To Claim a Wife

Caitlin reached the side of her bed and pulled back the comforter and top sheet when a sharp knock sounded on the door. She could tell right away who it was. Only Reno’s knock could sound that demanding.

She made certain her robe was belted securely, then turned toward the door. “What do you want?”

“Mary kept your supper warm.”

Caitlin’s lips parted in surprise. The low words were gruff, but she knew Reno well enough to detect the hint of softness behind them.

Memories of his visits to the Broken B when she was a child slipped past her fatigue. Those few golden recollections of the times Reno had been kind to her stung her eyes and swamped her with nostalgia.

She stepped silently to the door and placed a shaking hand on the smooth wood. She rested her forehead against the wall next to it and tried to sound unaffected.

“I was on my way to bed. I’ll thank her in the morning.”

Silence.

Then, “Open the door.”

The low order made her lift her head and reach for the doorknob. Hurt and sudden anger made her yank the door open.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you get in your quota of hateful remarks today?”

Because she’d been unable to meet his eyes those first seconds, she’d looked past him. A heartbeat later, it registered that he was holding a tray. The sight of her untouched food shocked her. Her gaze sped up to his solemn expression.