"Something to be said about being delicate and well mannered, too. Smooth hair and pretty talk must appeal to a man."

"Don't ever compare yourself to another woman."

"Pretty hopeless?"

"I've never met a woman as beautiful or one who got my blood pumpin' the way you do."

"You do want me, don't you, Sheriff?"

"I've wanted you since the first day I clapped eyes on you. You're the one who spouted all that 'I'm Lily Divine' stuff and made me think you didn't need me."

"It was easier to believe I didn't need you and to point out how wrong I was for you before someone else did it," she said softly.

"Nobody's gonna tell me you're wrong for me," he said. "Even if they did, I'd know better. We're alike, you know."

She skimmed his jaw and framed his face in one palm. "How?"

"Both livin' in our own safe little worlds where we weren't going to let anyone in. Both of us afraid to feel."

"I couldn't admit that I'd ever want a man in my life. I couldn't let myself love," she told him.

"This isn't a risk," he promised her. "I don't want any of your property. I don't ever want you to feel like you're not in charge of your life. If you'll just give me your love, I'll treasure it. And you. For all my days. I can't make up for what happened in your past. But I can promise you love in your future. I love you, Lily. Marry me and let me show you every day."

Lily's heart swelled with joy. "You sure you don't want a delicate little wife who sews and cooks and waits on you hand and foot?"

"Positive."

"'Cause you still have a chance at finding one. Once I say yes, you're stuck with me. And I won't be giving up the Shady Lady or my friends there." She stroked his jaw. "I might be persuaded to give up the red dress."

"How about if you wear it just for me?"

Lily kissed him with every bit of love she'd been holding back. She held him close and felt the beat of his heart against hers.

"You'll marry me, then?" he asked.

"I'll marry you. I love you, Sheriff."

They made love on the bank of the stream with the frogs chirping a love song and the stars winking approval. Nate told her all the ways he was going to make her his and proceeded to make good on his promises.

Lily gave herself body and soul to a man for the first time in her life, speaking his name in the stillness of the night, whispering words of love and trembling with the tide of emotion that crested over her.

Much later, Nate helped her dress and ran his fingers through her wild mane of hair. "I love your hair, Lily. It's wild and untamed, like your spirit."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around him. "And here I just thought it was difficult and unmanageable."

He helped her up and swung into the saddle behind her. "I wouldn't change anything about you."

They rode back to town and dismounted in front of her door. "Can we go into the Shady Lady?" he asked.

She dug into her skirt pocket for the key and opened the front door.

Nate lit two lanterns and set them both on the bar. "There is one change I'd like to make."

She gave him a skeptical glance. "What's that?"

He pointed. "That portrait. From now on, I think I should be the only man who appreciates the delights of your lovely form."

She relaxed her guard. "Edward Mulvaney would probably appreciate knowing how fond you are of that painting."

"Who is Edward Mulvaney?"

"He's a painter studying in the east. Someday when my portrait is long forgotten, people will still remember him."

"I know I want to hear all about him."

Lily laughed. "He's a man with a vivid imagination."

"And a fairly accurate one, too," he replied, studying the alluring curves of the body in the painting.

Lily pulled a stool behind the bar and took down the painting. "Here you go, Sheriff. Lock it up. From here on out, Lily Divine is yours alone."

Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Cheryl St. John for her contribution to the MONTANA MAVERICKS series.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-8751-2.

THE BOUNTY HUNTER.

end.