It was a perfect nightâ¦
When Brad had parked on the mountain, he came around to open her door, then took her hand and led her to the lone stone bench.
When they were seated, Sarah tried to withdraw her hand. But Brad held on to it. After a few minutes, he brought it to his lips.
âWhat are you doing?â Sarah whispered.
âKissing your hand.â
âWhy?â
âBecause I like to.â He kissed it again. âBecause I think youâre very sweet and thoughtful. And because I believe youâre strong for your brother and sister and so I want to be strong for you.â
He kissed her palm this time, then up to her wrist.
If a gentle, harmless kiss like this could make her heart race and her mouth dry, Sarah wondered, what would a real kiss from Brad Logan do to her?
CHAPTER ONE
BRAD LOGAN was late.
He should have left his friendâs wedding back in Pinedale hours ago, and now he was still twenty miles away from home. His brother would be angry if he woke up Abby. Though they had a couple months to go before being born, the twins in her belly were already not letting her sleep.
Because he was speeding by, Brad almost missed the flicker in the pasture to the left, a bit of land the Logans rented from the government. Braking to a stop, he backed up to see if it could be true. He thought everyone knew not to have a campfire on government land.
There it was, almost hidden behind a small hill. He had to snuff it out.
His headlights picked up tire tracks leading off the macadam. Following the tracks, he came upon a darkened old car and the offending campfire right beside it.
Only after parking his truck and walking up to the fire did he notice the young woman who sat beside it, obviously in deep thought.
âMaâam?â
Startled, she jumped, losing her balance on the rock on which she sat. Getting up, she dusted off her rear, sputtering, âWh-who are you?â
âThe nameâs Brad Logan. My family rents this land from the government. Youâre not allowed to camp here. And youâre definitely not allowed to have a campfire.â
âWeâre not doing any harm.â
âLady, itâs been a dry year. We canât take any risks of a forest fire. Iâm sorry, but the fire has to go.â He kicked dirt onto the fire, but the woman stopped him.
âIf you knew how long it took me to get that fire started, you wouldnât so cavalierly destroy it!â
He shook off her hand. âLook, you donât even have any business being out here. Weâve had bears down this low. What would you do if a bear attacked you? You need to go back to Pinedale and get a motel room.â
âNo! No, I canât!â The woman appeared distraught.
âWhy not?â
âI donâtâ Money is tight!â
âThereâs a campground at Yellowstone. I doubt theyâre crowded on an October night.â
âUh, yes, thank you.â
Something in her face told him she wouldnât be going to Yellowstone, despite her verbal acceptance. Wherever she went, he couldnât leave her here.
âDo you have any water?â
âYes.â She turned toward her darkened car.
âI need it to be sure the fire is completely out.â
Disbelief shone on her face when she spun on her heel. âYouâre going to pour it on the fire? I donât have much and the kids will need it in the morning.â
His eyes darted around the car. âYouâve got kids here?â
She gave a brief nod, backing away from him. âLook, weâll go, but I need what water I have.â
âWhere are the kids?â
âTheyâre sleeping.â
âLady, you need to do a better job raising your kids!â
âAnd you need to mind your own business!â
Not knowing what else to do, Brad took out his cell phone and called the sheriff. After filling him in, he asked, âShall I bring her in?â
He was watching the woman as he spoke and when he mentioned taking her in, her eyes opened wide and she immediately began gathering the few things she had out. âWeâll be on our way!â
Before she could reach her car, such as it was, Brad caught her arm. âThe sheriff said for me to bring you in.â
âBut we havenât done anything!â
âThen you wonât mind talking to the sheriff, will you?â
âYes, I do mind. I donât want to leave the kids.â
âOf course not. Weâll take them with usâ¦in my truck.â