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  It was all so clear to her. The laughter, the fun, and the love. Nights and nights of them together, reading, talking, laughing. It all seemed possible right now.

  So why was she fighting it?

  Last night on the couch, Owen would have kissed her. She was sure of it. Had she leaned forward at all, or shown any indication she would accept it, he would have taken her into his arms. Maybe she should have let him. She was tired of being afraid, tired of running and trying to protect herself from every man. If she let Owen in, they could protect each other and their children too.

  Owen’s head lulled to the side, and a lock of hair fell over his forehead. He looked so handsome, and his lips were even more tempting now that they were parted in sleep.

  Before she could stop herself, she slowly reached out and smoothed his hair.

  His eyes blinked opened at her touch, slowly focusing on hers, and the heat there was unmistakable. She inhaled sharply at the emotions that flooded her, making her feel warm and overwhelmed and giddy. Instinctively, she took a step back, but before she could fully move away, he encircled her wrist with his free hand and tugged her gently back toward him, until her hand was on his cheek. He held still, waiting to see what she would do. It was more than he’d ever done, more than he’d ever asked for, but he still wasn’t pushing her to go any further.

  She glanced between him and her son, and as much as she’d fought her feelings, she couldn’t stop herself any longer. She leaned forward slowly, and Owen’s eyes took in every movement. He pulled in deep, even breaths, and held very still, as if afraid any movement from him would scare her off.

  Before she could change her mind, she brushed her lips over his, once, then twice, before pulling back an inch. She looked in his eyes—his glorious, tempting, sky-blue eyes—and tried to read his reaction.

  When he didn’t show any response, she started pulling away, feeling ridiculous now that she’d kissed him. He said they were friends, maybe that really was all he wanted. But before she could move very far, he released her wrist and cupped the back of her head, bringing her back toward him.

  “Oh,” she said softly, barely more than a breath.

  His eyes sparked, and she saw the heat there, but he didn’t rush, and he didn’t take. He just held her, a breath away, as her heart hammered in her chest. She could almost feel his lips on hers, and she wanted it, craved it, the longer he held her there.

  Unable to resist, she placed her lips on his. He’d been waiting for her to make a decision, and once she did, he took control. He kissed her deeply, holding her gently in place while his lips tasted hers. He didn’t rush, didn’t push. He savored her, tasted her, enjoying this one moment, as if it were the only thing in the world.

  She moaned softly—mindful of Jack, who still slept between them—and tentatively licked Owen’s lips.

  He jerked in surprise, and as if the action had lit something within him, his kiss turned hotter, deeper, wetter. Each kiss lasted longer, until finally, she parted her lips and opened for him. His hand on her tightened, gripping her hair gently, and sensation pooled low in her belly.

  The raw need surging through her took her breath away, and she leaned back to try and regain some balance. At the hint of her withdrawal, Owen pulled his lips from hers, his breath now coming in pants.

  She didn’t know what to say, what to do. She’d never felt anything like that before...such raw passion.

  As if he still struggled with control, he tilted their heads down so their foreheads rested against each other.

  From this angle, she could see Jack between them, still blissfully unaware of what had just taken place. Tears filled her eyes. This was a moment she’d dreamed about her whole life, the one she should have had with her husband. Owen wasn’t her husband, but he’d still given it to her, and she didn’t think she could ever express how much it meant to her.

  He gently massaged her neck, and they eventually separated. Neither spoke, but no words were necessary. Something had passed between them, something big.

  Sadie had no idea what it meant, or what she should do about it, but instead of worrying, she smiled. For the time being, she was happy.

  Owen’s lips turned up softly, as he began running a hand over Jack’s tiny back.

  Maybe things could work out after all.

  Chapter 7

  Later that day, Sadie and her son returned home, where Sadie managed to avoid answering the other women’s questions for as long as possible, but once they were both changed and settled in, she finally ran out of distractions. The other women had been as patient as possible, but it looked like that was over and Sadie’s luck had run out. Luckily, Jack was upstairs napping during the interrogation.

