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“Just one thing?”

Marian let the pointed remark run off her back. “Why did you take a chance like that?”

“I’m sorry—like what?”

“Why would you borrow fifty thousand dollars to breed a horse so much like one who ended in such a tragedy? Was it for the horse—or the man? Did you really want another racing Thoroughbred, or was this one last desperate attempt to reunite with Brig Chambers?”

Becca’s green eyes grew deadly. “I think that’s about enough questions. Good day.” Refraining from slamming the door in Marian’s pleasant face, she watched the reporter step into her waiting car, make a full circle and drive down the lane. “And good riddance,” Becca mumbled under her breath once she was assured that the reporter had left the farm. Becca wanted to make certain that Marian didn’t try to snoop around the barns looking for Gypsy Wind.

“Bravo,” a strong male voice asserted from somewhere in the house.

Becca closed the door behind her and noticed Brig leaning against the staircase, just out of Marian’s range of vision from the front porch. “Have you been lurking there, listening to the entire conversation?”

Brig’s grin wasn’t the least bit sheepish. “Most of it,” he admitted.

“Then why didn’t you add your two cents?”

“With that vulture? Not on your life.”

“Chicken,” she accused with a laugh.

He came up to her and put his hands on her waist as he looked deeply into her mocking green eyes. “You did an eloquent job,” he insisted.

“And you could have helped me out.”

He touched her lightly on the nose. “Not true, beautiful lady. I think my presence here would only add fuel to the rampant fires of gossip.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that. It seems as if those fires are blazing pretty well with or without you.”

Brig laughed and his eyes twinkled. “It’s good to see you smile again,” he whispered. “You handled yourself very well and I’m proud of you. What brought about your sudden change of heart?”

“Marian Gordon’s holier-than-thou attitude might have had a lot to do with it. I suddenly realized that I had to put my life back in order with or without Dean.”

“Are you sure you can do that?” he asked, serious concern clouding his sharp features.

“I hope so. I can’t believe that he would sell out to a cheap scandal sheet like theStateside Review,”she fumed.

“There were quite a few things you couldn’t believe about your brother,” he whispered, folding her into his arms. She sighed as she leaned against him.

“The worst is that I was so easily duped. God, what a fool I’ve been.”

“Becca, we’ve all made mistakes. This whole thing about Sentimental Lady colored everyone’s judgment. Besides, it’s not stupid to love someone or care about them the way you did with Dean.”

“Unless you become blind to their flaws.”

Once again he smiled. Dear God, she thought she could die looking at the warmth of his smile. “Are you blind to mine?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered against his chest. “Do you have any?”

“Why don’t you tell me . . .” His finger touched the gentle pout of her lips, forcing them apart so he could run it along the serrated edge of her lower teeth. She touched the tip of it with her tongue and the salty impression started a yearning deep within her.

He groaned and his hand lowered to the neck of her sweater. “You’re the one who’s perfect, lovely lady,” he stated in a rough whisper. His hands gently cupped a breast through the lightly ribbed fabric of her sweater, while he softly kissed her eyelids. Feeling the weight of her breast in his palm, his throat went dry with sudden arousal. “Marry me,” he pleaded. “We’ve run out of excuses and out of time.”

His voice was as persuasive as the tips of his fingers running lightly over her nipples. He gently lifted the sweater over her head and let her naked torso crush him. “Marry me and end this torment,” he coaxed.

“You’re right,” she agreed with an acquiescent sigh. “We have run out of time. I need you.” She let her fingers twine in the coarse strands of his dark hair. His gray eyes held her bound. “We’ve waited much too long . . . let too many things come between us. I was just too stupid to understand that I have to be with you.”

“The one thing you’re not, Rebecca, is stupid.” He cocked his head as if to study her. “Strong-willed and determined, yes. Stupid? Never!”