Captive Heart Read Online Free PDF

have. I was contracted to teach school in Sterling, Colorado.”
    “How ’bout the real reason?” Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, he turned all his attention to her. “What’re you running from, Miss Madsen? What did you and your father argue about?”
    “How do you—” Emmalyne could not mask the surprise on her face. “That is none of your business.”
    He shrugged. “I suspect you’re right. And I’d say the Lakota are none of yours.”
    Emmalyne pursed her lips together to keep from lashing out at him. How dare he ask her such things. How dare he suggest he knew anything about her father or the argument that had led to her present dilemma. Folding her arms across her chest, she scooted back on the bed, pouting like a child.
    He paid her no heed but rose from the stool and stepped outside. “I suggest you get some sleep. I have a feeling we’ll be entertaining visitors before too long.”
    * * *
    Miss Madsen eagerly accepted the piece of charred meat Thayne held out to her.
    “What is—no, never mind.” She held her hand up to stop him from speaking. “It’s probably best I don’t know. I’m hungry enough, I’ll just eat it.”
    “Good idea.” Thayne dug into his own piece, watching from the corner of his eye as she did the same. He waited, expecting more complaints and was surprised when she said nothing. He watched as she took one bite, then another, her eyes closed in unmistakable bliss.
    “Mmm,” she murmured, her lips turning up ever so slightly.
    In that moment, she looked almost pretty, and Thayne shifted uncomfortably on the stool. If she was that appreciative of a little piece of burnt meat, what would she be like if . . .
    He turned away, not allowing himself to finish the thought. Suddenly, too aware of the woman beside him, Thayne forced himself to concentrate on his own breakfast—none too tasty by any standard except starvation.
    “That was good,” she said a few minutes later. “Is there any more?”
    “Nope.” He shook his head and willed himself not to watch her licking her fingers. “It was a small critter.”
    “Oh.” Her face fell. “I don’t want to know—”
    “Then don’t ask.”
    Anger flashed in her eyes. “I didn’t.”
    Thayne breathed an inward sigh of relief. It was better when she was this way—spunky and indignant. He didn’t want to like her, and much to his surprise, he was having a hard time not doing just that.
    “If you need to take care of any business outside, now would be the time. I want you well hidden before the Martin gang arrives.”
    “Why are you so certain they’re coming?” Emmalyne reached under the bed, retrieving her boots and stockings.
    “I come from a long line of intuitive Scotsmen. When we sense something is going to happen, it does.”
    “What a useful talent. Pity I don’t possess it, or I’d never have boarded that train.” Facing away from him, she wriggled her sore feet into the stockings, then picked up one of her boots, tugging at the laces to loosen them. She looked regretfully at her feet, covered with multiple blisters.
    Thayne took the boot from her and pulled out his knife.
    “What are you doing?” she cried, trying to reclaim the boot.
    He held it out of her reach. “Making it easier for you to wear these.”
    “No, thank you.” She rose from the bed, lunging forward until her fingers closed around the leather.
    He looked at her sternly. “You need to trust me.”
    “If you were the last man—”
    “Might as well be, seeing how I’m all that stands between you and a dozen heinous deaths.” He tugged the boot away from her and proceeded to slice open the toe. “This still isn’t great, but it’ll let up on those blisters a bit.” He swiveled on the stool to face her, his hand held out expectantly. “Give me your foot.”
    “Are you intending to cut that off as well?”
    He rolled his eyes and grabbed her ankle. She opened her mouth to protest, but Thayne shot her a warning