A Lady in Defiance by Heather Blanton Read Free Book Online Page A

for a while. They’re a little
footsore but they will sell. Animals are always needed for running the freight
wagons−”
    “Mr. McIntyre−” Naomi cut him off, stopping his rapid
fire assault of details. “Mr. McIntyre,” she repeated, softening her voice.
“We’re not completely helpless and we would like some say in our own plans. No
one died and made you God.”
    He grinned, amusedby her grit. Turning to her, he brazenly
assayed her curvaceous figure and haughty expression and decided it was time to
put her in her place. “I’m the closest thing you’ve got in Defiance, Your
Highness, and I’m only trying to help. We’ll get more done if you won’t try to
be such a royal pain in the a−”
    “Mr. McIntyre,” Naomi interrupted again. Breathing faster, he
wondered if from anger or his appraising eye, she took a step towards him.
“Sadly, it is apparent that your help is unavoidable...” She let the insult
sink in then continued. “But we need a few days to...to recover from our trip
and gather our thoughts. Can you understand that? Sampson was my husband’s
horse. He loved that animal. I...” She looked for words, “I−we just can’t
make all these decisions right now.” She crossed her arms tightly across her
chest, sending a clear message. “We need some time.”
    He looked at her sisters, saw the lost and bewildered look in
their eyes, and contritely clutched his hands behind his back. “My most sincere
apologies, ladies. I’m a man of action. I don’t believe in wasting time or
opportunities. However, I should learn to be more sensitive. You’ve been
through a lot,” his eyes swung back to Naomi, “all of you.” She only nodded
curtly at his acknowledgement. He stepped outside to the hallway, quickly noted
that Wade was still stationed at the front entrance, and then addressed her
again. “We can go to my attorney’s office whenever you’re ready. I’ll tell Wade
to bring your wagon around. There’s a large stoop just off the back door
there,” he motioned towards the rear of the building. “I’ll also send a man
over to assist with your heavier items.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Naomi countered.
    “Oh, but I insist. That would be the gentlemanly thing to
do...and I don’t often get to be one of those.”
    “Then if you’ll give me a few moments with my sisters, I’ll
meet you out front.” It wasn’t a request.
    “Very well.” In parting, he turned to Hannah and Rebecca and
told them, “You needn’t fear for your safety in Defiance. What happened with
the men today won’t happen again. I’ll make it clear that you are not to be
accosted in any way.”
    McIntyre sauntered out to the front porch and lit a cheroot.
As he pondered his plans and the next steps for his new tenants, he realized he
should make the offer of a bed. He had an exceptionally large one in storage on
the second floor and they could certainly use it. The thought of telling these
proper young ladies what he’d intended to do with that bed made him smile. He
was willing to bet such carnal ideas had never entered their pretty little heads.
    In spite of the erotic goals for the four-poster, he thought
this was a worthwhile sacrifice. He wouldn’t guess how many nights it had it
been since these girls had slept on an actual mattress. Feeling generous, he
gave the marshal instructions for it as the lawman climbed up into the wagon.
As McIntyre walked back to tell the sisters, the sound of Rebecca’s voice
lifted up in prayer stopped him short.
    “...and Father, we ask that you would give us courage as we
face the unknown here in Defiance. Help us to rely on you and trust completely
in your plan. We pray especially that you would strengthen Naomi, Father. She
has the difficult burden of dealing with grief on top of all the additional
challenges of building a new life. But your word promises us that you won’t put
more on us than we can bear and we all know how strong you’ve made her.