Sunset Embrace by Sandra Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

the night before either. Maybe she was dimwitted to boot.
    When he couldn't stand that intense, silent stare any longer, he asked irritably, "Would you like some coffee?"
    She nodded her head, disturbing the wisps of curls that encircled her face. "Yes."
    He hated himself for asking and stamped out the back of the wagon. He hadn't wanted even to be cordial, much less wait on her like some goddamn servant. Jerking up the coffeepot, he sloshed the boiling liquid into another tin cup. Droplets splashed onto his hand and gave him a good reason to curse expansively and viciously. It felt good. He had tried hard not to curse since Victoria Gentry had 6rst taken notice of him pitching hay in her fathers stables.
    Reining in a temper that was tenuous at best, he carried the cup into the wagon, stooping to accommodate his height, and extended it toward her.
    She wet her lips with her tongue. "Maybe you should move Lee. I'm afraid I might spill it on him."
    Ross looked first at the steaming cup of coffee, then down at the infant, then at the girl lying supine on the bed. He had never felt more awkward or helpless in his life, except maybe the time he had first taken dinner with Victoria and her father in their fancy dining room. But even then he hadn't felt that his arms had suddenly stretched out of proportion and that his hands had grown too large.
    Muttering curses, he set the cup aside and leaned down on a bent knee to pick up his son. He stopped dead still, his hands extended but motionless, as he gazed down at the sleeping baby. There was no way he could pick Lee up without touching her.
    She seemed to realize that at the same time, because her eyes rose to his and clashed. Then just as quickly she lowered hers. She tried to edge away from the baby, to put space between them, but his little body only rolled against hers and molded to it again.
    Goddammit! Was this what it was going to be like? Was he going to let her make him jumpy and nervous as a cat in his own home? Ross thrust his hands forward. One went to the baby's back. The other he wedged between her and Lee's small head. His knuckles sank into the lush curve of her breast. Sweat popped out on his forehead and he quickly lifted the child away and turned.
    "Wait!" she called softly. Ross looked back. In his haste, he had picked up the fabric of her nightgown with Lee's blanket. The cloth was pulled tight over her breasts, outlining and detailing the large dark nipples. Ross stood mesmerized.
    Reaching up, she tugged at her gown, working it free of his fingers, which couldn't lessen their grip for fear of dropping Lee. When at last the nightgown fell away, Ross moved to one of the stools and sat down. Actually, it was either sit down or fall down. His whole body was trembling.
    "Hurry up and drink your coffee," he mumbled crossly, not looking at her as she raised herself to a sitting position.
    Lydia winced slightly at the pinching, stretching sensation between her thighs, but the soreness lessened each day. This morning she didn't feel feverish either. Gratefully, she reached for the cup of coffee Mr. Coleman had set aside and sipped at it.
    She watched the man over the brim of her cup. He was staring down at his sleeping son with an expression that softened his rugged face. "He slept all night," she said quietly.
    "I didn't think I heard him until early this morning."
    "He woke up hungry." There was laughter in her voice and he raised his head to look at her. Awkwardly they stared at each other, then glanced away. "He's wet, isn't he?"
    Ross chuckled softly as he lifted the baby up and looked down at the spreading damp spot on his pants leg. Yes.
    "I don't know how to change him. I guess Ma can show me. Do you have any diapers?"
    Ross looked perplexed for a moment. "I don't know. I'll look around. Maybe Victoria ..." He paused on her name. "Maybe she packed some away."
    Lydia sipped slowly at her coffee. "I'm sorry about your wife."
    His eyes were grim and hard as he