Wild Is My Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

stated with cool indifference.
    “Sheriff Bauer?”
    “If that’s the sheriff’s name, then I reckon he’s the one.”
    A shudder rippled over Sam’s flesh. “Enough,” she said, pushing the spoon away from her mouth. She couldn’t swallow another bite until a more pressing need was satisfied. Yet she was too embarrassed to ask this cynical stranger for the help she required. Instead, her face grew red and she began to squirm uncomfortably beneath the sheet.
    Noting her discomfort, Colt knew intuitively what bothered her. Not one to mince words, he asked, “Would you like the chamberpot?”
    “Oh, God,” Sam groaned, horrified by his blunt language. “Send in Sanchez.”
    “Who do you think did this for you these last few days?” Colt asked, amusement coloring his words.
    “Oh, God,” she groaned again, covering her flaming face with the sheet. “Just leave it beside the bed and get out of here.”
    “Are you certain you’re strong enough to—”
    “Yes! Yes!” Her voice quivered with barely concealed rage. What a thoroughly despicable, arrogant man. “Bastard,” she hissed, giving emphasis to her thoughts.
    “Call me that one more time, Sam, and you’ll find what a bastard I can be. So far I’ve treated you with more respect than you deserve, considerin’ the serious nature of your crime. But you’re sorely tryin’ my patience.” He placed the chamberpot beside the bed with a resounding bang. “Are you certain you can manage?”
    “Just vamoose,” came her muffled reply from beneath the sheet.
    Later, Sam had to suffer Colt’s ministrations once again when he returned to change her bandage. Tears rolled down her pale cheeks when he callously pulled the sheet down, exposing her breasts. But he seemed not to notice her acute embarrassment as he swiftly and efficiently peeled off the blood-soaked bandage and replaced it with another. If Sam hadn’t kept her eyes tightly shut the whole time, she would have noticed that Colt wasn’t as unaffected as she supposed. His hands shook with the effort of controlling the urge to linger on the provocative rise of velvet skin. His breath shuddered unevenly through his body, keeping time with the erotic pounding in his chest.
    “There, it’s done,” Colt sighed, turning away with an effort that taxed his steely control.
    Sam said nothing, peeping through lowered lashes while he gathered up the soiled bandages. His next words sent her wits scattering. “Would you like a bath? You haven’t had one since the one I gave you after I removed the bullet.”
    “You…” squeaked Sam, the words dying in her throat.
    “I think you’re well enough to do it yourself this time,” Colt continued complacently. “I’ll have Sanchez bring in hot water. In the meantime, I’m ridin’ to Karlsburg. I should have reported in two days ago. Mayor Mohler will be expectin’ me. I reckon there’s no need to remind you not to leave this bed. I’ll find you no matter where you vamoose to. There’s no one to help you. It’s obvious your lover isn’t comin’ back. He has the money, that’s all a man like that wants.”
    “My…my lover?” stuttered Sam, thoroughly confused.
    “Perhaps I’m being presumptuous, but you never did explain your relationship to your accomplice.” Colt waited, dark brows raised inquiringly, but when Sam refused to acknowledge his taunt, he snorted derisively. “As I said before, your lover isn’t coming back for you.” He strode purposefully toward the door.
    “Wait! What day is this?”
    “If this is some trick—”
    “No, please, just tell me the day and date.”
    “Tuesday, May 5, 1858.”
    “And the time?”
    “Just past noon.”
    “Then there’s still time.”
    The words were spoken so low that Colt had to strain to hear them. He started to ask Sam to explain but thought better of it, deciding he hadn’t gotten a straight answer from her yet, so why expect one now? Shrugging, he left the room.
    Colt had been gone