Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

first time.
    “My name is Cora. How are you?”
    “Good.” She smiled.
    “How old are you?”
    “Free.” Susie held up three fingers.
    Cora smiled.
    “Knock, knock. Cora, are you awake?” Pearl asked from the hallway.
    “Yes, come on in.” She’d feel more comfortable if she wasn’t in her nightgown.
    “I’m sorry to bother you, but Susie seems to be miss—” Pearl spotted her granddaughter at the foot of Cora’s bed. “I’m so sorry. Susie, you should have asked Gramma before coming in here. Cora is new to the ranch. You might have startled her.”
    “She’s fine.” Cora winked at Susie. “She’s so lovely, I could squeeze her.”
    “Then you don’t mind her coming in here unannounced?” Pearl asked.
    “Gracious no. She’s welcome in here anytime, especially if I’m going to be helping out with her.”
    “Let me take Susie downstairs. You get dressed. Breakfast is almost ready. Cook likes us to eat by eight.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’m used to being ready for Ms. Lottie. I’ll be right down. I’ll see you in a minute, Susie.” Cora waved to the little tot, and the child giggled. “Oh, by the way, Mrs. O’Reilly, will your son be at breakfast?”
    “Rex? Oh yes, he’ll be at breakfast. He usually works with the ranch hands before coming in. I can’t wait for you two to get to know each other. He’s the one who told us you worked for Ms. Lottie.” Pearl took the child’s hand and left the room.
    When the door clicked shut, Cora gasped and threw her head back onto the headboard. “Rex? He can’t be the same Rex from Ms. Lottie’s. She’d never let on that the O’Reillys were his parents.” Could Cora work for him? He seemed so…so…temperamental.
    Cora showered and dressed. She touched up her face, trying to cover the dark circles that never seemed to disappear, and then followed her nose to the room where the family sat around the table. And there he was—the same Rex she’d served several days earlier.
    “Morning.”
    “Good morning.” R.L. welcomed her into the room. “Cora, this is Matt, Clarice, and Rex.” He waved his hand in their direction. “And this is Cora Buchanan.” He motioned toward her. “She’s going to help us with Susie for a little while. I trust you slept well.”
    “Like a baby. I haven’t had a night’s sleep like that in quite a while.” She recalled the long sleepless nights she’d endured since Clark’s disappearance. As she walked over to the chair pulled out for her by R.L., Susie yelled out for her to sit beside her. Everyone laughed, but Rex showed no emotion.
    As she sat down, she darted her eyes at Rex with the speed of a hummingbird feeding on nectar, quick enough so he wouldn’t see her looking. When she’d seen him at Ms. Lottie’s, covered in dust from working, he was a bit appealing, but less than at this moment. She glanced at him again—this time for a little bit longer. Her breath stalled as she watched this man who seemed to define masculinity. She hardly noticed his younger brother—Was his name Matt?—who seemed closer to her age.
    Rex’s skin featured a tan from his time outdoors, and his wavy hair and eyes possessed a darkness that caught Cora off guard. A thick mustache rested lazily on his upper lip, and a dark beard covered his face. Heat burst from her chest. Her neck was probably turning red. Her heart beat like a flame flickering in a breeze. Guilt twinged through her for taking a second look at him—the first man since Clark to get her attention.
    Rex looked up while she stared at him. “So you’re the woman Mom and Dad hired to watch after Susie?” He gnawed on a piece of bacon, a muscle in his jaw ticking.
    “Yes, I’m going to try things out.” She swallowed a piece of fried egg whole.
    “I saw you at Ms. Lottie’s.” Rex studied her.
    “Yep. I worked there all of last week.” The lump in her throat built and threatened to choke her.
    “Nice to meet you again. I told Mom and Dad about you