With the warm southern wind that blew outside and the cook stove that burned inside the little cottage was very warm. The biscuits needed to finish baking so Olivia had no choice but to keep the fire going. She got up from her chair and opened the eye of the cook stove and with a lift gave a final stir to the fire. Just as she put the lift back on its peg the wind shut the doors closed. With a piece of wood she found by the stove she wedged them open. 

The biscuits were ready to take out and she grabbed the hot pan with the corner of her apron and placed them on the windowsill rack to cool. Now, she could let the fire die down. It would be more bearable to stay indoors and work on her dress.

Some time later Olivia was still working on altering the dresses she got from Mrs. Helms. She tried to figure out how to get the two dresses fit together as one. One of the dresses was a pale yellow, the skirt of the dress was still nice and the fabric was usable. However, the top of it was already showing wear on the sleeves and shoulders. The dark yellow dress had the upper part of the dress in need of a few alterations, but the fabric was in good condition. After Olivia worked for a while there was some progress. Finally, the new dress was almost finished. She was so excited!

She had never owned anything this nice.

Austin saddled his horse and swung into the saddle with ease. Lately, it's turned out that his destination was the southern pastures. Not being even aware of his constant want to see her he always scanned the area hoping to find Olivia. So far he was disappointed, for each time he looked around she wasn't there.

Sunday at church the Jade brothers stood shoulder to shoulder in the first row reserved for them. The Jade family's huge donations to church insured them the best seats, reserved for wealthy patrons. They were an impressive sight to see: tall, handsome with broad shoulders, and dark hair combed in the latest fashion. There were a few girls at the church that longingly looked at them. While the minister was speaking Austin was turning his head little by little to see if she would be there, and she was.

He forgot to breathe for a second; she was striking. She was wearing a two tone yellow dress. Her hair was braided, but this time her braid was falling like a cascade over one shoulder. Olivia was a picture to behold. She was talking to an older woman standing beside her, with her violet eyes shining.

When her eyes lifted and looked into his, he almost lost his footing. Damian , who stood beside Austin gave him a gentle shove with his elbow, "The minister is over here not back there," he whispered to him under his breath. Austin reluctantly turned back to pay attention to the service.

At the end of the service he rushed to turn around to look for her, but she wasn't there anymore. He rushed to get outside as fast as he could. He scanned the churchyard for her, but once again she was gone. Olivia didn't stay and hang around to chat like so many young girls from Kenth. 

He decided to start his plan in action seeing their neighbour Matt Ewans with his family, he approached them. 

"I hear you need an extra hand at your ranch, I reckon I have someone that would be perfect," he said while he shook hands with Matt Ewans.

***

Rushing out of the church, as usual, Olivia cut through the churchyard before anyone came out of it. She changed immediately into her work dress and got to her chores. Olivia fed the chickens and tidied up their living space. By afternoon she had supper done and was working on making cushions out of the leftover fabric.

Her dad walked in and she could tell he wasn't himself. It took her some time to get it out of him.

"I was let go of my job, Olivia. I'm sorry we might have to move again. It's because of my age, Liv. You should maybe start thinking about the marriage for yourself. Tommy is a nice young fellow. He'll make a good husband. He likes you, think about it Olivia." Olivia hated to see him like that, he was a proud man and was worried about her and it showed in his tired voice. She knew he felt as he somehow failed her. 

Just when they thought of what to do next the sound of horse's hoofs reached the cottage and Matt Ewans dismounted his horse.

"Albert! How do you do? I was just passing by. I've just talked with one of the Jades. I know this is unusual visit, but I have a proposition for you." 

It was like the sun came out all over again. They can stay, they don't have to move which would have been devastating at this point, they'd finally made some kind of a home.

Ewans explained he needed someone immediately for the roundup and then after to stay on working in the stables. One of his workers moved back east to try his luck in a big city.

Olivia dabbed at few tears that appeared at the corner of her eyes. After their unexpected guest left, she asked her father the question formed in her mind.

"Papa, what was the reason they let you go from Big J?"

"It's a shortage of work I was told. With their roundup finished, there were plenty of steady cowboys to do my job. We won't talk about it. I just got a new opportunity and all will be well. You still should think about getting yourself matched, Olivia. I'm not getting any younger."

"I promise to think about it, papa. Rest now, tomorrow will be a long day for you, roundups aren't easy." She didn't want to bring any more worry to him and tell him that she would never leave him alone. Her heart was too big for that. She gathered her basket and decided to spend the rest of the day outdoors.

Olivia gathered her usual plants by the banks of the river. She looked up and saw that the rider on a horse approached. It was Austin Jade.

He was the last person Olivia wanted to see at the moment. He got down and strode towards her looking very smug. She could hear the spurs jingle with his every step. The leather boots he wore weren't new, but they were custom made by one of the best shoemakers in Elms. Olivia looked up and found herself looking into the deep of his blue eyes.

