Her Dearly Unintended Read Free Page B

eyes speaking words her mouth wasn’t allowed to utter. She cradled her hand against her chest. Josiah grimaced. Then, quick as a wink he reached for her butter dish. With a scoop of his finger, he produced a creamy glob. “Here, smear this on the burn.”
    â€œI’d just molded that loaf of butter,” she gritted from between clenched teeth. “Now it’s ruined.”
    â€œKatie Ellen, you are being downright cantankerous. Give me your hand.”
    â€œButter goes on bread, not skin.”
    â€œIf that’s what you want.” Reaching behind him, he snagged a stale biscuit from the bread basket and smeared his finger into it.He offered it to her, but when she shook her head, he took a hearty bite out of it. “When do your folks get back from Fayetteville?” The hair around his forehead was drying in blond wisps. His dark brows amplified the effect of the sparkling eyes beneath.
    Choosing to focus instead on the messy floor, Katie Ellen looked away. “Tomorrow, or the day after, Lord willing . . .”
    â€œ. . . and the creek don’t rise,” he finished for her. “I’m surprised you didn’t go with them. Thought maybe you were sweet on the Freeson boy.” He finished off the biscuit.
    â€œMaybe I am.” She swooped down to snag the copper kettle lying on its side. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Junior were to ask Pa if he could call while he’s down there.”
    Josiah stepped out of her way as she deposited the kettle into the basin. “Don’t seem right a pretty girl like you would have to go all the way to Arkansas to find a fellow. Seems like there was a feller ’round these parts who was partial to you not so long ago.”
    Her mouth went dry. She blinked rapidly. How could he act so nonchalant when he’d hurt her so badly? But hadn’t she done everything to guarantee he didn’t know how she felt about him?
    And he could never find out. “Go home,” she said. “Dinner’s on the floor and I’m not hungry anymore.” The wind rattled the front door, giving her an excuse to leave the kitchen. The soggy poke leaves would have to wait. She couldn’t stay in the room with him a moment longer.
    Katie Ellen marched into the main room of the cabin, intent on going to her bedroom and slamming the door, when movement by the fireplace startled her.
    â€œPa?” she said. But it wasn’t Pa standing in her house. It was a stranger.
    The man turned around, stroking his graying beard with a bony, nearly skeletal hand. A chill ran up her back, and this time it wasn’t because of the rainwater puddling on the floor.
    â€œWhat . . . who are you?” Her elbows tightened against her side. “What are you doing in my house?”
    His beard parted to expose a mouth of teeth headed in every direction. “This your house? You don’t say.” Outside, thunder rolled and rattled the fireplace poker against the stone hearth. “You all by yourself? That don’t sound safe.”
    The hand on her shoulder nearly stopped her heart, but it was only Josiah. Only Josiah? What was the world coming to?
    â€œShe’s not by herself. I’m here.” Josiah pulled her to his side and draped his arm across her shoulders. The man’s eyes darted from Josiah to her and back again. It took every bit of Katie Ellen’s will for her to stand still and accept Josiah’s familiarity. Only imagining how she’d exact revenge made it possible.
    Water ran off the man’s layers of clothing into an ever-widening pool. “And who are you?” he asked.
    â€œMe?” Josiah squeezed her shoulder. She jolted back to the present, pushing painful memories aside. He was waiting for her to acknowledge him before continuing. With a barrel of misgivings and a thimbleful of trust, she met Josiah’s eyes. His smile was reassuring—until he