High Desert Haven (The Shepherd's Heart) by Lynnette Bonner Read Free Book Online Page B

here and I got to thinking…” He twisted his hat around on the table a couple of times, glanced at her, then back at his hat. He drummed his fingers on the table. “Well, with our spreads sharing one border and all, and you and Sawyer being alone now, I thought—” He stopped again.
    The coffee pot started to boil, sending splashes of water out the pour spout to sizzle on the stove top. Nicki realized she had put it too close to the center, so she got up and went over to move it closer to the edge. Behind her, William sighed. What was he trying to get at?
    Sitting back down at the table, she rested her hands in front of her. “What do you want, William?”
    Reaching out, he laid one hand over the top of both of hers and looked deeply into her eyes. “I want you to marry me.”
    Nicki gasped and jerked her hands from his as though he had poured boiling water on them. Standing up, she pressed the knuckle of her first finger to her suddenly throbbing temple and the other hand to the small of her back, closing her eyes for an instant. The audacity of his preposterous proposal made her dizzy. “No.”
    “Nicki, listen to reason. There is no way on God’s green earth that you are going to be able to run this place on your own. John has five thousand acres here. Do you know how much work it’s going to take to keep this place running? And you have two hands who stayed through the winter. Two hands.” He held aloft two fingers. “You need me, Nicki. There’s no two ways about it.”
    Nicki massaged both temples with cold fingers. She could feel a headache coming on strong. And futility was fast on its heels.
    He was right. She did only have two hands. He was right. She didn’t know the first thing about managing a ranch and keeping things running smoothly. He was right. She needed help. But she couldn’t step into another marriage for convenience’s sake. She had done it once to save her family. Now there was just she and Sawyer, and she intended to give it a go on her own. Not to mention, she didn’t know where William stood in his relationship with the Lord.
    She straightened her shoulders and tried to smile.
    A flicker of hope jumped into his eyes.
    She spoke quickly, holding up a hand to slow down his assumption. “I see that you are just trying to help me, William, and I know I’m going to need help here, but I can’t marry you. Not right now, at least. I need some time.”
    He rose quickly and came to her, placing his hands on her arms. “I’m sorry. I should have given you more time. I know you are a strong woman and that if any woman can run a ranch, it’s you, but I have to warn you. I’ve already heard talk in town. There are some very big men who would give anything to get their hands on this land. I’m worried about your safety.”
    Nicki took a step back, looking into his eyes. “You don’t think they had anything to do with John’s death, do you?”
    He stepped close, smoothing her hair, his face contorted with compassion. “No. Shhh. Shhh.” He pulled her to his chest. “I was there, Nicki. John’s death was an accident.”
    Tears welled in her eyes. She pushed him away, folded her arms, and stared at the floor, trying to assure herself his words were true.
    He touched her cheek and Nicki looked into his face. “You need someone to take care of you, Nicki. You’ve had to take care of yourself long enough.”
    Nicki didn’t like this assault on her emotions. William was so tender and caring, yet something didn’t ring true. She took a slow step away from him, needing distance to think clearly.
    He put on his hat. “If you won’t consider me for yourself, think of Sawyer. I already love him like he was my own, and he’s going to need a father.”
    Nicki blinked and looked toward the bed where the little boy still slept soundly. She shook her head in confusion and took another step away from him, pressing her fingertips to her temple once more. “I don’t know. I’ll think about