Excerpt: Past into Future

“Why don’t you sleep for a while?” he suggested. “Dark’s coming within the hour. Sleep’ll do you as good as the meal did.”

Ann twisted her head. Saw that the sun had indeed dropped while they’d talked. She felt her eyes close against the strength of the setting sun. She leaned back, turned on her side, and nestled her head on a bent arm.

“Thanks for the dinner,” she murmured.

Ann knew she’d fallen asleep the moment she felt herself jerk awake. Trembling, she sat up. Must’ve just dozed, because the sun was just inching below the horizon.

“Go back to sleep,” he said from her left side. She lifted up to her elbow and twisted to look around. He squatted, back to her, as he stared into the sky.

“I was dreaming,” she admitted. “I don’t want to sleep any more.”

He tilted his head to look back at her. “Why not?”

She shook her head. Didn’t want to tell him. He was so strong, so sufficient in himself. He’d think her a wimp, if he didn’t already.

He turned his attention back to the sky. Ann sat up, bit back a groan at the stiffness of her body. Fighting to keep her eyes open, she watched him watch the sky. At each sound of a night animal settling in for the night—or waking to prowl the darkness—she jumped and twitched.

“Sleep, Ann. You don’t want me to tell you again.”

“No.” Silent tears rolled down her face. She shook her head when he rose with a creak of his leather chaps and came to stand over her. Why did he do that? Didn’t he know it intimidated the hell out of her? Or would if she wasn’t so punch-drunk sleepy.

Maybe she’d better own up to one more fear. Then he’d leave her alone.

“I...” She licked her lips. “I’m…afraid I might not wake up again.” She grabbed his knee with both hands. Felt him jerk in response. “What if I don’t wake up?”

Damn, but the cowboys in the movies could learn a lesson or two from him. He looked down at her face, then at the hands still clutching his knee. But he didn’t speak and he didn’t give away his thoughts. She didn’t say feelings because she wasn’t sure he had any. She certainly had no idea what he thought behind those locked eyes, what thoughts roamed under that ubiquitous hat.

“Lean back.”

She fell back without concern. Wiggled until her butt felt cradled by the ground rather than stabbed by bony sticks.

“Lift your chin. Look at the beautiful night sky.” His voice was hypnotic. Ann tilted her head back. The sky between the swaying leaves twinkled. He was right. It was truly beautiful. And lulling. She eased her face toward him. And felt a throbbing pain bloom in her jaw just before she felt nothing else.

Cole leaned over her prone body. Her arms were outflung above her head. He turned her face back to the sky, ran a thumb over her jaw. So, she’d have another bruise. But she’d sleep for a while.

And he wouldn’t have to worry about her attacking him in the night. ‘Cause he needed to sleep for a while too.

He’d need all his wits at hand in the morning to decide what to do with the crazy con-woman he now had to deal with.