.

his lean waist. He had horseman’s thighs and he wore scuffed high-heeled boots designed to remain in the stirrups when breaking speed records on the back of a horse.

      This was definitely the man she had kissed last night. Minus the bristly whiskers, she tacked on. Now he was clean-shaven and she wondered if she’d enjoy kissing him even more without those whiskers.

      Bri mentally pinched herself when she realized she was staring at his sensuous lips and studying his striking appearance like a dazzled schoolgirl. It amazed her that she felt such an instant and compelling physical attraction to him. For all she knew he might be a hired killer. Whatever his profession, he was appealing—in a rugged sort of way—and he drew her attention and held it fast.

      When his alert gaze roved over her plain blue cotton gown then refocused on her face, she didn’t know why she felt insulted by what appeared to be his indifference and his quick dismissal. Nonetheless, she was disappointed. She swore that she saw him smirk before he schooled his face in a carefully disciplined stare. Obviously he’d taken one look at her and found her lacking.

      True, she wasn’t wearing the most expensive gown she owned and she didn’t approve of putting on airs the way Eaton did, but she did look presentable…didn’t she? She looked better than when she wore the dowdy gray gown, bonnet and shawl that practically made her invisible in the shadows.

      “And your name is?” she replied while he studied her with a stare that was no more flattering than the first.

      Honestly, she might not be a raving beauty like some of the debutantes who attended soirées in Austin, but she’d never had a man show such a complete lack of interest. Usually men paid her more attention than she preferred.

      “Captain Hudson Stone,” he said in a no-nonsense tone. “You can call me Hud. Your father ordered me to contact you. I am to escort you to camp since he is on inspection and is occupied with field reports.” He stared pointedly at her. “Perhaps you can schedule your next visit during a time when the commander isn’t exceptionally busy. You might save both of us valuable time.”

      She arched a challenging brow and crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you lecturing me, Captain?”

      “Is that what it sounded like?”

      Hud stared at her with feigned innocence and watched her hypnotic indigo eyes flicker with irritation. If she was upset by his insult then too damn bad. He was tired, cranky and annoyed that she was so strikingly attractive that it took all his willpower not to react to her. He wanted her to be the female version of Winston Price. She was anything but.

      She was positively alluring with those almond-shaped eyes that were rimmed with long sooty lashes. Her oval face was the color of peaches and cream and her pert nose gave her a bit of an impish appearance. Her curly mane of gold hair seemed to catch fire in the early morning light that streamed through the window. He had to clench his fist to prevent himself from burying his hand in those flaming curls.

      Hud hated that he found everything about Gabrielle Price appealing. Lusting after an engaged woman was unacceptable. Especially this one. She was also the commander’s daughter.

      “I don’t know what I have done to annoy you, Captain. Or are you just one of those surly individuals who wakes up in a bad mood and never overcomes it?” she asked with a sticky-sweet smile.

      Extremely attractive…except for that sassy mouth, he corrected. Maybe that’s what Commander Price meant when he claimed Gabrielle was unique.

      When she snapped her fingers in his face, disciplining him like an absentminded child, he jerked up his head and glared down at her from his superior height. His steely-eyed stare didn’t faze her one whit, he noted.

      Feisty and combative, too, he mused, adding to the list of her annoying traits. The more the better, he thought.

      “Damn good thing you’re pretty,” he muttered under his breath.

      “Say again?” she demanded.

      He shrugged. “Nothing important.”

      “I figured as much. I’m sure my father kept his best Rangers for patrol duty and left you for me.”

      He bared his teeth. Not to be outdone, she did the same. They were off to a rocky start. Not that he cared. Escort detail kept him from his crusade to avenge Speck Horton. Because of this delay, a cold trail would be damn hard to follow.

      And that snide remark she’d made about other Rangers being more competent? He’d like to shake her until her teeth rattled for saying that.

      “You saved me the trouble of seeking out a guide,” she commented as she strode over to gather her two satchels. “I still can replace you if you prefer. Apparently you have taken an instant disliking to me, Captain.”

      She had that right…and wrong. He liked her—in an exasperating sort of way that defied common sense. He had expected a whiny little daisy of a female. Instead, he had clashed with an iron-willed woman who didn’t back down easily and gave exactly what she got. He doubted she could follow orders worth a damn, either. Despite the fact that her father had spent two decades in military service and law enforcement, he hadn’t managed to teach Gabrielle Price discipline.

      When Hud dallied too long in thought, she snapped her fingers at him again, which aggravated the hell out of him.

      “Well? Shall I seek out someone else, Stone? Are these questions too difficult for you? I can speak slower if necessary,” she taunted unmercifully.

      Hud blew out a breath. “No, I’m under direct orders from your father,” he replied in a brusque tone. “With any luck, we will dodge bloodthirsty outlaws and Indian war parties to reach bivouac without killing each other. I’m up to the challenge if you are.”

      “Definitely.” She nodded her head and sunlight sparkled in that glorious mass of curly golden hair again. “I’m ready to leave whenever you are.”

      “At first light tomorrow…if you can drag yourself from bed that early,” he added caustically.

      She smiled snidely at him. “I’m an early riser. As you can see, the early bird is here to greet the worm.”

      Bri bit back a grin when Hud’s amber gaze narrowed on her. If he wanted to continue exchanging insults, she was up to the challenge. In fact, she rather enjoyed matching wits with this particular Ranger, who obviously drew the short straw when it came to unwanted escort detail. He was stuck with her and he wasn’t the least bit happy about it. He had no qualms about voicing his displeasure, either.

      “I see no reason why we can’t leave this morning,” she insisted. “I’m packed and ready to ride.”

      “I have other duties to attend while I’m in town.”

      “Like what? A visit to the nearest brothel and saloons? A diversion to compensate for the unpleasant duty of acting as my guide?”

      “Precisely. You’re more insightful than I anticipated,” he countered. “Might as well have some fun when I can. Clearly, we aren’t going to get along well during our journey through a region where danger is the rule, not the exception. I’m warning you now that this is no place for the faint of heart and the tender of foot.”

      She snickered at his turn of phrase.

      “I’ll give you a day’s rest so you can keep the swift pace I set, Mizz Price.” He stepped closer, eclipsing her with his size and stature. “Just so you know, my longtime friend and fellow Ranger was murdered recently. I was trying to track down the bastard who shot Speck Horton in the back, stole his badge and left him to coyotes. Have you ever seen what a pack of hungry coyotes can do to a man, Mizz Price?”

      She grimaced at the bleak prospect. “No.”

      “Consider yourself lucky because it isn’t pretty. Speck was my friend and dragging myself here to fetch a greenhorn, who arrived on a foolhardy whim doesn’t set well with me.”

      He stared her down—and