The Longing Read Free Page A

the responsibility
of supporting his mother and two younger brothers. He’d managed it
by working hard and running the mill with an iron fist. He’d
survived because Tom had shown him how.
    “Dammit, Kyle,” Tom whispered, swaying over
his desk. “I can’t do this now. I’m not...feeling well.”
    Kyle and Jeb sprang forward together, but
neither of them reached Tom before he collapsed on the floor with
his fists pressed to his chest. They knelt beside him, but when
Kyle felt Tom’s heaving chest, panic filled his own. “Take my horse
and go for the doctor!” Kyle commanded, so used to being in charge
that he issued the order without a second thought. “Hurry!”
    Jeb jerked to his feet and raced out the
door, leaving Kyle with his own heart thundering, and a fervent
prayer that his gelding would sprout wings and fly for help.
    Tom’s gaze locked on Kyle. “I...helped
you.”
    “I know. I’m sorry I pushed you about the
money, Tom. I shouldn’t have doubted you. I wasn’t thinking.” Kyle
stared at his friend, feeling helpless in the face of Tom’s
struggle. “You could have used your experience against me all those
years ago,” he said, using his voice to keep Tom conscious and
focused on something other than his pain. “Instead, you made me a
good businessman. You challenged me to educate myself and compete
with you man to man. I’ve always meant to repay you for that. I’ve
just never known how.”
    Tom gritted his teeth and panted. Sweat
beaded his forehead. “Take care of Victoria...and Amelia.”
    “Of course. Until you’re on your feet
again.”
    Tom’s face grew pale, but his gaze stayed
locked on Kyle. “My daughter . . .”
    “Amelia is fine,” Kyle assured him, knowing
the pretty schoolmarm would be safely tucked in her room behind the
little white schoolhouse in Laona at this time of the evening.
    “She needs a...husband.”
    “She needs
you
, Tom. So does your
wife. Jeb will be back with the doctor soon. Just stay calm until
they get here.”
    “M-marry her.”
    Kyle snorted at the ridiculous notion of him
marrying any woman. Despite Amelia’s drab teacher’s garments, she
was tall and slender with thick chestnut colored hair that made his
hands itch to pluck the pins from her prim chignon. Kyle would
never forget the one kiss he had stolen from Amelia at her father’s
lumberyard years earlier, but he had suffered enough heartache for
a lifetime and had no interest in pursuing a personal relationship
with
any
female. Not even one as gorgeous as Amelia Drake.
Bachelorhood suited him perfectly.
    Tom gripped Kyle’s forearm. “Keep him away
from her.”
    “Who?” Tom shuddered and Kyle gripped his
arm. “Keep who away?”
    “Tell them...I love them.” A hard shudder
passed through Tom’s body and he arched against the dirty pine
planks of his office floor. His fingers gouged Kyle’s arm. “You owe
me.”
    Guilt swamped Kyle. Despite Tom’s recent
behavior, Kyle owed this man more than harsh words and hurtful
accusations. “I’ll take care of your wife and daughter,” Kyle said,
trying to ease the anxiety in Tom’s eyes. “I promise. Now stop
worrying. It’s not helping you right now.”
    Pain streaked across Tom’s face and a dazed
expression filled his eyes. Kyle’s stomach clenched and his throat
filled with denial as he realized he was watching his friend’s life
slipping away. “Tom!”
    Slowly, the deep lines in Tom’s face eased as
his tense body relaxed on the pine floorboards.
    Kyle grabbed Tom’s shoulders and shook him,
trying to jar him back to consciousness. “Tom!” he shouted. Another
fierce shake loosened Tom’s jaw, but no air passed his blue
lips.
    “Breathe goddammit!”
    Kyle shouted the order a second time, loud
enough to rattle the windows, but Tom Drake couldn’t breathe. He
was dead.
     
     

Chapter Two
    Amelia Drake
propped her forehead in her hand and listened to the rain pummel
the windows. It echoed across her empty