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Chapter One

Catherine

The proposition of being ecoach ride—three days of rattling and rolling across the open prairie—just until the driver called the horses to a halt in front of the general store in Liberty, Montana This was the end of the line, wherefornoticeable to all, either by beating its way out of my chest or by the sound of its frantic beats My pal was even ht corset My future was beyond the wooden door of the stage Once I stepped out, my life, I kneould alter dramatically

Herbert Beecham had wantedthe very top of my blouse beneathand I was overcoe of the high collar was claustrophobic and hot and tickled my chin With that sole button undone, no one would notice a change, nor would any skin show It only relieved the constriction about my neck so I didn't overheat and swoon at his feet Instead of being concerned for my welfare, he'd labeled ling on the city sidewalk

Did I have such low earound? Was it my hope to lure these same men into my woman's trap as I had hian ranting about e then and there I'd been mortified, shamed and publicly humiliated Even noeeks later and hundreds of miles away, I was haunted by his words and wore my most severe, and modest, of dress

Left without other prospects—no one would marry me after that public tirade—I had to consider farther afield, having become somewhat desperate Work for a wo and without such, there would not be enough money to pay off my father's debt and survive Thus, my presence in Montana, far from St Louis, as aa coe land

What didto the eye? Would he be pleasant or cruel? Would he consider me amoral and a slattern like Mr Beechae by proxy, I'd envisioned a di muscle He'd be able to rope a steer, ride a horse and pleasure a woman with mastery and skill This last was a phrase I'd learned froh it was a drea, arduous trek from St Louis Perhaps I was amoral and wanton as I'd been viciously painted

The driver helped ht sun The air ar after the confines of my uncomfortable seat There had been no reprieve since breakfast Su change to the sweltering streets of a big city

“Miss Langton?” a deep voice called out

I looked up, but couldn't see the man with the voice, as the sun was directly behind hilare and stood before h that I had to tiltman!

As he pulled his hat off, I was able to see he had piercing dark eyes, and equally dark hair that was long at the nape and slightly curled It was thick and ard, ers itch to feel how soft it was and to tame it His jaas square with dark whiskers, in need of a shave His lips were full and one corner quirked up in a smile

This was my husband? He was all the book described and even more My eyes traveled from his face and over his body Broad shoulders were covered in a blue cotton shirt, soft from wear and the sun, the sleeves rolled up to expose formidable foreare, and I conteainst my flesh I sed deeply

Sweat dotted my brow and I had no doubt the sun wasn't the only culprit My interest in this man was piqued in a way no other man had done before and he'd only said my name

“I assu ton,” he pro his words

Oh! I'd been ogling him as if a prized bull Mortified, I felt my cheeks heat