“Summer, listen to me.”
Her temper snapped. “Let me go.”
“Summer–”
“No. You’re nothing but an insensitive, heartless... farm animal. If you want someone to kiss, try doing it to my sister.”
She shoved against him with all the force of her body. Knocking herself off balance, she stumbled back. Her foot kicked the lantern, spilling fuel as she fell to the floor. Quick as lightening, flame licked the hem of her skirt.
“Summer!” He flew on top of her, rolling with her on the ground and beating the flames until the fire was out. Just as quickly, he jumped and stomped out the small fire that had started on the floor.
Once the fire was out, he knelt and gathered her in his arms. “Are you all right, darlin’?”
She calmed her panic. “Oh, Jesse,” she said, out of breath. “I... I... could have burned down your house.”
“No, sweetheart. I wouldn’t have let that happen.” He lifted her skirt and checked her legs.
“I’m all right. The fire didn’t touch my skin.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I think so.”
He cupped her face in his hands, then leaned forward and kissed her lips briefly. “You don’t know how terrified I was when I saw your skirt on fire.”
“It scared me, too.”
“If anythin’ would’ve happened to you–” His voice cracked.
“Nothing happened. You saved me. Once again, you’re my hero.” She paused, then the thought struck her—he had done it again.
She pushed him away and jumped to her feet. “Curse your hide, Jesse Slade.”
Falling back on his heels, he looked up at her, his brows creased. “What did I do now?”
She folded her arms as her temper snapped. “You always have to be the hero, don’t you?”
He stood slowly, shaking his head. “Summer, I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, yes, you do, and I’m tired of it. I’m so tired of it that I could... I could... She paused, searching for her words. Without finishing, she whacked his chest.
“Hey. Whoa. What’s goin’ on? I don’t understand you, Summer.”
She continued to plunder him with soft blows even as Jesse deflected them until her exhausted arms dropped to her sides. “Oh, it’s hopeless. You’ll never change, and I’ll certainly never change.”
He grasped her shoulders. “Summer, for the life of me, I can’t figure out what you’re talkin’ about. Will you please tell me what I’ve done wrong? Why are you so mad?”
Tears gathered in her eyes, and her chest felt like bursting. “I’m tired of the way everyone looks at you as if you were some kind of super magical, better than God, hero. You’re nothing but a normal man, and... I hate you.”
She stomped toward the door, but he grabbed her by the arm, turning her to face him.
“Wait a minute. When did I ever wrong you? How long have you felt this way about me?”
“All my life.” She sobbed. “I’ve always resented you because Pa wished you were his son and not me. I tried so hard, but I could never beat you. I could never show Pa that I’m better than you.” Her emotions finally crumbled, and the tears fell freely. She covered her face.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” he said softly. “I never had any intention of stealin’ your pa’s love. But if you’ll really look at it, you’ll see your pa loves you, Summer. He doesn’t want you to be a boy. He’s proud of the woman you’ve become because you’re different, and that difference sets you apart from everyone else. Your pa loves you because you’re Summer Bennett, not because he wants you to be another Jesse Slade. And no, Summer, I’m not a hero. I only do what I think is right. If others make me out to be a hero, I can’t help it.”
Tears flowed in streaks, but she lowered her hands and looked into his eyes. He was right. She didn’t hate him, she wanted to, but she couldn’t. There could only be one other reason her chest—her heart—hurt this much.
