In Too Deep

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In Too Deep Page 27

by Mary Connealy


  “No, I wasn’t brave. I was terrified.”

  “Only a locoweed wouldn’t be afraid of armed men spewing threats. Fear is the only possible sane reaction. But being afraid of something really frightening isn’t the same as being a coward.”

  “Yes it is.”

  Ethan leaned down and kissed her until she started feeling really brave. Her arms wrapped around his neck just as he pulled away, but not so far she couldn’t hang on.

  “If a rattlesnake struck at you, you’d be afraid, right?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “That would be natural. And you’d either run or you’d shoot the rattlesnake. Neither of those things is cowardly.”

  “It’s just good sense.” Audra felt all the tensions of the day ease away, washed away by the tears and now by Ethan’s kindness . . . and his confession of love.

  “That’s right. And those men today attacked with just as deadly of intentions as a rattlesnake. Worse because a rattlesnake is only trying to protect itself. You kept your head. You picked your moment.”

  “I did. I knew about that hole and I fully intended to try and knock them into it.” Audra felt her cheeks heat up. “What a terrible thing to admit.”

  “You were thinking. You were defending yourself and your children and your worthless napping husband.”

  “Hush.” She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Getting knocked over the head isn’t the same as taking a nap.”

  She saw him smile behind her fingers and knew he was teasing her. She dared to say, “So maybe I’m not a complete coward.”

  “Not even close.”

  “And maybe you’re not a complete coward, because you faced down your worst fear and triumphed over it.”

  Ethan shrugged one of his broad shoulders. “Okay.” He kissed her. “Maybe neither of us did so bad today.”

  He kissed her again and this time she held on tight. When he paused to take a breath, Audra asked, “So where in the world do you think Wendell hid all that money?”

  “I don’t want to hear another word about your first husband while you’re in bed with me, is that understood?”

  “I’m happy right where I am. And thinking about nothing except how much I love the man I married.”

  “I was wondering when you were going to say it back.”

  The world spun away as Ethan pulled her too close for her to have a single thought in her head—except for loving him completely, passionately, deeply.

  About the Author

  Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner and a RITA Award finalist. An author, journalist, and teacher, she lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters—Josie, married to Matt; Wendy; Shelly, married to Aaron; and Katy—and two spectacular grandchildren, Elle and Isaac. Readers can learn more about Mary and her upcoming books at:

  maryconnealy.com

  mconnealy.blogspot.com

  seekerville.blogspot.com

  petticoatsandpistols.com

  Books by Mary Connealy

  From Bethany House Publishers

  The Kincaid Brides

  Out of Control

  In Too Deep

  Over the Edge

  Also by Mary Connealy

  Sophie’s Daughters

  Doctor in Petticoats

  Wrangler in Petticoats

  Sharpshooter in Petticoats

  Lassoed in Texas

  Petticoat Ranch

  Calico Canyon

  Gingham Mountain

  Montana Marriages

  Montana Rose

  The Husband Tree

  Wildflower Bride

  Wild West Weddings

  Cowboy Christmas

  Deep Trouble

  Nosy in Nebraska (a cozy mystery collection)

  Black Hills Blessing (a contemporary romance collection)

  Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

  Website: www.bethanyhouse.com

  Facebook: Bethany House

 

 

 


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