The clouds floated up in the sky and the water rushed down the stream, but Olivia wasn't aware of any of it.

Her big violet eyes were wide open, and her pupils dilating. He came even closer to stand right in front of her.

"How are you Olivia? I'm glad to see you here! You look so lovely today."

Naive and innocent Olivia felt something wasn't usual here. He was way too friendly for a person who let her father go a couple of days ago. The thought entered her head as fast as it went away. If she wasn't so innocent and inexperienced she would recognize the look in his eyes for what it was. The look of want and lust.

She somehow regained her senses. "Mr. Jade, good day!" was all she managed to say.

Olivia was very innocent when it came to men. She was not used to their attention. Tommy was closest she ever got to someone courting her.

Austin made a few more steps towards her.

When he was standing right in front of her she couldn't think at all. She trembled while he touched the side of her cheek with his hand. Austin didn't lose any time. He felt the texture of her silky hair in between his fingers. He felt her tremor. It was all the encouragement he needed. With his other hand, he circled her tiny waist and drew her closer to him.

Austin bent his head and their lips touched and at first he gently nibbled on her. The moment had magic in it. Olivia was absorbed in his closeness and unsure of what was happening to her. He was lost in the pure sweetness of her; she was the sweetest thing he ever tasted. He never wanted anything more than he wanted her at that moment. Letting her go was something he was incapable of doing.

The hot desire shot through him taking over and he brought her even closer to him. Tasting her he groaned in want. He had never gotten this aroused this fast by any woman.

She fitted to his body like she was made for him. The soft curves of her body were perfect for his exploring hands. Her hands resting on his chest between them moved up to hold his muscular arms. Her mouth was like a sweet honey opening for him to explore. She made a feeble attempt to push him away, but he had too much strength for her to be able to accomplish that.

After a few moments he could feel her relaxing under his expert kisses and timidly returning them. Without letting go, Austin shed off his sheepskin jacket, and laid it under the nearby willow tree, and then he brought her down with him. His hands lifted her skirt with magic touch, and then they slid up her slender leg. Her skin was creamy, soft and warm driving him wild.

He managed to free himself of his breeches, they were getting uncomfortably tight. His expert fingers found the core of her desire. Olivia, who never felt like this before only managed to make a soft moan in her throat.

Too experienced for her, he played her like master player playing an instrument, and as a master he made the right moves to get the best tunes. She was helplessly lost in his kisses the pleasure of him taking over her senses. He was beyond stopping or holding back, and thinking wasn't the part of his abilities at that moment.

He pushed with his hardness against her soft folds nudging his way to her centre. "Don't", it came out as an anguished whisper. Olivia tried to get a grasp of what was happening to her, but her desire overruled her reason. Beyond registering the words he pushed further tearing her innocents away. She was only aware of slight pain and then the bliss of his closeness escalated into the want for him.

Only hot, unstoppable desire was present. The feel of her sweet lips under his, her moans were soft. His thrusts were coming faster and harder, and soon he found his release. Breathing hard, he rolled on his side with her and then it hit him. What had he done? Realization brought the hot fury with it, mostly at himself, for he didn't mean for this to happen.

It never should've gone this far and at least not until he was ready to deal with a few issues. He was going to establish the rules of their involvement first. He knew that that girl like Olivia expected marriage, but he wasn't ready for that. In his fury he wasn't able to think clearly and his thoughts run in the direction of his defense.

The thought entered his mind, 'She is trying to trap me like every other female I know.' They all tried the same, but he never got this weak and lost control with any of them. Laura served her purpose to prevent that, but the need for Olivia was stronger.

Olivia felt like she was waking up from a dream, and the shame of what they did hit her with its full force. What did just happen to her? She knew she let everyone down. Olivia was even too ashamed to look at him. She pulled her skirt down her legs and fixed her top. She could feel him watching her.

She was desperate to be on her way. After she made a few steps his ice cold words reached her.

"Don't think because this happened between us I'm going to marry you. It's not possible! If those were your intentions of you giving yourself to me, I have to set you straight! Any kind of union is not going to happen." There was fury in his voice that cut through her heart.

She was in a state of shock and not able to respond. There were no words she could find to express herself. He took her innocence, true, she didn't do much to stop him. Her inexperience was partly to blame for her lack of resistance and the rest was her desire for him. She didn't have a chance against her attraction to him. She stopped and tried to process his words.

Why was he saying that to her? The first traces of tears threatened to spill so she started to walk and pick up the speed. Olivia without a word to him fled as fast as she could.

Austin hit the ground with his fist, that didn't go well. The haunted look in her eyes bothered him. The part of him wanted to take her back into his arms and comfort her.

He wasn't accustomed of being denied of many things he wanted. If he wanted something usually it was done or bought for him. The Jade's money was a powerful thing.

She was long gone before he made it to the river and washed himself. Good thing her father doesn't work for them anymore. It was always complicated and too much hassle to be involved with hired hands or any other member of the staff.