thinking about the one incredible kiss they'd shared after he'd asked to go walking with her after the young'uns Christmas play.
There had been no private good-bye.
He'd chalked it up to the fact that she still hadn't been feeling well after battling sickness for nearly two weeks.
He'd been in love with her for years. Nearly since she'd first come to Bear Creek, a shy, fearful little thing who was hiding out with her sister from a lunatic who'd tried to force himself on her. Seb had earned himself a concussion standing watch when an insane man had tried to kidnap Emma and grabbed Fran instead.
Both Seb and Emma had grown up since then. Emma had found herself in the wide open spaces of Wyoming, becoming confident and showing her kind heart. He'd watched it happen, though he'd kept his feelings to himself until this last Christmas.
After what she'd been through, he hadn't wanted to push too hard.
But she'd sought him out, pressed a brown-paper wrapped package into his hand, claimed it was an early Christmas gift. He'd opened it to find several hand-embroidered hankies. They were too girly for him, with little daisies and the like, but when he'd raised his head to thank her anyway, his real gift had been the soft, steady light in her gorgeous violet eyes.
He'd asked her to go walking a couple nights later. Kissed her behind the schoolhouse. Then held her close and whispered how much he cared about her. She'd dabbed at tears and told him in a tremulous voice that she felt the same.
And now she wasn't coming back?
It didn't make sense.
Take Lottie to the church social.
As if Emma and Lottie were interchangeable. He'd mentioned the event in his letter to Emma, hoping to entice her to return. Obviously, it hadn't worked.
He'd expressed his feelings in that letter. Told her how much he missed her. He hadn't written that he loved her, though he did love her. He’d held out because he’d wanted to tell her in person for the first time. It hadn't been the right time during the stolen moments they'd had together before. He'd wanted to ask her brother Daniel if he could come courting, but she'd said she wanted to spend a little more time together without everyone knowing. She was still shy at times. He didn’t argue with her request—he'd thought they had all the time in the world.
And then she'd left.
He didn't get it. They hadn't had much time together before she'd gotten sick, but during their stolen moments and that one long walk home from Sunday service, he'd spun out his dreams. He'd thought she agreed with his plans. Plans to build a cabin in a picturesque grove on Pa's land, raise horses like Oscar. Seb was a simple man with simple needs.
