Read Online Love's Dream Song by Sandra Leesmith - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sandra Leesmith
Ads: Link
Autumn’s attempts to establish ties with her Navajo relatives. It was her father who understood her need to seek out her biological roots. He’d been the only one to approve. But then, he knew the value of family ties. The O’Neills were close-knit and treasured the family history that went all the way back to castles in Ireland.
Jess stood; Autumn was not surprised. She expected him to leave, but he held out his hand for her to grasp.
“Let’s get away from here. Walk with me.”
The invitation was a clear indication of interest. Did he really want to be near her? She shook her head. “No, thanks.”
To her surprise he knelt back down. “Worried?” he gestured to the group. “Surely not about what they’re going to think.”
For several moments she searched his expression, certain now there were ulterior motives behind his request. “What’s up, Jess? Why are you really here?” Maybe he pictured the dig as an opportunity to renew their relationship. The thought both warmed and annoyed her.
He shrugged and appeared nonchalant, but she could tell he wasn’t. Too much tension radiated from him.
“There are a lot of people here. This is my ranch…”
“Seems to me, as I recall, you had demanding responsibilities in September.” That’s what he’d told her last year when she’d questioned him about his evasive behavior. “Roundup, wasn’t it?”
His expression closed. “The cattle are being driven to winter pasture.”
“And they don’t need your guidance this year?” Her sarcasm emphasized the last words.
“My foreman’s capable of handling it.”
“But he wasn’t last year?” She stood, her unexpected anger fueled by hurt.
“What happened last year has nothing to do with this.” He reached for her arm.
She shook off his hand. “Evidently not. Obviously this is more important than our relationship.”
His mouth clamped shut as he glared a warning. The silence around them penetrated her emotions. The people near them were staring.
Jess spoke low so they couldn’t hear. “You ready for that walk now?”
Anxious to escape the curiosity, she nodded and allowed him to lead her away.
His fingers were warm, his grip firm. As they wove their way through the crowd scattered around the fire, she attempted to appear unmoved.
He grasped her hand and helped her around a washed-up log. Gravel crunched underfoot as they picked their way by moonlight up the flat wash of the canyon floor. Boulders piled in jumbled formations lined the edges like the walls of a giant maze. Thorny bushes reached out and grab at their clothing. Jess pushed a long branch aside for her to pass by.
When she stepped close, Jess realized he was much more aware of her than he wanted to be. He should only be concerned about her possible connection to this drug ring. Yet when she brushed against him, involuntary longings raced up his arm. Her perfume mingled with the earthy scents of the desert air—wildflowers and sage. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the proud way she walked. It had pleased him to watch how she carried her height with such poise and ease through the crowd of people.
Ever since he’d been with her in the ruins this afternoon, he’d wanted her. He wanted to kiss those lips that smiled so readily, press her flesh against his, and feel her heart race with anticipation—like his did now. It was pure lust for her body. He tried to convince himself it was nothing more.
When they’d covered some distance, she slowed her pace and let him walk beside her. “Jess,” she murmured, “what happened between us? Why are you with me now after all this time? Are you trying to pretend the last few months never existed?”
He wished they hadn’t. “Whoa,” he said instead. “Slow down and give me one question at a time.” And how was he going to answer them? He couldn’t just come right out and accuse her of running drugs. He longed to confront her and get it over with, but that never worked. He’d
Jess stood; Autumn was not surprised. She expected him to leave, but he held out his hand for her to grasp.
“Let’s get away from here. Walk with me.”
The invitation was a clear indication of interest. Did he really want to be near her? She shook her head. “No, thanks.”
To her surprise he knelt back down. “Worried?” he gestured to the group. “Surely not about what they’re going to think.”
For several moments she searched his expression, certain now there were ulterior motives behind his request. “What’s up, Jess? Why are you really here?” Maybe he pictured the dig as an opportunity to renew their relationship. The thought both warmed and annoyed her.
He shrugged and appeared nonchalant, but she could tell he wasn’t. Too much tension radiated from him.
“There are a lot of people here. This is my ranch…”
“Seems to me, as I recall, you had demanding responsibilities in September.” That’s what he’d told her last year when she’d questioned him about his evasive behavior. “Roundup, wasn’t it?”
His expression closed. “The cattle are being driven to winter pasture.”
“And they don’t need your guidance this year?” Her sarcasm emphasized the last words.
“My foreman’s capable of handling it.”
“But he wasn’t last year?” She stood, her unexpected anger fueled by hurt.
“What happened last year has nothing to do with this.” He reached for her arm.
She shook off his hand. “Evidently not. Obviously this is more important than our relationship.”
His mouth clamped shut as he glared a warning. The silence around them penetrated her emotions. The people near them were staring.
Jess spoke low so they couldn’t hear. “You ready for that walk now?”
Anxious to escape the curiosity, she nodded and allowed him to lead her away.
His fingers were warm, his grip firm. As they wove their way through the crowd scattered around the fire, she attempted to appear unmoved.
He grasped her hand and helped her around a washed-up log. Gravel crunched underfoot as they picked their way by moonlight up the flat wash of the canyon floor. Boulders piled in jumbled formations lined the edges like the walls of a giant maze. Thorny bushes reached out and grab at their clothing. Jess pushed a long branch aside for her to pass by.
When she stepped close, Jess realized he was much more aware of her than he wanted to be. He should only be concerned about her possible connection to this drug ring. Yet when she brushed against him, involuntary longings raced up his arm. Her perfume mingled with the earthy scents of the desert air—wildflowers and sage. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the proud way she walked. It had pleased him to watch how she carried her height with such poise and ease through the crowd of people.
Ever since he’d been with her in the ruins this afternoon, he’d wanted her. He wanted to kiss those lips that smiled so readily, press her flesh against his, and feel her heart race with anticipation—like his did now. It was pure lust for her body. He tried to convince himself it was nothing more.
When they’d covered some distance, she slowed her pace and let him walk beside her. “Jess,” she murmured, “what happened between us? Why are you with me now after all this time? Are you trying to pretend the last few months never existed?”
He wished they hadn’t. “Whoa,” he said instead. “Slow down and give me one question at a time.” And how was he going to answer them? He couldn’t just come right out and accuse her of running drugs. He longed to confront her and get it over with, but that never worked. He’d
Similar Books
