OW

Ezra looked at the slender box, brow furrowing. “Mrs. Travis?”

“A gift,” she said, “for yesterday.”

He smiled uncertainly. “But there’s no need of any . . .”

“Yes, there is,” she countered quickly. “You stepped between me and a bullet, Mr. Standish. You saved my life; saved my son from becoming an orphan. That means the world to me. Please, open it.”

Slowly he slid the ribbon off and opened the box, eyes brightening at finding a red silk cravat inside. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

“No, thank you.” Leaning over, Mary smiled and gave her stunned rescuer a kiss on the cheek.