Read Online Rebel Heart by Barbara McMahon - Free Book Online Page B

the second dumbest thing I’ve heard you say since we started living together.”
    She blinked, heat stung her cheeks. “We’re not living together!”
    “Oh, yes, we are, darlin’, in every way but sharing a bed. I can hear you shower in the morning. Watch you cooking when I come in from checking the horses. See you in good moods and bad. Watch as you rub your eyes when you’re tired and ready for bed at night.”
    He tilted the chair back down on all four legs and leaned toward her until his breath caressed her cheeks.
    “I hear your clothes rustle as you undress each night, hear your bed sigh when you crawl into it. There’s not much about living with you I don’t know.”
    Shannon stared into his smoky gray eyes as if she were drowning. He was right. She could say the same about him. She heard him across the hall morning and night, heard the shower when he bathed. She’d wondered how he managed with his cast, his bandages. She had longed to offer assistance, but had refrained, knowing it would be the most foolish thing she could do.
    She knew a lot about him, too, from the way he slept on his back, arms flung wide, to his grouchy mood if awakened before he was ready.
    But living together ? No, he was just staying for a time, then would move on.
    “It’s not like you’re implying,” she whispered.
    “It could be. Do you want it to be?” His voice was seductive, sexy, suggestive.
    Yes ! If he would only—
    “No!” Shannon scrambled back, out of danger, standing so abruptly her chair fell over and hit the floor with a loud crash. She spun and raced from the room, afraid of where her own thoughts were leading her. She heard his laughter as she slammed her bedroom door. Her heart pounded, hot blood coursed through her and her mind wouldn’t relinquish the image of them together. She was so mad she could spit!
     
     
    Shannon awoke the next morning determined to maintain a serene facade before Jase, no matter how he tempted her. She’d lain awake long into the night, hearing his words echo over and over.
    One tiny part of her longed to make them true. She’d love to live with him, share her life with him, build a future together. But the bitter reality was, she could never trust him. She’d never trust a cowboy again.
    The coffee had been made by the time she reached the kitchen. A dirty cup sat in the sink. Wandering over to the open door, she looked out into the yard. Jase stood near his truck, talking with Gary. The horse trailer had been unhitched and pushed to one side. Wondering what they were discussing, Shannon stood in the doorway, straining to catch some words, but they were too far away.
    While she debated whether to join them or not, Gary laughed and nodded, turning toward the barn. Jase climbed into his truck and started the engine. He drove off without noticing Shannon.
    She watched as the dust settled behind him, wondering where he was going so early in the morning. Turning back to the kitchen, she was relieved he had left Shadow and the trailer. At least he’d be back. Until then she hadn’t realized how much she’d feared he would up and leave. Which was stupid, he was going to leave in a few weeks. It wouldn’t matter if he left early.
    Yes, it would.
    When she worked at the morning chores with Gary, she casually asked him where Jase had gone.
    “Into town. Had some things to see to, he said,” Gary replied easily as he helped fork out the fouled straw.
    “Did he mention what?” Shannon asked.
    “No, just said he’d be back later. You need him to run some errands for you?”
    “Uh, no. Just wondered when he’d be back.”
    “Before supper, I reckon. He tell you about the plans for growing hay?”
    “Yes.” Shannon discussed the new idea halfheartedly, her curiosity rampant about what errands Jase had.
    As the day progressed, Shannon grew more and more distracted as she listened for the sound of Jase’s truck returning. Unable to concentrate on anything, she turned to