Malachi Hawkins left his home to move west as soon as he was old enough. Running from a family secret that he can never escape, he takes a job on the ranch of an old family friend, Lee Rose.<br><br>The first night he's there, he meets Christian Rose, Lee's foster daughter, a young woman of mixed Comanche blood. They call her a savage and treat her like the family slave, but Mal doesn't see a savage at all. He sees a woman of unbelievable strength -- and a kindred spirit.<br><br>But his secret is bound to catch up with him, and when it does, it could destroy both of them forever ...

Maybe I'm Amazed

The sky above him darkened, and he realized somebody had blown out the lamp in the second-floor window. Mal knew that should be his sign to go to bed, but he was loath to leave his comfortable step. Especially since he could still hear Christian inside. But when the light in the bunkhouse disappeared, he knew it was time to abandon the door.


Mal finished the piece of cake he still held and stood. A chorus of snores welcomed him in the bunks, and Mal hesitated. It would be easier to just bed down out in the yard, but he had the feeling it would offend Mrs. Rose if she found him sleeping in the middle of the barnyard.


Mal settled on his straw-stuffed mattress without taking off his boots and pulled his hat low on his eyes. He still tasted the cake on his tongue, and his mind was filled with visions of Christian’s shining brown eyes, and her small, almost-smile.2


Chapter 4