Lauren ran to her bedroom and closed the door. Mrs. Lauren Montgomery. She wouldn't mind if she were his to take care of for the rest of their lives. Alone in her room, his words somersaulted around in her head so fast she wondered which were hers and which were his. "Look in my eyes and tell me you don't have feelings for me, that your heart doesn't jump into your throat every time you think about me, every time you look at me." She lay on the bed, her overloaded head full of thoughts she desperately wanted to clear. She couldn't shake Chase from her mind. She tried to think of nothing, but that didn't work, because his words just kept coming back, echoing with every passing second. How could she figure out how she felt about him, and figure it out fast? Could marrying him really be the answer to all her problems, or would it cause more? How would marrying him keep Clint from invading her future? Surely Clint will give up trying to find me by then.She didn't want to be responsible

Lauren smiled at all the lights adorning the town of Saddle Creek. It was lit up like a Christmas tree. Couples strolled up and down the boardwalk, coming and going to the dance. Some were decked out in jiggling silver spurs, big silver-and-gold belt buckles, and bolos, while others wore contemporary jeans and shirts. Country music echoed from the barn, and light spilled across the boardwalk, highlighting the people. They entered the barn and the aroma of fresh hay and food assailed her nostrils. In one corner, a live band played a country tune and her nerves thrummed along with the music. A table full of food and drink was set up across from the band. Pushing through the crowd, Lauren and Chase made their way to the food table to unload their contribution of food. They got a drink and loaded a plate of food and found a nearby table to sit and listen to the music. Chase greeted everyone, nodding his head or waving as they walked by. When the country band played their first slow son

A car passed going in the opposite direction with its high beams on. Lauren closed her uncovered eye in agonizing pain as a dreadful headache began pounding in her ears. She leaned her head against the window and concentrated on the hum of the tires on the road, her hands folded in her lap and relaxed.When they reached the outskirts of Saddle Creek, Chase slowed and turned left into a motel parking lot. He parked and turned off the ignition. "We're going to stay here tonight so you can get right into bed. That way, we can pick up your prescriptions in the morning, before we head back to the ranch. Stay here, and I'll be right back to get you after I check us in." He didn't wait for her to question his plans. He just opened the door and got out. Lauren kept her eyes closed and her head against the window, thankful Chase had, once again, thought of her comfort. Her body ached and the medications hadn't kicked in yet. She was glad they'd stopped for the night. The long drive would'v

"Lauren, I'm back," Chase yelled from the other room."Okay, I'll be right out."She quickly dressed and stepped outside the bathroom. The scent of fresh-brewed coffee and pastries almost sent her to her knees. Chase stood at the table where he'd placed the bag of goodies beside two steaming cups of coffee. He studied her from head to toe. "You look refreshed.""And you look happy, even cheerful. What's up?""I called Amos back." He pulled out a chair for her and took the lids off both cups. Lauren didn't know what smelled better, the hot coffee or the sugary aroma coming from the bakery bag. She sat at the table and pulled a glazed donut from the bag. It was still warm. Oh, God. Her mouth watered so badly she had to swallow before she could ask. "So, what did he say?"While they shared donuts and coffee, Chase relayed the news from Amos."That's fantastic!" Her words came out through a mouthful of donut.Chase grinned. "Anyway, I want to get back to the ranch and talk to th

Twisting side to side, Samantha looked up and down the road, but didn't see another car coming either way. Damn it. She would have to walk. After all, it was only two miles to the nearest town. The sound of her heels on the asphalt sounded like gunshots as she headed toward the silhouette of the towering mountains looming in front of her. Her eyes, now adjusted to the dark, scanned the dim area. No buildings nearby, no lights at all. She shivered. The air, cooling off now since the sun had gone down, would only get colder. She longed for her heavy jacket she'd placed in one of her missing suitcases.No stores in sight. So isolated. No barn or shed for shelter. No hotels, or motels, no open-all-night 7-Elevens, no gas stations, no shopping malls, no people, and no traffic to flag someone for help. How do people live out here?She twisted her foot on a small rock on the road, kicking it aside, and heard a crack. She put her now heelless shoe onto the pavement, glanced down, and perused