  “So what you’re saying, is that besides getting trapped there overnight from the rain, nothing else happened? You ate dinner, then fell asleep before coming home?” Violet asked, with a raised brow.

  “Well…” Sadie shifted on the sofa and glanced at Violet, Willow, and Juliette, who all wore the same expressions of disbelief. “We read and played chess before bed.”

  Willow leaned forward. “And?”

  Willow was just as bad as Violet. She’d always been blunt, but it seemed she’d become even more so lately. “Well, we went to sleep—separately. Owen set up a crib in one of the spare rooms, and we all went to bed—separately—and everything was fine until Jack got a stomachache after a feeding.”

  “And Jack’s crying woke up Owen?” Juliette prompted gently.

  Sadie appreciate Juliette’s gentle prying over Willow and Violet’s more direct, and not-so-gentle, interrogations. “Yes. I couldn’t get him to calm down, even after pacing around for ten minutes.”

  “So did Owen get mad?” Violet folded her arms. “He got mad because a baby wasn’t feeling well, didn’t he? Did he give you a hard time over it?”

  The three women looked as if they were ready to tear Owen apart, and Sadie snorted in amusement. She loved these women as much as they apparently loved her, if they were willing to come to her and Jack’s defense so quickly.

  A knock sounded on the door, and though Violet appeared annoyed at the intrusion, she quickly left the room to answer it. A minute later, she was back and grumbling.

  Olivia, one of Ivan’s other brides, who’d found love last year and was now married, followed her into the room. “What’s going on?” she asked gently, once she saw the intense expressions on each of their faces.

  Olivia was quiet, gentle, and kind, regardless of what trials she was forced to endure. Sadie always thought it amazing that Olivia’s personality reflected her outward appearance. Willowy, blond, and delicate. Not all people were how they appeared, so Sadie appreciated that.

  Willow cocked a hip. “Sadie was just telling us how Owen got angry over the baby crying last night.”

  “Last night? Did he spend the night because of the storm?” Olivia looked confused.

  Juliette explained, “Sadie and Jack went over to Owen’s house for dinner and got stuck there, so they had to spend the night with him.”

  “Oh dear.” Olivia looked back to Sadie. “Are you all right?”

  Violet slapped the back of the chair. “No, she’s not all right. Owen was a beast to her!”

  Sadie couldn’t help it and began laughing, which only further frustrated Willow and Violet, and left Juliette and Olivia perplexed.

  Sadie lifted her hand in apology. “I’m sorry. I must seem crazy. You misunderstand. Jack woke up crying, and I couldn’t get him to settle. His cries woke up Owen, who was not mad, and he came into the living room to see what was wrong.”

  The muscles in Violet’s shoulders drooped. “He wasn’t angry?”

  “No. In fact, he was quite the opposite. He took Jack from me and sent me off to bed.”

  The four women’s mouths dropped opened. Violet recovered first. “You’re saying he stayed up with the baby? He took care of him?”

  Sadie nodded.

  Olivia smiled warmly, a roma
ntic twinkle in her eye. “That was kind of him.”

  “It was. He…” Sadie wasn’t quite sure how to tell them the rest.

  The four women leaned forward. “He?” Willow prompted.

  “Well, he told me he’d get Jack settled, then put him back in the crib once he fell asleep. Only, I woke up at dawn, and Jack wasn’t there. I was worried, so I quickly went out to the living room, and found Owen asleep in the rocking chair, still holding Jack.”

  Juliette and Olivia both let out romantic sighs, while Willow and Violet looked shocked.

  “He fell asleep, holding Jack all night, and took care of him?” Willow asked to clarify, clearly unable to believe it.

  “He did.”

  “Amazing.” Violet looked as if she didn’t know what else to say.

  Sadie flushed as she thought of what had happened between the two of them which she hadn’t mentioned.

  Olivia sat in an open chair. “Owen seems like a good, reliable man.”

