Wild horses couldn't drag Nicole away from Caleb. Not now. But how far was he going to take this? Did he just want to talk, or was he thinking of kissing her? The last time they were alone, he had promised her he'd never get close to her again. Yet... here they were in each other's arms and staring into each other's eyes as if there was no tomorrow. Sleep wasn't important now, no matter how tired she'd be at work tonight.

"Caleb?" Her voice was much too soft, but then, as comfortable as she was right now, it was no wonder she sounded like this. "Do you find it strange that we are together right now?"

"Not at all." One side of his smile lifted higher than the other.

"I mean, after our talk in front of my room at the boarding house, I thought—"

"I was wrong," he said quickly. "I reacted badly when I realized you thought that Brenda and I were... you know."

"Forgive me for speaking my mind. That's why I didn't want to say anything to you."

"One of the things I like most about you," he took a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his finger and thumb, "is that you speak your mind. I just need not react so quickly next time. In fact, it is I who needs to ask for forgiveness."

"So, you're not still upset with me?"

"Would I be holding you like this if I was?"

"I don't know. I thought you were holding me like this because you felt sorry for me because I shot Weston."

"Maybe at first, but now..." He bent his head and swept his lips across her cheek. "Now, that's completely out of my mind."

Heated tingles shot through her, and she trembled with delight. She released a heavy sigh and tilted her head back, closing her eyes. "Oh, Caleb." Her heartbeat accelerated quickly. "Why can't I control myself when I'm around you?"

He kissed her forehead and gradually moved his mouth to her eyes, brushing across each eyelid. "Is it because I'm the first man to make you feel this way?"

"Yes... I suppose. But, then I think there is more."

"Like what?" His mouth moved down her neck, placing kisses along the way.

She didn't understand why he wanted to talk right now. It was getting harder and harder for her mind to work. "Well, it's like what happened at work earlier when Weston touched me."

Caleb lifted his head. She looked into his face. It was obvious that he didn't like hearing about Weston touching her. "He wasn't trying to flirt or anything – I think – but when he touched me, all I wanted to do was move away from him. I didn't like the way I felt when he placed his hand on my arm."

Caleb's expression relaxed, and his smile returned. "And how do you feel when I touch you?"

Nicole should have known he'd ask her that. It was difficult to express her feelings, only because she worried that this was wrong. He was still her boss, after all.

"My heart flutters, and I become very warm. Sometimes it's hard to breathe."

He nodded as his gaze dropped to her mouth. "I know how you feel. I'm feeling breathless right now, in fact."

His face moved closer, yet she couldn't stop watching him and anticipating his next move.

"There's only one thing we can do about this." His voice was so very soft and sweet.

"What's that?"

"Lay back and relax, and let me show you."

The moment his mouth covered her, she closed her eyes and followed his instructions. Yet, relaxing wouldn't come just yet. By the way her heart jumped around in her chest, and every nerve in her body came alive, she knew she'd be too busy to relax.

She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding his head so he couldn't pull away. But his mouth slanted back and forth over hers so eagerly, she figured he wouldn't be breaking the kiss yet. She wasn't ready to stop. Not yet. She enjoyed the way her heart grew, and unfamiliar pleasant emotions filled her.

The way he held her made her feel like a porcelain doll. His mouth moved with hers, making her feel as if she was an experienced lover, even though she was far from it. But he didn't seem to mind her innocence at all. Hopefully, working around soiled doves all the time made him want to be with a woman like Nicole. She definitely wanted to be with someone like him – sweet and caring, and so very passionate.

Being with him made her happy, whether it was like this or just having him teaching her how to shoot a gun. Watching her made her heart flutter with excitement, and she prayed she could keep these feelings. She would be miserable without them. Caleb was the first man to touch her, kiss her, and make her feel so wonderful, and she never wanted any other man to replace him.

"Nicole," he whispered as he broke the kiss and rested his face in the crook of her neck. "Forgive me, but we need to stop."

