Jodi Thomas Read Online Free PDF Page B

be able to eat here in the morning.”
    Joanna nodded and looked around. Men were already pulling the tables back into place. She kissed the little girls good night and began folding away the paper hearts.
    By the time the captain returned, she was ready to leave. He lifted a wet cape over her shoulders and said, “Rain’s starting, better put this over your head until we get in the wagon.”
    His arm rested over her shoulder as they ran. With one swift movement he swung her up into the seat and jumped in beside her. As they hurried to his cabin the rain continued, turning the ground to liquid with its pounding.
    Joanna felt the damp soak into her bones and shivered beside Colt. Without a word he pulled her close, warming her with his arm as they rode the last few yards.
    “Hold the reins!” he yelled as he climbed down from the driver’s box and led the horses toward the barn. His body was only a shadowy outline in black, with his hat low.
    Joanna’s fingers turned to ice, but she held the reins. She pulled his cape close around her, realizing he’d given her his only protection from the weather.
    With an eerie creaking she heard the barn door open. A moment later they were inside, where the air was damp and thick with the smell of hay.
    Colt unhitched the horses, then raised his arms to help her down. “If you’ll wait till I get the horses bedded down, I’ll carry you across the yard to the house. Otherwise you’ll ruin that dress of yours.”
    Joanna moved into his waiting arms, aware of the strength and power in this man as he held her suspended in the air. He lowered her to the ground slowly, as though in no hurry to move away from her.
    “I can help with the horses,” she volunteered. “I grew up on a farm.”
    “Really?” Colt moved back to the animals, pulling the harness as he went. “I had you figured for a city girl.”
    “That just proves it then, Captain. You were right.”
    Colt continued to work. “Right about what, Miss Whiddon?”
    “You know nothing about women,” she answered as she helped.
    Colt’s laughter was rich and full inside the quiet barn. For the first time since they’d met, she felt that he relaxed. Maybe it was spending the evening away from his worries, or maybe it was the spirits mixed into the punch, but Colt Barnett finally looked relaxed.
    “You have a nice laugh, Captain.” Joanna bit her lip, suddenly wishing she could pull back her bold words.
    “Thank you,” he answered as he wiped the leather dry and hung it away.
    Joanna crossed to the doorway and watched the rain pour in solid sheets. She could hear him moving behind her, putting everything in place. Finally he joined her at the door.
    “Mind if I ask you a question, Miss Whiddon?”
    “No,” she answered, dreading what might come.
    “Why’d you answer my ad?” He moved against the door frame so that he was only a few inches from her. If she’d shifted slightly, their shoulders would have touched.
    Joanna continued to stare into the rain. “I needed a job,” she lied. “Plus, I’ve always wanted to teach.”
    Colt was silent so long she wasn’t sure he’d heard her. Slowly he ran his hand along the doorjamb and let out a long breath. “That’s not what I mean. I’d guessed you needed a job, but why all the way out here in Texas? Why a tutor? A fine, good-looking woman like you surely had several offers of marriage.”
    “Is that a compliment, Captain?” She didn’t want to tell him how few she’d had over the years.
    Colt laughed. “Am I that rusty?”
    “You’re doing fine. That’s probably the finest compliment I’ve ever had.” Joanna looked out at a world that seemed all gray and lifeless. “You’re right about one thing. I did have an offer for marriage. Several, in fact, over the years. The last was such a good offer that my father planned to make sure I accepted. So Aunt Etta and I packed and left before he could get back from town with the preacher.”
    “He wanted you