Catherine's Awakening by Joanna Wylde Read Free Book Online Page A

replied. “You won’t make it through the term. I’m going
    to marry you before then.”
    “Wade, you may not realize this, but we don’t live in a monarchy and you are not
    the king. You don’t get to marry a woman unless she agrees to it.”
    “Oh, you’ll agree to it,” he replied. “I’ve never had to force a woman I want, and I
    won’t have to force you. By the time we’re done with this, you’ll be so damn frustrated
    you’ll marry me just to make it stop hurting. I won’t let up until I get what I want.”
    “Just get in the damn wagon,” she said turning away from him. As she swung
    around, she ran right into Mrs. Cordelia Jackson, who had clearly overheard their

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    Catherine’s Awakening
    exchange from the startled look on her face. Wade chuckled softly behind Catherine,
    grabbed her arm and tipped his hat to the matron.
    “You know how young ladies are during courting,” he said, and the sour
    expression melted off Mrs. Jackson’s face. Wade heard Cat’s disgusted huff, and tried
    not to laugh out loud.
    “You really shouldn’t use language like that, Mrs. Masters,” Mrs. Jackson said,
    clucking. “But I remember how men can be. Try to be a little more patient with him,
    dear.”
    Catherine nodded her head politely, but Wade could tell she was ripping mad.
    “You know, it’s not my fault the ladies like me,” he said as he handed her up into
    the wagon. “It’s just the burden I’ve been given.”
    “You should save your charm for someone who’s interested.”
    “Oh, I think you’re interested,” he said, swinging up beside her and starting the
    wagon rolling with a snap of the reins. “You just don’t want to admit it.”
    “Horseshit.”
    “Watch that mouth,” he chided gently. “And if you insist, I’ll prove it to you. I’ll
    kiss you right here in the middle of Main Street, and we’ll see who’s fighting off whom
    by the end.”
    She didn’t answer, and he knew he’d won. Good enough for now, he decided.

    * * * * *

    Catherine was pumping water into a bucket when she saw José riding up with a
    woman on a horse. The young Mexican man was shy, and she’d never heard anything
    about him having a girlfriend. She saw Wade walk out to greet the travelers, and her
    curiosity got the better of her. She set down the bucket and walked over, wiping her
    hands on her apron as she went.
    “Catherine, I have a surprise for you,” Wade called to her as she walked toward
    them. She studied the girl as she approached—she was young, probably seventeen or
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    Joanna Wylde
    eighteen. She had dark hair, pulled back in a thick braid running halfway down her
    back, and she wore a loose white blouse tucked into a wide, flowing skirt. Her skin was
    nut-brown, and she wore a pretty mantilla over her head and shoulders.
    “This is Maria,” Wade said. “She’s José’s sister, and she’s agreed to come and help
    you around the house. You do a lot, and I thought you could use some feminine
    companionship. And if you end up taking the teaching job, we’ll need someone to keep
    house for us.”
    She studied him, wondering what kind of game he was playing. She knew he had
    no intention of letting her take the job, although she’d fight him to her last breath on
    that one. Still, the idea of having help was a good one.
    Catherine turned to Maria, who gave her a bright smile.
    “I help you,   Señora   Masters,” she said. “José says you’re a good lady, and I work
    hard for you.”
    “It’s nice to have you here,” Catherine replied, forcing herself to smile back while
    noting how lovely Maria was. And young. Younger than her.
    “Where were you thinking she’d be staying, Wade?” she asked, turning to him. He
    kept his gaze on Maria, his expression pleased and appreciative.
    “I figured she should stay in the house with us,” he replied. “There’s the empty
    room next to mine that will do.”
    Catherine nodded, realizing it was the only good solution. A