“It’s perfect.”
“There’s only one problem.” His voice grew serious as he turned her back around to look at him. “My pa won’t let me build on this land and take possession of it until I have a wife.”
Emma swallowed the sudden nerves that bubbled up, thinking about her earlier worries. Was he pursuing her just to secure his land? She studied him closely. “Why did you bring me here, Hays?”
“I wanted you to see one of the reasons why I love Texas so much.” His voice softened. “I thought you might like it, too.”
She wanted to believe him—no, she did believe him. “I haven’t felt so at home since we left Minnesota.” She gazed up at him, and words failed her as she looked into his brilliant blue eyes. Even though he liked to tease, and sometimes he didn’t take things as seriously as she’d like, in the past three weeks he had proven to her that he was dependable, hardworking, and passionate about the school. No matter what she had asked, he had gone out of his way to do. Everywhere they went, people respected Hays, and not just because his last name was Hart, but because he truly cared about his neighbors. He knew almost all of them by name, and he made them happy.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she whispered.
Her heart was so full, she wanted to show him how much she appreciated his thoughtfulness—not only now, but in the past few weeks. Without giving it much thought, she rose on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek. She intended the kiss to be quick, but when her lips touched his face, she paused. His skin was warm and smelled of a spicy cologne. Suddenly she didn’t want to pull away.
His arms went around her waist, and he turned his face until his lips were hovering near hers. His sweet breath warmed her mouth, yet he hesitated.
Her heart longed to be loved, and her lips yearned to be kissed, but her head warned her it was foolish. She was leaving in a month, and even if she wasn’t, could she trust Hays with her heart? There was always the fear that he was just using her to get his land. Yet she wanted to savor the feelings he stirred in her and dive deeper until she was fully submerged under the refreshing waves of emotion. They made her feel carefree for the first time in years. It both exhilarated and frightened her.
“Hays.” It was the only thing she could think to say before his lips covered hers.
She melted into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His hand came up to her cheek, and his thumb caressed her skin just under her eyelashes. The featherlike touch sent a delicious thrill up her spine and made her deepen the kiss. She wanted him to hold her tighter, but he was gentle as he kissed her back.
One of the horses snorted behind her, returning Emma to the present.
She pulled away from his embrace, her cheeks burning and her heart thumping hard.
“Emma.” He reached for her hand, his eyes glowing. “You said it’s possible to fall in love in seven days, and I think you’re right.”
She shook her head, realizing what she had just done. She had given him false hope—had given herself false hope.
“My pa said I need to be married by this time next year or I’ll lose my inheritance,” he said. “Truth be told, that’s all I thought about the day I met you—but now I want to get married for a far better reason.”
“No.” She took another step back, pulling her hands free. “Please don’t, Hays.” She didn’t want to reject him. She liked him far too much to hurt him that way.
He moved toward her, his eyes serious. “I want you to know—”
“I wish you wouldn’t. I’m leaving in a month. Mrs. Greenfield is expecting me at the Belle Prairie Mission. I’ve promised to teach the Indian children.” She bumped into the buggy.
Hays put his hands around her waist to stop her. “Emma, I know you feel something for me, too. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have kissed me the way you just did.”
She took a deep breath and lifted the hem of her skirt to step into the buggy. “I want to go home.” To Minnesota. To a place that made sense and where she felt like she was in control of her thoughts and emotions. She hated feeling topsy-turvy, unsure what to think or believe about Hays, about Texas, and about herself. She prided herself on knowing exactly what she wanted and how to get it. This uncertainty made her feel panicky.
He let her go and walked around the buggy.
The ride back to Hartville was quiet, but Emma had nothing more to say to him. She refused to allow her heart to give way to fickle feelings. She knew what she wanted, and she knew what she needed to do to achieve her goals.
They had nothing to do with Hays Hart and his family’s town.
Chapter Seven
Main Street had never looked as festive as it did the night of the street dance. Dozens of people trickled into town wearing their Sunday best as they mingled in the dying light.