Where the Wind Blows Read Online Free PDF Page B

on her dresser burning. Returning to Chase, she bent close and whispered, “Psst, Mr. Logan…You awake?”
    No answer.
    She gave his shoulder a little shake.
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Get on up now and follow me.” Trying not to wake him too much, she took him by the shirtfront and pulled.
    Nothing happened.
    Shaking him a bit harder, she breathed into his ear, “Mr. Logan, please. I have a nice soft bed waiting for you. Think how good it’ll feel. Just a few steps away.”
    A tiny smile curved the corners of his lips. He struggled to open his eyes.
    With effort, she pulled him to his feet, slinging his arm over her shoulder. His weight almost toppled her. When she slid her other arm around his waist, he mumbled something and tried to snuggle her closer. Determinedly, she shepherded him into the bedroom.
    With her door closed, she turned him around and gave a push. He sat with a plop on the end of her bed and fell back. His head glanced off the bedpost before landing on the pillow, but he didn’t seem to notice.
    “Serves you right.” She lifted a boot to remove it. She pulled. It didn’t budge. She tried again with the same results. “Dad-blasted old boot!”
    “Turn around and straddle me, darlin’,” Chase mumbled groggily.
    “What!”
    “Go on now.” His words were slurred. “I won’t bite.”
    Mortified, she hiked up her skirt and stepped over his leg, taking hold of his boot. She sucked in her breath and leaned forward. Her face flushed with the effort, but nothing happened.
    Chase lifted his other leg and rested his boot firmly on her backside. He gave a push.
    The boot came off with a whoosh, landing Jessie on her knees. She repeated the process for the other boot, blushing in the dim light at the feel of his stocking foot on her bottom. She straightened his legs out on the bed, checked to see that he was still asleep, and blew out the lantern.
    In the dark room, she sat in her rocker and pulled her quilt around her shoulders. Chase’s breathing was the only sound.
    What in land’s sake had she gotten herself into? She hadn’t known how much laudanum it would take to knock someone of his size unconscious—so she’d been extra generous. One thing was certain. He was going to be one hungover, angry cowboy in the morning.

Chapter Six
    A whisper of sound stirred Chase out of his sleep. His temples reverberated painfully, a result of little hammers banging away in his head. Light pierced through to his brain as he dragged his eyes open. Immediately, he slammed them closed.
    Feeling the bed move slightly, Chase peeked through his lashes to the foot of the bed. There sat the little girl, the special delivery, snuggled in a blanket and playing quietly with something.
    As if feeling his gaze, Sarah’s head popped up and she stared at him, startled. Chase groaned at the gentle sway of the bed, and her eyes widened even farther.
    “Mornin’.” His attempt at soft came out gravelly and cross.
    She watched him curiously for a moment, then ever so slightly elevated the socklike doll she held in her hands. He looked at it and then nodded his appreciation.
    No mistaking Sarah understood his admiration, for she proceeded to play happily as if he weren’t there.
    Chase rubbed his hand across his throbbing eyes and tried to settle his rolling stomach. Whatever Jessie had slipped him last night had knocked him out good. He hadn’t been this sick in years.
    Jessie stood close to the slightly ajar bedroom door, listening. The murmur of voices drifted out. Mr. Logan must be awake now, and talking with Sarah. A niggle of fear stirred inside her stomach as she tried to hear what he said. She wastemped to peek in to see if any color had returned to his deathly white face, but resisted.
    Earlier she’d started a fire and put on a fresh pot of coffee. Propelled by nervous energy, she’d busied herself getting the cabin warmed up before everyone was awake and wanting breakfast. When Sarah had begun to stir, in an attempt