Montana Wife (Historical) Read Online Free PDF Page A

clearing. Neat stalks of straw lay seasoning on the ground and at the far edge of the clearing was her Kirk perched on the wagon seat. His hat was pulled low to shade his face and his bare torso shone red-brown from a hard day in the sun. Why, he looked more man than boy as he handled the team.
    She was proud of him and the bubble of love that expanded within her every time she saw him, so sweet and pure and unbreakable, remained. Kol would want her to be strong for their sons. She steeled her spine, sure of her course.
    â€œMr. Lindsay?”
    She could see his boots on the other side of the threshing machine.
    He didn’t answer. Did he know she was here?
    â€œHold up, Kirk!” Lindsay’s bellow rose above the machinery, booming like thunder. “Ease up on the horses. Keep the reins short once they stop.”
    The man emerged from behind the machine. Rayna saw a flash of bronzed skin and muscled shoulder as he thrust his arms into a blue work shirt. He shrugged the garment into place without bothering to button up, offering glimpses of a strong chest.
    Rayna’s face heated. She’d never seen another man without his shirt. She didn’t know where to look.
    â€œGood. I’ve been waiting for you.” Lindsay hefted up the ten-gallon jug as if it weighed nothing and drank from it with long, deep pulls.
    Didn’t he intend to button his shirt?
    â€œMa! Did you see? Daniel let me drive the team! And I handled ’em good, too. Just the way Pa showed me.”
    â€œI saw. Your pa would be proud of you.”
    â€œDo you think?”
    â€œHe’s done a fine job.” Daniel Lindsay handed over the water with a brief nod of approval. “It looks like your ma has brought your supper. Sit down and eat, boy. You deserve a rest.”
    Kirk dug into the basket. He tore into a chicken leg while he unloaded plate after plate of food with his free hand, monopolizing the meal. Daniel Lindsay returned to his machine, as if he planned on working.
    â€œI made food enough for all of us,” she said. “Please, come eat.”
    He gathered both sets of reins and settled the thick leather straps between his wide fingers. “I don’t stop until dark.”
    â€œBut you need to keep your strength up.”
    â€œI need to get as much done as I can. A storm’s coming.”
    â€œWhat storm?” There was hardly a cloud in the sky. A wisp of white at the rolling edge of the horizon cut through the low sun like a razor blade. “I don’t see any thunderheads.”
    â€œI smell ’em. It may blow over. It may not. Either way, I won’t sit on my arse when there’s work to be done.”
    â€œI could make you a sandwich—”
    â€œNo.” He snapped the reins, calling out to the horses.
    The teams pulled forward, lunging against their heavy leather collars. The machine groaned to a start, blades clacking.
    â€œThen tell me how I can help.”
    â€œYou can go in the house where you belong.” Daniel didn’t expect her to understand. “You’ll be happier there.”
    â€œI’m not afraid of a little farm work.”
    â€œThen let me see your hands.” He slackened the reinsand the horses halted. What was she going to do? Work in the fields like a man? She was a beautiful woman, not rough and made for hard work.
    No, Rayna Ludgrin was creamy flawless skin and china-doll fragile. He reckoned he could span her waist with his hands. “You’re wearing gloves, so I can’t see the bandages.”
    â€œThat’s the idea.”
    â€œYou need to take care of that.”
    â€œYou need to stop and eat, but you’re not.” Pride drew her up straight. She was steel, too. “I don’t see any storm clouds, but I’d rather err on the side of caution. The least I can do is help you. We will get more work done together.”
    â€œYou have to be tired.”
    â€œI’ve been tired