Shelter in Seattle Read Free Page B

the way the muscles in his back and shoulders bulged as he worked the saw against the tree. Rivulets of sweat ran down his face and into his eyes. Still, he continued to bunch his muscles and saw at the tree. It was as if demons drove him to finish before anyone else.
    The thought of Caleb Hansen winning the race wasn’t too distasteful. The other men respected him, and it appeared most of them wanted him to win. The few brief times she’d seen him, he’d said little, portraying the semblance of a quiet man. But her aunt had said it was the quiet ones you had to be aware of. Of course, her aunt had been talking about Julianne, not a man, so could that be a characteristic on which she should judge Caleb?
    She chose to believe he was the kind of man who would pay off her debt, and then allow her to pay him back as she got the money.
    Her gaze moved to Marcus. Now, here was trouble in capitol letters. A burly man with arms as big around as some of the trees that surrounded the camp, he had a mean attitude and cursing came as easily as breathing. She shuddered to think what kind of man he was. She doubted he would be willing to wait for her to repay him. But she had news for him. He’d have to.
    “If you’re a praying woman, you better pray that one doesn’t win.” Maggie spoke in a low, warning voice, as if afraid that Marcus would hear. She held the baby against her shoulder and patted his back. She used her chin to point at Marcus.
    Julianne tore her gaze away from the men. “Why?” She struggled to make her voice nonchalant. “It really doesn’t matter to me who wins. I’ll make an arrangement with the winner, he’ll pay Sloan, and I’ll pay him back with the money I make from taking in laundry.”
    Maggie shook her head. “Honey, not to embarrass you, but these men have been without a real woman for a long time. Do you really think they will just give Sloan the money, and then wait for you to pay it back?” She rocked the sleeping baby.
    “You don’t mean ...” Julianne’s hand went to her mouth.
    The older woman leaned closer and whispered. “Marcus is a mean one. He will demand full payment of his money from you, and he’s not afraid to take it out of your hide. If you know what I mean.” Maggie pulled away to cheer on Caleb. “Keep at it Caleb, he’s almost whooped!” She bellowed with the rest of the crowd. The baby uttered a sharp cry of protest as if he, too, were against Marcus winning.
    Julianne looked at the man they had been discussing. He stood at least a head and a half taller than she was. He caught her eye for a moment and grinned, but his eyes remained flat, hard and passionless. It frightened her to think what he had in store for her.
    After quieting the baby, Maggie leaned close again. “Now Caleb, there is a fine young man. He’s got his reason for wanting to win too, though.” She paused. “He needs a mama for this little boy of his. I imagine he figures you will fit the bill.”
    “No.” Julianne whispered. That was one of the reasons she’d run from New York. To get away from screaming children and adults who tried to run her life. She couldn’t believe this was happening.
    “Oh, being married to Caleb wouldn’t be so bad. He’s got a nice little cabin built off in the woods, and he’s a Bible reading man.”
    Bible reading or not, Julianne wanted no part in taking care of another man’s child. Reading the Bible didn’t make him a better man. Her uncle read the good book every night. What good had it done her? None. He still beat her and turned her into the house slave.
    But it hadn’t always been like that. Earlier memories held an Uncle that had been kind and patient. He’d bought her a pony and taught her to ride.
    “Timber!” The shout came from Caleb.
    Marcus added his voice to it. “Timber!”
    Everyone held their breaths as the mighty Pine trees fell in unison.
    “I won!” Marcus yelled, jerking his hat off his head and rushing to Julianne.
    Before