Page 18 (1/2)

CHAPTER ONE

CROSS

The first tiht of the hall, her hair was as black as pitch, artfully pulled back into a bun at her nape, but with loose, soft curls that raceful curve of her neck Her skin had a golden glow to it, as if lit from within Her pale blue dress was modest, yet hinted at every one of her curves, and those curves were quite appealing I was not the only one who noticed them, for men’s eyes turned her way as she danced, walked past or even sh, that drew me in completely, for when she turned those pale blue eyes my way, I was lost

She had the look that Rhys or Siht blue eyes I'd neverIn fact, I couldn't look away The public dance in celebration of the country's independence was a well-attended affair, especially in a town the size of Helena It wasn't often any of us froht us this far afield Our ranch kept us well occupied and fairly self-sufficient While Ian and Kane had made the last cattle contracts, it was our job—Simon, Rhys and I—to purchase a stud horse needed to iewater’s horses It was one of our goals to make the sturdiest, fastest and best horses in the Montana Territory

To hell with the horses I wanted—no, needed—to knoho this wo her voice or feeling her waist beneath my hand as we danced I wanted to know her scent

"Ask her to dance," Rhys said, co up beside me We didn't look at each other, but at the lovely wo with two other woe, perhaps early twenties, but neither even sparked my interest Had I turned around and been quizzed as to their appearances, I doubt I could have warranted a fair guess It was she who held ard

We stood on the outer fringes of the dance floor, the music—two violins, an accordion and a piano—not so loud here as towith others difficult Several sets of doors were open to the cooler evening air and I saw one of her ard curls shift in the breeze I spared a glance at Rhys He was taller than I by an inch or two, but trimmer of build His hair was as dark as the mysterious woman’s, yet his skin was much darker froht look the part of a Montana man, but he was not born, nor bred, in the Territory, nor even the United States He, as well as our other friend Sidoland In fact, the English had a simple pronunciation of Reese Why it wasn't written as such was just another British anomaly I could never comprehend One only had to hear the duo speak to know they were foreigners

The woman smiled

"You do not find her"

I couldn't think of the right word

"Unique?" Rhys asked "I find her unique" That was true She was unique that she had captured my attention, and it seemed his as well

"Simon would think so as well if he were here instead of at his ," I considered We were in Helena for the horse purchase, not a dance, but as it was decided that Rhys and I ree at the town function

"Meeting? It's a bloody game of Poker"

"Business arrangeed over liquor, women and cards"

"He may have the liquor and cards, but we have the woman," Rhys stated

He was the quiet one of the three of us, a man of feords, but when he spoke those words ell chosen, and his state upon this dark haired beauty had

Sith than e he was not here, for he would have knocked down everyone in his path to get to her, regardless of her n men This method would have worked had we not been at a town dance; this environment took finesse and he was not known for that

"She has not been with a specific , so I do not believe her to be clai my hands in the pockets ofHer siven freely to the woly to men, and then only in a polite fashion While I wouldn't pick up a wo his wo the one I wanted slip throughto scattered applause and I took the opportunity that presented itself I approached her with , it was as if she were trapped in a spider's web, unable to look away or , however, she'd lost their attention in exchange for mine

When I stopped beside her, the other ladies ceased their chattering and all three tilted their heads back to look up at me, for I was alreeting, but kept aze fixed upon her "May I have this dance?"

The band began to play a new tune and couples ive her an opportunity to say no, I took her hand in mine and led her out to an open spot Perhaps I was part caveto face her, I stepped in and placed in our dance It fit in the delicate curve there, ainst the flared bone of her hip,the bumps of her spine I could feel the stiff stays of her corset and wished I could instead learn the feel of her soft flesh "My naan to lead her around the dance floor The steps were not coht as to the movement, which ell and fine, for my attention was focused squarely on her

Her eyes had been on her hand at lance u

p at me "I am Olivia Olivia Weston"

I offered her a s?