Daniel's Desire by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online Page B

horse farm in Virginia. No need for the cheap labor slaves provide, and none of us could stomach ‘owning’ another human being.”
    “So why are you toting a gun and shooting at my neighbors?”
    “Times I wonder about that myself.”
    Daniel gazed off into the distance, the sound of Rosemarie’s soft breaths in his ears. What if he just walked away from the war? He’d given four years to the Cause, and every instinct in him said the war was coming to an end. The South couldn’t hold out much longer. Low on supplies, no food, troops deserting. It didn’t look good.
    He could stay here, take on a ready-made family. His gaze wandered to Rosemarie, also deep in thought. He took in her no-longer gaunt features, full lips, creamy skin. Aside from his physical attraction to her, he admired her strength, courage and convictions. Instead of sitting down and crying at the blow life had dealt her, she worked to keep her family fed and safe. He could do much worse with a life partner.
    • • •
    Late the next afternoon, after gathering onions, potatoes, and green beans from the storage cellar, Daniel dumped them onto the kitchen table. The chicken he’d killed lay alongside the vegetables, everything ready for someone to fix the meal. Daniel leaned against the sink, studying the items. Cooking for a family had never been one of his better skills. He’d managed to put together beans and rice for supper, as well as a potato and onion soup. The rabbit stew had been passable, but the kids clamored for fried chicken, and that was beyond him.
    His head snapped up at the sound of a thud coming from the bedroom.
    “What was that?” Chandler frowned from where he worked on sums his mother had assigned him.
    “I don’t know,” Daniel shot over his shoulder as he strode down the hallway to Rosemarie’s bedroom.
    She sat on the floor, leaning against the bed, her face stark white, eyes pinched closed in pain.
    “What are you doing?” Daniel hunkered down alongside her.
    “I have to get up and get some work done. I’m sick to death of lying in this bed.” She spoke through clenched teeth.
    He sat back on his heels. “So you were attempting to climb out of bed and stroll down the hallway to the kitchen? Or maybe to the mudroom to do some washing? Or perhaps — ”
    “Stop.” She opened her eyes, dark with anger. “I’m not stupid. I merely tried to sit on the edge of the bed and I slipped.” She blew out a puff of air, fluttering the silky curls resting on her forehead.
    Daniel stood and crossed his arms over his chest. He looked down at her. “If you really want to get up and help, maybe I can carry you to the kitchen, and you can do something with that food sitting on the table. They all mentioned fried chicken.”
    She nodded and shifted. “Yes, their favorite. I can do that.”
    He bent and scooped her in his arms, noting the wince as he settled her. “Sorry.”
    “It’s fine.”
    Her body slid against his, warm and smooth. Daniel broke into a sweat as the soft pillows of her breasts once again pressed against his chest. The female scent of her drifted to his nostrils, causing his stomach muscles to clench.
    Obviously, he’d been without a woman too long. The problem was the woman he wanted could not be his.
    He glanced down to see Rosemarie staring at him, chewing her lip. Her cheeks flushed, she closed her eyes and turned her head away from him.
    Daniel settled her on a chair in front of the mound of vegetables. She clamped her lips and paled as she adjusted her leg.
    After taking a deep breath, she turned to Chandler. “Can you bring my dressing gown from the bottom of my bed?”
    “I’ll build up a fire in the stove. That will help to warm you.” Daniel headed to the back door.
    “There isn’t much wood left.”
    “There’s plenty,” he answered as the back door slammed.
    He chided himself as he strode to the pile of wood he’d cut earlier. He didn’t like where his thoughts headed. In no time