Page 3 of Clear Skies (Stormcloud Station)

She continued to stare at him, and he was just about to lower his hand in frustration, when she reached out and took it.

“I’m…Daisy.” She pursed her full lips. Was it his imagination, or had she not wanted to tell him her name? “And if you’ll let me finish what I started to say earlier, thank you for getting me out of there.” Her hand was warm and wet in his. Slim fingers lay against his wrist. Her touch was like…like time had slowed to a crawl, and they were the only two people in the world.

He shook his head and let go of her hand. He had no idea where that addled notion had come from.

Daisy. Cute name, it suited her.

“Now, can you please help me get return across the creek? I need to keep going that way.” She pointed back the way he’d come.

“I’m not going anywhere but Stormcloud. That creek is too dangerous to cross now. You’ll have to come with me.”

Her gaze went from furious frustration to outright fear as she considered his words.

“I can’t go with you. I need to get across the creek. You don’t understand…” Her words faltered, and she stared at him. “I’ve got to get home to him.”

“Who?” Dale asked.