"I used to have a wild side, they'd say a country  mile wide. I'd burn those beer joints down. That's all changed now. You turned my life around.....I used to love 'em and leave  'em. I'd brag about my freedom and how no one could tie me down. Then I met you and now my heart beats true.  Baby you and me together feels more like forever than anything I've ever known. We're right on track, I ain't lookin' back. I saw the light, I've been baptized by the fire in your touch and the flame in your eyes. I'm born to love again, I'm a brand new man."                      'Brand New Man' Brooks and Dunn

Chapter Eighteen

Ace finished cleaning himself up, tossed the rag down in the washbasin and rubbed at his face. His decision to come home had been based on two things. One, he had still been pretty damn on edge and had needed to cool off alone. Two, he truly had been smelling like the backside of a horse and had wanted to clean up before he saw Penny again.

Sliding into a fresh set of clothes, Ace sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled his boots onto his feet. He was eager to get back to the ranch house and see Penny. Hell, maybe he could talk her into coming to his cabin so he could take her to the creek that ran behind it. They could sit on the bank, talk, listen to crickets, frogs, and owls, and possibly do some more of that kissing Penny was so good at.

Just as he was heading toward the front door, Ace heard footsteps pounding onto his porch and a loud, resounding knock sounded on the door he'd been walking toward.

Ace froze at the angry voice that followed. "Mr. Montgomery, I recommend you open this door immediately."

Normally, Ace would be happy to hear Penny standing outside his door. Hell, he had been on his way to see her. But those big words and that Mr. Montgomery coming out of her mouth, made him want to run and hide under his bed like a boy.

But Ace was not a boy, he was a man. A very frightened man with no idea why his woman was angry with him.

Sighing and bracing himself for the storm that was no doubt coming, Ace closed the distance to the door, twisted the lock, and opened it wide.

Standing there was a breathtakingly beautiful, and clearly enraged Penny. Behind her was a sheepish looking Gregory. Deciding to first focus his attention on his brother, and hopefully get rid of the man so he could soothe Penny's temper, Ace pointed at Gregory. "You brought my woman all the way out here in the dark after what happened today?"

Gregory rubbed his neck. "She can pretty damn persistent."

Without giving Ace time to respond to his brother's excuse, Penny turned and nodded curtly. "You can go now Gregory. Please, be careful."

"I'll be just fine, Miss Penny."

Ace nearly laughed as Gregory all but ran away. He seemed far more eager to deal with possible rustlers than with the firestorm that was Penny in a temper. Ace didn't dare laugh out loud of course, not with Penny now turning that icy gaze on him as she stuck up her nose. "May I come in out of the dark or am I to sit on this porch alone to pace all night as you left me on your mother's porch to pace?"

Oh. Well that answered why Penny was mad. What Ace didn't understand is why that made her mad. Instead of saying anything just yet, Ace moved aside and motioned her in. "My woman is always welcome at my house."

While he saw an emotion other than cold anger flash across her face, it was definitely fleeting. She was right back to glaring. When those tiny hands, went on those tiny hips, Ace wanted nothing more than to grab her and kiss her senseless.

"Am I to assume that you find it acceptable to leave your woman pacing a porch, scared very nearly to death and worried over your safety, while you come home to clean up and go where? The saloon?"

Now Ace felt his own temper rise. "Damn you, Princess, you know better than that."

She raised a brow. "Do I? Because you didn't come to me. And you look as if you're ready to go somewhere."

Ace cursed the woman's stubbornness. "I came home to clean up before I came back to you. I was shoveling shit all day and wanted to look a bit nicer before I invited you to sit at the river and listened to the crickets and frogs with me."

"Really?" Penny asked, the ice queen façade falling momentarily.

Ace smiled. "Really."

Ice queen was once again running at full steam. That foot stomped. "You're a fool, Ace Anderson! Do you have any idea how scared I was? How sure I was that I was going to lose you? And when everyone came back and you didn't, for a moment I thought I had." Tears had filled those green/gray eyes as her angry façade broke. "Don't you know how much you mean to me? I can't lose you...."

