Against the Heart Read Online Free PDF

anything like it. 
    And he sure didn’t know how to deal with it.
    And there was Meri herself.  He didn’t know anything about her, except that she was in trouble.  If he was back in his office, he’d run her name, see if she had a criminal record.  When he thought of the way she was with Lily, thought of the amazing mother she was, he had a hard time imagining it. 
    And the truth was even thinking about digging into her past felt like a betrayal.
    He was staying at least another week.  He had help coming in to paint the upstairs but he planned to tackle the kitchen himself.  Maybe he would just ask her what she was running from.
    Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
    Maybe if he gave her a little more time, Meri would come to trust him enough to tell him.
    As long as she didn’t trust him enough to wind up in his bed.
     
    In the end, they all went to see the foal.  Maybe she was a little overprotective, but Meri didn’t really know the Brodies well enough to let them take off with her little girl.  In her heart, she believed father and son were exactly what they seemed, good men who had problems to solve, just like everyone else.
    The little bay colt named Dolly was darling, and of course Lily instantly fell in love with the filly. 
    "Look, Mama, she likes me."  The colt butted her tiny head against Lily’s hand, then nickered softly when Lily started petting her.  "Can I have a horse, Mama?  A baby one like Dolly?"
    "We’ll be living in the city, honey.  Horses need lots of open space to play in."
    "But I want one."  Her face puckered up.  It looked as if she was going to pitch an old-fashioned crying fit, which was rare and never worked, but Meri figured this was a high-stakes wish, and Lily figured it was worth a try.
    Ian must have recognized what was coming because he stepped into the breach, scooped Lily up against his chest.
    "Mrs. Peterson loves visitors. I’m sure you can come out and visit Dolly anytime you want."  He glanced at the short, silver-haired woman who stood next to Daniel at the fence.
    Mrs. Peterson smiled and nodded.  "Anytime, sweetheart."
    Lily’s eyes lit up.  "Can we, Mama?"
    "For now, why don’t we just enjoy Dolly while we’re here?"
    The colt neighed and Lily returned her attention to the tiny horse, satisfied at least for the moment.
    "She’s such a sweet little girl," Mrs. Peterson said, smiling down at Lily with a soft look in her eyes. 
    "Thank you."
    "I remember when my daughter was that age.  Seems like only yesterday.  Ashley’s all grown up now with kids of her own."
    Heddy looked over at Daniel, who seemed to be looking everywhere but at the woman beside him.  "I’m glad you came over, Daniel.  It’s been way too long."  There was something in her eyes, something Meri recognized.
    Daniel just nodded.  He was an attractive man, she realized, now that he was standing a little straighter, had gotten a haircut and shaved. 
    "We’d best be getting back," he said.  "Ian’s got the painters coming in tomorrow morning." As Daniel started back down the road toward the farmhouse, Mrs. Peterson turned to Ian.
    "I’m so glad you came home.  I can see the difference in your father already."
    "I should have come back sooner.  I won’t stay away again."
    Heddy Peterson smiled, but her gaze strayed toward the man walking off down the lane.  Another woman attracted to a man she couldn’t have.
    Meri understood completely.
    Taking Lily’s hand, she walked next to Ian back to the house.  Once they got there, Ian took Lily out to the barn to watch the kitchens.  Meri walked into the kitchen just as her cell phone rang.
    Pulling it out of the pocket of her jeans, she looked down at the caller I.D. but didn’t recognize the number.  She pressed the phone against her ear.  "Hello."
    "Hey, baby, I guess you forgot our appointment."
    Her stomach curled.  Nausea rolled through her.  "How...how did you get this number?"  She’d changed it after Joey