by Merry Farmer
“What seems to be the problem?”
Emma’s stomach flopped again, but this time because of the butterflies that filled it. She forced herself to look up into Dean’s kind, smiling face. The sun framed him from behind, wreathing him in light. Her concern for Sadie, her fear of the snake, all of it was forgotten as her heart thundered in her chest.
Still smiling, Dean crouched in front of her. “Oh dear,” he said in a voice that was both compassionate and light-hearted. “It looks like we’ve had an accident.”
Emma’s mind raced to figure out what she’d done wrong. Had she caused some sort of disaster already? Was he scolding her for it? Did he hate her?
“I stepped on something,” Sadie groaned.
All at once, Emma remembered where she was, who she had in her arms, and what had happened to the poor girl. Her face burned scarlet. She hugged Sadie closer.
“Let’s take a look, then,” Dean said. He reached for Sadie’s foot and turned it over to look at the sole. A long cut bled profusely, but he didn’t bat an eye. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at Sadie’s wound as though she were the queen and he was her humble servant. “Well, we’re in luck. It doesn’t look like a splinter or glass. Nothing appears to be stuck inside. I’ll need to clean the wound to be sure.”
“Will it hurt?” Sadie asked, voice quivering.
Dean smiled. He glanced to Emma as though they shared a secret only grown-ups knew. “It’s nothing a brave snake-tamer like you can’t handle.”
“Oh.” Sadie brightened.
Dean ruffled her hair and slipped a hand under Emma’s arm to help her to stand, Sadie still in her arms. Tingles of joy spread up Emma’s arm from the spot he touched.
“Perhaps your friend here can help carry you back to your wagon and help us find water and clean bandages,” he said to Sadie, then looked at Emma and asked, “Miss?”
Emma opened her mouth, but nothing came out. For weeks she’d been watching Dean, studying his handsome face, his broad shoulders, his ready smile. Weeks in which she hadn’t once worked up the nerve to speak to him or even tell him her name. Now that he was asking, Lord help her, but she couldn’t remember what it was.
Other Works by Merry Farmer:
The Noble Hearts
The Loyal Heart
The Faithful Heart
The Courageous Heart
Montana Romance
Our Little Secrets
Fool for Love
Sarah Sunshine (novella)
In Your Arms
The Indomitable Eve (novella)
Seeks For Her (novella)
Somebody to Love
Hot on the Trail
Trail of Kisses
Trail of Hope
Trail of Longing (coming January 2015)
Trail of Dreams (coming February 2015)
