Read Online Hearts in Defiance (Romance in the Rockies Book 2) by Heather Blanton - Free Book Online

leave
Defiance and everything it had done to them in the dust. Maybe someday he could
as well.
    That reminded him, the stage
was a good four hours late. Not unusual for the first one of the season. The
roads, in places, were still covered in deep, melting slush. He hated dreading
the arrival of each and every stagecoach. He truly hoped Naomi was up to facing
the inevitable passengers.
    Shaking off the thought, he
reminded himself that this was a party. McIntyre descended the steps and strode
over to the group. He appreciated the warm greetings from Ian and the sisters,
but it was that glow in Naomi’s eyes that made him hope he was becoming
a better man. Bowing, he took her hand. “May I have this dance, your ladyship?”
    Naomi clutched his fingers
without hesitation. McIntyre led her around to the other side of the fire,
closer to the musicians, and winked at Shorty. “I need a slow waltz, boys. And
make it last a few minutes.”
    The musicians started a
haunting rendition of “Annie Laurie,” as McIntyre tilted his hat back. Smiling
at Naomi with his best roguish grin, he pulled her close and watched the color
rush to her cheeks. He couldn’t help but remember the first time he’d ever seen
her. Dirty and weary from the trail, that long braid tumbling down her back
like Rapunzel’s, she was still spirited enough even after months of travel to
be offended by a nude painting.
    “The day you walked into my
saloon, you blushed,” smirking, he added, “over the painting of Eve.”
    Naomi shook her head and
donned a stern expression as they danced near the fire. “Yes, I remember that
lewd thing. I’m glad she’s gone.”
    “Oh, but Eve was the perfect
woman.”
    One of Naomi’s brows rose,
expressing her doubt.
    “She wasn’t any trouble,” he
teased. “She never sassed me, never acted as if she were better than me—”
    “Never took a shot at you.”
    He flinched dramatically to
keep the mood light. “Well, there is that.” The fresh bullet scar on his
shoulder twinged with the memory. “I don’t miss Eve or Rose. But you,
well …” He stared over her head, pretending utter consternation. “I just don’t
understand it. What would possess me to settle on the most stubborn, prideful
woman God ever made?”
    Naomi frowned and stepped on
a polished boot tip, lingering long enough to let him know it was an
intentional misstep. “Oh, I am so sorry,” she deadpanned. “I suppose I’m out of
practice.”
    His roguish grin
reappearing, he lowered his lips to her cheek. In no hurry, he slowly traced
her jaw back to her ear, enjoying with great satisfaction the instant hitch in
her breath and the way she yielded to his touch. “I told you I can remedy that,
princess,” he whispered huskily, nuzzling her ear, “with eagerness.”
    For an instant, she felt
almost limp in his arms, as if she were melting. Surprising him, though, she
abruptly pushed him away as far as her arms would reach, creating a space
between them wide enough for a plow horse to step through. “Why, I think we
should start lessons right now, Mr. McIntyre.” She followed his steps, but kept
her arms stiff and straight as they danced, fighting a smile all the while. Ian
and Rebecca joined the dance and waltzed pass them with quizzical expressions.
    “I assume this means, Your
Worship, you plan to keep me at arm’s length?” He obligingly respected the
space between them as he took two steps back and spun her.
    Naomi raised her chin
haughtily and peered off into the darkness. “Until you learn to appreciate me.”
    He thought that over for a
second, then snatched her up and held her close with a grip so firm a gasp
escaped her. He studied her face intently, determined to memorize every line.
“I don’t believe I am interested, Mrs. Miller, in ever letting anything come between
us. Not now, not ever.”
    The starch evaporated from
her, and she relaxed in his arms. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
    “I expect you