Ellie’s anger changed direction instantly.
“That clinic barely has four beds.”
“I know.”
“The miners use two every week.”
“I know.”
“Women come thirty miles for childbirth.”
“I know.”
Jasper’s mouth almost curved.
Ellie glared.
“Not now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She looked down at the deed.
A thought occurred.
“The clinic board didn’t know you owned the land.”
“They knew Cain Holdings did.”
“Cain Holdings?”
“My father liked paperwork.”
“You own more property?”
Jasper hesitated.
Ellie narrowed her eyes.
“How much?”
“Some.”
“How much is some?”
“Depends which direction.”
“Jasper.”
He looked genuinely uncomfortable.
“Most of the northern timber leases.”
Ellie stared.
“The sawmill?”
“Minor share.”
“The freight yard?”
“Quarter.”
“The hot spring hotel?”
“Half.”
Her mouth fell open.
Jasper looked toward the stove.
“I don’t like town.”
Ellie laughed.
She could not help it.
The huge, battered mountain man sitting in a rough cabin lived like a trapper while quietly owning significant portions of Copper Falls.
“Samuel knows?”
“Some.”
“Mercer?”
“Probably not.”
Ellie laughed harder.
Jasper looked wounded.
“This is embarrassing.”
“You killed a grizzly and stitched your own side but wealth embarrasses you?”
“I didn’t kill it.”
“What?”
“Samuel exaggerates.”
“What happened?”
“I shot it.”
“That sounds considerably more reasonable.”
“It still fell on me.”
Ellie laughed until she had tears in her eyes.
Jasper watched her.
His expression softened.
Finally Ellie quieted.
She looked at the deed again.
“I’m still angry.”
“I know.”
“This doesn’t mean I’m staying.”
“I know.”
“You may have to take it back.”
“If you ask.”
Ellie looked up.
“If I ask?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll undo everything?”
“Yes.”
“What if I sell it?”
“I’ll sign whatever is required.”
“What if I lease it to people you hate?”
“I’ll complain privately.”
She smiled despite herself.
“What if I leave Wyoming?”
His expression changed.
Pain.
But he answered.
“Then I hope you send letters.”
Ellie’s heart tightened.
“You really mean that.”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“I want you here.”
His voice roughened.
“But I don’t want the deed to become another kind of lock.”
The anger drained from her.
Not completely.
Enough.
Ellie folded the document carefully.
“I need time.”
“Take it.”
“I’m still leaving in three days.”
Jasper looked as though someone had struck him.
But he nodded.
“All right.”
Ellie placed the deed inside her medical bag.
Then she looked at him.
“Come here.”
He blinked.
“What?”
“I’m still angry.”
“That sounds dangerous.”
“It is.”
He stepped closer.
Ellie reached up.
Caught his beard.
Pulled him down.
And kissed him.
Jasper froze for one surprised heartbeat.
Then he kissed her back.
Carefully at first.
Ellie deepened it.
His hand settled at her waist.
She felt the warmth of him.
The restraint.
The desire held behind it.