Jodi Thomas

Jodi Thomas Read Online Free PDF

Book: Jodi Thomas Read Online Free PDF
Author: In a Heartbeat
captain’s porch. The soldiers had promised that this date would be years in the future.
    Etta now proudly placed another basket of cookies on the table. She’d never had anyone rave about her cooking like these men did and she’d told Joanna more than once that she’d gladly put up with the threat of Indian attacks to stay at this fort.
    A three-piece orchestra, consisting of a guitar, a small accordion, and a fiddle, began to play a waltz.
    “Would you like to dance?” Colt interrupted Joanna’s thoughts.
    Joanna nodded slightly and took his hand. Even though she’d spent several nights under the same roof with him, eating meals together and talking by the fire at night, she’d never felt his nearness as much as she did when he placed his hand politely around her waist and swung her onto the floor. The morning when he’d stopped her from braiding her hair floated back in waves of warmth against her cheeks. His steps were wide and bold, but she had no trouble keeping up with him. He didn’t speak, only waltzed. To her surprise Colt Barnett danced the Black Hawk waltz better than any partner she’d ever danced with.
    Almost sorry to hear the music end, Joanna looked away, suddenly shy around a man who’d seen her all week at her worst and best.
    As the music stopped he bowed low. “Duty calls. I’ve other ladies to dance with,” he whispered, “but may I claim another turn later?”
    When she looked up at him, she saw laughter in his dark eyes. A laughter that seemed silently to say, “Thank you.” Then he was gone, dancing first with Johnnie, then with the twins, and finally with Aunt Etta.
    Joanna accepted each partner’s offer, but was careful not to dance with anyone more than twice. As the evening wore on she began to relax and truly enjoyed herself. Back home there were always about the same number of men as women. Because of her height she’d often found herself sitting out a dance or two in a row. No such thing happened here. Even Aunt Etta was busy every round. Though Joanna knew it was only because of the unequal number of men and women, she enjoyed the attention and felt pretty for the first time in her life.
    Finally the evening drew to an end. As the band announced the last waltz a strong hand closed over hers. “May I have the last dance, Miss Whiddon?”
    Joanna looked up at Colt. She’d watched him all evening, turning around the dance floor with his daughters standing on his boots. After each dance was over, he’d lift the child up and hug her gently. The kind of hug Joanna had always longed for and never received from her father.
    “Of course, Captain.” She placed her hand on his shoulder and felt the hard strength beneath her fingers.
    This time she didn’t look away, but kept her eyes on his face as they waltzed. She didn’t even think about the steps as they slid around the floor.
    When he halted, he couldn’t have missed the disappointment in her eyes. “The music’s stopped,” he whispered as his arms pulled her slightly closer instead of away.
    Joanna quickly dropped her hands and her gaze. “Oh.” She felt foolish, as though she’d publicly announced how happy she’d been in his arms.
    But he only stood in front of her, waiting for her to look up again. When her eyes met his, he whispered, “Thank you for the evening. I’m sure it’s been good for the morale.”
    Joanna locked her arms behind her. “You’re welcome. I think the girls had a grand time tonight.”
    “And their teacher? Did she have a grand time as well?” All the hardness eased from his face.
    “Yes,” Joanna answered, wishing she could tell him just how happy she was.
    Etta’s voice interrupted, “Captain, I think you’ll have to carry Johnnie home. The poor child just high-stepped one too many times.”
    Colt laughed and lifted the half-asleep child into his arms. “I’ll take the girls and your aunt home, then come back and help you get the mess hall back in order. I want the men to
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