Free Saxon's Lady by Stephanie Janes Page A

called at three in the morning to tell me he had Lee in custody, I nearly went out of my mind."
    "Instead, you called me."
    "Yes," Devon said softly. "Instead, I called you."
    "It was the first and only time you'd ever asked for my help," he said.
    Devon chuckled, able to laugh about it now. "Well, you've got to admit, the first and only time was a major event. I was hardly asking for a small favor." In desperation she had finally turned to the man who had been offering friendship and more for over a year.
    She had been wary of accepting what Garth was offering, so certain that soon she would finally be free of Hawk Springs and all her obligations, so convinced she hadn't wanted to tie herself to a man who was, in turn, tied to his land and his horses. One more year, she'd told herself over and over again during Lee's senior year in high school. One more year and she would be free.
    But the night the sheriff had called, she'd known she couldn't handle Lee alone. She'd needed help and she'd known where she could get it. It was Garth who'd dealt with the sheriff. It was Garth who'd calmly taken charge of Devon's rebellious and resentful brother. And in doing so, he'd taken a great weight off Devon's shoulders. When it came to the crunch, Garth would always be there, Devon thought. A rock to lean on.
    How did you teach a rock to enjoy the lighter side of life and love?
    "Doesn't look like much has changed in Hawk Springs since I left," Devon remarked as Garth exited the interstate and drove into town. In truth, she would have been startled if anything had changed. Devon was certain the small assortment of shops on Main Street looked exactly as they must have looked twenty, thirty, maybe forty years previously. She knew the styles featured in the windows of Perkins Clothing store were at least that far out of date.
    " There's a new supermarket on the other side of town and a new restaurant on Main," Garth told her.
    "It's a wonder the place survived the excitement of a new grocery store and a restaurant. Must have caused quite a sensation when they opened. What does the restaurant serve?"
    "Steaks, mostly."
    "Somehow, that doesn't surprise me."
    "How long is it going to take to run through your repertoire of sarcastic comments on Hawk Springs?" Garth sounded mildly curious.
    Devon flushed with unexpected embarrassment. "I'll try to restrain myself."
    "This is your home, Devon. You were happy here once."
    "That was back when I was a little girl and didn't know any better."
    "Back before you started thinking of the place as a trap. You can be happy here again if you'll just give yourself a chance," Garth said seriously.
    It wasn't going to be that easy, Devon thought, but Garth was the only man on the face of the earth who could make the effort worthwhile. Devon wondered if he knew that.
    Hawk's Flight looked as lush and prosperous as it had the day Devon had left town. Bathed in the early-evening light from a slowly setting sun, the green pastures, pristine white fences and well-tended barns were the perfect image of rural beauty. There were several sleek mares in the fields with their foals. Garth's two magnificent stallions, High Flyer and Royal Standard were in their paddocks.
    The main house also appeared very much the same, except for a fresh coat of paint. It was a low, rambling structure with plenty of old-fashioned porches and a circling drive in front. Garth had done little to it except keep it painted and in good repair since he'd bought it. He believed in maintaining buildings and equipment in good condition. But Devon knew inside the house she would find the same heavy old drapes, the same dull carpet and the same sturdy, oversize furniture that had been in the place when the former owners sold out to Garth.
    Devon was examining her new home with mixed feelings when she spotted the candy-red sports car in the drive. The vehicle looked totally out of place.
    "Looks like you've got visitors, Garth."
    He, too, was eyeing