Indigo Sky Read Free Page B

her mother rant nauseated Leila.
    “Leila, I am going to the kitchen for a knife.”
    “A knife?”
    “Aye. I’ll press it to the bump on yer head to keep it from swellin.’”
    “My heavens, does that really work?”
    “Of course. Ye get into the tub. I’ll be right back and we’ll get ye ready for dinner.” Biddy patted Leila’s back.
    Leila sank into the scented bath water. Closing her eyes, she filled her lungs with air and expelled a long, deep sigh.

Chapter 3
    Rork scanned the guests. She has to be here . He leaned an elbow on the back of a tall wicker chair on the veranda. A polished onyx pipe hung from his mouth.
    Hank sat in the chair opposite. He waved slim hands and talked incessantly between gulps of his fifth whiskey.
    Rork tried to focus on his new partner’s ramblings, but his interest rapidly waned, and he resorted to nodding acknowledgment, hearing none of the inane blabber. Once more, he searched the guests’ faces. Rork’s mind wandered to the view he’d spent the morning capturing on canvas. The water sprite dancing across the rocks had drawn him away. Her scream went right through the center of his head and made his eardrums vibrate.
    He slid his fingers together, transported back to the smooth texture of her skin and how her fragrance had filled his senses. He wanted to touch her again, touch her petite body, and those lush, tempting lips made for kisses. Never had he held a woman that exquisite. He wanted more; he wanted her. He knew, in that moment, he would move mountains to make her his. W hat in the world is wrong with me ? Damn . What am I thinking?
    “Millburn, wake up, fella. Where were you? Did you hear anything I said?”
    “Of course.” Rork jerked himself back to the present. “You mentioned, ah, Mormons.”
    “Yes. There’s a group of Mormons in Utah I want to visit. I heard some thought-provoking tales about those folks. What do you think? Are you game?”
    “Whatever you say, Hank. You run the show.” Rork studied Hank’s handsome face and smiled. Despite not cutting an imposing figure, the man was charming and had a sharp wit. He wondered if Hank’s drinking would be a problem in their new partnership. He didn’t want to work with a man who was a sot.
    “How was your day?” Hank swirled amber liquid in a crystal tumbler. His cold eyes met Rork’s gaze over the rim.
    Rork smiled as images of the mysterious beauty invaded his mind. “I met a captivating woman.”
    Leaning forward, Hank raised his eyebrows and grinned. “A woman? I want to hear more.”
    “The encounter was pretty unusual.” Rork took a sip of whiskey. “I was painting when I saw this woman crossing the brook.” His head spun. He wasn’t accustomed to strong spirits, at least not at Hank’s pace. This is ridiculous. Why do I feel the need to keep up with Hank? He took another sip.
    “And . . . was she beautiful?”
    “She was.”
    “What’s the hitch, Rork?”
    “Well, when I saw her, she was quite far away.” He smiled. “And one does not just approach a woman, however delectable.” He took another sip of whiskey. “Moments later, I heard a scream. When I looked up, she was gone, and her bonnet lay on the grass beside the brook.”
    Hank’s eyes bulged. “What happened?”
    “I raced to the brook, dived into the water, and searched for her. The recent rains had flooded the brook. I got to her just in time. She was unconscious, so I carried her out. I was concerned she may not make it, but she finally came round.” His heart took up an erratic beat.
    Hank slammed his hand down on the armchair. “Damn, fella, you’re a hero. Let’s have a congratulatory drink—salute.”
    Rork raised his glass in response. He took another long drink. “I wouldn’t call myself a hero. Just doing what any man would. Once she revived, the poor girl was so distraught she bolted.”
    “What made her so captivating?”
    Rork shrugged. He kept her state of undress to himself, as well as his