Turns out Penny wasn't truly that angry with him—she'd quite simply been terrified. "Shit Princess...." He reached out and grabbed her, gathering her up against his chest while she cried quietly. "I guess I wasn't thinkin' anything like that. I guess I just thought they'd tell you I was fine and you'd be okay."

"You're ignorant," came her muffled response.

Ace hated knowing he'd hurt her. He kissed her hair. "I won't argue with you there. I've never been in a real relationship, Penny. I'm bound to mess up now and then." He moved her away a few inches and tilted her head up so her gaze would meet his. "But you ain't ever gonna lose me, Princess. I'm right here and I'm yours for as long as you'll have me."

Instead of responding, Penny simply buried herself in his chest once again and clung to him with what could best be described as desperation.

"I really am sorry, Penny," Ace assured her.

Still holding her tight, Ace maneuvered them to the door, closed and locked it, and then made his way over to the sofa. Settling down with Penny cuddled up in his lap, Ace had a moment of disbelief.

There was a woman in his home. The home he'd built with his own two hands but had never once figured on bringing a woman into. He'd always loved this place, but to have Penny here in his arms sharing the space with him, made it feel complete. Like a piece he hadn't even realized was missing had finally been put into place.

Now that Penny was here, Ace wasn't sure he was ever gonna let her go back to his mama's.

In silence they simply sat holding one another. Ace wasn't sure how much time passed, and honestly, he didn't care. He was completely at peace. It was Penny's soft, tired voice that broke the silence. "How did it go out there?"

Ace was reminded of the helpless anger he'd felt. Wanting so badly to shoot that man and yet knowing he couldn't because that would cost him his future with Penny. "We saw the man who shot Jeremiah. He stood about a hundred yards past our property line. Somehow he knew he was safe there."

Penny raised her head and Ace smoothed a bit of hair from her face. "Why would he think he was safe there? Right where you could see him?"

With a sigh, Ace replied, "Sheriff Potter told pa the other day that the only way we can legally shoot those rustlers is if they are threatening us or riding on our property. The bastard was just sitting there. No gun in hand, no fear on his face. Just a smug damn smile that I wanted so badly to shoot off him."

Penny stiffened a bit. "Do you have a lot of experience in killing people?"

Ace chuckled. "No, Princess. I like to throw a few punches now and then but you're not sitting in the lap of a cold-blooded killer."

"I didn't mean that," she was quick to comeback.

He kissed her brow. "I know."

Ace wanted to run his fingers through that golden hair of hers but there were too many pins in his way. He began to tug at one which earned a squeal from Penny. "What are you doing?" she demanded, pulling away.

"Trying to get those pins out of my way. I wanna run my fingers through your hair. I've been wanting to for a while now."

Color rose to her cheeks. She nibbled at her lip—goddamn that was tempting. "Oh...okay..." She raised her own hands to her hair. "But let me remove the pins. If you continue to try, I'll be bald and there will no hair to run your fingers through."

He was chuckling, but that chuckle quickly faded when he saw that hair begin to tumble around her shoulders. He hadn't realized it was so long as he watched it fall down her back, nearly to her waist.

Damn. His woman was breathtaking.

Ace wanted to kiss her senseless. He wanted to love that tiny little body of hers all night long until she was collapsing onto the bed at dawn. He wanted to do a lot of things. Instead, Ace simply buried his fingers in that hair and pulled her head back to rest on his chest.

He couldn't move too fast with Penny. She liked to doubt him, and his feeling for her. If he rushed things, she would no doubt convince herself that he was only with her to get what he wanted out of her. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Ace was with her and it was a forever kind of thing—a husband and wife kind of thing.

So, he settled for playing with her soft hair as she laid peacefully against him. "Did pa come back from town? What did the doc say about Jeremiah?"

"He said Jeremiah might make it, or he might not. It depends on his will to live and whether or not infection sets in." Penny sounded tired. Ace was pretty damn worn out himself.

"I hope he makes it. Maggie's awfully fond of him."

