Her Country Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

know that the apples are poison free.”
    She held up her hand to stop him from speaking. “Okay, so maybe I’ll never get rich—money rich. But if Bobby and I can spend our days taking care of the farm and feeding people poison free food, then no matter what our bank account says, we’re rich.”
    “Enough.” His eyes narrowed. “I understand all that warm and fuzzy, save and feed the earth crap. I wish things were that clear cut. People with good ideas and great results. Things aren’t.” He glared at her. “Try and save the planet when you can’t feed your kid, and aren’t able to pay your bills.”
    “Who hurt you? How did you get so cynical?”
    He flinched. “This isn’t about me. It’s about you and your kid. What do you know about working on a farm?”
    “Well— um.” She looked away, grabbed a dish towel, and twisted it in her hands. “I—” She finally met his stare. “Nothing. I don’t know anything about running a farm.”
    “Really?” His right eye brow rose as he stared at her. “What would you say if I told you your grandmother wanted you to sell? In fact, told me to get rid of it for you?”
    “I wouldn’t believe you. Granny loved this place. She’d never want me to sell.”
    “She knew you Amy. Remembered how you high-tailed it off the farm and out of Sierra Creek to live in San Francisco as soon as you were old enough to get away. Granny told me your last words to her were ‘I hate this place and I’m never coming back.’”
    He ran his hand over his chin. “You have no idea how much your words hurt her.”
    “That’s not fair. I was a teenager. I didn’t understand what Granny had. What I had.”
    “How often have you visited since you left? Once a year? At Christmas time? Did you ever ask Granny how the apple business was doing? Or if she needed your help?”
    “I—”
    “These last few years Granny needed you, wanted your help. But she’d never ask. And you were too busy with your own life to care. You weren’t here for her then. Don’t keep the place out of guilt now. It won’t do her any good. Soothe your guilt some other way.”
    “How dare you?” She reeled from the shock of his words. “What do you know anyway?”
    “More than you think.”
    She winced, recalling her struggle in the last few years to feed her son and pay the rent, especially after her no good husband took the little money she’d been able to save and walked out. All he’d left her to remember him by was the swollen lip he’d given her and the huge bill he’d run-up on her credit card. Even so, Wyatt was right. That was no excuse. She should have helped Granny.
    Deep in her own thoughts, she jumped when Wyatt cleared his throat.
    “I’m not going to argue with you.” She squared her shoulders and glared at him. “I’m keeping the farm. I’m a quick study. When I make up my mind to do something I do it. No one can stop me.”
    She threw the dish towel on the kitchen table. “Wyatt, I’m going to keep and run Granny’s farm. I will succeed. So help me, or get the hell out of my way.”

 
     
    CHAPTER 4
     
     
    Amy regretted her words as soon as she saw Wyatt’s expression harden. It caused a shuddered to run through her. She looked away. Why hadn’t she kept quiet instead of shooting off her big mouth? But then she had a habit of saying more than she should when people riled her. With a quick breath, she glanced at him. He hadn’t moved a muscle and continued to stare at her.
    After her grand declaration, he still had control of half of the farm and she needed his help if the place was going to be a successful working farm.
    Better change the subject. “I’d still like you to help me get the house ready for my son.” Her voice sounded tentative even to her own ears.
    He grunted and then said, “Let me take a look at the sink in the bathroom. Then I’ll go with you to get the plumbing and the paint.”
    “Uh good—fine.”
    He left the room.
    She exhaled and