Leah yanked her shirt free from a thorn bush, causing the material to rip. Thorns scratched at her arms as she pushed through the dense underbrush. When she ducked under a low lying branch, a spider's web clung to her face; she clawed at the threads, attempting to wipe them away. Maybe speeding through these woods hadn't been the best plan of action.

She continued on but at a slower pace. As of yet, she'd not heard any sounds of pursuit, and a feeling of victory rose up. She climbed over a fallen log, then stopped and observed her surroundings. Trees, shrubs, and more trees.

Paradise.

Acutely aware of the birds chirping, of the leaves rustling from a gentle breeze, of two squirrels bickering, Leah decided she'd be happy to stay here for the entire day.

When she felt that she'd placed a significant amount of distance between herself and the mansion, Leah noticed a disfigured tree and hurried to it. Its thick trunk was bent sideways near the base, creating the perfect perch. She hoisted herself onto it.

She had intended to sit there, to feel the silence of nature. But her excitement bubbled in her chest the longer she sat, and she released it in one loud squeal. Startled birds dashed from their perches as her voice echoed among the trees.

Leah grinned and leaned against the upright part of the trunk. She closed her eyes in another effort to relax but soon pondered the events of the morning.

She'd surprised even herself by leaping from the window. She wondered too what Mr. Adams's reaction had been. If he'd been watching. I guess I don't really know for sure. For that matter, she didn't know if it was him that had removed the makeshift rope either.

His handsome face shimmered in her mind's eye, and against her desires, her heart beat faster. A small tinge of regret stabbed her pounding heart. It would have been nice to have spent the morning with him.

"He's definitely the prettiest man I've ever seen," she muttered.

"Who's pretty?"

Now she was even hearing his voice.

"I don't think ignoring me will make me disappear."

Her eyes opened wide. She moved to sit straight and look behind her. Instead, between jerking upright and craning her neck, Leah found herself falling for the second time that morning. She hit the ground, and all breath shot from her lungs. When her mouth opened to suck in air but found none, panic gripped her.

I can't breathe! she wanted to scream,and her lips opened as if to do so. She rolled onto her side, pressed her face into the moist earth, heard his footsteps running toward her. Then, she was turned, and Mr. Adam's concerned face came into view. As he pulled her into sitting position, air finally rushed into her deprived lungs. She gasped loud, noisy breaths until breathing no longer seemed a treat.

Suddenly, Leah realized her situation—Wren rubbing small circles on her back and her head leaning against his very firm chest. Searing heat flamed up her neck and burned her cheeks. Still, despite this embarrassment, she had little desire to pull away.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was so soothing. Grateful her face was hid in the folds of his shirt, she closed her eyes and inhaled his masculine scent. Where on earth had he come from? Mars?

"Miss Kingsley, work with me here. I need to know if you're hurt."

"I'm okay." His hands left her back and moved to her shoulders. Disappointment seared her when he started to pull away. "Oh, oh... My head," she moaned and promptly returned her head to its original position. "It's throbbing." It wasn't. But Wren Adams didn't need to know that little detail.

"You must have hit it. We should probably get it checked at a hospital."

Her first instinct was to argue, but she clamped her mouth shut as a new plan formulated. If she were hurt, Daddy would fire that new butler right away. Mr. Adams would become the hero, and Daddy would invite him to dinner. Or something like that. As a means of gratitude, of course.

"I'm sorry, oh!" Her apology was drowned as Mr. Adams lifted her into his arms, bridal style. She forgot her façade and lifted her head and stared into his eyes. Her resolve almost crumbled upon glimpsing genuine concern there.

"Rest your head. I'll make sure you get home safely."

"Th - thank you..." She didn't need to be told twice. She snuggled against him and soon relaxed. If there was a heaven, she thought, then she'd just found it.

Another chapter up after a LONG break. I received many messages about this book, and I appreciate the excitement about it. :D I've decided to get this book done so it isn't hanging over my head. My only apology is that it won't be extremely edited or re-written in any way, unless there's obvious head hopping. I've really got a lot going in my writing life... But something tells me you guys care much less about perfection than I do. Haha! I'm going to try to let go of mine for this book. 

Hugs,

Ariel