When he spotted her, he halted the horse, just staring at her as if she were a blurred mirage. Slowly he swung free of the saddle and led the horse into the barn. When he didn’t come out, Darci felt her anger simmer to the surface of her emotions. He wouldn’t dare to simply ignore her. Then she remembered the night he’d dared try to buy her out when he had no money, and she knew he’d dare anything.

She hadn’t driven all this way for nothing. Crossing the mountains to the western slope of Colorado had taken almost all her courage. The hours had been spent trying to shore up her flagging determination until she’d finally reached Todd’s ranch.

When Cole didn’t return, she started to climb the fence, then forced herself to stop. He had hundreds of acres to move around on. Unless she made him come to her, the battle was lost before the first shot was even fired. She picked up a rock and hefted it in her hand. An overhand pitch landed it against the side of the barn.

A horse whinnied and Darci heard a low curse. She picked up another rock and sent it flying. The third missile was in her hand when he appeared in the doorway. After a slight hesitation, he started toward her.

The faded blue jeans clung to his hips and thighs, reminding her of the few times she’d been pressed against his lean length. Little puffs of dust were kicked up by his boots as each step brought him closer to her. The dusty black hat shadowed his face, but she thought she caught a flicker of longing in the gray depths of his gaze. Leaning her arms against the fence rail, she waited as he walked toward her, enjoying the view Cole presented.

The afternoon sun beat between them, but Darci barely noticed the sweat trickling down her back. As he drew closer, her heart raced with fear and hope. She was laying it all on the line. If she was wrong, even the victory at Blackmore’s wouldn’t matter.

She wanted Cole in her life until they were both old and gray.

She wanted to watch Mandy grow up, and she wanted to provide the little girl with brothers and sisters.

And she wanted to make love with Cole; she wanted to spend endless nights with her husband at her side.

“What the devil do you think you’re doing?”

His deep voice washed over her, and her mind flicked back to the night he’d first appeared in her office. The uncertainty was still there, the slight hesitation, as if he didn’t know quite what to expect. Resisting the urge to fling her arms around his neck and show him why she was here, she smiled in greeting.

“I needed to get your attention.”

He blinked a few times, then gave a reluctant smile.