Daniel's Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

looking after.” He took the blankets from Amelia’s hands and settled them around Rosemarie. Assured she would stay as warm as possible under the circumstances, he left the two children sitting near her.
    • • •
    Rosemarie’s gaze followed the stranger as he left the room. The man named Daniel McCoy, an escaped prisoner of war.
    I can’t believe things have gotten so bad I’m relying on the enemy to take care of me and my children.
    No, not her enemy. Not her war, either. Hans had been adamant he would not leave his land to fight the Rebs, a bunch of devil-worshiping slaveholders, as he called them.
    The throbbing in her leg reminded her why she needed to keep her anger at the Reb in check. She was laid up, and he certainly looked as if he could handle the chores. Although Hans had been a large man, this Reb would’ve dwarfed him. Broad shoulders, muscular arms, and the massive chest straining his filthy uniform left no doubt as to his ability to chop wood, plow a field, or swing a hammer. His dark brown hair hung to his chin, and his unshaven face gave him the look of a large bear. The entire time he spoke with her, he continued to push wayward strands of hair behind his ears.
    His most remarkable feature, hazel eyes flecked with gold, radiated warmth and trust.
    Ha. As if a Reb could be trusted.
    A further annoyance was the fluttering in her middle when she’d grabbed his hand. Fear? No, she didn’t think so. Something she’d rather not consider. She had no choice but to trust him. He’d saved her life, and hopefully her leg as well. As grateful as she felt, her discomfort at his presence would not ease until she saw his back for the last time.
    “Mama, why are you mad at my friend?” Amelia’s sad eyes met hers.
    “I’m not mad at him, honey. I think he’s a very nice man for taking care of me while I’m sick.”
    “I know.” Her eyes widened as she shook her head. “And he made scrambled eggs so I didn’t have to eat oatmeal.”
    Rosemarie smiled. She doubted Hans would have made scrambled eggs to keep the little girl happy. Although a hard worker and good provider, there had been nothing soft in her dead husband’s nature. Definitely the “spare the rod and spoil the child” sort, the only time his hands touched their children was when he spanked them. Not that he spanked them often. Good children by nature, they required little discipline. After the child’s experience with men, Rosemarie found it amazing that Amelia seemed to accept the Reb so easily.
    “Mama, me and Mr. McCoy are going hunting today.” Chandler entered the parlor, his eyes alight with wonder.
    Rosemarie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Your papa didn’t think you were old enough to hunt yet.”
    Chandler nodded. “I know, but Mr. McCoy said as the man of the family now, I have to make sure everyone eats.” He drew himself up, a sense of pride in his smile.
    “That’s right. You need to help your family with your pa gone.” Daniel ruffled the boy’s hair as he passed, then headed to the sofa. “Your bed is ready now, ma’am.”
    Once more, he scooped her up and carried her to bed. All of this carrying about would never do. She was too aware of his muscles, his strength. And of the fact that she wore only a nightgown, little protection from the Reb’s comforting warmth.
    After he set her on the fresh sheet, a growing need in her lower parts had her shifting on the bed.
    Daniel watched her, his large hands on his hips. “Is your leg hurting? If I slip a pillow under it, the pain might ease a bit.”
    How to tell this stranger she needed the chamber pot? “Um, yes my leg hurts, but there’s something else.”
    He waited for her to continue, his eyebrows raised.
    “I, ah.” She stiffened, and raised her chin. “I need the chamber pot.”
    Daniel’s lip twitched, but he quickly re-arranged his features. “Oh. Yes. I’m sorry. Where is it?”
    She closed her eyes, wishing he would disappear. “Under the