Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
"You," he laughed wryly. "You've had enough? You haven't been shackled with a stubborn, pigheaded—"
"Shackled! Pigheaded!" she yelled, storming toward him and stopping only inches from him. "My father has papers that will easily release you from your shackles."
He grabbed her wrist and twisted it as he brought her up flat against him. "Don't tempt me!"
She gasped. "I'm not tempting you. I'm giving you your way out."
"I had my way out back in Alexandria."
"Oh yes," she said derisively. "I keep forgetting. It really wasn't necessary for you to marry me, even though all those rifles were pointed at you. Zac Stewart, the infamous gunslinger, could have shot his way out."
His grip tightened, burning Prudence's flesh. "My guns weren't necessary. My intelligence would have sufficed."
"And what words of wisdom would you have expressed that would have freed us?"
"Simple," he answered. "I would have announced that you were already my wife. That you had run away and I had been searching for you."
Prudence stared at him in disbelief. "They would never have believed that story."
"You underestimate my charm. The hotel clerks along the way never doubted we were man and wife."
"It wouldn't have been that simple," she insisted.
"Yes, it would, and if it didn't work, there was always an alternative."
"Which was?"
"Pull my gun on one of the men and warn them to back off or I'd shoot."
Prudence was stunned. "You wouldn't have?"
"If I didn't want to marry you, I wouldn't have thought twice."
"I don't believe you," she said more calmly.
"That's our problem, Pru. You don't believe in me . . . or yourself."
He couldn't have said it more clearly. She didn't believe in his love or her own.
"What is necessary to make you understand how much I love you? And for you to admit your love for me? Unlike you, I harbor no doubts of your love. Even though I don't hear the words, I know you love me."
Prudence pulled at her wrist and winced. "You're hurting me."
"I want to beat some sense into you." His voice was an angry growl and he released her wrist with a shove.
She grabbed it and rubbed at the tender flesh, shutting her eyes against the soreness and against the truth.
"Let me see it," he demanded, forcing her to open her eyes.
She was tempted to refuse, but the stern look in his dark eyes warned her against such foolish actions. She offered him her arm.
Zac took it, touching the redness with infinite care. "You make me so angry," he said in way of an explanation and apology.
"I didn't mean to." Her words were whispered as though she were afraid to speak.
He brought her wrist to his mouth and kissed it, sending a tingle up her arm. "I don't want you leaving here, honey. This doubt you have must be laid to rest. You can't do that in Boston. You need to be here… with me."
"I don't understand, Zac," she cried. "I'm confused."
He brought her into the protective shield of his arms. "That's only natural with what you've been through. So much has happened and changed for you in such a short time. You're just beginning to learn to trust someone's love again. But don't run away like your mother did. Face the problem and solve it."
Tears clouded her vision. "I want so much to work things out, to feel secure and safe in our love."
"Then give it a chance," he said harshly. "Give us a chance to learn from each other and strengthen our relationship. I'm not asking you to declare your love for me right this very moment. Take your time, feel your way, but don't run away. Not this time."
She rested her head on his chest. "You are not what you seem to be."
"I'm not?" he said, hugging her to him.
"No. When I first heard you speak in Boston, I thought you an arrogant, egotistical man who couldn't possibly care for anyone or anything, except his guns."
"And now?" he asked.
"You're still arrogant at times," she teased, and then added seriously, "but you care. Care so much more deeply than I ever thought possible."
"I'm glad you saw through my facade to the real me."
She ran her hands around his waist to hug him as he hugged her. "I find it difficult to believe you actually killed men."
"I never enjoyed it, never wanted it. Like you, life forced situations on me. I dealt with them."
"Much better than me," Prudence added.
"A compliment I'll gladly accept, though not entirely agree with."
"You're a gentleman, Zac Stewart." Her smile was hidden against his chest.
"What?" he cried in feigned shock. "Did you say gentleman?''
"Accept it as another compliment," she ordered, "for I doubt you'll hear me say it again."
He laughed warmheartedly. "I graciously accept it, dear wife, and thank you for it. I shall cherish it forever."
Zac felt the sudden stiffness of her posture and gently rubbed her back to help ease whatever doubts had snapped at her.