A Cowboy at Heart Read Online Free PDF

grin that hovered around Jesse’s mouth when he looked at her made her feel special, as though he had a secret he would only share with her.
    But he was Englisch , so certainly that half grin was inappropriate and her feelings sinful.
    She lowered her gaze to the boards at her feet. “A pleasant afternoon to you, Mr. Montgomery.”
    “Call me Jesse.” He made the same request every time. Was it her imagination, or had his tone warmed slightly when he spoke to her?
    Jonas hurried toward them, anxiety etched on his face. “You have seen the fence?” He directed the question toward his mother, but he included Katie with a glance.
    Maummi Switzer nodded. “ Ja . We have seen.” She took a step toward her son. “What does it mean, Jonas?”
    “A man wants our land. An Englisch man. He says we must stay here, on this side, or he will shoot us.”
    “ Shoot us? Gott helfe uns! ” Maummi Switzer slapped a hand to her chest and staggered on her feet.
    Alarmed, Katie stepped to the old woman’s side and slipped an arm around her waist to support her. Her body felt frail, and she leaned heavily against the younger woman.
    Jesse shook his head. “Now, ma’am, don’t you lose any sleep over this. I’m here to help. Your land is safe.”
    The frail body relaxed a fraction within the circle of Katie’s arms. “You will protect us?”
    “Yes, ma’am. You can count on it. I’ll need a place to stretch out my bedroll for a few days and maybe a meal or two.”
    Jesse was planning to stay here, on the Switzer farm? Relief bloomed inside Katie’s chest. His presence would certainly deter ruthless Englisch men bent on disrupting the peace of their Plain lives. Though ruggedly handsome, he carried a formidable manner—no doubt acquired from years of wild living. Such stories Emma told about Jesse’s rowdy days on the cattle trail! The man standing before her was as different from her peace-loving Samuel as a dove from one of the grey hawks that glided overhead searching for helpless prey on the ground. Samuel had been the perfect Amish man, her ideal mate from the time they tromped together across the fields to the schoolhouse, their lunch pails swinging from their hands. And yet, in a secret part of her heart, she was fascinated by Jesse. What made a man choose to live a wild life, as he had done?
    With a start she realized she’d been staring at him as her thoughts wandered, and he had become aware of her regard. His private smile deepened and carved the hint of a dimple in one cheek. Blushing, she busied herself with brushing a speck of garden soil from her skirt.
    “You will stay here with us?” Maummi Switzer’s voice was bright with enthusiasm.
    “If you’d be so kind, Miz Switzer. I promise not to be too much trouble.” His grin was exactly the same as a young boy promising to eat his vegetables after he finished a piece of pie and cream. When that grin turned toward her, a pleasant tickle started deep in Katie’s stomach.
    “ Ach! What help will you be? Trouble follows close wherever you go.” Though Maummi Switzer pasted on a scowl, Katie noted that her voice contradicted her words. “You will sleep in the backupstairs room, where you can watch the fields through the window.” To Katie she said, “Come, child. You can fetch for me the lemonade while I begin the evening meal.”
    Katie turned to follow the old woman into the house, but not without a final look toward Jesse Montgomery.

THREE

    J esse stood at the window of his new quarters and watched Katie’s cart disappear over a rise in the road. She was a fine-looking girl, with gleaming dark hair mostly hidden beneath that white bonnet thing all Amish women wore. The sun had kissed the smooth skin of her cheeks and scattered a charming spray of freckles across her nose. He’d seen her once or twice over at Emma and Luke’s place and found her attractive, though a touch on the quiet side. He’d never heard her say more than five words at a time,