Read Online My Heart Stood Still (Sisters Of Mercy Flats 2) by Lori Copeland - Free Book Online

“Do you or Quincy know how the fire started?”
    He wiped a sooty hand across his face and she winced when she noted that blisters were forming on his palms. “It’s hard to say—a stray spark on the rug. Maybe one of the animals dragged something too close to the flames.”
    Fighting back tears, Anne-Marie longed to reach over and put her arms around his neck and comfort him. She’d made such a mess of this whole ugly incident, and she knew he rued the day he had stopped to help her.
    He turned to face her, his features and chest streaked with smoke, his hair slightly singed, his—
    Her hands flew up to cover her mouth and drew Creed’s attention from the flaming ruins. “What’s wrong?”
    Not trusting her voice, she averted her eyes and took two deep breaths. How was she going to tell him in a respectful way?
    “Well?”
    “I’m sorry… but it’s you,” she admitted, keeping her gaze fixed on a line of bare thorn bushes.
    “Me? I fail to see how anyone could find anything funny about this situation. We’re lucky to escape with our lives.”
    A hysterical giggle escaped her. Once started, the laughter took over and she couldn’t stop. Bending forward, she buried her face in the smoky folds of her skirt.
    “You!” she burst out, losing complete control when her eyes swept him from head to foot.
    Understanding finally dawned on his stoic features. Creed Walker was a funny sight in the blood-soaked nightshirt—not to make lightof the situation. He could have died going back in for Eulalie, but still…
    She bit her lip until she tasted blood and finally stepped away until she could get her giggles under control, painfully conscious that she didn’t look so good either.

    “You blame me for all the trouble, don’t you?”
    Creed’s features remained stoic.
    “You do, don’t you?” she persisted.
    “I don’t blame you.”
    “And about me shooting you, it was purely accidental,” Anne-Marie said.
    “So you say.”
    “It’s the truth. And I certainly didn’t—”
    “Enough!” Creed roared. “If you say another word, I am going to turn this wagon around and deliver you straight into the hands of the law. I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.”
    She drew back. “Sorry.”
    “Well,” Quincy announced, “I’m going to leave you two lovebirds alone while I see to the horses.”
    When he walked off, Anne-Marie settled back to watch Creed lace the material. “I could do that.”
    “Have you sewn men’s britches before?”
    “No, there’s never been a need, but I imagine I could.”
    “I’ll do it myself.”
    She focused on the tiny stiches. He was very good. Obviously he had sewn his clothing often. She knew there was more to Creed Walker than met the eye. Somewhere in his background he had been highly educated.
    Creed glanced up to study the remains of the smoldering cabin. “What’s your friend going to do once we leave? The shack is gone.”
    “She said she’d have it built back up in no time. Eulalie’s used tohard conditions. Now that her head is clear, you would never convince her to leave.”
    His gaze scanned the pile of worthless rubble. “It won’t be hard to gather enough to build shelter until spring arrives.”
    Sighing, Anne-Marie stared at the burned-out hull of the shanty. “There’s nothing left but ashes.”
    “We can bury that cat she loved, if you want.”
    “Marbles. Eulalie loved all her pets, but Marbles has been with her the longest. She would take great comfort if we buried the animal for her.”
    With the dawn, the heavy layer of clouds had parted and the sun broke through. A few timid rays held no warmth. A cold breeze whipped the limbs of an old cedar, a reminder that spring was not yet here.
    “Quincy and I will get the cat. Someone’s bound to have seen the smoke and will come to investigate. We need to move on.”
    “But you’re still so weak—”
    “Quincy will do most of the work.”
    While Creed located the cat, Quincy positioned