Page 97 of The Heart’s Charge

She dipped her chin, a shy smile curving her lips. “Nearly as long as you. I followed you out, hoping we might have that long conversation you alluded to earlier.”

Jonah’s gut tightened. The conversation prompted by her saying she loved him. His mind had replayed that moment about a thousand times today. But where to start? He hadn’t a clue. Thankfully, Eliza was smart enough for the both of them.

“So, the old Garvey place, huh? Sounds almost permanent.” She nudged his shoulder with hers.

He nudged her back, scooting his hips over in the process so that the length of his right side pressed up against her left. Man, she felt good against him.

“Thought I’d make my daddy happy,” he said. “Buy some land. Court a good woman. Lay down some roots.”

Eliza lifted her face, the look in her deep brown eyes making his heart pound. “You got any particular woman in mind?”

“Maybe. Not sure she’ll have me, though. She’s my better in nearly every way.”

Her brows lifted. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Oh, it’s true, all right. She’s smarter, kinder, and a whole lot better lookin’.”

She leaned close and whispered a secret in his ear, the breath of air sending shivers dancing across his skin. “I hear she’s terrible with horses.”

He turned his face toward her, his lips a mere hairsbreadth from hers. “I don’t know. I have it on good authority she rode a cavalry officer’s warhorse all the way to Packsaddle Mountain and back. A ride like that takes skill.”

“Or massive motivation.” Her gaze darted to his mouth then back up to his eyes. “A little birdie told me she only did it to save the man she loved.”

Jonah angled his body toward her and reached for her face. “Same bird told me that fella’s been fallin’ for her since the day they shared a wagon ride out to Miss Georgia’s homestead.”

“That long, huh?” Her soft, husky voice fragmented his pulse.

“Yep. I hear tell he’s so far gone, a minute can’t pass without him thinkin’ of her. Thinkin’ about holding her.” He ran his thumb over her cheekbone. “Kissing her.” His thumb moved to her mouth and brushed over her bottom lip.

Her breath caught. “Maybe he should quit thinking and start doing.”

Jonah grinned, slow and deep. “Have I told you how much I love that bossy streak of yours?”

Then, before she could answer, he closed the last inch of distance between them and kissed her with the culminated passion that had been building inside him since the day they met. This amazing, intelligent, courageous woman loved him. He didn’t deserve her, but he’d spend his life loving her, supporting her, and protecting her if she’d let him.

As she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer, taking charge of the kiss and driving his pulse to unanticipated heights, Jonah thought she just might be amenable to the idea.