My Guardian Knight Read Free Page A

breath.
                  “You can trust him, Mama.  He’s a lawman.”
    Amanda gazed into Matthew’s eyes, wondering absently if she had ever been so innocent and trusting, and vowing that she would do whatever was necessary to keep his innocence intact.
    Sebastian stepped up beside them just then, motioning to a small white clapboard building.  “Why don’t we have some supper?”  He took Matthew’s hand and charged off, leaving Amanda behind him, outraged.  That pretty little restaurant would surely be too expensive for her, and who did he think he was, anyway, to make sudden announcements and take off with her child in tow?
    She caught up to them as they were being seated at a table.  She sat down and turned on Sebastian, hissing, “I hope you do not consider yourself a gentleman, Marshal Knight, after leaving me alone at the train station like that!”
    He smiled.  “I never claimed to be a gentleman.”    “And how dare you take off with my son and just assume that I would wish to go with you?!”
    His smile deepened and he leaned closer to her, until their noses were but an inch apart.  His voice was soft as he said, “If I had simply asked, would you have come with me?”  “No!” she exclaimed sharply.
    He leaned back in his chair, triumphant.  “And there you have it.”  Sebastian turned to the waitress.  “Two coffees, please, and a milk for the squirt.”
    Amanda was too angry to reply.  She flipped open the menu and stared blankly at the pages, silently fuming.  It took her a moment to realize that the conversation at the table had continued without her, and her son was giggling at something Sebastian had just said.  She sighed wearily.  Was she letting her jaded outlook on life affect her opinion of Sebastian, just because he was a lawman?  He certainly seemed pleasant enough, although she knew very well that first impressions could be misleading.  There had to be something about him, though, if Matthew had taken to him so quickly.  She decided to let her petty anger go and enjoy the meal.
    When the waitress returned, she not only bore their drinks but food as well.  Amanda turned her gaze to Sebastian and he shrugged, grinning.  “So I ordered for everyone while you were pouting.  I was too hungry to wait.”
    Three heaping plates were set before them, each bearing roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn.  Amanda’s heart beat wildly in her chest as she thought of the cost of such a meal, but what could she do?  The plate had already been set before her, the savory smell tempting her, and she couldn’t make herself send it back in favor of the cheese sandwich she had planned on ordering.
    “Do you have a habit of making everyone’s decisions for them, Marshal Knight?  For all you know, we may not like roast beef.”
    He laughed.  “Who doesn’t like roast beef?”  “I like roast beef,” Matthew spoke up, bouncing excitedly in his seat.
    Amanda sighed.  She picked up her fork and gingerly tasted the mashed potatoes, closing her eyes and savoring the flavor.  How long had it been since she’d tasted anything even half this hearty?  Most of her meals consisted of cold sandwiches or the daily specials, which invariably tasted like lukewarm paper.
                  “The next train doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning,” Sebastian said, “so we’ll have to find a place to stay the night.”                
    Amanda’s heart sank.  That was more money she hadn’t expected to spend.  If she weren’t careful, she wouldn’t have enough money to reach St. Louis.  
                  “There’s a hotel above this restaurant.  Maybe there
    will be a couple of available rooms.”
    She nodded.  “Yes, that would be nice.”  A hotel this nice would cost a pretty penny, but her pride would not allow her to reveal her poverty to Sebastian.  And her longing for a clean, comfortable room outweighed