"You and your mother both seem to think so... I guess I simply don't know them or their relationship good enough to judge. Your father doesn't seem pleased."

Ace chuckled. "No one will ever be good enough for his only girl."

Silence fell again. Ace simply breathed in the scent of her, enjoying this closeness. He began to fight to keep his eyes open and that's when he noticed that Penny had begun to sag against him and her breathing was deep and even. "Princess?" he whispered. She didn't answer which told him that Penny had fallen fast asleep in his lap.

Now Ace had to make a decision. He could do one of four things. He could take her back to the ranch house which seemed dangerous considering there were rustlers around. He could leave her on the sofa and go to the bed himself, which seemed a bit rude considering she was his guest. He could put her in the bed and take the couch himself which seemed impractical since he was a foot longer than the sofa. Option four was taking her to the bed and curling up beside her to sleep. Sure, that option may lead to a couple questions come morning, but it seemed the best out of them all.

Standing slowly and cradling her tiny body against him, Ace killed the light and made his way by memory into the dark bedroom. Laying Penny down, Ace removed her shoes and covered her with the blanket. He removed his own vest and shoes and slid under the blanket beside her.

Normally, Ace slept naked but he didn't want to throw Penny into that kind of shock come morning. Pulling her body against him, Ace knew this was it. Never had he imagined sharing his bed in his home with any woman. But Penny was his forever. It was clear to him and probably anyone who knew him, that this tiny little firecracker had tamed him completely. Ace was no longer the selfish, self-destructive man he'd once been.

He'd found his safe harbor in the woman in his arms.

****

Penny had never in her life felt so warm and comfortable upon waking up. The pillow she was snuggled up to was warm and firm beneath her head. Then she realized her pillow had a steady heartbeat and was rising and falling slowly.

She thought of the night before. Oh dear.... She'd spent the night with Ace! Her pillow, which just happened to be Ace's chest, vibrated beneath her head. "You're so damn cute when you're embarrassed."

Penny's eyes flew open as she raised her head to look at him, knowing her cheeks were flaming red. "I spent the night with you!"

Ace nodded and yawned as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Yep. Best night of sleep I've ever had." He swallowed, appearing a bit embarrassed and unsure himself. "I've never actually spent the night sleeping with a woman. I enjoyed it a hell of a lot."

Penny didn't know what to say. They had shared a bed but it was clear they hadn't done anything but sleep. It surprised her to know that Ace was capable of being such a gentleman. She was certain no one at the ranch would believe they hadn't done more.

What would they think of her? She and Ace weren't married.... It was incredibly improper that she had spent the night alone in his cabin with him. Then again, as warm as it felt all curled up to him, she couldn't seem to bring herself to truly regret it.

"You're worried about something," Ace broke through her thoughts. His brown eyes searched hers. "What?"

Penny bit her lip. "What will your family think?"

A smile lit his face. He put his hand on her cheek and guided her lips to his, kissing her in an achingly tender way. "They'll think you were finally right where you belong."

Penny lost all ability to speak and forgot what she was worried about. She pressed her lips to Ace's deepening the tender kiss he had started. A growl left Ace's chest and he was quick to respond. Penny found herself flipped to her back as Ace braced his larger frame over her and stole her breath with his mouth.

Both still fully addressed, Ace moved his body against hers in a very carnal way. Penny felt his desire for her as it pressed against her most private places beneath her skirt. Ace's hand slipped downward, finding its way beneath her skirt as he ran his fingertips against the soft skin of her leg.

Pulling away, Ace left Penny breathing hard and feeling dazed upon the pillows as he crawled backward so his lips could dance the same trails as his fingertips. Penny gripped the sheets tightly as Ace licked and nipped at her calves.

"Freckles," he growled. "I love these goddamn freckles."

Penny's heart raced. He loved something about her that she had always thought one of her worst physical flaws. That was the only fleeting thought her lust clouded mind would allow her to form before losing itself once again in all the pleasurable sensations, Ace was stirring with her.

