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  Slowly, she nodded against his chest. “We could do that. Only one problem I can think of.” A soft giggle punctuated her final words.

  His tension relaxed. She wasn’t turning him down. “What problem is that?”

  “Well,” she teased, “you see, my grandfather has this big-ass shotgun…”

  Dash laughed at the sheer joy flooding his system. He shifted them so he could look into her beautiful eyes. He knew that she could sense his regard even if she couldn’t clearly see him back. “Carmen Whitefeather, will you marry me? Share your home, your life, maybe even someday a family with me?”

  She lifted her lips and placed a kiss on his. “Of course I will, Dash. I love you with all my heart.”

  “Then that makes me the luckiest man alive,” he murmured. Later, after he’d kissed her thoroughly, he said, “You sure you want a man who doesn’t even own a shirt for his back?”

  Carmen’s soft, sweet laugh answered him. “I like you better naked anyway.”

  * * * * *

  Later that afternoon, they dragged themselves out of bed long enough to run into town and replenish Dash’s wardrobe a bit. They also had to talk to the cops again. At least his wallet and cell phone had survived the fire, along with his boots and jeans. Ken had dropped by to feed the animals while they slept and had left a clean shirt on the kitchen table. Thankfully, since both truck and house were ranch property, Leah had already called the insurer about those. Since he’d decided to stay, Dash figured he’d better buy a vehicle of his own anyway, but that would wait for another day. Today, he simply rented a loaner from the local dealership.

  Finally, they found themselves at Hell’s Bells, surrounded by friends and family who’d come to celebrate Leah and Shane’s return. Mac had set a table for the family right next to the bandstand, and of course he dragged the newlyweds up onto the stage for a toast. Once all the cheers and kissing had finished, Shane and Leah sat down, but Mac stayed at the microphone.

  “Now, y’all might have heard that we have a bona fide hero with us tonight. Let’s hear it for my long-lost brother Dash Hyde, who faced down a killer and ran into a burning building to rescue one of Morgan’s Creek’s own.”

  Dash felt his skin heat with a flush that probably went down to his toes as the room erupted into a cacophony of whistles, stomping and cheering.

  “Dash, buddy, get on up here and talk to the folks.”

  Carmen kicked him and nodded, and Leah and Shane both yelled his name. Reluctantly, Dash stood, but before he went, he grabbed Carmen by the hand and dragged her with him up the two steps to the small stage.

  “All right, all right. I did what I had to do, what any man in this room would have done if it was his woman in that house.”

  That brought out another round of cheers, though this one was mixed with laughter.

  “Seriously,” Dash said, feeling his throat constrict at the raucous welcome these people had shown them. “I’m really glad you seem to approve, because as it turns out, I’m going to be staying right here in Morgan’s Creek.” He waited through another round of applause then looked at Carmen and squeezed her hand. “Seems this is where my wife is going to be.”

  This time the room fairly exploded with sound. When Dash and Carmen left the stage, one of Mac’s employees was passing out glasses of champagne, and Mac led another toast, this one to the newly engaged couple. For the next half-hour, Dash and Carmen sat in their chairs as groups of townsfolk came up to congratulate them and wish them well. Dash was told over and over how glad they were to have him stay, and his heart overflowed. Not only had he found the love of his life, he’d found a place he could truly call home.

  A few hours later, both still wiped from all the turmoil of the last couple of days, he lay beside Carmen in their big, warm bed.

  “The wedding has to be soon,” he said, playing with a lock of her straight, silky hair.

  “Fine by me,” she murmured sleepily. “We can run up to Vegas tomorrow for all I care. Or let Leah put it on at the ranch in oh, three weeks or so. Whatever you want. As long as we’re together, I’m easy.”

  “As long as you’re only easy for me, that’s good,” he said. “And I think having a small wedding at the ranch is a great idea. You see, your grandfather has this big-ass shotgun…”

  About the Author

  Cindy Spencer Pape has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher and an elected politician, though she swears she got better. Her degrees are in zoology and she currently works in environmental education, when she can fit it in around writing. She lives in southern Michigan with her husband, two teenage sons, a dog, a lizard and various other small creatures, all of which are easier to clean up after than the three male humans.

  Cindy welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Ellora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile III anthology

  Exploring Ari

  Heroes of Stone 1: Stone and Earth

  Heroes of Stone 2: Stone and Sea

  Heroes of Stone 3: Stone and Fire

  Heroes of Stone 4: Stone and Sky

  Like Bunnies

  Marry Me, Marietta

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  Mistletoe Magic: Whispers of Magic

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  Three for All

  Yuletide Enchantment

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

  www.ellorascave.com