  “He is.” He absolutely was. From everything she’d seen, he wasn’t like anyone she’d ever known. “He’s special.”

  The four women glanced at each other, and Sadie sighed, regretting her last words being spoken out loud.

  “Is he?” Willow asked. “Anything else happen during the night?”

  “Willow!” Olivia scolded. “You shouldn’t ask her that.”

  The woman shrugged. “Why not? We all care about her.”

  “Because—”

  Sadie stood. “No. It’s okay.” She walked to the window, knowing she wouldn’t be able to tell them if she were looking at them. “I kissed him.”

  Willow chuckled, but when Sadie risked a glance at the others, she saw Violet had a smug look on her face, and Olivia and Juliette appeared concerned. It was funny how each of the women were so different.

  Olivia rose and came to her. “Was it all right? What did he say?”

  “He…he kissed me back.”

  Juliette’s worried expression turned into a smile. “Sounds like it went well then.”

  “It did.”

  “Did he say anything else?” Olivia asked.

  “We didn’t discuss the future or anything. I don’t think much has changed. We ate, then he brought us back. That was it.”

  Violet circled the couch. “Oh, it’s changed. He cares about you and Jack, and now he’s kissed you. That means something.”

  A flare of panic fluttered in her belly, but she stamped it down.

  “It doesn’t have to mean anything unless, or until, you want it to,” Juliette said softly, and Willow and Olivia both nodded in agreement.

  “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Willow assured her. “You’re in charge here.”

  “I appreciate what you’re all saying, but I have no idea what it means. He asked if I wanted to go riding tomorrow, but I told him I’d have to see about Jack.”

  “I’ll watch him,” Olivia offered quickly. “I don’t have plans, and Ronan isn’t back from his trip to Georgia yet.”

  Sadie had forgotten Olivia’s husband, the man they’d hired last year to continue mining Ivan’s claim, had gone to Georgia for business. It also happened to be where both Ronan and Olivia were from.

  “If you’re sure.” Although Sadie wasn’t so confident about going.

  Willow stepped forward. “If you’d rather not—”

  “No. No.” Sadie brushed away her concern. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with Owen. I feel safe around him.”

  “But?” Olivia asked, obviously hearing the reluctance in Sadie’s voice.

  “But…I’m still afraid.”

  “Then don’t go.”

  “Oh, not of Owen physically hurting me. I’m not afraid of him in that way. I’m more worried about getting hurt emotionally if this doesn’t work out. You all know what it was like for me in my last marriage. I don't think I could handle another loveless relationship.” It had taken Sadie awhile before she’d confided in the group. Many hadn’t known she was pregnant until she started showing, but after that, once she knew she could trust them, she’d told them about her past. “I’m also worried because I know some men change after they get married. Everything may seem fine now, but it might not be later.”

  Olivia reached out. “That’s true in some cases, but not in all. I’ve been married for almost nine months, and Ronan’s the same man now as the one I married.”

  Sadie bit her lip. “That’s true.” They’d been married long enough that, if Ronan was a different person, Olivia would know by now.

  Juliette came forward and wrapped an arm around Sadie. “And look at Clara and Sawyer, Belle and Asher, and Aria and Cameron. Even Tom and Rosalie, even though they just got married. Don’t they all seem happy? Each of those men would die before harming their wives, I’d bet my life on it.”

  Sadie couldn’t deny it either. Each were in love and truly devoted to their wives. But there were still plenty of men out there who didn’t care and didn’t protect their families as they should. Sadie would have never guessed Gerald would hurt her like he had. “I don’t know.”

  Juliette squeezed. “Give it some time. You don’t have to rush into anything.”

  “Exactly,” Willow said. “There’s no time limit. Take all the time you need to get to know Owen. Maybe he’s the man for you, maybe he isn’t. But if you feel something for him, then you owe it to yourself to find out.”

  They were right. If she ran away now, she’d never know, and frankly, she’d never be able to forgive herself for it. She looked at the four women. “What would I do without you?”

