Kaitlin's Silver Lining

Excerpt:
Retrieving a broom from the kitchen, she tackled the littered floor. Absorbed in the chore, she was startled by the front door banging open. She whirled around, broom raised high. A tall, lanky figure swept off his hat and dusted snowflakes from his trench coat. Bryce Stanton had returned.
Youd better have a good excuse for breaking my window and running off like that. She raised the broom higher.
Holster your six-shooter, lady.
She gave him a puzzled frown.
The broom. He nodded at her weapon.
She lowered the broom, but kept it in hand. He hadnt done anything yet to earn her trust. Id like an explanation now.
He shrugged out of his coat, keeping a suspicious eye on the broom. His caution pleased her. She wanted him to know just what kind of woman he dealt with. As president of the newly formed Mountain Ridge Chapter of the Colorado Suffrage Association, Kaitlin could not afford a weak front before this man. She had to set an example for all womankind. Andshe had no desire to repeat the same mistakes shed once made with James Latham.
Before hanging up the coat, Bryce dug around in the pocket. Slowly, he pulled out a rock. Digging deeper, he withdrew a scrap of paper.
Heres your explanation. He handed her the rock.
A rock?
Yep. It sailed through your window with this attached. He unfolded the wadded up paper and held it for her perusal. She reached for it, but caught his hand instead. The sudden contact made her uncomfortable. As Bethany had reminded her time and again, she was a homely version of Adams rib. She snatched at the paper with more force than shed intended. Her odd looks hadnt bothered James. Except, shed discovered too late hed only been attracted to her land.
The paper crinkled. Youve ignored previous warnings. Maybe this one will carry more weight. Leave Denver or else.
She lowered her hand, the note still gripped between tense fingers. There had been many such warnings this past year, but none had ever resulted in violence.
Well? Bryce clearly expected a response.
She crumpled the note, crammed it in her skirt pocket, and began sweeping at the shards of glass. A prank. It was just a senseless prank.
Well, if that was a senseless prank, then we can all expect to see a herd of doggies sprout wings. His voice held a note of irritation.
She kept the broom in motion, fearing he would read the lie in her eyes. She needed many things, but she didnt need the intrusion of this stranger into her business.
Without warning, his hand shot out and grabbed the broom. Her head snapped up, incredulous he would dare such a high-handed maneuver.
What gives you the right to manhandle me like that, Mr. Stanton?
I reckon its that guilty look youve got plastered on your face. His gaze held accusation. Gone was the polite cowboy whod knocked on her door. Before her stood a hard man, a man determined to unravel the mystery. That note? That wasnt your first, was it? Youve had other threats, havent you?
Now, see here...
He let go of the broom. Urgent strides carried him past her and toward the parlor. She rushed after him. He located the stack of unopened mail. Realizing what he intended, she dropped the broom and grabbed his arm. Muscles rippled beneath her ineffective hold.