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robbing them blind and leaving
them alone in the wilderness. Therefore, let it be known that I exist and
testify to my betrayed charges’ good character.’”
    He watched her carefully. “Do you always talk out of your head
in the morning?”
    “No, I usually try to talk out of my mouth. However, today
there are extenuating circumstances.” A quick glance at Sean’s nearly smiling
lips reminded her of why she’d dictated that letter in the first place. “What
are people going to think when we show up without a chaperone?”
    His green eyes flickered warily. “Hopefully nothing, but the
less time we’re alone in the wilderness, the better. It’s time to pick up the
pace.”

Chapter Three
    L orelei paced in front of the Western Union office as she waited for a response to the telegram she’d sent her father. The anticipation she felt knowing she would soon hear from her family confirmed she’d made the right decision about going back to Peppin. Just the thought of seeing her home again suddenly made her so excited she couldn’t get herself to sit down. Then again, she’d been sitting down—or rather, sitting up, on the back of a horse—for three days, and she wasn’t about to do it again if she could help it.
    For the past few minutes, she’d been testing out different walks. Originally, her purpose had simply been to stretch her legs. To her fascination, she’d discovered that it didn’t matter how many different ways she walked past Sean. He simply would not look up from that piece of wood he’d been shaving with his pocketknife for the past half hour.
    She literally waltzed by his bench. He still didn’t notice, but a little girl with beribboned braids stopped to watch. Lorelei winked at her before the child’s mother urged her on. The girl looked over her shoulder and beamed, causing Lorelei to do the same. Sean’s horse neighed a welcome when she danced toward his hitching post. “Hello, Jericho. You know, you’re much friendlier than your owner.”
    “Lorelei.” She jumped at the sound of Sean’s voice and turned to see him gesture to the seat beside him on the bench. She reluctantly sat down. He handed her the piece of wood and tucked his knife back in his pocket. “I made this for you.”
    A miniature replica of her stolen valise sat in her hands complete with tiny handles and a floral pattern. She stared at it blankly, then realized he expected a response. “This is nice.”
    “Thanks.” He leaned back on the bench and covered his face with his Stetson.
    She looked at it for another minute, then turned toward him to sharply ask, “Why would you do something this nice?”
    “I was bored.”
    “You should be bored more often,” she suggested.
    He pushed his hat up slightly to meet her gaze. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
    “Oh, I won’t. I hate you. You hate me. Isn’t that how this story goes?”
    He turned to level her with his sincere green eyes. “I don’t hate you.”
    She stared back at him. She believed him. In fact, she’d known it all along. It was just nice to hear him say it. For a moment she saw all the things that had once made her fall in love with him. She allowed a hint of a smile to reach her lips.
    She could almost imagine that he began to lean toward her. The Western Union operator interrupted the tenuous moment by finally calling her into the building. She immediately stood. Sean trailed after her because apparently that’s what he did.
    “Miss, your father sent the money with a message and special instructions.”
    “What was the message?”
    “I love you and am glad you’re safe,” he read in a nearly monotone voice.
    “Thanks, but I hardly know you,” she replied calmly. The man looked up sharply and frowned. Sean turned away with a sudden coughing fit. She smiled weakly. “That was just a little joke.”
    Sean stepped up beside her again to ask, “What were the instructions?”
    “I am to place all of the money in your care, sir. You