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

There were also winding, white scars, covering her skin like a map. He traced a scar with his fingertips, a question in his touch.


Christian didn’t answer. Maybe she didn’t have an explanation, or maybe she didn’t believe he needed to hear it. Mal didn’t push. It wasn’t his business, and if she wanted him to know, she would tell him in time. But that didn’t stop him from following the marks and welts with his fingers, delicately acknowledging each unjust hit.


Chapter 12