Heartland by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online Page B

Steven, saw the haunted expression in his eyes. “Could you leave me alone now? I need to think.”
    Thankfully this time he didn’t fight her. He nodded and got to his feet. “I meant every word I said, Lara. You were the most important thing in my life once. You still are. All I’m asking for is a chance to prove that to you.”
    Then before she could guess his intention, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, a touch of silk and fire that caressed her body and set it aflame. As he started to draw away, her fingers threaded through the hair at the nape of his neck. Their eyes met, questioned and knew. Their breath mingled during that instant of separation, and then she drew him to her again, as incapable of denying herself this moment as he had been. The unexpected, gently inquisitive kiss confirmed what she’d already guessed: the passion had never died, it had merely hidden in wait for his return.
    * * *
    When Steven had gone, she put her head down on her knees and let the tears fall freely. So many years lost, time that could never be replaced. His explanation was plausible enough, but did she dare trust a man to whom words came so easily? There was more than just his precipitous departure to answer for. There was the land.
    In the past Steven had used the misfortune of many of the local farmers to gain control of hundreds and hundreds of acres. He’d tried to get her family’s land as well, and she wasn’t at all sure even now that she hadn’t once been a pawn in his game.
    All he wanted was a chance, he’d said. But giving it to him would be a risk, a dangerous one.
    Then she thought of all the years of loneliness that had vanished with a single touch from his gentle fingers and of the desire that had raged at a single kiss. She could fight him, but her own body acted as a weapon against her, making her doubt that she had a prayer of winning.
    â€œI’ll give you your chance, Steven,” she murmured finally. “But I’ll be one formidable enemy if you betray me again.”
    The rest of the day passed in a haze. She rejoined the others. She ate, though she couldn’t have said what. She played games with the girls, unaware of who won. She even danced just once with Steven, her body turning to liquid fire in his arms, though she remembered that in every detail. The sensation both awed and frightened her, and after that dance she ran from it.
    At home the girls were so excited they knocked an entire bottle of bubble bath into the tub while Lara was in the bedroom. When she got back, bubbles had overflowed and were creeping toward the hallway. Kelly couldn’t find her favorite bear. Jennifer refused to wear her pink pajamas and insisted on wearing the yellow ones Lara had taken downstairs to wash. Three glasses of water each were necessary before they were under the covers. By the time they had settled down for their bedtime story, Lara felt as if she’d plowed an entire field by herself...by hand.
    â€œAunt Lara,” Jennifer said sleepily when the story had ended and Kelly’s eyes were shut, her thumb tucked in her mouth.
    â€œWhat, sweetie?”
    â€œIs Mr. Drake your boyfriend?”
    The Velveteen Rabbit fell from Lara’s hands. “Why on earth would you ask that?”
    â€œI saw him kiss you. That must mean he likes you, right?”
    â€œSometimes kisses are just between friends.”
    â€œOh.”
    Lara regarded her curiously. “You sound disappointed.”
    â€œI wanted him to like you, the way Daddy likes Mommy.”
    â€œWhy?”
    She snuggled close to Lara and wrapped her arms around her waist. When she spoke, her voice was sad, and her words were muffled against Lara’s chest. “So you won’t be lonely when me and Kelly go away.”
    Lara sighed as tears sprang into her eyes. She rocked Jennifer in her arms. “Oh, baby, that’s a long time from now. We have the whole