By the Book Bride: Ryder (A BBW Western Romance) (Matchmaking A Marriage 1) by Patricia Mason, Joann Baker

he’d felt every shiver that had ran through her. He knew he could say all sorts of things right now—had said them in the past to other women—but with her, there was only one thing he wanted to say. But it was too soon and neither of them was ready. So he whispered her name instead, putting all of his emotions, his feelings—his love—into that one word. “Georgie.”
    She snuggled against him and his heart turned over. Nothing had ever felt so right to him. When she drifted off to sleep, he lay there, lost in the simple joy of having her next to him, hearing her soft breathing. Before long, his body urged him to love her again. Although he hated to wake her, his need overrode everything else. She responded to his kisses with a soft whimper, her eyes widening as she came fully awake.
    “I thought it was a lovely dream,” she whispered, her hand caressing the side of face lovingly.
    “It’s better, honey,” Ryder whispered back, his hands already remapping the body he’d learned intimately only a short time ago. He made love to her slowly at first, savoring the feel of her. Then passion overwhelmed them both and he was thrusting inside of her, holding her hip in the grip of his hand, bruising her tender flesh. He couldn’t contain himself, couldn’t hold back. When she arched and screamed out his name, he lowered his head, covering her mouth with his, swallowing her cries of pleasure so the others in the house couldn’t hear.
    Georgie’s body felt as if it were on fire as Ryder made love to her. Long, slow strokes that aroused her and kisses so deep and meaningful that she almost cried out from those alone. Pleasure continued to flood her system in a white-hot rush, blinding her as he moved within her. Once more she felt the blinding explosion of her impending release. Her whole body seemed to contract then blow apart. In the midst of her release, she sensed his nearing and felt the shudder of his big body as he surrendered himself to her. As they surrendered themselves to each other.
    ˜**˜
    Ryder pulled into the library parking lot just before noon, eager to get inside. The building hadn’t changed much over the years and, if he wasn’t mistaken, it was on the National Historical Society Register, having been the home of a railroad baron who had founded the town. Devil’s Spur had gotten its name from the sharp curve around the mountain that had caused more than one railway fatality.
    He hadn’t been to the library in years and couldn’t recall the inviting atmosphere it held now. To his right were leather chairs and floor lamps. The scene reminded him of someone’s living room. It wasn’t the only reading spot, however. He saw other areas around the large room amid brightly colored posters on the wall as he walked to the front desk.
    “Good morning,” he whispered quietly to Prudence as she sat behind the gleaming wooden counter. The older woman had agreed to stay on for two more weeks. Although Georgia’s ankle had healed nicely, it was still a little tender. Plus, the new shelves were being installed and Prudence thought it wise to have two sets of hands to rearrange the books.
    “Well, it if isn’t my favorite Anderson brother.” Even though her face didn’t reflect a smile, he heard the welcome in her voice. He’d always thought there was some tragic story behind Prudence’s almost sullen attitude at times.
    “Of course I am.” He sat the two brown paper bags he was carrying on the counter. She eyed them with a frown.
    “Here to have lunch with Georgie?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Ryder’s mouth broke into a grin. “Is she around?”
    “She’s doing story time. Do you remember the way?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He picked up one of the bags and started to walk off.
    “Wait, Ryder, you forgot—”
    He turned back around before she could finish. “No, I didn’t. That’s your lunch.”
    “Yes, sir,” she stated, a full-fledged smile breaking across her face, “you always were my