Samantha James (37 page)

Kane turned slowly. Something inside him twisted as he spied the moisture welling and overflowing in her beautiful blue eyes. Every muscle in his body grew rigid and tense as he faced her.

“I can’t force you to marry me, Abby. I thought I could but I can’t.” His voice was low and rough with the effort it took to check his emotions. “I’ll walk away now, if that’s what you want. But you have to tell me you don’t want me—that it’s over—that what we had meant nothing.”

Abby wept the harder.

“You love me, Abby.” With his eyes he dared her to contest the truth. “I know you do, so why the tears? Why is the thought of marrying me so awful? Why is marrying Buck Russell preferable to marrying someone you love?”

She stifled a sob. “I never really wanted to marry Buck. I—I don’t think I
could
have married him, not after seeing you again. It’s just that I was so hurt and … and don’t you see, it’s not me, it’s you … I—I don’t know why you’re doing this …”

His hands came out to cradle her shoulders.

“Look at me, Abby.”

She didn’t—she couldn’t. She was afraid that if she did she’d start bawling all over again.

He pulled her against his chest, burying his lips in the chestnut-colored cloud of her hair. “I love you,” he said unsteadily. “Why do you think I went off half-cocked when you said you intended to marry someone else? Why else would I drag a preacher out of bed in the middle of the night?”

But Abby heard only one thing.
He loved her
. Joy poured through her heart, filling her every pore with light and warmth.

“Kane … oh, Kane, why didn’t you tell me? If you had just told me I couldn’t have refused you
anything
…” She began to sob. “Oh; Kane, I love you, too. I—I never stopped! I just hope you can forgive me for the awful things I said … I didn’t mean it when I said Pa wouldn’t have considered you a fit husband. It doesn’t matter what you were—What you did—what matters is the man you are today—”

He pressed his fingers to her lips. “You don’t have to explain,” he said gently. He smiled crookedly. “You’re not still angry I bought out Dillon’s share of the ranch?”

Her eyes darkened. She touched his cheek. “You don’t have to do that, Kane. You don’t have to prove anything to me. All I want is you.”

His arms tightened. “I know,” he said, very low. “But I want to. I’d like to think of us as partners—a new start for both of us, just like you said.”

Abby’s heart turned over. “I like the idea,” she said softly.

He kissed the tips of her fingers. “Dillon’s not here to give you away. I just hope he’ll forgive me for not being able to wait any longer to make you my wife.”

The hungry tenderness in his eyes stole her breath. She laughed shakily. “I don’t think
I
can wait any longer.”

His lips captured hers, slow and sweetly rousing. He kissed her as if nothing else in the world mattered. As always, Abby felt the world melting away around her. She clung to him, her heart taking flight, soaring like an eagle on the wind.

There was a loud cough next to them. “Excuse me, but I think the two of you are in need of my services after all.”

They broke apart. Abby blushed fiercely. Kane was totally unrepentant, refusing to let her step from the binding circle of his arms. He cast the reverend a rather pointed look.

“Yes, and I
do
think this ceremony has gone on quite long enough.”

Reverend Gaines hastily made the sign of the cross. “I now pronounce you man and wife,” he gulped. “You may kiss the bride.”

Kane wasted no time doing exactly that. He swept her from her feet and took her mouth in a deliciously long, unbroken kiss that didn’t end until he laid her on the bed in her room.

It was a very long time later that Abby reflected … She really
had
been married in her nightie and bare feet. But she didn’t mind …

Somehow she didn’t think their children and grandchildren would mind either.

SAMANTHA JAMES
comes from a family of voracious readers but never dreamed her love of reading would turn into a writing career. Now she can’t imagine a life
without
writing.

Born and raised in the Chicago area, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, along with her husband, three daughters and two Shetland sheepdogs. She is hard at work on her next historical romance but loves to hear from readers. Letters may be addressed to:

P.O. Box 21042.

Salem. OR 97307-1042.

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Praise for Samantha James’

MY REBELLIOUS HEART

“Explosive emotions fill every page of this book …

raw primitive passion and exceptional love …

not to be missed.”

Rendezvous

“Told in the unique style that marks Samantha James,

MY REBELLIOUS HEART is a delight …

rich in emotion and warm in details, it’s enchanting.”

Affaire de Coeur

“Scrumptuous … readers will be entranced …

Samantha James delivers a fast-paced Medieval

that crackles and sizzles with sensuality.”

Romantic Times

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OUTLAW HEART is an original publication of Avon Books. This work has never before appeared in book form. This work is a novel. Any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 1993 by Sandra Kleinschmit

Inside cover author photograph by Almquist Studios

Published by arrangement with the author

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 93-90345

ISBN: 0-380-76936-0

EPub Edition May 2013 ISBN 9780062275554

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