Refining Fire (28 page)
Authors: Tracie Peterson
Tags: #FIC042030, #FIC042040, #FIC014000, #Man-woman relationships—Fiction, #Seattle (Wash.)—Social life and customs—19th century—Fiction
“But,” she continued quickly, lest she lose her nerve, “the thing I kept coming back to was that I wouldn't be able to share your company anymore. We've been friends for so very long, but I kept wondering if there was something more between us. Something more personal.”
At this he smiled but said nothing. Abrianna felt ten kinds of fool for blathering on about her sentiments, but she knew she might well explode if she left the thoughts unsaid.
“Then I thought again of Mr. Welby and my distaste for his kiss, and I found myself wondering . . . well . . . about kissing
you.” She closed her eyes. “There, I've said it, and now I can surely let the matter go. I feel so relieved. You can laugh at me if youâ”
He wasn't laughing. Instead, without asking her permission or giving her any warning, Wade took her in his arms. Her eyes flew open just as he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. It was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. Almost against her will, her arms went around his neck. When he pulled away, his expression was quite smug.
“Oh.” She could form no other word.
He gave her a most self-satisfied smile. “There. Does that answer your question, you silly hoyden? I've wanted to kiss you for a very long time, but you seemed far too preoccupied with everyone else. I wasn't at all sure there was room in your thoughts for me.”
She swallowed hard, wishing very much he might kiss her again. He certainly had addressed her concerns about whether or not she might enjoy the kiss of a man. That moment had proven it only needed to be the right man. Finally, she felt sense returning to her.
“I . . . well . . . yes. I suppose it does answer my initial question. Unfortunately, it brings to mind a great many others. I'm afraid I'm just as confused as I was before.”
He didn't seem at all concerned. Instead, he sat back down and patted the ground. “Why don't you come sit beside me, and perhaps we can sort through that busy little mind of yours and figure out a way to lessen your confusion.”
She sank down without giving it another thought and gazed in awe at his handsome face. “How do you propose we do that?”
He chuckled softly. “I have a couple of ideas.”
Tracie Peterson
is the award-winning author of over one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling H
EIRS
OF
M
ONTANA
and A
LASKAN
Q
UEST
series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie's website at
www.traciepeterson.com
.
B
RIDES
OF
S
EATTLE
Steadfast Heart ⢠Refining Fire
L
ONE
S
TAR
B
RIDES
A Sensible Arrangement ⢠A Moment in Time ⢠A Matter of Heart
L
AND
OF
S
HINING
W
ATER
The Icecutter's Daughter â¢Â The Quarryman's Bride â¢Â The Miner's Lady
L
AND
OF
THE
L
ONE
S
TAR
Chasing the Sun â¢Â Touching the Sky â¢Â Taming the Wind
B
RIDAL
V
EIL
I
SLAND
*
To Have and To Hold â¢Â To Love and Cherish â¢Â To Honor and Trust
S
TRIKING
A
M
ATCH
Embers of Love ⢠Hearts Aglow ⢠Hope Rekindled
S
ONG
OF
A
LASKA
Dawn's Prelude ⢠Morning's Refrain ⢠Twilight's Serenade
A
LASKAN
Q
UEST
Summer of the Midnight Sun
Under the Northern Lights ⢠Whispers of Winter
Alaskan Quest
(
3 in 1)
B
RIDES
OF
G
ALLATIN
C
OUNTY
A Promise to Believe In ⢠A Love to Last Forever ⢠A Dream to Call My Own
T
HE
B
ROADMOOR
L
EGACY
*
A Daughter's Inheritance ⢠An Unexpected Love ⢠A Surrendered Heart
B
ELLS
OF
L
OWELL
*
Daughter of the Loom ⢠A Fragile Design ⢠These Tangled Threads
L
IGHTS
OF
L
OWELL
*
A Tapestry of Hope ⢠A Love Woven True ⢠The Pattern of Her Heart
D
ESERT
R
OSES
Shadows of the Canyon ⢠Across the Years ⢠Beneath a Harvest Sky
H
EIRS
OF
M
ONTANA
Land of My Heart ⢠The Coming Storm ⢠To Dream Anew ⢠The Hope Within
L
ADIES
OF
L
IBERTY
A Lady of High Regard ⢠A Lady of Hidden Intent ⢠A Lady of Secret Devotion
R
IBBONS
OF
S
TEEL
**
Distant Dreams ⢠A Hope Beyond ⢠A Promise for Tomorrow
R
IBBONS
W
EST
**
Westward the Dream ⢠Separate Roads â¢Â Ties That Bind
W
ESTWARD
C
HRONICLES
A Shelter of Hope ⢠Hidden in a Whisper ⢠A Veiled Reflection
Y
UKON
Q
UEST
Treasures of the North ⢠Ashes and Ice ⢠Rivers of Gold
A Slender Thread ⢠All Things Hidden*** ⢠House of Secrets
What She Left for Me ⢠Where My Heart Belongs
*with Judith Miller **with Judith Pella ***with Kimberley Woodhouse
