Rawley jerked upward and spun around so fast that she might have laughed had he not also drawn his gun from his holster in a practiced move that demonstrated his quick reflexes and his deadly aim because it was now pointing at her. “Goddamn it, Faith! You know better than to sneak up on a man.”
“And you know better than to be where you’re not expected. I damn near filled you full of lead.”
With a flourish that spun his gun around twice, he seated it comfortably back in the leather holster. “I just decided to keep watch.”
The sigh she released was filled with as much love as it was with frustration. “I appreciate that, but I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute, but I don’t like the idea of you being out here alone.” He grimaced. “I know Callie’s here, but she’s not going to be a good deal of help if there’s trouble.”
He narrowed his eyes, moved his head forward a tad as though trying to get a better look. “Are you wearing my shirt?”
“It smells like you,” she said.
He grinned. “The real thing smells better.”
“You’re not going to go back to the house, are you?”
“Nope.”
“You might as well come inside.”
“You know what’s going to happen if I do.”
She gave him her sauciest smile. “If I’m lucky, you’re going to take this shirt off me.”
Chapter Fifteen
With a soft sigh and a moan, Faith burrowed more snugly against Rawley. She could get used to waking up each morning with his arms around her, his scent filling her nostrils.
“Morning,” he said, his voice low and raspy, not quite as awake as other parts of his body.
Tilting her head back, she smiled at him. “Morning.”
“I need to sneak out before Callie wakes up.”
“She may already be up. I heard the front door—”
Rufus’s barks filled the air.
She groaned, buried her face in the curve of his neck. “Yep. They’re up.”
“I don’t suppose we have time to greet the day proper.”
“I would like nothing better than to make love to you, but the fella who lived in this cabin before me didn’t put a lock on the bedroom door. And Callie will just burst through because never before has there been a reason for her to knock.”
“How are we going to explain my being here?”
Rufus barked louder.
“Let’s hope she doesn’t ask.”
“Faith, she’s going to ask.” The barking grew in volume and intensity. “That girl is curious—”
More frantic barking.
“Something’s wrong.” Faith threw back the covers and scrambled out of the bed.
Rawley didn’t question her. Just snatched up his pants, but she didn’t wait on him. She drew her nightdress over her head because it was the quickest way to cover herself up. Not knowing what kind of critter had Rufus riled, she grabbed her pistol from the bedside table and ran. Her legs had never churned so fast.
