didn't even notice the press of gravel and grass against her back or feel the heat of the night wind against her skin. Her entire universe consisted of this man above her.
Georgina's hands flew to circle Daniel's neck and pull him closer. He came willingly, cradling her in his arms as he pressed his kisses deeper. She felt the rasp of his tongue, the heat of his passion, and she arched upward with a groan to experience more. It couldn't be like this. The fall from the train must have knocked something loose inside her. But she couldn't stop kissing him back. She couldn't stop anything he wanted to do to her. She moaned against his mouth as Daniel's hand circled her breast.
The impact of two other bodies falling somewhere down the line didn't intrude upon their reverie. The scrambling sound as the other pair righted themselves didn't come to their attention. Even when two pairs of feet stopped almost on top of them, they were too engrossed in exploration to notice.
The sound of a masculine voice right overhead brought Georgina abruptly to her senses.
"I trust that isn't a pile of cow dung you found to wallow in. We'll have a hard enough time finding shelter for the night."
Above her, Daniel choked and pulled partially away, but his arms kept her protectively surrounded. Georgina gradually became aware that she was wearing little or nothing and Daniel's legs seemed to be sprawled between hers, but she made no effort to move. Her gaze traveled with interest to the pair of boots standing beside them, then moved upward until she measured the source of this unwelcome invasion. She had never seen the man before, and in the darkness, she couldn't tell a lot about him, but he had the whitest grin she'd ever seen on a man.
"You and Evie find shelter. We're fine just where we are," Daniel answered gruffly, keeping Georgina covered with his body.
The stranger chuckled as a woman peered around him, and Georgina began to feel the first flush of embarrassment. She shifted slightly and released her grip on Daniel's neck.
"Aren't you going to introduce us, Danny? After we came all this way, it's the least you can do.".
There was laughter in the woman's voice, and Georgina closed her eyes in shame. It was obvious from the disorder of their clothes that these two had just jumped off the train with them, but despite their dishevelment, they were garbed elegantly, and they knew Daniel. She was about to meet his family while half dressed and making love in a cow pasture.
Daniel didn't seem to find their presence particularly amusing either, but reluctantly, he assumed a seated position and pulled Georgina up with him. She wrapped her robe around her and looked for her shoes.
"Evie, this is my wife, Georgina. Georgie, my sister and brother-in-law, Tyler Monteigne. Like bad pennies they turned up at the train station after you left."
Georgina couldn't think of any etiquette that covered greeting new relatives while sitting in a cow pasture after jumping off a train. She wasn't certain if she was more shaken by the jump or by Daniel's kiss. But this unexpected introduction left her speechless. She just buried her head against her knees and hoped it would all go away.
She heard Evie laugh and say, "That's the most honest reaction I've seen in a long time. I'm certain it will be a pleasure getting to know you, Georgina, but let's try it in the morning. I see a farmhouse down the line. We'll meet you there."
"Are they gone yet?" Georgina whispered as the feet moved away.
Daniel chuckled and pushed a strand of hair away from her forehead. "They're out to fast-talk some chickens out of their roost, I suspect. We ought to get your shoes on and catch up with them. There's a few hours left in the night, and I can use some sleep before we start looking for a way out of here."
Sleep. Georgina lifted her head and stared up at Daniel. His arm was still around her waist, and she could feel the heat of him against her. She wasn't at all certain that sleep was what he had in mind.
It very definitely wasn't what she had on hers.
Chapter 22
"Mama Sukey tells me Ben's been courting. Is it serious?"
Daniel hobbled up behind the other couple and spoke as if they were gossiping at a house party. Georgina tried to pull her wrapper tighter, but the pair in front of