Heart of Gold Read Free Page B

one of many.” Charlie pointed to a jagged white line near his mouth. “My poor ma, God rest her soul, doctored my brother and me so many times I think she gave up on keeping our handsome mugs intact.”
    His smile drew her eyes and she traced the faint scar with her fingertip. “It’s very faint…”
    Her eyes flicked up to meet Charlie’s intense gaze. Abruptly, she realized how close they were and that she was touching his face. If she leaned a bit closer, their lips would meet… Charlie’s chin dipped and Opal panicked, scrambling backward.
    Her feet got caught in her skirt and she landed hard on her rump.
    Charlie’s lips twitched. Laughing at her again? What must he think of her? “You all right?”
    “Fine,” she snapped, untangling her skirt and standing to move to the opposite side of the campfire.
    Had she really thought Charlie was safe ? The way her pulse raced and her heart galloped indicated he was anything but safe.
    Thankfully, he looked away and shrugged back into his shirt, giving her a moment to compose herself.
    Not long enough.
    “You want to sneak off and change out of your dress?” He indicated the dark stain across the front of her gown. “I’ll fetch your satchel for you.”
    “That’s not necessary,” she said quickly. There weren’t any other dresses in her satchel, for one thing. “I’ll be fine until we reach Father’s ranch tomorrow.”
    Her dress might be fine, but would she? What was she supposed to say when she saw her father again after all this time?
     
     
    ~~~~

Chapter Three
     
    The sun was just starting its afternoon descent when they reached the Circle B. Riding into the yard between barn and house with Opal behind him felt much different than Charlie had thought it would.
    He felt different.
    Waking up on the hard, cold ground, he’d thought she would complain. But she’d simply helped them fold the bedrolls and eaten the hardtack he’d given to her without a word.
    He liked Opal. Really liked her. Liked the way she’d bossed him and the boys around. When she’d touched his shoulder—for those moments she’d been close enough to kiss—his gut had tightened into a hard little knot. He’d wanted to kiss her.
    Yes, he liked her. Too much.
    The feelings she’d resurrected in him felt too similar to what he’d experienced when he’d courted Edith all those years ago. Made him remember those lost dreams of having a wife and giving his nephew Carl some young cousins to play with…
    But Charlie needed to keep his focus.
    Frank had been making noises about Charlie taking on a partnership in the Circle B, but so far Charlie hadn’t pushed the issue. Now the boss’s daughter had his head spinning in circles, thinking things he shouldn’t be thinking.
    One thing he knew, even if he did decide to find a wife, it wouldn’t be someone like Opal Bright.
    When she left, after she realized there was no extra cash to be had, he could go back to his regular, solitary existence. He just needed to keep his head on straight until then. He was happy with the way things were. Wasn’t he?
    “We made it,” he said softly as they neared the house. “Your Pa’ll be happy to see you.”
    Her breath puffed hot on the back of his neck. He thought she’d whispered something, but couldn’t be sure what.
    Just then, Frank stepped out on the wide plank porch spread across the back of the house, a crutch underneath one arm.
    Opal’s hands clenched on Charlie’s midsection. He pulled up the horse near the porch and hopped off, then reached for his passenger.
    Her hands trembled on his chest as her feet touched the ground.
    “What happened? Opal, are you hurt?”
    Frank was off the porch, reaching for his daughter, limp barely noticeable in his hurry to get to his offspring. He must’ve noticed the rust-colored stain across the front of her dress.
    Opal avoided Frank’s embrace but allowed him to take her hands.
    Charlie watched the older man’s face pinch.
    “I’m