Heart of Courage Read Online Free PDF Page A

garments, had never attended a ball, and laughed at the notion of what he called prancing around a dance floor.
    Though he had no thought of returning to Draugr Island where they had been raised, he didn’t like living in the city. Instead, he worked two jobs in an effort to save money to buy a farm in the country. Leif had assured him his interest in the shipping line would eventually earn him enough to get the land he wanted, but Thor wanted to earn the money on his own. He seemed to have something to prove, seemed to be searching for something that remained elusive.
    Leif believed at least part of what his brother sought was the very thing Leif had found in the wife and son he adored. Each day he prayed that the gods would bless Thor as he had been blessed and lead him to his life mate. Perhaps then the restlessness would ease and Thor would find the contentment that seemed just out of his reach.
    In truth, they were different in a number of ways and yet deep down they were the same, men with strong beliefs in loyalty and duty, honor and courage. Leif would trust his brother with his life and he knew Thor felt the same.
    Leif looked toward the dock where his brother stood with his legs splayed, his dark hair blowing in the wind. Thor glanced toward the quay and spotted him, smiled and waved, and Leif waved back.
    In time, Thor’s mate would appear. His future was surely as fated as Leif’s had been. The gods would not fail him, Leif believed. He was only a little worried as he headed down to the dock. Only a little worried as he caught the slightly yearning look on his brother’s face.

Three
    L indsey ignored the hum of activity in the office and tried to concentrate on finishing the revisions on her article. The gazette went to press tomorrow and she still had a good bit left to do.
    She looked up as the bell above the door rang, saw two sour-faced men walk into the office. The typesetter, Bessie Briggs, a stocky woman with salt-and-pepper hair, walked up to greet them.
    â€œMay I help ye?”
    The larger of the men reached into the pocket of his dark brown tailcoat and pulled out what appeared to be some kind of credentials. Lindsey realized they were policemen and a jolt of worry spiked down her spine.
    â€œI’m Constable Bertram and this is Constable Archer. We’d like to speak with one of the employees, a Miss Lindsey Graham.”
    Bessie’s eyes widened. She turned and pointed at Lindsey, who stiffened in her chair. “That’s Miss Graham. I’ll tell her ye wish ta see her.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary.” The men started toward her. The one named Bertram that her brother had mentioned was larger, with piercing black eyes and thinning brown hair. Archer was short and stout, had bushy eyebrows and a pocked complexion. At the back of the room, she caught a glimpse of Thor, who had moved within earshot as the men walked toward her desk.
    Like his brother, he seemed to be a protective sort of man. She told herself to tell him to go away, that the policemen were none of his concern, but she couldn’t quite summon the will. Instead, he propped his wide shoulders against the wall and simply watched her, making it clear he was there in case she needed him.
    It was ridiculous. The man wouldn’t know the first thing about British law or what to do with two police constables.
    She turned her attention to the men, who arrived at her desk, their hats in their hands. “May I help you?”
    â€œMy name is—”
    â€œYes, constables Bertram and Archer.”
    â€œThat is correct,” Bertram said. “We would like to ask you a few questions, Miss Graham. Perhaps there is someplace we might be private.”
    She didn’t want to be alone with them. She had no idea why. Everyone but Thor was busily working and paying them little attention. Besides, even if someone overheard, the employees at Heart to Heart were a close-knit group and