She caught her breath and looked up at him. Surely he wouldn't joke about something so serious. His expression was solemn, maybe even a little anxious. She had always pictured getting engaged a little more romantic. And yet, she wasn't disappointed.

She smiled up at him. "I think that's a great idea."

For a long time they held on to each other, not saying a word. In spite of what they had been through tonight, she felt calm. Barrett had that effect on her. She looked up at him. "You risked your life to save Billy Ray."

He met her gaze. "He didn't know what to do. I felt responsible for him."

"They would have killed him."

"They would have killed us both. I knew they weren't going to let us go. We heard too much. It was the only thing I could think to do."

She hugged him. "It'll be strange being able to ride on apast the Hudson place and not worry about getting kilt."

He cupped her face in both hands and gazed down at her. "I love the way you talk."

"I've been trying to talk reglar - not like a hillbilly."

He chuckled and pulled her close. "Look, we can watch the sunrise from the porch."

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It was a beautiful sunrise, made even more pleasant by his presence. She snuggled against his chest. The tree hugger and the timber man had buried the hatchet, and it wasn't in a tree.




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