Read Online Heart of the Wild by Rita Hestand - Free Book Online Page B

day," he said quietly, and returned to cleaning and gutting the game. Minutes later he wrapped them in freezer paper, and stuck them in the huge chest freezer against the wall of the lean-to.
    "How's the hand?" she asked, glancing at the small bandage, and taking his hand in hers for a moment.
    "A little stiff and sore, but I disinfected it." His voice went softer as his eyes traveled to their hands.
    Her cheeks had to be flaming, they felt so hot. She let go of his hand slowly, not wanting to put meaning to it.
    "Funny," she mused aloud, moving away from his disturbing presence, "—but I don't remember us talking like this eight years ago."
    "We didn't share much of ourselves back then," he cleared his throat and looked away again. "Youth makes you shy and backward at that age. Too many hormones crowding you I guess. And…you didn't need to talk as much then."
    Kasie nodded.
    It would do no good talking about the past. And yet, the need lingered.
    Needing a distraction, she scanned the lean-to quickly, taking in the homemade canned goods along one wall.
    "My, you're stocked, aren't you?"
    Amory nodded, a slight smile lingering on his handsome face as he turned away from her, to put his knife in the deep-welled sink once more. He rinsed it, and set it into a drawer under the counter.
    "My neighbors and I trade off meat for vegetables."
    "Nice trade off."
    Then he was staring at her again, coming closer until he was right in front of her. Her heart stopped beating for a few seconds; her throat went dry, and her eyes evaded his.
    "Are you sure you're not afraid of me, Kasie?"
    Only of falling in love with you again.
    "N-no, of course not."
    "Good."
    He walked right past her. She let her breath out, disappointment mingled with relief. She had forgotten his charisma, something she had never fully understood. It was like a spell, his charm.
    They went inside the cabin without another word, shutting the snow and wind from the warmth of the cabin.
    "Why aren't you wearing the clothes we bought yesterday?"
    Kasie glanced on the big bed where a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt lay sprawled. "Because I must not have paid much attention to size. They don't fit. I never should have gotten them."
    "There's a parka in the closet that should work nicely for going in and out of the lean-to. The one you picked out is warm, but not good enough for blizzard weather."
    Kasie glanced at the clothes."So, where is Tanka?"
    "He should be here any time now."
    "Do you think he'll remember me?"
    "He'll remember."
    "I sensed he didn't like me back then."
    "And why is that?"
    "Just a feeling."
    "He liked you, but he thought you were too young."
    She nodded. "He was right. I was terribly naïve back then. I liked him. He had such a sense of humor."
    Amory shot her a quizzical look. "Yeah, I guess. Well, feel free to make yourself at home, Kasie, I'll be back before dark."
    He went to the closet and took out a few things before returning to her side.
    "W-where are you going?" She prodded him. After all, it wasn't as if he was going down to the local grocery store or cafe. This was the big middle of nowhere, and he was leaving!
    His eyes took her in, with one sweep of those long dark lashes. Amory didn't know he was sexy; he had no idea.
    "I'm gonna get a line on Ole Blue. See if he's been bothering anyone else around here. If I don't, the rangers will get wind of his snooping, and take care of him for good. You stay put, you'll be just fine."
    "Stay put? Not on your life. I'll come with you," she declared, grabbing the jeans her father had paid for, and pulling the curtain around the bed so she could change.
    "No." His voice held no room for argument. "It's no place for a woman. Besides, your father might arrive any time."
    Kasie shook her head adamantly, as she scrambled from the curtain in her new jeans and shirt outfit. Kasie shrugged her indifference away, her interest piqued at chasing a bear. "A woman? What's that's supposed to mean?"
    He turned to