Jodi Thomas by In a Heartbeat Read Free Book Online

coffee.
    She curled into the rocker and watched the fire. She’d spent the past three days thinking of what she’d tell Milton. But before he came, she had to talk with Colt and tell him she was sorry about the kiss. Maybe if he believed that little lie, he’d allow her to stay on as tutor.
    Joanna was almost asleep when the door creaked open. Colt looked exhausted as he moved in from the cold. For a moment he didn’t seem to see her as he crossed to the fireplace. He stretched and removed his coat. His broad shoulders rippled with muscles as he locked his fingers and reached into the air.
    When he turned his back to the fire, he saw Joanna. A hundred emotions seemed to cross through him, kaleidoscoping in his eyes. For a moment she thought he was going to reach for her and pull her against him, but slowly he forced the hardness into his face.
    “I thought you’d be gone by the time I got back.” His words were as cold as the wind. “Your month will be up by the end of the week.”
    “Am I fired?” Joanna stood.
    “Of course not,” he snapped. “I only figured your man would have come by now.”
    “He’s not my man.” She forced herself to keep her voice low. “I’m quite satisfied with my employment here, unless you have some objection, Captain.”
    He watched her closely as though he didn’t trust her response. “No objection,” he whispered, locking his hands behind him. “Only, I half wish you were on the train back to Ohio.”
    Joanna felt the pain of his words all the way to her soul. “You do?”
    “Yes,” he answered as he moved away from the fire and into the shadows. “There’s trouble coming. Big trouble, and I wish I knew you were somewhere safe.”
    Joanna closed her eyes and tried to stop the tears from falling. He hadn’t wanted her gone, only safe.
    He moved between her and the fire as he lifted his coat and rifle. “Well, we’d best get some rest. Tomorrow’s likely to be a busy day.”
    As he straightened he looked into her blue eyes and saw the tears. Suddenly his formal manner was forgotten. He dropped his coat and moved closer to her. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. “You have to know I’d protect you and the girls with my life.”
    Joanna pushed the tear away from her cheek with her fingertips. How could she tell him that it wasn’t the fear of an Indian attack that frightened her, but the thought that he would send her away if he could?
    I’m playing silly games with myself, she thought. I let myself believe that one kiss could mean something between two people. He probably thought it was nothing, not even worth mentioning.
    Colt took a step toward her, then backed away. “I’m sorry I mentioned the Indians. We won’t know anything until tomorrow. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
    Joanna pulled the ribbons of her pride together. “I wasn’t worried about an attack.” She moved to her bedroom, suddenly wanting to be alone.
    The captain didn’t follow. “Miss Whiddon,” he whispered before she reached the door. “About the other night. I didn’t plan what happened on the porch.”
    “I know,” she whispered, wondering why he didn’t just say he was sorry and that it would never happen again. The best kiss in her life and he felt he had to apologize for it. “Good night, Captain,” she whispered as she hurried into her bedroom. She thought she heard him start to say something, but her heart couldn’t bear an explanation of what had been magic to her.
    She pulled off her robe and curled up beside her aunt as she fought back the sobs. What a mess she’d gotten herself into. She could list his shortcomings all night long, but Joanna had to face one fact. She’d fallen in love with Colt and all he wanted was a tutor for his children.
    She closed her eyes and drifted into sleep. Far into the night she dreamed she heard him call her name. Then he touched her shoulder gently and she came fully awake, realizing she wasn’t dreaming.
    “Joanna,” he