“There’s nothing to stare at.” She tried to tug her hand free.

He held her fast. “From where I’m standing, there’s a whole lot to stare at. You’re the prettiest woman I ever did see.”

The tingles changed to hot streaks that raced along her limbs. Even so, the insecurity of moments ago came back. “You’re just being nice.”

“Nice? I ain’t in the habit of saying things to be nice.” His fingers tightened against hers, and with his other hand he reached up and skimmed her collarbone.

The touch was so light and unexpected and exquisite she forgot to breathe.

For a moment his fingers stalled, then he captured the fluttering ribbon of her bonnet and tugged it, loosening first one side and then the other. Before she knew it, he pushed her hat back so she was left defenseless without anything to hide behind.

As she allowed herself to meet his gaze, she lost herself in the heartache and desperation in the dark, vast woodland of his eyes. She could read there his keen disappointment in losing his cattle and now possibly having to give up on his ranch. She could read the frustration and understood it well after how hard they’d worked all autumn. And she could sense his disappointment in himself for not finding a way to make his dreams come true.

He lifted his hand, and this time he caressed her neck starting by her earlobe and ending at the hollow of her throat. Again, she couldn’t breathe, could only watch the murky brown of his eyes and feel his pain deep within herself.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered hoarsely. “I never meant to hurt you. And now that I’ve lost everything I’ve been working for, I realize you’re all I really want.”

His words, his touch, the honesty—it reached deep inside and stirred the emotion she’d been trying so hard to ignore, an emotion she could no longer deny. In spite of everything, she was without a doubt falling in love with Wyatt.

“With all that’s going on,” he continued, his voice still hoarse, “I know this ain’t the best timing. But I had to see you and ask you to wait to go—at least ’til we can talk. I kept thinking I’d ride back today only to find you and Astrid long gone.”

She started to nod, but then froze. “Hasn’t Astrid been out working with you and Judd?”

“Nope.” His brow shot up, and his eyes clouded with confusion.

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure as a gun.”

Greta’s world crumbled in one swift fell. And she knew exactly what had happened. Astrid had run away.

Chapter 22

Greta’s face lost all color, and she swayed as though her legs might give out. Wyatt grabbed her arm to keep her from toppling.