It had been longer than a coon’s age since he held a woman. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time. And now that Greta was in his arms, he liked it a lot. A whole lot. He thought he’d been fine being single, reckoned it was better to be alone than land in a bad marriage. But what if he didn’t have to end up in a bad marriage? What if he could do things right?

His pa had once loved his ma and had modeled for him and his brothers what it meant to be a devoted and kind husband. He could follow in his pa’s steps instead of letting Rusty’s bad example scare him off of trying, couldn’t he?

All the same, he’d told Greta he wouldn’t pester her to share the marriage bed, gave his word she could leave at the end of autumn if that’s what she wanted. He wasn’t about to go back on his promise.

She released a soft breath, one that only made his blood pump faster. Had he been too hasty in making the promise?

Just as quickly as the thought came, he spit it a shooting distance. He was merely being a friend. And there wasn’t nothing wrong with holding and comforting a friend.

Judd was a good companion. But with Greta . . . well, the morning with her had been pleasant and the conversations a welcome change. He’d enjoyed her company and hoped maybe she’d learn to like his too.

She didn’t make a move to break free, so he held her several heartbeats longer, until his thoughts once again jumped to how beautiful she was and how good she felt. At the fresh spurt of heat in his gut, he gently leaned back.

As she straightened, she offered him a smile. “Thank you, Wyatt.”

He started to shake his head and tell her he didn’t need any thanks, but she continued before he could. “The more I get to know you, the more I’m beginning to see how blessed I am that God brought you my way just when He did.”

Wyatt wanted to take comfort from her compliment, but all he could think about was the fact that God hadn’t brought him her way. Steele and his cattle deal had.

He needed to tell her the truth, but the moment didn’t seem right. Instead, he reached for his horse’s lead line and prayed one day he’d be worthy of such praise.

Chapter 11

Greta stepped outside the general store and attempted to quell her growing despair. She’d assumed she’d have no trouble selling her sweets in Fairplay. But it seemed she’d been wrong and could hardly give the hand pies away.