Chapter 1

Leanna was lost. She had been past this particular tree twice now. The reason she knew this was that she had set three stones beside it, just like she had been taught. Grandfather had tried to teach her. She just wasn't the best student.

At 23, she should be married with babies by now. Not running around the countryside, alone. It wasn't proper and she put herself at risk of being thought of as a loose woman. In 1902, women were considered spinsters at her age and if caught out wandering alone, someone might think she was like one of those 'Ladies' that lived in the brothel in town. Her reputation would be ruined and she'd never marry! Part of it was that she had taken care of Grandfather for the last 2 years - no time for romance. An independent streak that Grandfather said she got from her mother didn't help either. The men that had been interested in her found her too forward and opinionated. Not very good wife material. She also exuded an unconscious sex appeal that men liked in a mistress, but disturbed them when contemplating a wife.

Well, now what? No horse. No water. No food. And it should be dark in about an hour. Why had she thought that she would remember that short cut? Annie had only taken her that way once and it was from Grandfather's farm to Annie's house in town. Going in the opposite direction had gotten her all turned around. She had never had a good sense of direction and Grandfather used to say she could get lost going from the kitchen to the dining room. 'Damn!' Leanna looked around quickly with a guilty feeling hoping no one heard her cuss - and then hoping someone did!

Sighing deeply and picking up her skirt, she started to set off again but stopped after only a few steps. Which way to go? The sun was in the west, but she had no idea if she should follow the sun or not! Suddenly tired and at her wits end she sank down to her knees, tears welling in her eyes. She leaned against the tree and closed her eyes.

Leanna woke abruptly, terrified. It was dark! She was still lost and now she was hungry and thirsty and it was DARK! As she sat there crying, she heard a sound. She got very quiet and held her breath. Standing slowly and trying to be very quiet she listened but could only hear her own heartbeat. What if it was an animal? She turned to the tree and looked for a way to climb it, but couldn't get a good purchase.

'Miss?' When she felt the hand on her shoulder she screamed and pulled herself into a ball at the base of the tree.

'There, there, I'm sorry! I should have said something but you were so ... please stop, I'm so sorry!' The stranger stepped back, hands raised, the look on his face almost panic stricken at her tears and the abject fear on her face. He also noticed that she was beautiful. Creamy skin, pale eyes, her golden hair caught up in a ribbon that couldn't contain the curls that fell around her face. Her day dress had a proper high neckline, but did nothing to hide her womanly curves. And her curves were very alluring. James kept murmuring his soothing noises and after a bit, she seemed to calm, her crying turning to sniffles, but her fear still palpable.

'I'm James Turner. And you are? Please tell me your name. Are you lost?'

Hiccups prevented her from speaking at first. When she could finally speak, she looked at him for the first time.

'I'm Leanna Grayson and yes, I'm lost. I've been lost all afternoon and now it's dark and I'm hungry and I didn't even bring a horse today because I thought I'd enjoy the walk! Even the stupid horse knows where home is!' She pounded her fists on her thighs in frustration, momentarily forgetting that she was alone in the woods with a stranger.

'Do you live in town, or on a farm?' James asked this while taking his canteen from his saddle and handing it to her. While she drank her fill, he pulled out some jerky from his bag. She took the jerky eagerly and thanked him before confirming that she lived on a farm.