Page 73 of A Secret Heart
All the while, he ran his hands down her arms, tracing over them for any signs of injury.
More tears slipped free. “You came for me. After everything.”
Such depths of tenderness lingered in his eyes as he moved his hand to gently cup the side of her face. He turned her jaw slightly, examining her cheek. It’d been hurt when she’d tried to get away. From the purse of his lips and the working of his jaw, she must have gotten a bruise.
He met her eyes again with intensity. “Of course I came. I’ll always come for you.”
Her hands cupped his jaw as she leaned up to let her lips meet his. His hands closed around her waist. This was what she’d always wanted. She let herself lean into him. She was home in his arms.
“Ow!” The man howled as Isaac jerked a rope tight around his wrists.
Rebekah pulled back from Ed’s warmth.
She caught Isaac ducking his head in an awkward bend while wrangling the man, as if to avoid intruding on her moment with Ed. Once he had the bandit subdued, Isaac jerked the man to his feet.
The bandit let out a grunt, eyes on Rebekah. “You and that story you printed made too much trouble for my boss. You turned me into a wanted man.” He spat at the ground. “I should’ve been a better shot when I had you in my sights in town.”
Ed took a step toward him but stopped when Rebekah touched his arm.
Isaac jerked up the man’s sleeve to reveal a tattoo. The very one Rebekah had sketched at Quade’s ranch.
This was the man. He’d attacked both Mr. Billings and Mr. Jones. Admitted to shooting at her in town. They’d caught him.
The man tried to wrestle away, but Isaac held tight.
“Let’s go.” Isaac glanced at Rebekah. “You okay?”
She nodded. Overwhelmed, she watched him move off, prodding the bandit forward to where the horses must be waiting.She blinked and turned her head to see Ed watching her.
His eyes tracked to Isaac and back again.
His mouth was set in a thin line, but it was the vulnerability in his eyes that hit her hard. “If you still want?—”
“I don’t want Isaac. I only want you.” Tears stung behind her nose as she reached out to touch his arm. “You’re my hero.”
She caught his flare of relief and the recognition and connection that followed.
He moved to pull her close again, but she stayed him with a hand on his chest so that they were inches apart.
Ed tilted his head. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner about the letters?—”
“I’m sorry too. If I hadn’t been trying to control everything…” Her breath escaped in a quick sigh as he gathered her hands, then intertwined their fingers.
“What were you thinking?” he chided gently. “Riding out when there was still danger.”
A breathless hope rode on his words.
She dropped her eyes to focus on his work-hardened hands. “I was coming to see you. There’s something I have to tell you.”
She lifted her eyes to study his dear face. His brow wrinkled in question.
“I know now. It’s you I love. It’s always been you. From the very first letter.”
A light dawned in his eyes. He darted his gaze across her face as if trying to decide where to land. “I’ve had feelings for you for a long time.”
“Not good ones.” She suppressed a giggle.
“Actually, I couldn’t even admit it to myself.” His eyebrow quirked, his gaze intensifying. “But I liked you from the start. And I love you even more now.”
