Maverick Wild (Harlequin Historical Series) Read Online Free PDF

older than two, ran toward them.
    “Hey, Joshua.” Chance stepped beside Cora and crouched down to catch the child at midleap into his arms. He lifted him high, initiating wild giggles before he set him down on his little booted feet. It was the wide smile on Chance’s face that stole Cora’s attention, the pure joy that lit his eyes as he looked at Joshua. “You been good for your mama?”
    Cotton-white curls flipped in the wind as he bobbled his head enthusiastically.
    “Go tell Uncle Garret to give you your treat.”
    Joshua glanced past his uncle, his big blue eyes taking Cora in before he turned and ran back to Garret.
    Chance stepped around her, not bothering to introduce her to his nephew.
    “Chance Morgan!” shouted a woman’s hostile voice.
    He looked toward the house, his broad shoulders blocking Cora’s view. “Don’t worry. I plan to go around back and clean up before stepping foot in the house.”
    “I should hope so!”
    Cora eased around her rude host to see the tall woman standing on the porch. Her loose blond hair and blue dress whipped in the wind, the midsection of her dress strapped tight over her protruding belly. She appeared dreadfully overdue for giving birth. Her brilliant blue eyes surged wide as she spotted Cora.
    “Oh! I didn’t realize we had company.”
    Chance put his hand on Cora’s lower back and ushered her forward. “Skylar, this is Miss Cora Mae Tindale, my, uh…stepsister.”
    Skylar gaped at her from the top of the stairs. “Truly?”
    Cora struggled to smile as she shuffled up the steps. “I am sorry to arrive unannounced.”
    “ Nonsense . Tucker will be so excited. He’s mentioned you on several occasions. Isn’t this wonderful, Chance?”
    He stood at the base of the steps, stiff as a stone statue, her carpetbag in one hand. “It is.”
    “Where have you traveled from?” asked Skylar.
    “Del-uhum, Massachusetts,” she corrected, catching her slip and the sudden scrutiny in Chance’s gaze. He knew full well her mother’s family resided in Delaware.
    “Del—um, Massachusetts.” He held up her valise. “Can’t say I’ve heard of it.”
    She snatched her luggage. “Yes, well, it’s…small.” Goodness gracious. This was going to be a very short visit.
    “You came all that way alone?”
    Cora turned to Skylar, anxious to escape the intensity of Chance’s green eyes, unnerved by the flutters in her belly. “I was able to travel by rail for much of the journey. The past week on the stage was a bit unsettling at times.”
    “I can imagine. The stage line—” Skylar’s words broke off, her startled gaze looking past Cora. “Joshua, what’s in your mouth?”
    Clutching his uncle’s big hand, he smiled a red toothy grin. “Canny.”
    Skylar sighed before casting a disapproving glance at Chance. “You’re going to rot his teeth.”
    Chance grinned as he ruffled the child’s white hair. “Baby teeth fall out anyhow, don’t they, cowboy?” He turned away, his nephew in tow. “I’ll bring the trunk in after I finish with the horses and wash up.”
    “No more candy,” Skylar called after them.
    “Fine.”
    Skylar took Cora by the arm. “Let’s get out of this wind. You must be chilled to the bone.”
    Cora stepped into a great room lined with honey-colored polished pine from the floor to the high ceiling. Instantly enveloped by heat, it felt like walking into pure sunshine. A fire crackled in the massive stone fireplace to her left. Across the room, a banister staircase led to an open second story. She was quite taken aback by the grandeur of it all, yet everything in the room spoke of simplicity.
    Four oversize chairs covered in cowhide, a single rocking chair and a few wooden footstools were spaced around the fireplace and what appeared to be a sheepskin rug. To her left, in the immediate parlor area, a tapestry sofa and wing back chair complemented a bare coffee table.
    “What a beautiful home.”
    Skylar beamed. “Thank you. The