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remember. But I’d hoped . . .” She let her words fade into silence.
    He didn’t seem to notice.
    Any moment, Rand and Ingrid could return from their walk, and once they did, Hawk would ride away with his friend. What could she do to make him notice her, to make him want to stay?
    How frustrating. She hadn’t needed to do a thing to attract Mr. Richards, but she didn’t want his attentions. She wanted Hawk’s. There was something about him, something so different, so . . . so unlike any other man she’d known.
    She rose from the chair and stepped to the railing, an arm’s length from where he stood. “Would you like something to drink? It’s a long ride back to your ranch.”
    “No, thanks. I’m fine.”
    He was the most exasperating man. Did she have to throw herself at him?
    She could hear her father’s voice of warning in her head: “A woman’s chaste and respectful behavior is her most appealing attribute, Bethany.”
    Somehow she doubted Hawk would notice any behavior, good or bad. He’d scarcely looked at her since he arrived. How could he tell what her behavior was like if he didn’t look her way?
    Tears sprang to her eyes. “Why don’t I see if I can find Rand and Ingrid,” she all but mumbled as she took a step away from the railing. But somehow her foot caught in the hem of her dress. She stumbled and tried to catch herself by grabbing the railing. Only it was out of reach.
    Hawk caught her before she could hit the floor.
    First the river, and now this. He must think her a terrible stumblebum.
    He righted her, his hands holding her upper arms. He was so close she had to tip her head back in order to meet his gaze.
    She didn’t know how it happened. She didn’t plan it. Never thought she would do anything so brash. But somehow she rose on tiptoes, pulled him toward her, and kissed him on the lips.
    It lasted an instant.
    It lasted an eternity.
    Shocked by her own audacity, she drew back, covering her mouth with one hand. Her embarrassment worsened when she realized he looked more surprised than she felt.
    He hadn’t wanted her kiss.
    Let me die. Let me die right now .
    She whirled around and raced into the house.

TEN
    On the following Saturday evening, Hawk sat in a washtub in the middle of the kitchen. He didn’t dawdle. There was no room for a man to stretch out in the round tub. With a bar of soap, he scrubbed his hair and body, then stood and poured cold water from a bucket over his head to rinse himself clean. After he was dried off and dressed again, he checked his reflection in the small mirror that hung on the wall. He needed a haircut. He should have seen the barber the last time he was in town.
    “Now I must say. You’re lookin’ right pretty, Mr. Chandler.”
    He turned to see Rand leaning against the doorjamb, a grin splitting his face. “If you plan to see Miss Johnson tomorrow, you’d better take a bath yourself. You smell like you’ve been tangling with a grizzly, and you don’t look much better than you smell.”
    His friend laughed. “I reckon you got a point.” He didn’t move from the doorway. “You got plans in town tonight?”
    “No.” Hawk raked his fingers through his hair. “Not tonight.”
    “And tomorrow?”
    “I thought I might ride in with you for church.”
    “Do tell.” Rand came inside and sat at the table.
    Hawk glowered at him.
    Apparently his friend took note of the look for he changed the subject. “I was up on my land earlier this week. Laid out plans for the house I’m gonna build. Thought I’d get a start on it this summer. Have somethin’ to live in before the first snow maybe.”
    Hawk took a seat at the table across from his friend, guessing what was coming next.
    “I’m gonna ask Ingrid to marry me.”
    “I thought you might. Congratulations, Rand. I’m glad for you. She seems a nice girl.” He glanced around the kitchen. “You know, I could move into the bunkhouse with the men and let you and Ingrid stay here if you