Emma's Wish

She sniffled. "It doesn't?"

He shook his head. "How many times do I have to tell you before you believe me? I love you. All of you. In fact, I'll prove it to you." His head dipped, and she felt his lips on her neck. His lips trailed a line down her neck to the swell of her scarred breast, planting soft kisses all the way.

He slipped the gown off her shoulder, lowering the silk and baring her breast to the cool evening air. His lips captured the nipple and suckled it gently.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sensation, and her finger gripped his shoulders.

He stopped and raised his head. "Do you believe me now?"

Her heart surged with love. Only a man who truly cared for her could have done what he just had.

She nodded, her tears still moist on her lashes. "I really thought you'd turn away ..." She smiled, hardly able to believe this was happening.

"I'll never turn away from you. That's a promise."

She reached up and kissed him then, wrapping her arms around his neck and offering herself to him. When they made love again, she would hold nothing back. There would be no fear, nothing but the joy of expressing the love she felt for him.

Sam began to untie the laces on the back of Emma's gown as she worked at the buttons on his shirt. "Just so you don't forget, I plan on reminding you every chance I get for the rest of our lives."

"I'll hold you to that," she said, drawing him towards the bed.

Later, Emma lay nestled in the crook of Sam's arm as he snored gently beside her. She glanced out the window at the clear night sky. A star twinkled in the inky blackness, and she grinned.

Nathan was right. Wishes really did come true. And she'd never need to wish upon a star again. She already had everything she'd ever want.

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WILD WYOMING WIND

Chapter 1

Wyoming, 1880

"Get off my land!" Maddie Boone's finger trembled on the trigger of the Winchester in her hand, but she held the barrel steady.

The stranger drew his roan-colored stallion to a halt. Leaning on the pommel of his saddle, he met her gaze. His horse whinnied and shuffled, raising a cloud of dust in the drought-ridden yard.

"I told you to get out," Maddie repeated, adjusting the rifle's aim until it rested in the centre of his broad chest. "I'm not about to tell you again."

"Are you Mrs. Boone?" he asked.

She didn't answer. If the man didn't know who she was, she saw no reason to tell him.

"I'm looking for Caleb Boone," he went on. "Is this his place?"

Looking for Caleb? Funny, the man didn't look like most of Caleb's friends. He was far too clean, for one thing. And even from where she stood on the porch of the cabin, she could see his clothes, though creased, weren't stained or torn. And he sounded sober. Nevertheless, she wanted nothing to do with anybody from Caleb's past. "What do you want him for?"

"It's urgent."

"Well, he's not here," Maddie said. "Now get out before I fill you full of lead."

Maddie hoped the stranger didn't hear the nervous trill in her voice. She'd never actually shot a man, but there was a first time for everything. She'd had a lot of 'first times' in the past few weeks, and no doubt she'd have many more before she was finished.