reached her, but she didnât care. He caught her in a quick, hard hug, his body warm from exertion in the July heat.
Then he held her upper arms so he could look into her face. âYou okay?â
She nodded a bit like a bobble-Âheaded doll, but she was grinning, too. He was so tall and handsome, yet so focused on her. âYeah, yeah, Iâm okay.â
âI swear I didnât know they were going to announce you like that.â
âI know. Itâs okay. Iâm okay. Really.â
Then she put her hands on his face and kissed him, to a roar of delight from the crowd.
âWell, get her out of here,â Sabrina said, giving them both a push.
Grinning, Mason led her up the aisle to the top of the stands, and they escaped down the much-Âless-Âcrowded rear stairs. She had to hustle to keep up with him, until he led her beneath the widespread branches of a nearby cottonwood tree. A black-Âand-Âwhite herding dog was lying in the shade, and although he raised his head, he calmly put it back down as if he didnât mind sharing.
And then Amanda was in Masonâs arms, kissing his face, over and over. âI was so nervous. But you did so well! Your sisters think youâll win! And we saw you talking to Nate.â
He laughed. âI donât know if Iâll win, because thereâs another rider or two left. But I had a good talk with Nate, and weâre going to meet up later for dinner. Thatâs winning in my book.â
âIâm so glad.â
âBut thatâs nothing compared to you getting called out in front of the crowd.â
She gave a shrug and almost giggled. âIt was strange, I know. But . . . I did okay. I just concentrated on my breathing and remembered that it was temporary, that Iâd soon be alone with you.â
He linked his hands behind her lower back, and she put hers around his neck.
âYou make me feel good, Mason Lopez. You make me remember Iâm strong.â
âYouâve always been strong,â he said softly, then leaned down to kiss her.
She felt light-Âheaded looking up at him, all full of warmth and desire. âI donât know if youâll think Iâm crazy, but I could fall in love with you. Youâve been so patient, so kind, so encouragingâÂâ
He grimaced. âI sound like your favorite teacher, not your lover.â
She laughed. âThose are all good things for a lover to be.â
He kissed the tip of her nose. âI donât just think I could fall in love with you, Amanda Cramer. Iâm mostly already there.â
Their smiles died, and she stared deeply into his eyes, so dark, but shining with warmth and compassion. Their tender kiss brimmed with promise.
âWhere do we go from here?â she breathed at last, feeling giddy at this newfound relationship she hadnât even imagined a few days ago.
He cleared his throat, though his voice still sounded deep and husky. âAnywhere we want. And I think I want to see you every moment I can. Iâm only a half hour away.â
âMight be a longer trip in the winter,â she teased.
âTrue. Itâll only be weekends at first, though Iâm sure my sisters will help out.â
âIâll take whatever of you I can get. I can visit you, too. Iâd love to see your ranch.â
âAnd I want to show it to you. Maybe youâd like it so much, you might think of it as home someday.â
Now she felt shy, looking up at him from beneath her eyelashes. âThat sounds wonderful.â
And then he was holding her close, and she fit perfectly into the contours of his body. Sheâd come to Valentine to escape her past, and instead, sheâd found her future.
Â
This Fall. . .
Return to Valentine Valley,
where Christmas lights are twinkling
and first love burns brighter the second time around. . .
Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley
When Tony De
Maggie Brendan
Barbara O'Connor
Jan Washburn
Terri Blackstock
Norah Simone
Barry Kemp
G.P. Taylor
Alan Cumyn
Linda Barnes
Lisa Jackson