Bella wandered around the homestead, just peeking into the outer buildings when she came across them. She'd seen the smokehouse and chicken coop. She was pretty sure that a small house located not far off from the main house was Carmen's residence since she'd said that her house was close by. There was another medium size building with windows and when she'd peeked inside she'd seen a bunch of beds lined up against both walls. She figured that's where some of her brother's workers lived, but it didn't seem to be used very much.

When she saw all the sharp and dangerous looking tools inside one shed she decided that that wasn't the best place for her. Knowing her luck she would have a clumsy moment and end up hurting or even killing herself.

The final building she left for exploration was the second largest building next to the main house, the barn. It was not like the paintings she'd seen in magazines or picture books and she decided that she would ask Emmet why he hadn't bothered to paint it. She'd expected it to be red with white trim.

It was nice though. It was neatly kept and there was a fence surrounding the front end that housed some of the smaller livestock including a couple of goats and some geese. She could hear the sound of other animals coming from within and curiosity took the better of her. Moving to the gate, she tried to figure out the latch to it, but just couldn't and after a few attempts at pulling at the black metal, she gave up.

Looking down at herself she chewed on her lower lip as she took in her long reddish brown skirt, white blouse, and extended her foot out so her dainty brown leather boots peeked from beneath the hem. It was the most comfortable outfit she owned, and while it had been suitable for sitting in parlors back in Chicago, she knew it wasn't suitable for climbing fences.

She was about give up her exploration of the recesses of the barn when she looked towards the barn entrance and saw a tiny kitten peek around the corner. It looked at her, mewled, and disappeared into the shadowed barn again. Now she was dead set on getting in there. She'd always wanted a kitten.

Hiking up her skirts, revealing her pristine white petticoats and pantaloons, trimmed in lace, and her brown stockings, she started to climb. As she reached the top and straddled the gate, one leg perched on each side, she felt a sense of triumph. She hadn't fallen!

Grinning brightly she swung the leg still perched on the outside of the gate over and tried to find her footing, but as she did it connected with the latch of the gate. She might not have been able to figure out how to open it when she was trying, but her foot was successful on first contact.

As the latch unlocked the heavy gate, swung open quickly, helped along by the extra weight she added to it. Her shrill cry pierced the air as she clung to the gate for dear life, but as it swung open and then started to swing back just as quickly under her weight she lost her footing and started to fall.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion. She was falling and as she tried to clutch at the gate her silk blouse got caught on a loose nail. A horrendous rip filled the air and she landed backwards on the ground with a loud, "Oof!" As she lay there stunned, she found one of the goats had come up and was sniffing at her hair which had fallen out of its loose bun.

She was staring up at the sky squinting against the bright sun, assessing whether she'd hurt herself or not, when the sun was suddenly blocked out by the silhouette of a man in a cowboy hat. The strong, soft voice laced with concern made her catch her breath.

"Are you all right, miss?"

She blinked and just lay there, stunned, though she wasn't sure if it was because of her fall or her reaction to this man's voice. Either way she could only lie there, trying to see who this man was, but the sun shining brightly behind him like a damn halo prevented her from seeing him clearly. The man shooed the goat off and squatting down next to her had asked with more concern. "Ma'am? Ma'am…?" There was a bit of urgency in his voice now and she closed her eyes and managed to groan out, "I'm…I'm all right. I think…"

The man chuckled at the 'I think' part and he reached under her to help her up into a sitting position, his arm wrapping around her in support. "Easy does it," he said as he kept her there, her body cradled against his chest and she finally had the presence of mind to look at him. Now she was breathless again.

He had to be the most handsome man she had ever seen. Gorgeous features including startling green eyes, a strong, and chiseled jaw line covered in stubble that just made him seem more rugged and handsome. "Did you hurt yourself?" he asked, but she didn't answer and could only stare. Arching a brow he gave her a crooked smile.

She blushed brightly in return and gave him a shy smile back, but she still couldn't find the words to say anything. Perhaps the fall had knocked her dumb. Leaning in the handsome stranger whispered in her ear, "I'll carry you inside, ma'am, but you should, uh, perhaps cover up a bit? I'm enjoying the view and all, but…"

At first she had been so mesmerized by the feeling of his warm breath against her ear and neck that she hadn't processed what he was saying. Then she looked down at herself and realized the front of her blouse was completely torn open revealing her camisole and corset. Gasping she sat straight up, no longer leaning against his arm for support and she fumbled with the torn pieces of her blouse, trying to hold it together.

She heard the man next to her chuckling even as he stood up, lifted his cowboy hat, and ran his hand through his thick, messy hair. She was sure she was blushing five shades of crimson. She couldn't even look at him.

Under her breath she whispered, "This is the most mortifying moment of my life," and shyly glanced up at him.

The man chuckled again, giving her a lopsided smiled, and without a word he untucked his shirt from his trousers and proceeded to unbutton it. Now she sat there, mouth agape, as he pulled it off revealing a lean, muscled torso. She'd seen statues in museums her parents had taken her to, but this…this was true perfection and she felt a feeling the made her feel like jelly as she gazed as his bare skin.

"It could be cleaner," he said, "but, it'll just be for a while till we get you inside the house." Without a word he tucked the shirt around her before his arms slipped under the crook of her knees and her back as he lifted her off the ground. The movement sent her eyes flying to his again and this time it was his turned to be stunned as he looked into the deepest, most beautiful wide brown eyes he'd ever seen.

It didn't take him as long to find his voice though and as he cradled her a bit closer and he whispered hoarsely, "I'm Edward. Edward Masen."