Free A Western Romance: Love Storm - Western Historical Romance: (Western Fiction, Western Books, Western Brides) (Leap of Love Series Book 4) by Paige Powers Page B

quality, it did not negate the fact that he had preyed upon her, kidnapped her, and held her for ransom.
    "I get what you are saying, Boyd. But sometimes, when life seems that it has given you something that you can't handle, you are much stronger than you anticipated."
    Boyd tried not to crack a smile. The woman was right. Not only was she beautiful and obviously possessed of a quiet strength, she was also intelligent and able to fend for herself. It made her all the more attractive.
    He shifted his attention out of the window. It was the only way to handle the butterflies that were swirling in his stomach. With Bianca standing so close to him, he was not sure what it was that he was feeling. He had never been in love before, or even close to feeling love for any woman, so he was not sure what it was that was going on, but he had not missed the way she looked at him. At first, he thought that her expression was appreciation for being part of her rescue. But Beau had been part of the rescue, and Bianca was not giving his brother the same attention.
    Their eyes met once again, and Boyd undeniably knew that there was something brewing between them.

 

Chapter 8
     
    The storm slacked up enough that everyone agreed that it was best that they leave. There were only three horses, so Boyd suggested that Bianca ride with him. Scout was against it, but Boyd reminded him that as a U.S. Marshal, he was officially on duty. Boyd did not want Scout to feel like he was overstepping his position as Bianca's brother, but he wanted him to know that he took his job seriously. Scout and Beau began riding at a pace that spoke to how quickly they wanted to get back home.
    Boyd wanted to get Bianca home safely so that they could wrap up the case and move on to other work. Being so close to Bianca was making him nervous, and making his anxiety grow by the minute.
    Steam vapors rose from the ground. Their clothes were sticking to their skin, hair damp. The humidity was making the ride almost unbearable and the mosquitoes taking a jab at them were making the ride impossible.
    Out of nowhere, the sky opened up and sheets of rain poured from the heavens. Visibility even within an inch ahead was not possible. Boyd tried to look for Beau and Scout, but could not see.
    He made the quick decision to turn back and go the house, and he just knew that Beau and Scout would return as well. The horse's hooves were getting stuck in the mud, and there was no way that they could go forward.
    Boyd pushed the horse as far as he would go. He knew that they would have to dismount and walk the rest of the way. He leaned in and explained his decision to turn back. Bianca did not object.
    Once they were close to the house, Boyd instructed Bianca to run to the house and go inside while he put the horse in the barn.
    She did so, waiting at the door for him as he ran from the barn to the front door. They were both completely soaked, and chilled to the bone.
    "I have never seen it rain like that," Bianca exclaimed. She tried to shake the wetness off, but to no avail.
    Boyd started looking around for firewood. They needed to dry their clothes and shoes and warm themselves.
    "There is a bedroom back down the hallway and there are clothes in there. Plus we can probably find some blankets or something to warm us up."
    "Well, you go ahead first and change. I'll stoke the fire." Boyd tried not to stare at Bianca. Her long hair was wet, and the fact that her clothes were dark colored was the only reason that he was not seeing more than he was seeing of her body. She was not dressed in what women wore normally; full skirts, women's shoes with a small heel, and long sleeves with a high collar. Instead, she had on a pair of men's pants that looked to be made of burlap or some heavy material, and a long sleeved, dark colored, button down shirt.
    Despite having on what were obviously men's clothing, Bianca was still beautiful and feminine. She still had that delicate look that made Boyd