The Heart of a Hero Read Online Free PDF Page A

to get in line behind all the female workers—single
and
married. Really, Trisha, you should hear them in the locker room talking about ‘the mysterious man with no last name.’ Apparently size
does
matter to a lot of women.”
    “Well, you all but disappeared in his arms when he kissed you,” Trisha said. “It certainly shut Daddy up. At least until he got a few more drinks in him and started in again about us girls sticking our noses in the air when it comes to men, and how we can’t catch ourselves a husband if we’re not properly grateful for
any
male attention.”
    “I’m sorry Clay’s lies about me ruined your reputation, too. But once you get to college, I promise you’ll find yourself a really nice young man.”
    “Ah, yes; the dreaded ‘slut by association,’” Trisha moaned, making Nicholas grin when the girl pressed the back of her hand to her forehead—her angst ruined by her laugh. But then she sobered. “Tell the truth, Jules: Did you like it?”
    “Like what?”
    “That kiss tonight. What does it feel like to be pulled into the arms of a big strong man and kissed like that? It wasn’t a quick peck, either. I mean, it looked
real
. So what was it like?”
    Nicholas stopped breathing.
    “You really want to know?” Julia whispered, to which Trisha immediately nodded. “Well, it was a good thing he stopped when he did,” she said with a nod, “because I was one second away from kissing him back.” She gave a snicker. “Why do you think he all but ran to his truck? He obviously felt me getting ready to knock his socks off.”
    Nicholas barely stifled a snicker of his own. He’d stopped because he’d felt Julia getting ready to panic. Then again, maybe she’d been getting ready to slap his face.
    “You kissed him back?” Trisha squeaked in surprise.
    Nicholas heard Julia sigh, and saw her reach out and gently touch Trisha’s cheek. “I
almost
did. But apparently it’s been so long, I’ve forgotten how.” She dropped her hand. “But if you swear never to tell a soul, I will admit I did like getting a little taste of passion.”
    “Because it reminded you of when you and Clay were first married?”
    Julia suddenly choked on a laugh. “Good heavens, no. I realized a long time ago that what I felt for Clay was just dumb teenage lust, combined with the excitement of being married and getting out of this sleepy town.”
    “Well, Spellbound isn’t sleepy anymore.” Trisha gave a loud yawn. “Not since the earthquake.”
    “No,” Julia agreed, rolling onto her stomach with a groan. “For once I’m glad I don’t have any boobs, so I can sleep on my belly tonight—unlike you, Miss Curvy.”
    “You had boobs when you weighed more. You don’t eat all day because you’re too cheap to buy lunch at the resort, and Daddy won’t let you pack one unless you start paying him rent.”
    “I’m not paying rent when I wash his and Reggie’s clothes and cook their meals and clean up after them. I am going to have to dip into our savings and finally get that old pickup fixed, though, even if it does mean throwing good money after bad.”
    “I can go back to riding the school bus.”
    Julia lifted her head. “No, you can’t. You need to stay after for extracurricular activities. They’re important for college. And besides, if you start coming home at three, Daddy and Tom will put you to work, and I swear I’ll burn that mill to the ground before I’ll let you break your back stacking pallets of shingles.” Nicholas saw Julia yawn and settle her head back on the rolled up shirt. “Come on, let’s go to sleep. I think the aspirin I took is working, and that shot of rum is finally kicking in. I’ll be back in fighting form come morning. Night, little sister,” she said. “Sweet dreams.”
    “Night, Jules.”
    Nicholas stood rooted in place, trying to decide how he felt. On the one hand, he wouldn’t mind paying a late-night visit to the Campbell homestead, yet he was also in