“No.” His whisper had a raw edge. Bending to retrieve the doll for his daughter, he tightened his hold on Janna and kissed the top of her raven head. “Thank you,” he said, his eyes shut.

Heather swallowed the ache in her throat as Sloan stole another piece of her heart. He was trying, she realized. He was endeavoring to put the past behind him and move on with his life.

She had to hold on to that—and hope that his future included her.

The personal visits to neighboring ranches paid off for Sloan’s campaign. Nearly everyone they called on agreed to attend the political meeting to be held Sunday afternoon at Jake’s place. Heeding Heather’s advice, Sloan invited the ranchers’ wives as well.

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. Sloan drove his family over early, so that he and Heather could help set up.

The carriage ride through the rugged foothills was breathtaking, with a warm blue sky that heralded the onset of summer. A golden eagle soared high overhead, the slopes covered with Douglas fir and lodgepole pine, while blue columbine had begun to blossom in the emerald-green meadows.

Holding a bright-eyed Janna on her lap, Heather realized she was glad she was here rather than St. Louis. She didn’t miss the stifling existence of her past life in the least. The wildness of this land had conquered her heart, and so had the man sitting beside her.

Caitlin and Jake were waiting proudly with their tiny but healthy new daughter, whom they’d named Elizabeth after Jake’s mother. Janna was fascinated with the baby, and a boisterous Ryan happily entertained both young ones. He took his cousin to the back porch to play while the grownups discussed the arrangements for the meeting, which was to be held picnic-style in the yard.

Heather had brought several pies and she busied herself arranging tables for the food, as did Sarah Baxter and her husband Harvey, who were among the first arrivals. They all helped Sloan greet the ranchers, who came in droves. The men mostly wore Sunday trousers and good boots, the women dresses and fancy bonnets, and the gathering took on the festive air of a holiday.

Heather, passing out lemonade along with Caitlin and Sarah, watched as Sloan moved easily through the growing crowd, shaking the men’s hands and working his rugged charm on the ladies.

“It’s a shame women don’t have the vote,” Caitlin suggested.

Sarah laughed and nodded. “If they did, Sloan could get elected president.”

Heather had to agree. He exuded raw male attraction, and she couldn’t suppress a thrill of pride that he was her husband.

When the crowd finally settled on blankets in the yard, Jake, still holding his baby daughter, called the meeting to order. He said a few words to introduce his brother, before Caitlin stepped forward to address the sheep men in the crowd.