Penny nearly cried out and came off the bed when Ace's mouth moved up and he pressed a firm, hot kiss to the thin cotton fabric of her underclothes, directly over her aching, dripping, womanhood.

Never in her life had Penny thought she could feel this kind of desire—or have a man show this kind of desire for her. All she wanted was Ace—and for him to show her exactly what a man and woman could do together.

She grabbed his shirt and tugged him upward. He came willingly and those lips once again found hers. Their tongues warred as Penny's hands gripped his shirt for all she was worth. She wanted the barriers gone. She wanted to feel Ace's leanly muscled body against hers. Moving her shaking fingers to the buttons of his shirt, Penny struggled to undo them.

Letting out a groan that sounded more animal than human, Ace suddenly pulled away and rose from the bed. "No...." His eyes were more black than brown and want was etched onto his face.

"What do you mean?" Penny asked, several moments later as she found her breath. She was hot, aroused, and felt incredibly needy as she lay upon Ace's bed all but panting. "Get back down here."

Ace rubbed his neck. Swallowed hard. Took several deep breaths. Swallowed again. When he spoke, he seemed much more in control of himself. "If I come back into that bed, it's only to hold each other."

Penny barely stopped herself from letting her own doubts and worries take over. Part of her mind kept telling her it was because Ace didn't truly want her... But that part had to be lying. No man could fake the desire he'd shown her. "Why Ace? I'm ready. I want you."

"Goddamn, Princess...." Want flashed once again in those eyes as the golden specks seemed to glow. He shook his head. "I'm not going to do that with you just yet. If I do, you'll just doubt things later, maybe even regret it. You'll start to tell yourself I got what I wanted from you because part of you still believes I'm gonna break your heart."

"No...." Penny blustered. Then she paused as he simply gazed at her knowingly. Dammit. She hated her own mind, her own doubts, her own worries.

Ace simply smiled. "I love you, Penny. I ain't goin' anywhere, and I don't want a single other person in this world at my side ever again. I'm willin' to wait until you believe me with all your heart."

Her brain quickly skittered to a stop. Her eyes widened. Shock was the only emotion she could manage. Her mouth worked up and down several times before any words would form. "You love me?"

Ace's smiled broadened, those devilish dimples in his cheeks getting deeper. He crawled back into the bed and kissed her softly. "For a woman who seems to think she's real smart, you sure don't pick up on the obvious."

Penny felt the tears behind her eyes and tried desperately to fight them. "I love you too, Ace."

Ace's lips were on hers in an instead and he was once again stealing her breath and her ability to think. Slowly, loathfully Ace pulled his mouth away. "We should probably be getting back to the ranch. It's past noon."

"What?" Penny gasped. She saw a pocket watch on the bedside table, grabbed it and nearly cried out when she saw that Ace was correct. It was twelve-thirty in the afternoon. "Oh no...." she moaned.

"What's wrong?" Ace asked, his lips dancing along her neck.

The contact had Penny trembling and her words were shaky at best. "I spent the night and half the next day with you. Your family will surely think bad of me."

Ace laughed, the vibration rushing through Penny's throat as he continued to nibble and lick. "No. They'll love you even more. You've tamed the untamable Montgomery Phillip 'Ace' Anderson."

Penny simply pulled away and fixed him with a raised brow glance. Ace's laughter rang out in the small, cozy bedroom. "And this is right where you'll be sleeping from now on, Princess. We'll bring your stuff from the ranch out here today. I'll never be able to sleep without you again."

Penny's eyes widened. She shook her head. Was the man brain addled? "That wouldn't be proper!"

It was Ace's turn to raise his brow. "Why's that?"

Because they weren't married, that's why is what Penny wanted to shout. But she didn't. Instead she stuttered and stammered. If she said those words, what would Ace say or do? She didn't want to bring the one to bring up marriage. She couldn't...

His expression was knowing and just a bit mischievous. "I think I know a way to fix this situation." He sat up and opened a drawer in his bedside table, pulling out a small box. "I bought this awhile back when I realized that you were the one person I was gonna want forever."

