Page 13 of In Her Sights

So much so that he needed to take precautions and not let himself get carried away.

He loosened his hold on her waist and gentled his kiss. Easing back, he stroked her cheek with his thumb and looked deep into her eyes.

"You're stuck with me now, Tessa James. I'm never letting you go."

She blinked slowly, clearing some of the passion from her gaze. A shy smile crept onto her face as pink climbed into her cheeks. "I'm glad."

He grinned. "Me too."

Unable to resist the urge, he pressed a small kiss to her forehead, then stepped backward to put a bit of distance between them. His hands found hers, and he squeezed them.

"I love you, Tessa. And from this moment forward, I promise to fight for us every day of our lives."

"I promise the same. With all my heart."

Overwhelmed by more happiness than he'd ever experienced, Jackson savored the moment and did his best to ignore the niggling voice at the back of his mind, demanding that he brace himself for disappointment. Good things never lasted.

The following day, Tessa hummed as she readied herself to leave for work. Her tight curls carried far too much frizz, but not even that could ruin her good mood. Jackson had said he loved her. No minor annoyance could dim her joy today.

Letting her eyes slide closed, she relived the glory of his kiss. Never had she felt anything so wonderful. Powerful, yet tender. Full of desire yet tempered with devotion. She knew precious little of kissing, but every womanly instinct she possessed told her that Jackson's kiss had been something rare, something to be treasured. Something to be repeated. Often. A smile tickled her lips as she opened her eyes and turned her attention back to her unruly hair.

The reflection of a mahogany box teased her attention at the edge of her dressing table's mirror. Her pistol. She hadn't touched it since that horrible day at the schoolhouse. She'd locked the case and shoved it onto a high shelf, determined not to wield it ever again after she'd nearly killed the man she loved. Her hand pressed against her breastbone, feeling for the small brass key that she'd hung on a thin chain. She kept the key close at hand, wearing it every day beneath her bodice and close to her heart. Partially to ensure that no one could access the weapon, but mostly for the sentiment attached. She might not wish to hold the pistol again, but she couldn't deny that it had played a key role in bringing her and Jackson together.

After pinning the last corkscrew of hair into place, Tessa pivoted to face the top shelf of her open wardrobe. Had the time come to pass on the pistol? Jackson had declared his love. She'd declared hers. The promise had been fulfilled and sealed with an exceptionally tantalizing kiss. Maybe she should take it to the dress shop today and give it to Laura to pass along to her cousin.

Tessa pulled the case down from its shelf, surprised at the reluctance that pressed against her heart. She smoothed her hand over the polished lid, taking a moment to trace the hourglass design of the small mother-of-pearl inlay.

"Do me a favor," she murmured softly. "The next time you play matchmaker, don't actually shoot the gentleman, all right?"

Shaking her head at her silliness, Tessa laid the gun case on the bed and collected her coat. She donned a pair of gloves, ensured her room key and coin purse were still in her coat pocket, then tucked the pistol's case under her arm and headed to work. Taking the long way around the courthouse square, she passed by the gun shop and waved at Jackson. Her belly fluttered when she found him cleaning the front glass, his eyes more on the road than the window. His entire face brightened when he spotted her, and her heart kicked in response.

"Good morning, Mr. Spivey," she called.

He tipped his hat and nodded in greeting, but the smile he aimed her direction was anything but formal. "Mornin', Miss James."

Heavens, but his voice oozed like melted chocolate. Its warmth spread through her, softening her heart to the point where she even started feeling charitable toward Hortense Winslow and her close-minded friends, one of whom was scheduled for a dress fitting later this morning. If she could just keep the image of that smile and the assurance of Jackson's love in mind, maybe she'd manage to get through the fitting without jabbing any pins into Mrs. Robertson's opinionated hide.

Tessa pushed through the dress shop door and made her way to the back room. They wouldn't open for business for another hour, but she needed to finish hemming Mrs. Robertson's skirt before the fitting at ten, so she had little time to spare.

Expecting to have the workroom to herself, the light under the door surprised her. Laura didn't usually arrive until closer to nine.

"You're here early." Tessa grinned at her friend when Laura swiveled to see who had come in.

Laura smiled back. "I had an idea for a new hat design, and I couldn't wait to try it out. What do you think of the dark blue velvet ribbon?" She leaned to the side to give Tessa a better view of her work in progress. "I've always thought velvet an elegant winter fabric. I plan to add one or two small plumes to give a bit of height without being ostentatious."

Tessa removed her gloves, then unbuttoned her coat and hung it on the rack inside the office door. "Nothing you make is ostentatious. Your taste is impeccable."

"You're kind to say so." She tipped her head toward the case Tessa carried. "Is that . . . ?"

Tessa nodded, brought it over to Laura's worktable, and set it down amid the lengths of millinery ribbon, lace, and plumage.

Laura's brows arched. "I didn't think you were going to pass that along until things were settled between you and Jackson."

Tessa practically bounced as she released her hold on the case. "They are settled." A grin split her face so wide her cheeks ached. "Jackson declared himself yesterday!"

Laura squealed quietly as she hopped up from her stool and embraced her friend. "Oh, Tessa. I'm so happy for you! When did this happen?"

"Yesterday morning."