Wyatt left her standing speechless, watching after him as he continued down the street. She hadn’t been lying when she told Mr. Steele that Wyatt was a sweet man. And not just to Astrid. He was the kindest, most considerate man she’d ever met, even more so than Thomas.

Not only that, but she liked his lanky walk with his scuffling boots and muscular backside. With the jaunty tilt of his hat and the dark shadow of scruff on his jaw, her mind wandered back to his kiss and the tender pressure of his lips. Just the memory sent strange flutters around her belly, making her crave him and more of his touch.

As though sensing her admiration, he glanced over his shoulder at her, and his brow shot up.

With the heat moving up from her midsection and splashing into her face, she spun and fumbled for the door to the general store. She couldn’t get into the store fast enough, and when she closed the door, she leaned against it and pressed her hands against her hot cheeks.

What was happening to her? Why was she reacting so oddly to Wyatt?

Breathing in deeply, she tried to calm her erratic pulse. Was it possible Wyatt wanted to have a real marriage after all? That maybe he’d changed his mind? Why else would he have kissed her again?

As she tried to make sense of what was happening between them, she made herself stay level-headed so she wouldn’t get carried away with fancy notions. Wyatt had just been showing off for the men in the store, clearly trying to prove something to Mr. Steele.

She set to work gathering more baking supplies. At the sight of her silver dollars, Captain Jim was much more accommodating than he’d been previously. And within no time, she had most of what she needed, not only to make more hand pies but also for her jam. While the jars and other containers for the jam were sparse, Captain Jim helped her find enough to get started and promised to order more. With the freighters coming through the passes from Denver, each wagon drawn by teams of six horses, she’d have everything she could want in no time.

As Captain Jim helped her carry the supplies out and set them on the sidewalk, she caught sight of Wyatt at the far end of town, squatting beside a pair of skinny oxen, running his hand over the hind legs of one of the creatures and questioning the two men who appeared to be the owners.

She started toward him, curiosity lengthening her steps. Was he planning to purchase more cattle to add to his herd? The two Judd had brought back to the ranch earlier in the week had been nothing but skin and bones, much the same as these.