Reckless Heart Read Free Page A

the morning, a quick flick of the dust cloth and the rest of the day would be hers. Of course, one or two days a week she'd have to vacuum and do laundry according to the list of duties she'd read. Aside from that, there should be plenty of time available to write.
    She smiled. She was here and she wasn’t budging.
    Josh’s long stride quickly covered the distance between her car and the stoop at the back door. His boots rang loud on the wood as he skipped the second step and hit the third. Molly hurried to keep up. She'd show him—
    Oops. Her slick boot sole slipped off the edge of the step. Flinging her arms out to try to avoid a fall, she encircled Josh’s thigh, slamming against him with her full weight. He lurched, unable to catch his balance because of her death grip, tumbling off the narrow porch with a loud thump. Molly followed him down, crashing against him as they both landed in the dirt.
    “Oh, no. I’m so sorry.” Scrambling, Molly knelt on the dirt, her hand on his thigh.
    “Oh, Mr. Hart, are you all right? I’m so sorry.”
    Ineffectively she patted his leg, wondering if she’d killed her new boss.
    When he raised up on one elbow and glared at her, she knew she hadn’t. Though maybe it might have been better for her if she had. Anger shone in his eyes. His body seemed to grow in stature.
    “There are several steps there,” he said through gritted teeth. “You are to take them one at a time.”
    “I know. I...my boot slipped.”
    He sat up and looked at her kneeling on the dirt. “Trouble walking?” he growled sarcastically.
    “It was an accident. Surely even the boss of the Rafter C has had an accident on occasion.”
    He rose, reached down to grasp her upper arm and hauled her to her feet. Waiting until she had her balance before releasing her, he muttered something under his breath.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.” He took a deep breath. “Accidents do happen. Come on.”
    Holding open the door, he ushered her into the large country kitchen. It looked as if a wall had been knocked out between the kitchen and what had been the dining room. A long trestle table took up most of the room. Quickly she noted there were twenty chairs around it. She expected they'd all be filled at dinner, or all but a couple. The reality was starting to sink in. She hoped she could feed that many at one time.
    But before then there was a lot of work to do. The kitchen was a mess. Dishes soaked in cold water, a thin film of congealed grease floating on top. Dirt gritted beneath her feet as she walked into the room. The windows were bare of curtains, the table needed wiping.
    “Looks like I got here just in time,” she said, hiding her dismay.
    “I never said I didn’t need anyone. Just that you won’t do.”
    What was the man’s problem? His disapproval was odd—he didn’t know her from a hole in the wall. Why did he think she couldn't handle the job?
    Tilting her chin, Molly silently vowed she'd prove to be the best housekeeper he ever had.
    And when she sold her book and was ready to move on, he’d beg her to stay. He’d grovel at her feet for ever doubting her. And she’d turn up her nose and walk away without a backward glance.
    She’d show him!
    “Pantry and freezer are through there.” He pointed to a door on the side wall. “Might need to get some things. We’ve been too busy working outside to mess much with shopping and such.”
    “That’s what I’m here for. Why don’t you go on back outside and do what you were doing and I’ll get things settled in here.”
    Molly didn’t want him hanging around while she tried to bring some order out of this chaos. She knew she wasn’t superwoman, but anyone with a lick of sense could at least clean up a bunch of dirty dishes.
    Then she’d see to lunch.
    “Molly Forrester.”
    She swung around. “What?”
    “Just verifying that’s your name.” He studied her with his silvery eyes seeming to see down into her soul.
    For a heartbeat, she felt a tug