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“I’m afraid,” she whispered.
He yanked on her hand and pulled her down alongside him. “What are you afraid of, sweetheart? Surely you don’t think I would harm you in any way?”
“No. That never crossed my mind.” She paused, seeming to search for the right words. “What I’m afraid of is depending on someone again. I’ve been let down too many times by those who were supposed to be caring for me. Once I was free of Louis I swore I would never again allow anyone else to promise that to me.”
He turned her body so she sat snug between his bent knees, her back to his chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he leaned his chin on her shoulder. “I understand.”
Her head whipped around and she regarded him with raised eyebrows. “You do?”
“Yes, honey, I do. I’ve had to do a lot of thinking myself lately. Once I released myself from the guilt of doing nothing while my father was killed, I realized as much as I want to, I can’t always be there to take care of those I love.” He kissed her temple. “So I can understand your fears of having to rely on someone else.”
“What are you saying?”
“When we get back to Guthrie, I’m going to ask Jesse to help me get started in an investigation business. He already has a few clients in need of such services. I’m confident I’ve had enough experience with the bad guys to make a living at it.”
He nuzzled her neck and then eased his mouth over hers in a searing kiss.
“So, what I was thinking,” he continued as if nothing had happened, “I might need someone to go into this venture with me. A partner. You know, take care of the business end of things.” He gazed at the ceiling. “Now if I had a wife who could do tha
t for me, well, then . . .”
Emily turned completely around and placed her hands on his shoulders. “Are you telling me we could be partners?”
“Um, the idea has crossed my mind.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Will I get paid?”
“Of course.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. “I accept.”
“What? My marriage proposal or the partnership?”
“Both.” She kissed him again. “Will I get a gun?”
“No.” He stood and helped her up.
“Why not?”
“Because you won’t have to shoot the office files.”
He tugged her hand and kissed her.
“You’re being too protective.”
He kissed her again. “I know.”
The door opened and Jesse strode in. “You two ready to go home?”
Hunter wrapped his arms around her. “I never asked you if you wanted to live in Guthrie, or if you had a preference.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Are you sure? Where would you like to live?”
She shuddered. “Anyplace but here.”
Epilogue
