me.” I frowned. “Do I look like God? Or a jury?” What was this guy’s damage? He ignored me and gestured to the events unfolding before us. Andrew entered a large home and waited in the foyer for what seemed like an eternity, hat clutched in his hands. Sweat beaded his brow and his eyes roved the roam, unable to focus on anything for long. He was nervous. We shifted into an office where a portly man with a bald head and spectacles stared at A ndrew. A red flush stained his cheeks. “No, absolutely not. You will not marry my daughter.” “But sir..” “I forbid it. Do you understand me , Mr. Smith?” He slammed a fist down on his desk. “Your fa mily will not contaminate mine.” We landed outside to see Andrew exit the house, his shoulders a dejected slump. He kicked a stone and swore under his breath as groomsmen brought up his horse. Swinging himself up into the saddle he galloped off. The scenery rearranged itself around us, morphing into a house. “Where are we?” “My home .” He grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs. Ushering me into a large bedroom, he said, “This is my room.” His bedroom gleamed with wooden floors and white walls. A handmade quilt covered the bed and a full length mirror stood in the corner next to a dresser. Underneath one window sat a desk made o f dark wood . “What are we doing here?” “Wait.” His voice was terse. His younger self stormed into the room and paced its length, brow furrowed in some kind of emotional turmoil. Footsteps clattered on the stairs beyond the room. “Andrew,” called a voice I recognized as Mary. She rushed through the doorway, breathless with exertion. “I came as soon as I could.” He pulled her into his arms and buried his nose in her hair, inhaling her scent. I found myself in her body again, feeling his hands tighten around Mary’s slim frame. They kissed and the stubble of his unshaven skin scraped across her face, causing her to shiver with need. Andrew pulled away from her and sank to his knee. He pulled the ring he’d offered at the picnic from his pocket. “Before we do anything else, I want to make this official. Will you , Mary Holmes , have me as your husband?” Mary cupped his cheek in her hand and smiled. Joy li t up her blue eyes and her face became radiant. “I will.” She offered her left hand and he slipped the ring on her finger. Standing he scooped her into his arms and spun in a circle as she giggled. Setting her down he said, “You’re sure?” She nodded. “I’m sure. Papa will never approve , but I accept that now . I choose you Andrew Smith. I can’t live without you. ” She kissed him and the passion between them deepened, becoming more urgent. He unbuttoned the bodice of her dress, releasing the stays of her corset. “I think we have time to celebrate before we have to leave town.” She nodded, eager. “Papa thinks I’m at my sister’s for the night. He won’t know I’m gone until dinner time tomorrow at the earliest.” “We’ll be out of the state by then.” She shivered as he kissed her shoulder. “Where are we going, D rew?” “West to California . Fat her wants to open a store there . If that’s okay with you?” “Anything that lets us be together is fine with me.” Dropping to her knees, she reached for his belt, when he moved to stop her, she said, “ Please my husband-to- be, let me love you.” Mary undid the buckle and pulled his pants down, freeing his hardness. Dipping her head, she took him into her mouth, sucking lightly. His smooth shaft filled her completely and a throbbing pulse beat against her tongue as he responded to her touch. “Mary,” he said, groaning. He ran his hands over the top of her head and knotted his fingers in her hair, gripping her tight. His hips moved with her mouth in a soft pumping motion. She tightened her lips around him, increasing the intensity and his back arch ed as he exploded . Lifting her to her feet,