My Guardian Knight Read Online Free PDF Page A

broke.  “Thank you,” she managed to whisper.  But Sebastian wasn’t paying attention to her, he was watching Matthew with a smile.  Thanking God for small favors, she hurriedly wiped her eyes and poured some more coffee from the pot Mrs. Mayberry had left.  She sipped the strong brew, idly watching the passersby.  How nice, to sit on a pretty porch while the sun bent over the horizon, watching her son play happily.  A soft breeze rustled her hair and she put a hand to it, realizing that she hadn’t combed it since she’d run out that morning.  How she must look!
    Sebastian stood reluctantly.  “The train comes pretty early in the morning, we’d best turn in for the night.”
    She motioned for Matthew to join them.  “I’ll meet you here in the morning.”
      He turned to walk through the door, but halted at her softly spoken words.  “Sebastian.  I’ve enjoyed your company today.”
    Sensing that for some reason this was hard for her to say, he simply nodded politely and went on his way. 
                  That night as Amanda lay awake in the cozy bed,
    Matthew curled up beside her, she wondered about Sebastian.  Her first instinct was to steer clear of him, but she felt inexplicably drawn to him.  She knew that many people weren’t what they first appeared to be, but Sebastian was different somehow.  His kindness was genuine, she was sure.  And Matthew, who had never taken well to strangers, absolutely worshipped the man.
    She only wished she knew if he could be trusted.  She’d been so overly cautious for so long, she wasn’t sure what was real and what was imagined anymore.  She knew, if she continued to travel with him, that she could be walking into a trap.  But on the other hand, she honestly could not see Sebastian doing anything to hurt them.  Or anyone else, for that matter.
    Much later she finally fell asleep, content to be in a clean bed with her child nestled safely in her arms.
     

CHAPTER TWO
     
     
    Amanda stepped out onto the porch early the next day to the soft songs of the birds and the sweet smell of a fresh spring morning.  She smiled as she saw Sebastian climbing the stairs.  He must have been to the train station already to check on the arrival time.  “Good morning, Sebastian,” she called, a good night’s sleep putting her in good spirits.
    He grinned when he heard her call his name.  He bowed playfully before her.  “Good morning, Amanda.”  Her name from his lips was like a caress, and warmth spread through her.  
                  “Have you been to the train station?”
    He nodded.  “Our train has been delayed for at least one day.  It’s having some engine problems and all the other trains are booked.  Looks like we’ll be here for a while longer.”
    Amanda fought down a rush of panic.  “I really need to get to St. Louis.”
    He shrugged.  “I do, too.  But since we have no choice we might as well make the best of the situation.  There’s a festival today, why not enjoy ourselves?”  Yes, why not, she thought to herself.
    “Would you care to join me for breakfast?”  Matthew jumped up and down.  “Can we Mama, can we?”
                  Amanda nodded silently, telling herself that it would be silly to sit at two different tables in the same dining room. 
    She denied the growing attraction she was feeling for Sebastian, and tried not to worry about the fact that he was a lawman.  After St. Louis she’d never see him again, so what harm could a few days of fun do?  They were sorely in need of some entertainment, and Matthew had never been to a festival. 
    It was high time he had the chance.
    As Amanda sat opposite him at the table, Sebastian noticed that she had taken the time to put up her honey blond hair and the dress she was wearing today was much more attractive than the loose fitting one from yesterday.  The dark blue printed with tiny pink flowers suited her well.
    Sebastian