EMMA STRUGGLED FOR AIR AND her heart rate accelerated to the point of dizziness. A steadying inhalation inundated her with the musky smell of man, horse and leather which quickly made bad matters worse.

She gripped Diablo’s mane for balance, and tried to keep from touching any more of Ty than necessary, which proved to be an exercise in futility. His arms circled her waist, one leg rested over his thigh and she realized it wasn’t his belt buckle pressing against her hip.

“I’m going to keep him at a walk for a spell. He’s usually worn out after these episodes.”

Ty’s breath, warm against her cheek, produced immediate tingles of awareness coursing through her. Her voice refused to cooperate, so she nodded.

“I’m sorry for my language back there when I was wrestling with my horse. That’s no way to talk in front of a lady.”

She snorted. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but don’t think lady is one of them.”

“You are to me.”

For whatever reason, his remark pleased her immensely.

Ty nudged the horse forward with gentle pressure from his knees that transmitted through the leg resting on his thigh, sending those damn butterflies into another rampage.

Emma didn’t consider herself naïve. Inexperienced, yes, but not naïve. She grew up on a ranch, after all, and while she never personally experienced the man-woman thing, she comprehended the gist of what happened, thanks to enlightening conversations with her two best friends.

At least, she thought she did.

Determined to dismiss the strange new sensations overwhelming her, she tried again for normal conversation. “How often does this happen?” Could I possibly sound any more nervous?

He shrugged. “Not often, but enough to keep me on my toes.”

She struggled to speak coherently as the warmth and scent of him wormed its way to her core. “What causes it?”

“No idea. The bast – the man I bought him from treated him poorly. Maybe he has some kind of brain damage.” Ty grunted. “Or maybe he really is a devil horse.”

She giggled, then turned sober. “I hate people who mistreat animals. And kids, too.”

“Yeah, they’re a sorry lot.”

She sat at an awkward angle, trying not to lean against him, and soon suffered a cramp in her back and she shifted to ease the pain.

“You all right?”

His mouth brushed her ear, and gooseflesh erupted on her arms. “A little cramp in my back.”

He pulled on the reins, and Diablo obediently stopped. “No wonder. You’re stiff as a board. Swing your leg over the pommel and sit in front of me. You’ll be more comfortable.”

He didn’t give her time to reply. Instead, he took her shoulders and turned her slightly where her back rested against his chest. “You don’t have to keep your knee like that; you can swing it over.”

The husky timbre in his voice made her stomach tighten and it took two attempts to answer. “I’m good.”

Gentle pressure from his knees and the horse resumed its leisurely pace.

She tried in vain to come up with a topic of conversation to distract her thoughts from the warm, broad chest at her back. She swallowed hard as heat curled down her spine and unfamiliar desire flared.

“He doesn’t seem to be getting any better.”

She intuitively understood he referred to her father. “He’s dying.” She said the words without emotion despite the pain ripping through her.

He remained silent a moment. “I’m sorry.”

She bit her lower lip for control. “Thanks.”

Ty exhaled and the air tickled her ear, causing her whole body to quiver.

“Ummm…that explains why he wants you married.”

She tried to glance at him over her shoulder but all she could see were his lips which almost touched her nose. She looked forward again. “Why do you say that?

One shoulder lifted slightly. “It’s what I’d do.”

“Why?”

He shrugged again. “You’re an only child.”

“So?”

“Do you have other family?”

“An uncle near Ft. Worth. A couple of older cousins.”

He shrugged as though she just answered the question.

“I still don’t understand.”

Ty looked at her a long moment before replying and the butterflies dipped lower, scattering like a covey of quail, triggering an involuntary shiver she covered by facing forward again.

“He wants to make sure you are taken care of when he’s gone.”

She stiffened. “I can take care of myself.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He pulled the horse to a stop again, hands all but resting in her lap.

Definitely not his belt buckle.

It took supreme effort on her part but she turned and looked him in the eye and didn’t swoon. “Then what?”

He stared off as though gathering his thoughts, then faced her, expression unreadable. “You are his only daughter. He is dying. He doesn’t want you to be alone.”

She snorted and faced forward again. “He wants a man to run Twin Oaks because he doesn’t think a woman can.”

He shook his head and nudged his mount forward. “Stubborn woman.”

His statement stuck in her mind. Surely that wasn’t the reason for her father’s ultimatum? Was it? Her brain dashed from one what-if to another, and despair weighed her down. She bit her lip and fought back tears. How much longer will he be here? How can I go on without him? Oh God… I’m so tired. What I wouldn’t give for a decent night’s sleep.

The rhythmic sway of the horse’s movements coupled with the comforting warmth radiating from Ty soothed her to the point the disquieting thoughts slowly drifted away and she did the unthinkable…fell fast asleep nestled in the arms of her dream lover.

Ty’s attraction to Emma stymied him. Had he ever been this attracted to someone he just met? Jennie…it was that way with Jennie. Sweet, delicate Jennie whose refined beauty captured him from the beginning.

She and Emma were opposites in every way. Jennie, with her ivory skin and corn silk hair was a lady born of wealth and privilege. Quiet and dutiful, she personified grace and elegance. Emma was all fire and passion, with enough determination to tackle anything, whose burnished curls and emerald eyes made him long for things he could never have.

I like her grit. Nothing more.

Her father’s illness took its toll, though. She threw herself into every chore, every task, defensive walls firmly in place, pushing herself to exhaustion. You work so you won’t think… I know.

Smiles were rare, but the transformation amazing. Ty would do anything to make her smile. Even tussle with the devil horse.

The fact that she fell asleep so quickly testified to her level of fatigue. He kept the horse to a sedate walk, both because he didn’t want to push the unpredictable stallion and because Emma needed the rest, no matter how short the duration. And he enjoyed having her in his arms, head lolled back on his shoulder, even breathing punctuated by an occasional light snore indicating how deeply she slept. He smiled. She’d have a conniption fit if I told her she snored.

Suddenly, a soft whimper seeped from her throat, and her head rolled from side to side.

“Shhh, Em…shhh, it’s all right…rest easy.” He tightened his arm around her waist. “No bad dreams allowed,” Ty murmured as though talking to a skittish horse, not really thinking about what he said, just the tone of his voice.

Soon, she relaxed, rested her temple against his cheek and exhaled.

All his protective instincts, and something more primal he chose not to dwell on, sprang to life. She’s alone with no one to look out for her.

Despite her statements to the contrary, she needed someone to help her.

She needed him.

He jerked in the saddle causing Diablo to snort and shy sideways. He relaxed and pulled gently on the reins. “Easy boy, easy. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

She needs me.