"I... understand," she said breathlessly, even though she didn't understand at all.

"You are innocent, and I want to keep you that way. I also want your respect."

She opened his eyes and stared into his passionate face. "Of course, I respect you."

"Then we can't do this anymore tonight."

She nodded. "I should go to my room then."

"Or..." He stopped as if saying something he shouldn't. His eye widened before he chuckled lightly.

"Or what?"

"Or we could stay right here on the couch and fall asleep in each other's arms?"

Nicole's heartbeat hammered once again. She nodded as a smile stretched her mouth. "I think that is a perfect solution."

He moved away from her to grab an afghan folded on the couch and brought it back to them. As he sat, he spread the afghan over both of them before taking her back in his arms. She cuddled against him, resting her head on his chest.

She sighed with pleasure. "This is nice."

"The best I've felt for a long time."

She smiled. The feelings growing inside her heart were recognizable, and she wanted so much to tell him how much she cared for him and thought she might be falling in love. Instead, she decided this might not be a good time. She was exhausted, and so her thoughts were jumbled. It was best if she just fell asleep for now.

Sighing, she cuddled closer. Being like this with him was going to make it difficult to go to bed by herself from now on. Hopefully, he was falling in love with her too, and they could figure out a better solution for their lives.

As she drifted off to sleep, she imagined a grand wedding, and a beautiful wedding dress, and repeating her vows to the most wonderful man she'd ever met.

* * * *

The banging on the door was what woke Caleb from a fabulous dream, but when he opened his eyes and realized Nicole was still in his arms, he was happy he hadn't been dreaming after all. Although he wanted to cuddle a little while longer, the persistent person at the door wouldn't let him.

Grumbling under his breath, he carefully moved Nicole aside, trying not to wake her. He kept the afghan over her as he hurried to see who in the blazes was pounding on his door. When he yanked the door open, preparing to yell at the uninvited visitor, his still sleepy eyes recognized Denton Reed. The sheriff was bundled in his fur-lined coat. His hat was lightly coated with fresh snow. It wasn't the falling snow that captured Caleb's attention first, it was the dire look on his friend's face.

Caleb's heart sank. He didn't want to ask. He was afraid he already knew why the sheriff was here.

"Caleb, I apologize for waking you up so early, but... there's been another murder."

He couldn't swallow as he braced himself for the terrible news. "Who was it this time?"

"Patsy." Denton shook his head. "She died the same way as Brenda."

"Her blood is missing, too?"

"Yes. And, Patsy was placed in the exact spot as where we found Brenda."

"No, not Patsy." Caleb pushed his fingers through his hair, trying to calm his anger. Patsy was like a mother hen to the other girls. Sometimes she acted like his sister, concerned about his lonely life. "No... no."

"Caleb, I'm deeply sorry." Denton stepped inside the house and placed a hand on Caleb's shoulder. "I wish I could have prevented this from happening, but I still have no leads."

His eyes stung with unshed tears. "We need to find the person who is taking away my girls." He squeezed his eyes closed, not wanting to cry in front of another man. "It has to be someone who hates the saloon."

"I think so, too. Or..."

Caleb looked up at his friend. "Or?"

"Or it's someone who Brenda and Patsy have been with."

"I'll talk to the girls today. One way or another, we need to find this madman and put a stop to his killings."

"Again, I'm really sorry, Caleb." Denton frowned. "When we catch this person, I'll let you help me string him up by his toenails."

Caleb nodded sternly. "I'm holding you to that promise."

Denton turned and hurried back to his horse. The snow was coming down harder now. He didn't know how much snow they'd get this time, but he was going to close the saloon anyway. With an injured bartender and another dead employee, it was time for Caleb to mourn... And figure out who was doing this to his family.

He moved back into the parlor and stopped at the door. Nicole was awake. She stared at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. She'd heard.

"Oh, Caleb." Her voice broke.

That was the tug on his heart that was needed to have him hurrying back to her to hold her against him. They both needed to mourn. That was the only way they would heal.