“No, I wasn’t brave. I was terrified.”
“Only a locoweed wouldn’t be afraid of armed men spewing threats. Fear is the only possible sane reaction. But being afraid of something really frightening isn’t the same as being a coward.”
“Yes it is.”
Ethan leaned down and kissed her until she started feeling really brave. Her arms wrapped around his neck just as he pulled away, but not so far she couldn’t hang on.
“If a rattlesnake struck at you, you’d be afraid, right?”
“Well, yes.”
“That would be natural. And you’d either run or you’d shoot the rattlesnake. Neither of those things is cowardly.”
“It’s just good sense.” Audra felt all the tensions of the day ease away, washed away by the tears and now by Ethan’s kindness . . . and his confession of love.
“That’s right. And those men today attacked with just as deadly of intentions as a rattlesnake. Worse because a rattlesnake is only trying to protect itself. You kept your head. You picked your moment.”
“I did. I knew about that hole and I fully intended to try and knock them into it.” Audra felt her cheeks heat up. “What a terrible thing to admit.”
“You were thinking. You were defending yourself and your children and your worthless napping husband.”
“Hush.” She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Getting knocked over the head isn’t the same as taking a nap.”
She saw him smile behind her fingers and knew he was teasing her. She dared to say, “So maybe I’m not a complete coward.”
“Not even close.”
“And maybe you’re not a complete coward, because you faced down your worst fear and triumphed over it.”
Ethan shrugged one of his broad shoulders. “Okay.” He kissed her. “Maybe neither of us did so bad today.”
He kissed her again and this time she held on tight. When he paused to take a breath, Audra asked, “So where in the world do you think Wendell hid all that money?”
“I don’t want to hear another word about your first husband while you’re in bed with me, is that understood?”
“I’m happy right where I am. And thinking about nothing except how much I love the man I married.”
“I was wondering when you were going to say it back.”
The world spun away as Ethan pulled her too close for her to have a single thought in her head—except for loving him completely, passionately, deeply.
About the Author
Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner and a RITA Award finalist. An author, journalist, and teacher, she lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters—Josie, married to Matt; Wendy; Shelly, married to Aaron; and Katy—and two spectacular grandchildren, Elle and Isaac. Readers can learn more about Mary and her upcoming books at:
maryconnealy.com
mconnealy.blogspot.com
seekerville.blogspot.com
petticoatsandpistols.com
Books by Mary Connealy
From Bethany House Publishers
Out of Control
In Too Deep
Over the Edge
Also by Mary Connealy
Sophie’s Daughters
Doctor in Petticoats
Wrangler in Petticoats
Sharpshooter in Petticoats
Lassoed in Texas
Petticoat Ranch
Calico Canyon
Gingham Mountain
Montana Marriages
Montana Rose
The Husband Tree
Wildflower Bride
Wild West Weddings
Cowboy Christmas
Deep Trouble
Nosy in Nebraska (a cozy mystery collection)
Black Hills Blessing (a contemporary romance collection)
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House