  “No idea,” Violet said seriously, and the others laughed. “If I ever fall in love, I expect you all to be here to talk some sense into me.”

  Sadie laughed. “Agreed. Well, I guess I should send a message to Owen that we can take that ride tomorrow.”

  “Good. Who knows? Maybe he’s the perfect man for you,” Juliette said.

  “Yes. Who knows?” Even though she agreed, there was still some doubt in Sadie’s mind. But she was going to push through and see what was there. She owed it to both herself and to Owen.

  Chapter 8

  The sun shone on Sadie’s face as she urged her horse to jump over a fallen log. Midair, she pulled crisp air deeply into her lungs. She hadn’t been riding in what seemed like forever. Once she’d married, she hadn’t been able to access a horse, and then with pregnancy and a new baby, she hadn’t been in any condition to ride after arriving in Promise Creek.

  Now that she remembered how good it felt, how freeing it was, she didn’t want to go long before doing it again. “This was a great idea. Thank you for inviting me,” she called out to Owen, who rode just ahead of her.

  He pulled back so their mounts were side-by-side, and they brought their pace down to a trot. “I’m glad you joined me. I usually go out by myself, but you’re much better company.”

  “I should hope so.” She laughed. “If I wasn’t, that’d be a problem. But you never know, you might like talking to yourself. I wouldn’t judge you,” she teased.

  “Well thank you very much.”

  She laughed again, feeling exhilarated by the fresh mountain air. “How does it get more beautiful each day? It beats city life, that’s for sure.”

  “I agree wholeheartedly.”

  The sound of rushing water filled her ears. “Do you want to stop by the river for a minute and let the horses rest?” Owen asked.

  “Yes. I’m embarrassed to admit, I need a rest too. I haven’t done this in a long time.”

  “No shame in that.”

  They raced to the cluster of trees edging the lake and dismounted quickly, laughing at their antics. They made sure their horses were happy and comfortably grazing on the long grass surrounding them, before taking the few steps toward the river.

  Sadie smiled at Owen as she leaned against one of the boulders facing the river. “I need to ride more. We have a few horses, so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t.” She
looked at the river, watching the way the water tumbled over the rocks. “The water is higher than I would’ve thought this time of year.”

  He moved next to her and leaned against the rock. “It’s been a warm spring, so the snow’s already starting to melt. There’s a waterfall on the other side of town. It’ll be a sight with this much water.”

  “I’d love to see it,” she turned to him excitedly. “Do you think we have time?”

  He chuckled. “I thought you might. It’s not too far out of town, so I think we could make it.”

  “Excellent.” She smiled up at him and realized how close they were. Her breath momentarily clogged in her lungs, but she smoothed it out before he noticed.

  His eyes peered deeply into hers, but he didn’t make a move to get any closer. For some reason, his easygoing nature, and the way he didn’t crowd her, only made her want to be nearer to him. Maybe she should just kiss him like she had the other night.

  She turned her head away in case he saw her blush. She didn’t want him to guess what she was thinking.

  “Here’s an interesting story for you,” he said. “You know the town was named after this river, right? Promise Creek?”

  Amusement tinged his voice, and she wondered if he’d guessed her thoughts. “Yes. Well, I’d assumed so anyway. No one actually told me that.”

  He nodded. “Makes sense. A lot of people guess that, but what they don’t know is how the river got its name.”

  She pursed her lips, trying to remember if she’d ever heard the origins of the name. “I don’t think I’ve heard anything about it before.”

  “Probably because a lot of people don’t know. But when people first started coming here, a miner brought his daughter with him. As you can imagine, most of the people in camp were men, and seeing a woman was rare. From how the story is told, she was beautiful too, and many of the men wanted to marry her, but she never showed any interest in them. At least until a new miner arrived. It’s said that they took one look at each other and fell madly in love. The other miners were furious, of course. They all wanted her for themselves.” He paused and picked up a blade of grass.