Lydia had made the right decision to visit her sister that afternoon. Staying with Nicholas and remembering what he'd said made her doubt her own feelings. A month ago, she'd been distraught when she found her sister in the same room with the man Lydia had thought she was going to marry. She could tell that her sister and Alan were in love, and out of frustration – and feeling betrayal – Lydia had run away from the house. Nicholas followed and comforted her.

Although she'd been upset since their passionate kiss, she couldn't deny the tingles coursing through her whenever she thought back to that time. She hated him for what he'd done – for what he made her feel. Or did she hate him at all?

"You know," Victoria said, carrying in a tray of teacups and the kettle of hot water. "Just because you made Agent Drake that promise, it was done out of obligation. You weren't in your right mind that day."

Once Victoria placed the tray on the small table in the dining room, Lydia helped pour the water into the cups as her sister prepared the tea.

Lydia hiccupped a laugh. "You can say that again."

Victoria frowned and touched her sister's arm. "I'll never stop apologizing for hurting you."

"It's in the past, and I've forgiven you. I hadn't met my prospective husband. Besides, you and Alan are so much in love. How could I hold grudges knowing how happy you are?"

Victoria smiled, and her brown eyes twinkled. "I'm very happy." She patted Lydia's arm. "Which is why I want to see you as happy. And that brings me back to the subject of Agent Drake. I think you have helped him enough. He's nearly healed, and he doesn't need you any longer."

Lydia's chest tightened, and she quickly took hold of her locket around her neck, twisting the chain. "Yes, he is healing."

"Then say your goodbyes and let Hannah Easton help you find a husband. The sooner you can stop thinking about Nicholas Drake, the better you'll feel." Victoria's smile stretched. "And Hannah will be able to find you a man who is worthy of your love."

Worthy of my love? The possibility seemed nigh impossible. But Lydia had always thought her older sister knew what she was talking about, and in this case, she truly wanted to believe happiness was waiting for her just around the corner.

The afternoon passed quickly, and soon Lydia walked back toward the hotel. Seeing her sister and Alan together made Lydia want to find a husband. She would take her sister's suggestion and find Mrs. Easton tomorrow. The sooner she could get married, the sooner she would stop thinking about Nicholas.

It was too bad that he didn't like her. She could probably grow to enjoy his company if only his words to her were kinder. Yet, he'd been extremely charming a month ago, curse his hide. If not for his steamy kisses, she would have never known passion. Now, that's all she could think about, which of course, made her more eager to find a husband.

She would take her sister's advice, tell Nicholas goodbye, and then seek out Mrs. Easton to find Lydia a husband.

Determination guided her steps toward the hotel. Although her mind wanted to wander since this town was still rather new to her, she focused on her target. Her mind could drift away with the beautiful scenery later. She must do this with Nicholas in order to get on with her life.

As she neared the hotel, a man stepped out of the alleyway, startling her. He stood in front of her, wearing a menacing expression. She gasped and stopped. The man with the bushy beard and gray hair glared at her as if trying to see through to her soul.

"Is there something you need, sir?" she asked hesitantly.

His gaze slid over her slowly, and bile rose in her throat. She fisted her hands, preparing to defend herself if it came down to it.

"No, miss." He nodded and stepped past her, moving up the boardwalk.

Sighing, she relaxed and walked into the hotel. Thankfully, he left. She was sure he caused problems wherever he went.

The hotel's lobby looked like a ghost town during the late afternoon, so she hurried up the stairs toward Nicholas' room, passing by her room on the way. Yet, the slightly opened door caused her to halt. She remembered closing her door when she left this morning, so why was it open?

Cautiously, she stepped toward the door and listened for any movements inside. After a few seconds of hearing nothing, she felt it was safe to open the door. But when she stepped inside... the air from her lungs whooshed from her mouth.

The few items she had brought with her to stay in Stumptown were tossed all around the room. The blankets on the bed were lying on the floor, and the single chair next to the small table had been tipped over.

Her heart pounded against her ribs as she stared dumbfounded at the mess. Confusion swam inside her head, and for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why anyone would do this to her room. Good grief, it wasn't as if she was rich or had anything of value.

Her limbs trembled as she backed out of the room. Dazed, her mind refused to work as she stumbled toward another room... the only room her memory could lead her to. As she entered Nicholas' room, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, mostly dressed, as Mrs. Hansen and Samantha helped him button his shirt and comb his hair. When his gaze rested on Lydia, his eyes widened. She couldn't take her gaze away from his worried look.

"What's wrong?" His voice lifted in panic.

"I... I..." She grasped her trembling hands, holding them against her middle.

"Oh, good heavens, Miss Swanson." Mrs. Hansen gasped. "You are as white as a ghost."

Samantha snorted. "Ma, you cannot know that since you've never seen a ghost."

Mrs. Hansen pointed toward Lydia. "I can see one now."

Nicholas pushed past the two women assisting him, and in three long strides, stood in front of Lydia, clutching her shoulders. "Tell me what's wrong."

"My... room." She swallowed, moistening her very dry throat. "Someone was in my... room. They ransacked it."

