Read Online Texas Haven by Kathleen Ball - Free Book Online Page A

and got up. She had a spine, a backbone and she wasn’t going to let him ruin her day.
    Annie felt better for making a strong stand and got herself dressed. She’d go through her day as though nothing bothered her, but deep inside her heart was breaking. She swore herself for a fool, imagining herself dancing naked around the room. Nobody ever loved her and maybe nobody ever would, but she had a wonderful place to live and she had hope for children. That would have to be enough.
    The days were beginning to get warmer. Annie skipped breakfast and decided to work in the vegetable garden. It was her garden now and she felt a sense of pride as she looked at it. She wasn’t exactly sure what was what, but everything was planted in neat rows. It obviously needed tending and Annie grabbed some gloves and proceeded to weed it, laughing often at Cat’s romping and exploring. She had been at it for about three hours when Burke rode in. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she watched him. God, he looked so masculine and she felt her body responding to him. Her nipples tightened as he drew near.
    Annie stood up too fast and swayed a bit, feeling dizzy.
    I’ve probably stayed out in the sun too long , she mused.
    “You’ll need to wear a hat out here,” Burke admonished her. He gave her a long look and locked on her chest He gave her a roguish look and almost laughed as she blushed. “What’s for lunch?”
    “I’m sorry, I wanted to finish weeding, and I forgot the time,” she explained.
    Burke looked at her sunburned skin. “Don’t you wear sunblock in the city?”
    “I couldn’t find any.”
    He looked over the garden and she could see his face grow irritated. “Don’t tell me, you’ve never gardened before. You’ve pulled up more plants than weeds,” he sighed.
    “All I can do is apologize, Burke. I do have a lot to learn.” She turned away from him and started toward the house with a frown. She suddenly stopped and whirled on him. “You know I’ve been bullied and hurt by every man in my life! Hell even my mother didn’t love me. Somehow, I thought you were different. I should have stuck to what I know: men can’t be trusted and they just hurt you in the end!”
    She thought she saw a look of regret in Burke’s eyes before he turned and walked toward his horse. Sadly, she watched him ride away, feeling as though all her hopes and dreams were riding away with him. She stood there until she could no longer see him.
    Her head ached and she started to feel the pain of her sunburn. Slowly she went in the house and took an aspirin for both her head and burn. Next, she found a bottle of aloe and slathered it all over her red-burnt skin. It soothed the outside of her, but there was no soothing her broken heart.
    Maybe she should have known better. She had seen his temper on occasions, but somehow she dismissed it. How could he be so kind and gentle one minute and so irritated another? Annie supposed that was just the way of men.
    It hurt to move, her shoulders, arms and face were on fire. It was a good thing she wore jeans or she wouldn’t be able to walk. Annie went into the family room and sat on the worn sofa. She could still feel the house embracing her, welcoming her, inviting her to make it her home. Sadly, she didn’t know if she could accept such an invitation. She wondered about all the Dawson women before her and if they had such hard men to live with. A strong breeze came through the front window bringing the fresh scent of the red and yellow roses with it. Somehow, that brought her comfort. She knew she was strong enough to fight for what she wanted. The problem was that she wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore.
    Gingerly she got up and went into the kitchen, made a simple stew and set it on low to simmer. She set Cat’s food on the floor and took a moment to watch her eat. For such a little thing, she sure ate a lot. Slowly, she made her way upstairs and climbed into bed, their bed, and promptly fell