“I got this for my son when he was twelve,” John said. “His mother never let me give it to him. By now, he’d be too big to ride it. But since you’re small, it might do for you. Just promise to stay where there are people to keep you safe, and never go off to where you’ll be alone.”
“Oh, John—” Tears sprang to her eyes. She thought of the love that had gone into buying this gift for the son who would never ride it, or even see it. Now this tender, broken man was entrusting it to her.
He was looking down at her, his eyes in deep shadow. Suddenly this wasn’t about the bike anymore. It wasn’t about her new job or even about Boone. It was as if the world around them had blurred into mist, leaving nothing but the two of them alone.
He kissed her—his lips brushing hers, then taking possession of her mouth with a sureness that triggered whorls of hungry heat in the depths of her body. Stretching on tiptoe, she wrapped his neck with her arms, letting him lift her off her feet as the kiss deepened.
Need cried out in her. She wanted to feel safe with this man, to stay in his arms, trusting him enough to let her give without holding back.
But even as he held her close, she knew it couldn’t happen. She wasn’t classy enough, or pretty enough, or seductive enough for a good man to love her. She was only fit to be used. Boone had taught her that lesson. She had learned it well.
He kissed her again, his hands growing bolder on her body. Emma froze. Sensing the change, he let her go and stepped back. “Are you all right?”
“Yes—no—” She shook her head. “It’s just too soon, that’s all. I’m hurting, I’m angry, I’m a mess. I can’t do this now.”
“Understood. Sorry if I crossed the line.”
“It’s not you, John. You’re one of the best men I’ve ever known. You saved my life!”
“Saving your life had nothing to do with why I kissed you.”
“So why did you?” Right then, all Emma wanted was to shrink inside herself and crawl away.
“Because you looked like you needed kissing. I guess I was wrong about that.” He turned away and changed the subject. “Still want the bike? I’ll throw in a backpack to go with it.”
“Of course I do. And thank you. I promise to return it in good condition.”
“I’ve got no use for it. Find it a new owner when you leave town—some poor kid who’d be glad to have it.”
* * *
The tension lay leaden between them as they prepared to go back to town. The backpack was a new brown schoolbag, perfect for Emma’s needs. She filled it with the extra clothes she’d stuffed in the paper bag earlier.
“Don’t forget this.” John handed her the pistol, zipped into the pouch. “If I’m not around when you go, you can leave it at the desk in the Gateway.” He paused in the doorway. “I loaded the bike into the back of the Jeep. If the hotel doesn’t have a storage place for it, you should be able to keep it in your room. I can carry it up the stairs for you.”
She slipped the pouch into the backpack. “Thank you for everything, John. I mean it.”
John didn’t reply. When Emma glanced around, she saw that he’d already gone outside.
* * *
By the time John let Emma off at the Gateway, the rain had slowed to a gloomy drizzle. He’d carried the bike inside, where the receptionist had found space for it in a storage closet. After that, with no chance to say good-bye to Emma alone, he’d left her in the lobby and gone back outside.
Now he sat in the driver’s seat with the side window rolled down, listening to the rain and feeling like three-day-old roadkill.
Kissing Emma had been a crazy mistake. He should have known better. But the way she’d stood there in the shadows, looking up at him with tears in her eyes would have tempted a saint—and he was no saint.
He’d wanted her, pure and simple. He’d been wanting to feel that neat little body next to his and taste that luscious mouth from the first night she’d spent in his cabin. But if he’d used his damn fool head, he’d have realized that, after what she’d been through, the last thing Emma would want was some horny male making moves on her. He wouldn’t have blamed her if she’d slapped his face.
Would he see her again? Maybe not. And maybe that was for the best. She was on her own now, and taking steps to get her life back. He could only hope that staying in town, with plenty of people around her, would keep her safe from Boone.
It wouldn’t hurt to let the police know where Emma was now, so they could be aware of her and keep an eye out for Boone in town. At least stopping by the station would give him something to do.
Sam Traverton was still on duty. John had known the man a long time. They shared a coffee while John brought him up to date.
“You say Boone got burned in that fire she set, and the trailer went up in smoke, too?” Traverton swore. “Boone must be madder than a branded polecat.”
“He’s out to get Emma and do God knows what to her. When he showed up at my cabin, I knew she wouldn’t be safe there. So now she’s at the Gateway. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep an eye on her—and nab Boone if he gets within a hundred yards of her.”