Read Online Night Hawk'S Bride (Tyler) (Harlequin Historical Series, No 558) by Jillian Hart - Free Book Online Page A

wouldn’t set the kitchen afire and I’d clean up afterward.”
    â€œI bet she wasn’t happy when you proved her wrong.”
    â€œShe forbade me to step foot in her kitchen again, but I’m planning on winning her over. I’m not sure cookies will work.”
    How Marie charmed him. Like stars drawing the moon across the sky, Night Hawk felt a potent, undeniable attraction. Intense desire turned his blood to liquid fire. Never had he wanted anything as much as the right to draw Marie into his arms and claim her as his.
    A dangerous need. One he refused to give in to.
    Hands trembling, he pulled a currycomb out of the second pail and concentrated on grooming the horse. Long, gliding strokes along the mare’s flank that kept him from thinking about Marie.
    But he heard the tap of her shoe on the earth and a clatter of steel against the small bucket. Marie wasn’t so easy to ignore. She gently assured Kammeo there were no more cookies in her pocket.
    He should send Marie home now, while he still could. He’d finish training the horse himself and there would be no more visits. No more temptation.
    That’s what he should do.
    â€œI brought something besides the cookies,” Marie said as she watched him across the span of the mare’s withers. “It’s not for you, I’m afraid. I brought some books Morning Star might like to read. You said she rides her pony over to visit you. I don’t think I’ll get a chance to see her before school starts.”
    â€œWhat kind of books?”
    â€œA few children’s stories about horses. I hope that will keep her excited about going to school.”
    As the wind caressed her hair and the sun graced her with fire, Marie wasn’t just beauty, but spirit too.
    One that touched his.
    Night Hawk felt his steel will melt like a candle beneath a hot flame.
    How was he going to resist her now?
    Â 
    The excitement of preparing the schoolhouse was a shadow when compared to the brightness Marie feltfrom being with Night Hawk. She loved teaching but it wasn’t the reason she hummed as she tottered on the low stool to hang the curtains she’d made.
    â€œMiss Lafayette?” a woman’s modest voice broke the silence.
    The curtain rod fell from Marie’s fingers. “Goodness, you surprised me. I didn’t hear you on the steps. Please, come in.”
    Spring Rain, Morning Star’s mother, studied the desks lined in neat rows. “The children will learn well here.”
    â€œI sure hope so.” Marie hopped off the stool and rescued the fallen curtains. “I hope all your children will be attending?”
    â€œWe shall see. My husband is not sure. He doesn’t see the use in his sons knowing letters and numbers.” Spring Rain hesitated in the center of the room. “Morning Star is my first husband’s daughter, Night Hawk’s brother, and so Running Deer will allow her to attend school. Night Hawk brought your books this morning. I came to thank you.”
    â€œI hope she enjoys them.” Marie fit the wood rod over the wooden pins, and the green gingham curtains cascaded into place. “Would you like some tea? I have cookies, too.”
    â€œMy sweet tooth is my weakness.” She accepted with warm laughter. “Your father has done great things in this settlement. It has been hard with my people leaving. Only a few of us remain.”
    This was about Night Hawk, Marie realized as she poured two cups of tea.
    â€œI know that Night Hawk is training a horse for you.” Spring Rain accepted the cup and cradled it in her hands.
    â€œYes. She’s a beautiful mare.” Marie set the plate of cookies on the desk between them.
    â€œNight Hawk is an attractive man,” Spring Rain said quietly. “He has magic with horses. His father was a great horseman.”
    Marie heard what Spring Rain was afraid to say. All of it. How Father had made things better