EMMA STARED AT TY, COMPREHENSION slow in coming. “He told you that?”

He rested both elbows on his knees, hands clasped together as he looked toward the window. “Not exactly. He said Walker wasn’t right for you and…asked me not to mistreat you.” He looked at her then, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Butterflies, her constant companion of late, bounced around her stomach like hailstones, threatening to purge what little supper she had eaten. “And…?”

“I gave my word I wouldn’t mistreat you.”

Her heart skipped and fluttered, then settled into an uneasy rhythm. “Are y-you saying you…you would m-marry me?”

He faced her. “I believe when a man and woman get married it should be because they love each other and for always.” He paused. “I’m a hard man, Em, set in my ways. I’m thirty-seven…fought a horrific war, done things I ain’t proud of.” He lowered his head, then raised it again. “I’m tired of roaming, without roots. I didn’t realize it until recently but, well, I want a home. A family.” He took a breath, blew it out slowly. “I want you.”

Intense, smoldering eyes held her captive. She struggled for air, heart pounding so hard she expected it to break through her chest at any moment.

“As a man wants a woman.”

Excitement flowed through her like hot lava, stealing her voice. He wants me…as a man wants a woman.

“Marriages like this are not uncommon.” His words were hoarse and strained.

“Mable Baker at the general store was a mail order bride.” She failed to keep the squeakiness from her voice.

He nodded, locking and unlocking his fingers. “I’ll be a good and faithful husband. I’ll work hard to make this place whatever you want it to be.” He waited a beat, then continued, “But, if we do this, I don’t want there to be any misconceptions about what will happen. I want a real marriage.” He reached for her hand, caressed it lightly. “Do you understand what I mean?”

Warmth flooded her face, as she swallowed hard and nodded.

“I suspect you aren’t…experienced.” He rubbed his thumb lightly over her knuckles. “And I will never, ever force myself on you. But at some point, I hope sooner rather than later, I will expect us to be man and wife. In every way.”

Her lips parted on a soft gasp but she couldn’t look away.

“Understand this, too.” His eyes bored into hers. “Twin Oaks is a prime piece of land. No question about it; but that’s not what I want. If something happens and we part, whether it’s in six months or six years, I want nothing that belongs to you.” He paused. “Unless we have a child. Whether we are together or not, I will never leave my child without a father. Never.”

She expected her cheeks to burst into flames any second now. He didn’t mince words.

“I reckon you need some time to think so I’ll say goodnight.” Ty headed for the door.

“No.”

He turned, jaw tight, his face grim. “No? You’d rather marry Walker?”

“What? No!” She jumped up from the couch, hands fisting in her skirt. “I’d drink a gallon of pond scum first.”

“Then…?”

“I…I don’t need to think about it.”

“You don’t?”

“N-no.” She crossed her arms over her chest, briefly met his gaze. “I-I’ll do it.” She looked him in the eye. “I’ll marry you.”

“I meant what I said, Emma Rose. I want a real marriage.”

“I-I know.” She bit her lower lip. “But there’s some things – important things—you need to know…before you decide. Because, well, because you might change your mind.”

She saw him stiffen, clench his jaw. “I’m listening.”

Oh God. How do I tell him? “You’re right…about…the experience part.” She avoided looking at him, cheeks so hot she expected blood to start oozing out. “Hell, I ain’t never even been kissed. Well, Papa but his don’t count.” She rolled the skirt in her hands until a good foot of the petticoat showed, then blurted out the dreaded words. “And… I-I can’t cook.”

Ty blinked twice, staring at the top of her lowered head. She’s never been kissed and she can’t cook. That’s her important things? “You can’t cook?”

She shook her head. “I can do little stuff like fry bacon and eggs, but not much more. Oh, and coffee. I can make coffee.”

He worked hard not to grin. If she ain’t the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. “And you think those things would affect my decision?”

She glanced up briefly, and looked away. “You said you want a real wife. A real wife should know how to cook and to..to…you know.”

“Look at me, Em.”

When she didn’t respond, he put his finger under her chin and tilted her face up.

She chewed her lower lip, eyes shimmering, then straightened her spine and met his gaze full on. “I’ll be twenty-six in a couple of months. I spent my whole life learnin’ how to run this ranch. But I don’t know anything about…bein’ a woman.” She averted her face, bright spots of color on each cheek. “You need to know that upfront. And, I’m, well, not proper, I guess cause I cuss.”

This is the damnedest conversation I’ve ever had in my life. His finger made a raspy sound as he scratched the beard stubble on his jaw. “Well, I can cook some and unless Lupe leaves, we won’t starve.”

She looked at him and his heart rate went through the roof. A man could get lost in those mossy-green depths.

Her gaze dropped his mouth, and she licked her lips, causing his groin to become painfully tight. He had to clear his throat— twice, before he could speak. “As for the other, well…there’s some things I can teach you, when you’re ready. That is, if you want me to.”

“You can?” she whispered.

Her voice, soft and sexy on a good day, dropped an octave and potent desire careened through him. Not trusting himself to speak, he nodded.

“What about…um, kissing?”

He reminded himself to breathe. “It ain’t hard.”

She stepped toward him. “I want to know what…what it feels like…first.” Her voice shuddered. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

Oh shit.

Those tantalizing dots of green shimmered with uncertainty as they held his gaze.

“Would you kiss me, Ty? Please?”

Holy shit.