Read Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek) for Free Online Page B

have a few dollars in her hands. Since I saw her coming from Angeline's Dress Emporium, I assume she was there to collect the last of her pay." Zachariah leaned forward. "She accidentally dropped her money, and she was frantic. She scoured the dirt for every last coin as though her very next meal depended on it. I realize this marriage wasn't planned and that you're none too happy about it, but Jake, you're both young. You have your whole lives ahead of you. Why spend the rest of it miserable?" His eyes probed Jake's. "Go home, Jake. Spend some time with your wife. Get to know her. Make her happy. You never know, it just may make you happy as well."
    ***
    Laura slammed the door. The sound reverberated off the log walls, reinforcing--again--how alone she was. But that was about to change. She'd made some decisions as she'd walked off the humiliating experience with Zachariah. Jake may feel trapped, but he wasn't the only one. And as soon as he arrived from work--no matter the time, as she was prepared to wait all night--Laura planned on telling Jake just how she felt.
    Unfortunately, she hadn't found a solution to the problem with her father, but she had until Friday to come up with something. In the meantime, she'd deal with Jake. Feeling stronger for her decision, she set out to make supper. Whether Jake deigned to come home or not, Laura was going to make a fine meal. Even if she was to eat it alone, she wasn't going to wallow any longer. From this moment forward, she was going to make sure that Laura Gibbs had some happiness in her life. Since nobody else was concerned enough to see to it, she was going to see to it herself.
    Donning her apron, Laura went down to the root cellar. Using the garment as a bowl, she filled it with carrots and potatoes--she didn't think she'd ever get used to having so much to choose from--and made her way to the kitchen. Movement out the window caught her attention. Horse and rider were charging toward the yard, churning a cloud of dust behind them. She recognized the man in the saddle and, despite her unwavering resolve to stand up for herself her heart began to gallop as fast as Jake's incoming horse. Judging by the speed of his arrival and the fact that it was the middle of the afternoon, she knew his grandfather must have told him she'd been in town.
    No doubt he'd come to reprimand her. Well, he was in for a surprise, wasn't he? Laura dumped the vegetables on the counter, wiped her hands. She watched Jake rein in his animal and tie it to the hitching rail. Apparently, he planned on leaving again once he spoke his piece. Laura took a deep breath and shot her chin upward. She wasn't the only one who was going to get a talking to.
    When Jake came in the door, Laura was sitting at the table. Though she planned on standing up for herself, she was going to do so in a calm, logical manner.
    His cheeks were red; his hair showed the impression of the hat he always removed before stepping into the house. He smelled of the wind. No matter that it wasn't a real marriage, Laura couldn't prevent her body's reaction to him: racing heart, damp palms, a clutch in her belly when his gaze connected with hers. It would be so much easier to be a wife in name only if every time she saw him she didn't wish he'd open his arms and welcome her within them.
    "I spoke to my granddad," he said, taking a chair at the table.
    "I figured you must have, to be home at this time of day." She ignored his grimace and carried on. "Jake, I can't stay confined here all day. I'm not used to being idle and there is only so much I can do around the house. Once summer is here, I'll have a garden to tend, but until then I refuse to be all but penned like one of your animals. Yes, I went to town, and no, I won't apologize for it. And," she said when he opened his mouth to argue, "I'd like you to start coming home for supper. We're married, and despite your feelings about that, I don't think it's asking too much for you to come home.