Read Online Pure Desire [Pure 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) by Carolina Barbour - Free Book Online Page B

could tell she felt self-conscious for the oversight.
    “Mother, this is Noor Rynoir. Channing brought him home,” she said. So cheerful her mother looked at Noor, then her, and raised her eyebrow, quizzically. Channing’s features tensed and his scowl intensified. Noor looked amused. She wanted to sock her brother in the stomach. Naturally, it was his entire fault she’d lost her composure and embarrassingly spoke excitedly, as if she was a child and Channing brought home a floppy eared rabbit for her.
    “Mrs.?”
    “Please, call me Fawn.” She removed her kidskin gloves and extended her hand. “Sheriff Jacob mentioned your name. You were the one responsible for assisting Channing?”
    Noor gently shook Fawn’s hand. “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    Fawn touched his arm and squeezed. She gave him a misty eyed smile, saying, “We owe you a debt of gratitude, and you are welcome in our home for as long as you wish.”
    “Thank you for the generosity, though it’s not required. I could see Channing was in a precarious situation and required assistance. The probability of him surviving questionable, my interference was necessary. Something I would have done for anyone.”
    “Well, my admiration for you remains nonetheless,” Fawn said.
    Noor bowed his head in acknowledgement of her appreciation.
    “Mother, where is Father?” Allura asked.
    “He will be inside shortly after he finishes with Dodson, who informed him as soon as we returned, someone cut the barbed-wire fence at the south pasture, and several heads of cattle and calves escaped. All have yet to be rounded up so far. There is a storm brewing, and he wanted to handle the situation before heavy rains, possibly flooding, complicated retrieving the animals.” Fawn removed her hat and blue riding jacket and handed the items to the servant who suddenly materialized. “Thank you, Nana. When you have put my things in my room, please inform Consuela we have a guest and to bring refreshments.”
    “Of course, ma’am.”
    “You think Matt Graham had anything to do with it? Did Father say?” Channing asked.
    “Your father doesn’t like to discuss Matt Graham’s nefarious deeds in my presence. I think because he wishes to curse the man and his foolish antics without me in hearing distance. Mainly, I suspect he wanted to discuss possible retaliation he doesn’t want me privy to. He knows I’m not naïve and understand sometimes one must fight fire with fire, but I don’t care to hear any talk of potential violence in detail.”
    “Father is correct in his actions, as neither you nor any woman should be exposed to nasty specificities involving guns and violence. If you will excuse me, I will see if Father requires my assistance.”
    Mortimer entered the doorway, dwarfing the frame with his broad shoulders and height. His look testy, he started in a tirade, saying, “The matter is handled, son. Luckily, the men were patrolling our borders and noticed the damage to the fence. Dodson moved on it. The animals are accounted for and the herd intact. It’s too late tonight to repair the wiring properly this evening, especially with those clouds rolling in, so he’s putting up a makeshift barrier for the night. Matt Graham is determined to be a thorn in my side. Eventually, I’ll get tired of the nuisance and pluck it out for good, preferably with the end of my Colt doing the digging. Maybe, a quick death is too good for him. I should skin him alive…slowly.”
    Fawn cleared her throat softly. “Dear, we have a guest.” Fawn spoke quietly with deference reminding her husband women were present.

    * * * *

    Allura stepped forward, next to him, and Noor tried not to react to her close proximity. The scent of her drifted into his nostrils, a heady floral, enticing, and damned distracting.
    “Father, this is Noor Rynoir, the man responsible for helping Channing,” Allura said.
    The general utterance shouldn’t have triggered a primal wanting, as