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reconnected when Colin came for Sarah, the MacLaren cousins inviting him to journey to Circle M Ranch at the base of Boundary Mountain. He’d jumped at the offer and now found himself one of few outsiders who worked alongside the MacLarens. A job which included almost daily contact with Quinn’s younger sister, Heather.
    “Aye, Caleb. The lass is set on besting the men, no matter the task. Well, I’ve lost my patience with her.” Audrey turned, stomping back into the kitchen to join Kyla and most of the female MacLarens to finish supper preparations.
    “I’ll go after Heather, Quinn.” Caleb held up a hand when Quinn began to protest. “You live in the same house with her. No sense in you incurring her wrath, listening to her complain and storm around while everyone’s trying to stay out of her way. At least I’m able to bunk down wherever I choose.” Caleb strapped on the gun belt he’d hung on a post. “Besides, I think I know where she is.”
    “And how is that?” Blaine asked from a few feet away.
    Caleb scratched his head, a sheepish grin crossing his face. “We had a bit of a disagreement over a few cattle she thought had crossed onto the neighbor’s land. I disagreed with her. The tracks indicated the steers had wandered into a ravine. She’d have none of it and took off. My guess is she’s camping out, embarrassed about being wrong, waiting to ride in when we’re all asleep.”
    “Stubborn wench,” Quinn muttered. “She hates being wrong about anything. If Da were still alive, she’d get a good talking to, or worse, for the way she behaves. If it weren’t for Ma, I’d leave her to get into any trouble she wanted—as long as it didn’t affect the rest of us.”
    “You say that now, but you’d be the first to protect her if she were in real trouble.” Blaine understood how Quinn felt about Heather. Most of the family felt the same. “I’ll ride with you, Caleb. You shouldn’t be facing her alone.”
    “I won’t argue with you, Blaine, but I’ll go alone. The woman is a frustrating lass. Does she scare me? Not at all, although she does get my blood boiling, and not in a good way.” Walking toward the barn, Caleb glanced over his shoulder. “Save me some food, lads. I’ll be back as soon as I can—with the missing MacLaren.”

    “Hungry?” Brodie carried a tray laden with food toward the cell, noting his question had no effect on Maggie. “It’s beef stew and biscuits.” He set the tray down, then put the key in the cell door. “I’m going to unlock this, so don’t do anything foolish.”
    The last remark got her attention and she swiveled around to face him. The icy glare didn’t surprise Brodie as much as the way she stepped forward, as if she planned to walk right through him. Instead, she stopped a foot away, hands fisted on her hips.
    His gaze raked over her. With all she’d been through—the long journey to town on foot, the events at the cabin, being locked in a cell—Maggie was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
    “Sheriff, are you afraid I’ll overpower you and escape? After all, I am a dangerous woman.”
    She hadn’t intended her bravado to have much of an impact on the young lawman, so it surprised her when he reached out to grip her wrist, drawing her to within inches of his face.
    “I’d be careful about how you approach a man wearing a gun, Mrs. Stoddard. Some might take it as a threat.”
    She gasped. The words were soft, almost intimate, as his warm breath washed across her face.
    “This will go better for both of us if you keep your distance from me.” Brodie stared into the clearest blue eyes he’d ever seen, seeing them widen at the same time she tried to pull free of his grip. He held her firm, not wanting to let go, a heat he hadn’t expected coursing through his body. Feeling a bead of moisture form on his brow, Brodie dropped her wrist. “Am I making myself clear?”
    Moving away, he watched as she rubbed her wrist,