Page 157 of The Defiant Curse

Freaking.

Doubt.

Blackhawk knew it did that to him the second he saw it as he was riding.

“I found this field, and it’s filled with so many flowers,” he said. “I want to share it with you. I want my wife, the only woman I’ll ever love, other than our daughters, and my hero, to see it.”

That sounded amazing.

Setting her free, he got up onto Hamlet and held his hand down to her.

“I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” she said, knowing his back was always a problem.

He stopped her.

Going forward, she had to trust he knew himself.

Because he did.

“I’m stronger than you think. Let me carry you. Stop worrying and let me lead for a bit. I won’t drop you. I’m pretty good at knowing how to survive.”

She knew what he was asking, and it was to have faith in him like she wanted him to have in her.

So, she did.

She took his hand, and true to his word, he had her. Ethan pulled her up, and she sat behind him, tucking her skirt up so she could straddle the back of him.

Then, he nudged the horse.

The whole time, she kept her arms wrapped around him and her head against his shoulder.

“You look beautiful,” he admitted. “When I saw you after coming through the mist, you stole my heart. I love you in a dress. I love even more getting you out of that skirt.”

She laughed.

It had been so unexpected, and reminded her of a time when they weren’t prisoners to their own world, and their choices.

“Mr. Blackhawk, are you flirting with me?”

He took a stab at it.

Hoping, he nailed this.

“Miss LaRue, you know it. I’m not an idiot. I’m trying to woo the woman. I know that you’re a treasure,” he admitted. “I knew that first day in Salem when I saw you—now, when I heard your laugh. You may have less of the Southern in your voice, but you’re still that lady who snagged my soul that day.”

Her heart skipped.

It was clear he understood what she needed. It was to go back to a simpler time when she knew who she was.

Truthfully, that was how she signed the note to them. She had to find herself again, and the only person she knew herself to be was that woman.

That girl who grew up too soon, and who saw things that fueled nightmares.

“Well, I think a horseback ride is appropriate for a date when you’re wooing a beautiful woman.”

Because she recognized this man to be the same one who saved her heart all of those years ago, she put her faith in him.

“Our anniversary is coming up. I’m glad I came. It’s magickal here, Elizabeth.”