He neared the boardinghouse. Light shone out from one lone window, and within its glow, he saw the silhouette of a woman gazing at the stars. He wondered if she was making a wish.

He leapt onto the porch, grabbed the beam, and hoisted his way up to the top of the eves. Bracing her hands on the sill, she leaned out the window.

"Mr. Montgomery, what are you doing?" she asked, concern clearly etched in her voice.

"Coming to see you, Miss Robertson."

"Are you insane? You could break your neck."

"It would be no loss, I assure you." Balancing precariously, he cautiously made his way across the slanted roof over the porch until he reached the area that was even with her window. He held out his hand. "Come and join me."

Her eyes became as round as the moon. "And risk breaking my neck?"

"I swear to you that I will not let you fall."

She seemed to hesitate as she clutched the front of her nightgown. "I'm in my nightgown."

Her unnecessary revelation amused him. "I assure you that I have seen women in much less. Besides with the slant of this roof, there is not a great deal I could do to compromise you, but if I were to slip in through your window --"

"I'll come out," she said quickly.

He smiled and reached for her. "I thought you might."

--From Never Marry A Cowboy by Lorraine Heath
© February 2001 Lorraine Heath used by permission