Silver Heart (Historical Western Romance) (Longren Family series #1) Read Online Free PDF

him, putting both hands on his forearm.
                  He didn't seem to notice, though I was well aware of warm skin and the corded muscle beneath. 
                  "Is it Matthew?" I asked when he didn't reply, and he looked up, bewildered, before his eyes cleared. 
                  "Matthew is fine.  Empty headed, but his leg isn't bleeding.  The doctor will be here soon."  His expression didn't change.  Without admitting I'd been listening, there was nothing more I could ask.
                  "Shall I bring a tray for Matthew?"  The kitchen was hot, stuffy from the stove and end of day as it faced west.
                  "Yes, of course, thank you."
                  I waited a beat, and when he said nothing else, said, "Could you tell me where to find a tray?"
                  "Hmm?"  His eyes cleared then and he looked right at me.  "I'm sorry, Miss Lucas.  What an introduction to Gold Hill.  I appreciate what you did for my brother today, and don't mean to worry you with – " He stumbled over his words.  "With anything else."  He crossed to the pantry and after a few minutes of more noise than I had produced, came out holding a silver tray, which he handed to me.  "Could you bring my supper out as well?"
                  I swallowed, thinking of eating alone in the kitchen, but truly I could use the time to think.  Or not think.  I was tired and the conversation I had been overhearing was more worrisome than informative.  I made up the tray with plates of chicken and potatoes, with biscuits, cheese, and freshly sliced apples, with glasses of water and mugs of coffee and took it into the sitting room. 
                  Hutch Longren stood at the window, looking out toward the street, one arm up against the wall, his shoulders strong and broad.  Matthew lay with his eyes closed, a curl of dark hair over his forehead, his lips parted.
                  I got out of there as soon as I could and this time, I closed the kitchen door firmly behind myself.
     
                  The doctor arrived as I finished cleaning up the kitchen.  He came with a buckboard and left his horse tethered to the porch rail, as if either the horse or the doctor meant to leave in some great hurry.
                  "Matthew Longren," he called from beyond the screened door.  "What have you gotten yourself into this time?"
                  I hoped for an answer to be forthcoming but when none was, I let myself out of the kitchen and into the sitting room.  If I learned nothing else, I could at least learn what I'd done right or wrong for Matthew's wound.
                  The doctor nodded to me when I entered but didn't stop what he was doing, which mostly concerned looking at the wound, gently pressing around the edges, and making "mmm" sounds.  At last, he stood and I was able to see Matthew's face again.  He was covered with a sheen of perspiration, looking gray and exhausted, and I was grateful when the doctor opened his black bag and removed a needle and syringe. 
                  "Morphine will get you through the night," he said, and to Hutch, "I assume he'll be staying here."
                  Hutch nodded.  His own face was gray and exhausted.  Worry for his brother, no doubt.  I hadn't heard them talking much before the doctor came and I was no more enlightened as to who Jason Seth was than I had been before.
                  "The sheriff will be visiting, no doubt, but with the morning," the doctor said, and administered the shot to Matthew, who had closed his eyes and kept them closed.  "Now," he said, straightening, "I'd like to talk to the nurse."
                  I blushed, cursing my fair skin, and stepped forward.  Before I could say anything, Hutch stepped forward and said, "This is Miss Margaret Lucas,