Penny put her hand over her gaping mouth as Ace turned to face her with that box in his shaking hands. "Penny Burkart, you are my forever. Pa was right about soulmates after all. I want you and only you and I really am hopin' you feel the same."

He opened that box and Penny felt tears slip from her eyes as she gazed at the large circle diamond surrounded by a glittering purple stone on a silver ring etched with delicate designs. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry that Penny had ever seen.

"Penny, Princess, will you marry me?" Ace's voice was trembling nearly as badly as his hands.

Penny couldn't stop her tears. "Yes!" Oh, how had this happened to her!? "Yes, Ace, I'll marry you."

Still shaking, and smiling broadly, Ace slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Penny looked down at it a moment before meeting his gaze. She froze. There were tears in his brown eyes as he gazed at her.

"Ace...."

"Don't tell a soul."

Instead of speaking, Penny leapt on the man, knocking both of them back onto the mattress. She was laughing and crying and Ace simply held her with everything he had. "I love you, Princess."

"I love you too, Ace."

Just as they became lost in yet another kiss, a knock sounded on the front door. Ace seemed ready to ignore it but Penny frowned. "Who is that?"

"Nobody important, I'm sure. They'll go away."

The knock sounded again, louder and more insistent. "Dammit, I know you too love birds are in there! Open this door or I'll shoot the lock."

Ace cursed at the sound of his sister's voice. "Don't shoot it again, damn you!" Ace bellowed as he leaped off the bed and rushed from the room.

Penny's frown deepened. Again?

She rose from the bed and took time to truly look around. The room was small but had everything someone could need. A large wardrobe was against one wall. A wash basin and small dresser were against another. A large chest was at the base of the handmade log bed. Sunlight streamed into the room through a curtain-less window.

Ace's boots lay at the side of the bed with her own lying beside them. Almost as if they were made to be there—and they were. She was going to be Ace's wife. She wasn't sure how it had happened, but Penny was done pushing the good in her life away.

Making her way into the main cabin, Penny saw brother and sister squabbling in the doorway, so she took a moment to study the interior a bit more. She hadn't done much looking in her temper the night before.

The kitchen had plenty of counterspace and nice pots and pans. Though, Penny wondered if Ace knew how to cook. She hoped he did—or else they were going to hungry quite often. Everything in the cabin was solid and built perfectly. The sofa and two armchairs around the fireplace seemed hand made as well.

"Ace, this cabin is perfect. Didn't you say you built it?"

Ace chuckled. "Surprise you?" He nodded as he looked around. "Yeah, I built it all by hand, even the furniture. It's my sanctuary—now it's yours too."

"She movin' out here or something?" Maggie asked.

Ace grabbed Penny's hand, pulled her to him, and wrapped his arm proudly around her waist. "She's gonna marry me."

Maggie didn't seem surprised. She was smiling as she said. "Poor damn woman."

Penny had no idea what to say so she said nothing. Maggie sighed. "I hate to ruin the good mood y'all are in but a message came to the ranch for Penny this mornin'. It's from the bank."

Penny didn't think that was anything that would ruin her day. "Maybe it's the papers for my loan!" She took the offered envelope from Maggie and was bouncing with excitement as she opened it.

Her excitement quickly turned to heartbreak as she read the words. She knew Ace was standing over her shoulder reading them as well.

Ms. Burkart,

We here at the H&F Banking and Loan regret to inform you that we have thought about our previous decision to grant you your loan and have decided it is a bad investment for us. We will no longer be able to service your needs.

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors

Gavin Hendershot

Ace's angry voice filled the cabin. "That no good, belly slithering snake bastard. I'm gonna teach him a thing or two about regretting decisions."

Penny shook her head, fighting tears. "No."

Ace nodded, pulling away from her. "Yes. I won't be talked out of this. He only sent this message because of what happened the other day and, dammit, I won't let him do this to you. You can either come with me or stay here but I'm going."

"Damn straight," Maggie agreed.

Penny swallowed hard. "I'll come." She had to keep her fiancé from killing her ex-almost-fiance' even as her own dreams were going up in smoke.