Lauri Robinson Read Online Free PDF Page A

wouldn’t arrive until next Saturday.
    Garret didn’t comment, actually didn’t say another word, which made things worse. Rory tried everything she could think of, counting the clip-clops of the horse’s footfalls, the clangs of bottles tapping into each other, but it didn’t help, and by the time they rolled into the church yard, she was as jumpy as a grasshopper.
    “Hold up,” he said, when she almost leaped over the edge. “It’s dark—I’ll help you down.”
    “I don’t need any help,” she insisted. “I do it all the time by myself.”
    “Not tonight.” He grabbed her around the waist with one strong arm while setting the brake with his foot. “Tonight I’ll lift you down,” he said. “And then I’ll put your wagon up after I carry in your boxes.”
    The way he was looking at her made something bold and untamed leap to life inside her.
    “Right after I kiss you,” he whispered.
    Too stunned to move or think, Rory stared, watched his lips come closer and when they touched her quivering ones, she gasped. His breath was warm, the pressure of his mouth against hers gentle yet firm, and a tiny whimper fluttered in the back of her throat.
    He folded his arms around her and his lips floated over hers as smoothly as he’d glided her across the dance floor. She hadn’t forgotten why he’d asked her to dance in the first place and wanted to grab him by the shirtfront, tell him she could make him forget all about Emily Harms and then kiss him long enough, wild enough that he would do just that. Forget everything except her. She could do it—kiss him like that. A few of the girls back in Kansas had told her things she’d never forgotten.
    She couldn’t use that knowledge, though, not while being the preacher’s daughter he believed her to be. Instead she curled her hands into fists when the kiss ended and Garret climbed out of the wagon before he lifted her down.
    “I’ll get your jars while you go light a lamp.”
    Shaking inside and telling herself she didn’t want more, Rory walked into the house and was still striking the match against the flint when Garret carried the first load of boxes in. By the time he carried the second set in, she’d lit the wick and replaced the glass chimney on the lamp sitting on the counter but was still a tangled mass of thoughts.
    “That’s it,” he said. “I’ll go put your horse up.”
    She’d moved to the doorway. “I can—”
    He pressed one finger to her lips. “You can check to make sure nothing broke during the ride.”
    The cups were packed well, and she doubted they’d been damaged, but inside her, things were still clattering together. Might be for days.
    Garret returned shortly, stood in the doorway. “I’ll be leaving now.”
    No! Rory almost shouted, but with a nod she said, “Thank you for seeing me home.”
    “You’re welcome,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the house, unless you need some help here now.”
    “No.” She held a smile in place. “Have a good night.”
    He reached for the doorknob. “Lock up.”
    Rory nodded, fighting the urge to cross the room.

Chapter Five
    Garret arrived at his horse but paused before putting a foot in the stirrup. He shouldn’t have kissed her. Then the urge to do so again wouldn’t be gnawing at him like a dog on a bone. Desire this great would keep him up all night.
    Spinning, he marched back to the house, took the steps in a single bound and threw open the door. She stood near the table facing him, and he grinned at the surprise in her eyes.
    Without saying a word, Garret moved forward. So did she, meeting him midway. He grasped her cheeks and tilted her head to line up their lips as another spasm of longing flared so hot in his loins he moaned. This time he held nothing back, coaxed her lips apart and tasted her thoroughly. Her tongue met his swirl for swirl, stroke for stroke.
    “What the hell was in that punch?” he asked, coming up for a breath of air.
    “What?” she asked,