Read Online Daniel's Desire by Callie Hutton - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Callie Hutton
Tags: Romance, Historical
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didn’t believe her. Afraid for the safety of her and the children, he’d made a quick decision and stole the horse, to escape and cause a diversion.
Rosemarie.
Everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. Pretty, smart, courageous, and a little bit feisty. He shook his head, smiling as he remembered their verbal sparring. She could hold her own, but every once in a while vulnerability showed through. Someone had mistreated her. It was there in her eyes, the way she held herself. Maybe not physical pain, but she carried around the burden of hurt.
His thoughts in turmoil, Daniel got back on the horse and continued on. As he rode, pictures flashed in his mind. Rosemarie pointing the gun at him. Amelia sticking her fingers in her mouth, Chandler glowing with pride as he held up the dead rabbit. And the last — Rosemarie wincing with pain as he settled her in the kitchen chair.
What was he doing? He couldn’t just run off and leave her. She wasn’t yet capable of caring for the farm and her family, still needed his help. His mind racing, Daniel slowed the horse from a gallop to a trot to a walk to a complete stop.
Does she need me, or do I need her?
His jaw clenched. Another time and place he wouldn’t hesitate.
After staring for a few minutes at squirrels chasing each other up and down trees, and rubbing his fingers over the heavy ring in his pocket, he knew even with the fear of capture and the war raging in Virginia, where his duty lay. For now, anyway.
Daniel inhaled deeply, then tugged on the left rein to turn. A weight lifted from his shoulders as he kicked the sides of the animal and headed back.
He needed to go slow. With darkness descending, it would be dangerous retracing his steps over unknown ground.
The nighttime sounds of the woods called to him as he made his way back to Rosemarie. Perhaps he used her injury as an excuse, but he had to know, had to figure this out.
Chapter Six
Rosemarie blew out the lamp in the kitchen, and leaning on the stick Chandler had found for her, hobbled to the bedroom. Just after nine o’clock and the three children were finally asleep.
She had a heck of a time explaining to Jace and Amelia why Daniel had left and would not be back again. It tore her up to see the look of disappointment on Amelia’s little face. She cried and asked over and over why Mr. a’Coy would leave them when her mama still needed help. And she thought since Mr. a’Coy was her friend, he wouldn’t go off without saying goodbye. Chandler’s face was a mask as she explained to them about the war and Daniel’s need to return to it.
Supper had been a sad affair. Rosemarie was amazed at how quickly they’d all grown accustomed to the presence of the friendly, helpful man. She also felt the loss of something else. An uneasy, unfamiliar feeling. And she preferred not to name it. Or think much about it.
With a deep sigh, she sat on the edge of the bed and struggled out of her clothes and into her nightgown. After washing her face and cleaning her teeth with the supplies Chandler had put by her bedside, she crawled under the covers and attempted to sleep.
She lay flat on her back, her arms crossed over her middle. They’d get by. Every day her leg would continue to heal, and she would get stronger. The chickens were now cooped up again, thanks to Daniel, and the food in the root cellar would see them through the rest of the winter.
Most of all, the feelings Daniel evoked in her would end. No longer would she sense the tingling when he accidently brushed against her, or the warmth of his hands on her when he helped her from room to room. Hans had never inspired such sensations. But she must put these thoughts aside. Her children needed her.
The moonlight filtering through the window cast an eerie glow over the room. She shifted onto her side, clasping her hands together under her cheek. More than an hour passed before she felt herself drifting off.
Rosemarie’s eyelid’s popped open. What was
Rosemarie.
Everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. Pretty, smart, courageous, and a little bit feisty. He shook his head, smiling as he remembered their verbal sparring. She could hold her own, but every once in a while vulnerability showed through. Someone had mistreated her. It was there in her eyes, the way she held herself. Maybe not physical pain, but she carried around the burden of hurt.
His thoughts in turmoil, Daniel got back on the horse and continued on. As he rode, pictures flashed in his mind. Rosemarie pointing the gun at him. Amelia sticking her fingers in her mouth, Chandler glowing with pride as he held up the dead rabbit. And the last — Rosemarie wincing with pain as he settled her in the kitchen chair.
What was he doing? He couldn’t just run off and leave her. She wasn’t yet capable of caring for the farm and her family, still needed his help. His mind racing, Daniel slowed the horse from a gallop to a trot to a walk to a complete stop.
Does she need me, or do I need her?
His jaw clenched. Another time and place he wouldn’t hesitate.
After staring for a few minutes at squirrels chasing each other up and down trees, and rubbing his fingers over the heavy ring in his pocket, he knew even with the fear of capture and the war raging in Virginia, where his duty lay. For now, anyway.
Daniel inhaled deeply, then tugged on the left rein to turn. A weight lifted from his shoulders as he kicked the sides of the animal and headed back.
He needed to go slow. With darkness descending, it would be dangerous retracing his steps over unknown ground.
The nighttime sounds of the woods called to him as he made his way back to Rosemarie. Perhaps he used her injury as an excuse, but he had to know, had to figure this out.
Chapter Six
Rosemarie blew out the lamp in the kitchen, and leaning on the stick Chandler had found for her, hobbled to the bedroom. Just after nine o’clock and the three children were finally asleep.
She had a heck of a time explaining to Jace and Amelia why Daniel had left and would not be back again. It tore her up to see the look of disappointment on Amelia’s little face. She cried and asked over and over why Mr. a’Coy would leave them when her mama still needed help. And she thought since Mr. a’Coy was her friend, he wouldn’t go off without saying goodbye. Chandler’s face was a mask as she explained to them about the war and Daniel’s need to return to it.
Supper had been a sad affair. Rosemarie was amazed at how quickly they’d all grown accustomed to the presence of the friendly, helpful man. She also felt the loss of something else. An uneasy, unfamiliar feeling. And she preferred not to name it. Or think much about it.
With a deep sigh, she sat on the edge of the bed and struggled out of her clothes and into her nightgown. After washing her face and cleaning her teeth with the supplies Chandler had put by her bedside, she crawled under the covers and attempted to sleep.
She lay flat on her back, her arms crossed over her middle. They’d get by. Every day her leg would continue to heal, and she would get stronger. The chickens were now cooped up again, thanks to Daniel, and the food in the root cellar would see them through the rest of the winter.
Most of all, the feelings Daniel evoked in her would end. No longer would she sense the tingling when he accidently brushed against her, or the warmth of his hands on her when he helped her from room to room. Hans had never inspired such sensations. But she must put these thoughts aside. Her children needed her.
The moonlight filtering through the window cast an eerie glow over the room. She shifted onto her side, clasping her hands together under her cheek. More than an hour passed before she felt herself drifting off.
Rosemarie’s eyelid’s popped open. What was
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