Emily jumped at the sound and almost fainted with relief when the now-headless reptile crumbled to the ground. Only then was she able to gasp for air.

Chase ran to her side and slipped his arm around her waist.

Ears still ringing from gunfire, she tried to act calm, but her shaky limbs refused to cooperate. Much to her mortification, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her head against his chest. His manly fragrance offered a welcome respite from the smell of cattle, dust, horseflesh, and gun smoke.

In the strength of his arms, she melted against him, eyes closed, and felt oddly, strangely safe. She pressed herself even closer to his corded chest, her soft curves molding against his. His hands explored the hollows of her back, and her eyes flew open.

Torn between staying in his protective arms and proving she wasn’t as helpless as he seemed to think, she pushed him away. Now that the danger was over, she could pretend a bravery she didn’t feel.

He studied her with furrowed brow. “You okay?”

She tugged at her sleeves and straightened her split skirt. “Of course I’m okay,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t give her away. As scared as she had been of the snake, being in Chase’s arms was what had caused her the most anxiety.

With a quick glance toward the reptile to make sure it hadn’t found a second life, she added, “It was just a snake.”

He reared back. “Just?”

Intent on proving she wasn’t some silly woman who jumped at her own shadow, she shrugged. “We have snakes in Boston.” Poisonous snakes were known to live in the forested hillsides behind the house she’d shared with her aunt and uncle. Fortunately, she’d never had occasion to come across one.

He cocked his head as if trying to figure her out. “Is it just the four-legged creatures that give you grief?” he asked in all seriousness.

“Not as much as some two-legged ones I’ve had occasion to meet,” she said pointedly.

Much to her surprise, he laughed. It was a nice laugh, bubbling out of him like water from a spring.

Surprised at how much she liked him in this lighthearted mood, she turned and stalked away. But she kept a wary eye on the ground to make certain no other dangers lay in wait.

“Let me know when we can start your shootin’ lessons,” he called after her.

She gritted her teeth and kept walking.

13

Chuckling to himself, Chase watched Emily walk into the house with stiff dignity and slam the door shut.

Battling the temptation to follow her, he waited for several minutes before entering the house. With a quick glance at the stairs, he turned and headed for the kitchen. He was hot and thirsty, but the only thing that would clear his sleep-deprived head was coffee. The stronger, the better.

He walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the stove.

He only wished that holding Emily in his arms hadn’t played such havoc with his senses. Even when she was fighting him, she had a way of getting under his skin. She was both intriguing and aggravating. Never had a woman confused him more. Never had his head been in such a tangle.