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readings lingered.
    As perspiration gathered under the heavy bun at the nape of her neck, she wondered at the wisdom of not accepting Mr. Piper’s offer. Mercy, the air was stifling. She used the deck to fan herself but received little relief. Possibly she should return to the boarding house.
    A large, black horse trotted up the center of town. Even at this distance, Sheriff Riley’s broad figure and confident posture were easy to recognize. From under her lashes, she watched the way his impressive body moved in rhythm with the horse’s gait, and her heartbeat fluttered. Back east, most people walked or rode in carriages. A single rider on horseback looked so strong and rugged.
    Someone shouted and stepped into the street, raising a hand to catch the sheriff’s attention. He reined in, bending over the pommel to speak to the person.
    Ciara focused on his hand resting on a muscled thigh, the same hand that had grasped her elbow and escorted her into the café. The memory of the previous day’s encounter caused her blood to heat again. Or was that from the afternoon sunlight?
    She wished for her fan to cool the flush that crept up her neck and over her cheeks. The horse eased back into the street and headed in her direction, its rider fixated on her spot under the tree. Although she couldn’t see the sheriff’s dark eyes under the brim of his hat, her skin tingled with the awareness his look caused. Several seconds passed as she sat still, trapped by the sensations running through her body.
    When he reined in his horse, she looked away, braced a hand on the ground, and levered herself up. She needed all the height she could get. Her boot heel caught in the hem of her petticoat, and she stumbled.
    A strong hand wrapped around her waist and held tight. “Steady.” His husky voice was close to her ear, his breath ruffling the springy tendrils that escaped her bun.
    At the tickling sensation on her neck, she inhaled with a gasp and willed her body to subdue its response to this virile man. “Thank you, sir. My feet are under me now.” His arm was firm and steady, preventing her from falling, and for just a moment, she leaned into the security his solid body offered. Even if her body heated more.
    Security was an unfamiliar feeling, unknown for the years since first her grandparents and then her mother took ill. Unknown when Ciara had to find whatever jobs she could to provide for them all. She’d almost forgotten what leaning on another person felt like, but couldn’t allow herself to get used to the experience. Life had taught her she had only herself to rely upon. With a small sigh, she straightened and stepped to the side.
    He dropped his arm and leaned over to recover the shawl. His chin dipped in greeting. “Miss Morrissey. You were waiting to talk to me?”
    Stepping out of the tree’s shade brought her into the sunlight, and she blinked, trying to focus. As a spot of blackness threatened her vision, she swayed and reached out a hand. The muscled chest she touched felt as solid as a brick wall, and her fingers closed around a fistful of cloth. “Oh, my stars.”

Chapter Three
    “Are you ill, miss?” The sheriff stepped in front of her and supported both her elbows, peering at her face.
    “Only a trifle overheated.” Ciara attempted a smile, but tilting her head to look into his eyes rocked her equilibrium, and she almost stumbled. If only she could pull a full breath into her lungs. “Maybe we could go into your office…”
    His expression hardened, and his eyes flashed. “No. What you need is a cool drink and maybe some food.” He tucked her right hand into the crook of his elbow and started walking, a scowl darkening his expression.
    The quick movement pulled her forward, and she struggled to catch her balance. To keep up with his long-legged gait, she stretched her stride to the limits of her skirt. “Excuse me, Sheriff Riley. Are you particularly anxious about obtaining your meal?”
    “Anxious?