Read Online Renee Ryan by The Outlaw's Redemption - Free Book Online Page B

my plain bonnets into pretty masterpieces.”
    “Masterpieces?” Hunter turned the word into a question he lobbed in Annabeth’s direction. His mouth twitched slightly, presenting a momentary dimple in his cheek so fast she nearly missed it. The floor shifted beneath her feet for a brief, disorienting moment.
    Focus, Annabeth.
    “I had no idea bonnets could become masterpieces,” he added when she continued to stare at him, unresponsive and dumbfounded.
    Unclamping her lips, she said, “You have no idea.”
    His smile widened.
    Oh, perfect. The man was incredibly charming and appealing when he smiled like that. All big and charming and muscular and handsome. And...and... charming.
    Annabeth strove to match her detachment of moments before. An impossible feat when she couldn’t take a decent breath.
    She suddenly felt brittle, on the verge of breaking.
    As if sensing the change in her, a shadow crossed over Hunter’s face, giving him a concerned expression. The face of a man Annabeth could see putting the people he loved first, protecting them and bearing their burdens at times.
    What would that be like, she wondered, to know she was safe, always, never needing to fear the unknown? What would it be like to no longer worry about the future, or her reputation? To have someone stand by her side, no questions asked, a man who knew who—and what—her mother was but didn’t care? Who maybe enjoyed Mattie, accepted her, understood her even.
    Shifting impatiently between them, Sarah tugged on Hunter’s arm. “Want to see one of my bonnets?”
    “I would indeed.” The smooth amusement was back in his voice and Annabeth let go of some of her hostility toward the man. Sarah was so happy.
    “I’ll be right back.”
    The child skipped out of the room, leaving Hunter to stare after her. For a brief moment, he didn’t bother hiding his expression. Shadows swirled in his gaze, dark and emotional, full of longing, hope and pain. So much pain.
    Annabeth felt like an intruder, watching him this closely, and yet pulled toward him, too. The need to comfort stronger than the need to keep up her guard, she took a tiny step toward him, reached out and touched his arm. She didn’t expect to feel anything, but the impact was like a physical blow.
    She quickly dropped her hand.
    Seemingly unaware of her disturbing response to him, Hunter slowly turned his head in her direction. His face was paler than usual, his features taut and intense. “She’s really my daughter.”
    Why deny the truth? “Yes.”
    “I— She—” He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and cleared his throat. “It’s...astonishing. She has my eyes.”
    That had been the first thing Annabeth had noticed when she’d met Sarah a year ago.
    “And my smile,” he said, wonder in his voice.
    “She has your build, too.”
    He nodded absently. “Tall and lanky, like all the Mitchells at her age, even the girls.”
    He looked fierce and proud as he spoke, and completely unashamed of the joy spreading through him. But then his expression changed, bursting with other emotions. Determination, conviction. Unrelenting resolve.
    Hunter Mitchell was going to claim Sarah as his daughter. Annabeth tried to follow all the threads to their logical conclusion, knowing the gesture was a waste of time. She’d already lost the niece she’d grown to love as her own child.
    The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
    How would Annabeth ever survive without her niece?
    Sarah was so sweet, so eager to please, so willing to accept a stranger in her life without question.
    Annabeth sighed. It hurt to love this much.
    Breaking her train of thought, Sarah darted back into the room, her hands overflowing with ribbons and pieces of silk, her smile full of excitement.
    An identical expression spread across Hunter’s features.
    Again, Annabeth felt like the intruder.
    “Here it is, Mr. Mitchell, my latest creation.” Sarah hopped from one foot to the other. “Look, see, right