Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek) by Michelle Beattie Read Free Book Online

If you want to…" her face felt engulfed in flames. "If you need to go out afterward," she said referring to the brothels, "I won't stand in your way."
    She inhaled deeply. There. She'd spoken her mind. It may have been past time she did, but her hands shook nonetheless. The trembling only intensified the longer Jake remained quiet. He regarded her carefully, his expression as solid as the mountains outside the window. His breathing filled the silent room. He was close enough to touch, but she would never dare. Instead, she dropped her hands to her lap.
    Jake's expression softened. His lips quirked; humor danced in his eyes. "Is that my lecture for the day?"
    "I'm hoping this will be your one and only."
    Laughter rumbled from his chest. "From what I've been told, where wives are concerned, there is no such thing as only one lecture. At any rate, I'm not angry you went to town. You're right; I isolated you and I'm sorry for that. From now on, you can do what you like."
    What she'd like is to be taken in his arms and to feel his lips on hers. Laura cleared her throat. "I'd like us to get along, Jake. We had an unconventional beginning, but I don't want to argue with you every day and I don't want you to avoid me. I'd like to think if you gave me a chance, we could, at the very least, become friends."
    His smile reached his eyes. Laura had never seen a more beautiful sight.
    "I'd like that, Laura. As I'd like to take you to supper tonight. How does a meal at the Golden Nugget restaurant sound?"
    "You want to go out for supper? With me?"
    "I'm sorry that surprises you. It's not a good reflection on me, but yes, I'd like to take you out. Can you be ready in an hour? I took the liberty of arranging a carriage to come for us."
    Could she be ready in an hour? She could be ready in ten minutes, sooner if she thought he'd change his mind. "Yes, an hour will be more than enough."
    "I look forward to it."
    Warmth spilled from her heart and filled her chest. It wasn't love, it wasn't even friendship, but it was a start.

 
    FOUR
    Nearly every table in the restaurant was filled. With his hand on the small of her back, Jake guided Laura toward the most private one, the one he'd made certain would be held for him before he'd headed for the house earlier. Eyes sharp as daggers dug into his spine as he and Laura weaved their way to the rear of the establishment. The whispers taunted him. Not because he heard his name amid them, but because he heard Laura's. Surely, if he heard them so did she.
    Yet she continued to walk through the restaurant, head held high, shoulders back. He couldn't help but admire her mettle. In fact, when he looked back upon it, he realized she'd never lacked for spirit. Other than the lone tear she had shed in his bed that first morning, he'd seen nothing but strength from her. She'd been stoic at their wedding. She'd stood up to him when he'd come to take her from Angeline's Dress Emporium, and today, heck if she hadn't surprised him with her little speech.
    His lips tugged as he thought about it. If he hadn't already decided--with a little help from his granddad--that he couldn't continue to live the way he'd been living, her lecture would have gone a long way toward swaying him. As it was, he was more than ready to come back home. He'd missed settling down after a long day and enjoying a coffee after supper before his fire. He certainly wouldn't miss falling asleep on the sofa in his office or spending too much time at the Powder Horn. Starting tonight, things would go back the way they were before he'd gotten married. Well, with the exception that he would no longer be alone.
    They came to the appointed table. Jake stepped behind Laura and held the chair for her. She hesitated a moment, as though she didn't know what to do, but then, with a hush that had taken over the dining room, she took her seat. Jake moved around to his chair and settled in.
    "Everyone's staring."
    "I can't help that, but I'm sorry if it