Shelter in Seattle Read Free Page A

the attraction he felt every time he saw the black haired beauty, but long after darkness settled over the evening before, he’d remembered her beautiful, clear blue eyes and the determined expression on her face as she’d stood her ground with Sloan.
     Both men looked straight ahead. The foreman focused on the trees that would be felled in the days that would follow. Caleb’s attention focused solely on Julianne.
    He watched Maggie come up and place the baby in Julianne’s arms. A frown marred her pretty features as she looked down at the infant. He wondered what she was thinking. Didn’t she like babies? He thought all women had a built in love for a motherless child, yet that definitely was not motherly love on her face.
    Questions swirled through his mind. Had she taken the money as she was accused of doing? Could she be trusted to watch the baby? Which brought up another question: Exactly what did he know about her?
    Absolutely nothing.
    “If you compete, there isn’t another man around here that could beat you. That baby needs a mother, and the woman needs a place to stay. It would be a good trade off for both of you.” The foreman walked away before Caleb could protest or comment.
    He continued to stroll through the camp. Pieces of conversations met his ears. Each man boasted of what was to become of the lovely Miss Julianne once he won the contest.
    “I’ll have her bedded before sundown, if I win.” Ben bragged, as he flung his ax at a make believe target.
    His buddy laughed. “Yeah, me too, but after that, she could get started on my laundry. I’ve worn these clothes for over a week.”
    Caleb moved on, fighting the urge to smash Ben in the mouth for his filthy words. As he passed Marcus Harvey and another logger, he heard Marcus crow.
    “She’s a pretty little thing. I’m looking forward to making her pay for that fare she stole.” Marcus was a big burly man who enjoyed acting like a tough guy. Rumor had it he’d killed a man, but it was only rumor and had never been proven.
    Caleb winced at the thought of Julianne or any woman at the mercy of Marcus Harvey. Finally, he wound up where Julianne stood. “How’s the baby?”
    He watched her blue eyes widen with surprise, though she tried hard to hide it. He’d evidently startled her again. He was intrigued by the mystery that surrounded the woman in front of him.
    “He’s fine. I was wondering if you’ve thought of a name for him, yet.” She smoothed the hair off the baby’s face and rocked from side to side.
    Caleb wondered if she was rocking to sooth her own nerves. “Not yet, I’m thinking along the lines of Jonathan. What do you think?”
    “Jonathan.” The name came out a whisper as if she were testing its flavor against her tongue. “It means gift of the Lord. I like it, Caleb. It sounds strong. A man needs a strong name.”
    The question was out before he could stop it. “How did you get into this mess, Julianne?” He watched her eyes take on a far away look.
    Bitterness laced her next words. “I trusted the wrong man.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    Screams of frustration tickled the back of Julianne’s throat as she watched her future being decided for her. She felt frozen in limbo where all decisions and actions evaded her.
    Strange and disquieting thoughts had plagued her all through the night, and she’d awakened this morning sick with the struggle inside.
    Now as she observed the two leaders of the competition, a small glimmer of hope helped raise her chin and muster all the dignity she could.
    Caleb and one other man were in the lead. At ax throwing, both men had hit the bull’s-eye on the target. Caleb had climbed and cut the top out of a tree faster than anyone else. The other man, named Marcus, had split more wood than Caleb. He’d only won by one log but he’d still won. And now, it looked as if Caleb was using all the strength he had to fell a tree before Marcus.
    She admired