The two women hitched breaths at the same time. Mrs. Hansen hurried to Lydia, touching her cheek. "Did you see anyone?"

"N-no-nobody was in the room."

"Not again." Samantha groaned and rubbed her forehead. "Ma? Who keeps doing this to our hotel?"

Nicholas' gaze shifted to the older woman. "Go fetch the sheriff."

Mrs. Hansen spun around and rushed out of the room. Samantha hurried after her.

Lydia's body continued to tremble, and she feared she wouldn't be able to stand much longer. "I... need to sit."

Nicholas guided her to a chair and helped her down onto the cushions. He pulled up a wooden stool and sat close to her, taking her hands in his. "Tell me what happened."

She shrugged. "I don't know. I was visiting my sister this morning, and when I returned to the hotel and went into my room, it looked like a tornado whirled through there." Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked several times. "I don't have anything to steal. My family is poor as church mice – even poorer. I'm assuming the person who did this had entered the wrong room."

Nicholas rubbed his thumbs gently over her skin. "I'll make certain the sheriff finds the person responsible."

Nodding, she inhaled slowly, trying to get control over her emotions. She wasn't a ninny, and she especially didn't want Nicholas to think of her as weak. "I'll be fine." She ran her gaze over his unbuttoned shirt, liking almost too much the way his rugged chest looked without all the bruises he had when she first found him on the side of the road. "Are you feeling better, Nicholas?"

"I believe so. I haven't had a chance to talk to the doctor yet, but I think he's finally stopped putting me to sleep."

"Do you have your strength back?"

Her hand still trembled as she played with the locket around her neck. His gaze dropped to her hand, but she didn't know if he looked at the skin showing around her neck or her necklace.

"Yes. I will make certain of that." He offered her a small smile. "I'm ready to hunt down the man who did this to me."

"Then, I wish you luck."

He stared at her for a few more seconds before he tenderly cupped the side of her face. "Your face still has no color in it. Are you certain you are all right?"

The warmth from his hand nearly melted her. Either that or it was the sweet way he gazed at her with so emotion in his eyes. She dropped her attention to his mouth, recalling that wonderful time with him a month ago. If only she could forget and move on.

She exhaled deeply, sounding too much like a pleasurable sigh. Although she felt gratification from his touch, she didn't want him to know it. "I assure you, Nicholas. I'm fine. The color will return to my face soon."

Keeping his palm cupping her cheek, his gaze dropped again to her hand holding the locket.

"You were wearing that a month ago," he said softly.

Her throat turned dry. "Yes. I wear it almost every day."

"May I ask why?"

She nodded and opened the heart-shaped locket. "The necklace was a gift from my mother. After she died, I put her picture in it."

His hand dropped from her face as he leaned closer until she could feel his warm breath on her neck. She shivered again, but it had nothing to do with the fright she had experienced not long ago.

"She was a beautiful woman." His gaze lifted to hers. "You look very much like her but prettier if you don't mind me saying."

Why would she mind? It was nice to hear compliments coming from his mouth instead of insults. "Thank you, Nicholas."

He cupped the side of her face again and leaned closer. Her focus jumped to his eyes, hoping he wouldn't know what he was thinking right now. But his dreamy expression made his eyes so blue, like a summer sky on a cloudless day. Heavens, how had she been able to resist him? Yet, she hadn't a month ago, and now she must keep from falling for his charms again.

Their stares locked, and for the life of her, she couldn't look away. Slowly, his mouth lifted into a smile.

"Lydia, you can't help it, can you."

Confusion filled her, and she shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

"You are so adorable."

His words made her sigh – louder than before. Why did he have to be so charming? "Nicholas? I believe you are still under the influence of the doctor's sleeping draught."

"No. The hypnotic feeling I'm experiencing now is far different and much more enjoyable."

He leaned closer and brushed his lips across hers. Holding her breath, she clutched his shirt. At first, she wanted to push him away, but that didn't happen as she hoped. Instead, she closed her eyes and enjoyed his sweet attention. She tried to fight for control, even though she was sinking fast. Did she have any other choice? He had made her feel this way a month ago, so why not now?

"Nicholas..." Had she just sighed his name? Perhaps she was the one who was being given the sleeping solution from the doctor now.

Just as his arms wrapped around her, he slanted his mouth over hers. The kiss was as explosive as it had been before. This man had a way of removing everything in her mind and leaving her only thoughts of him. Because of this, she couldn't think of anything else. All she wanted to do was kiss him endlessly and find pleasure in the way he gave her such passionate attention.

Another sigh escaped her throat as she slowly slid her palms up his chest. She'd always thought he was magnificently built, and the memory of when she first touched his chest a month ago hadn't left her mind. Neither had the toe-curling kiss.

Sitting like they were, they were not in a great position to turn the kiss wild, unlike when he first kissed her up against the tree with nobody around to see and judge them. That first time, the kiss had been for all the wrong reasons. He had only been trying to comfort her. Yet wasn't that what he was doing now? And she still wanted more? Something must be terribly wrong with her. Either that, or she was desperate for attention only a man could give.

Only what Nicholas could give her.