Temptation by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

mark against Roberta. “It’s not mine, but I’d be happy to return it to its owner. Thank you for troubling.”
    â€œYou were wearing it when you fell out of my tree.” Chase ignored her outstretched hand and dropped the cap on her head. “Fits, too.”
    â€œAs I’ve already explained—”
    Eden’s frigid retort was interrupted by the sound of running feet. “Miss Carlbough! Miss Carlbough!” Roberta, in an angelic pink nightgown and bare feet, skidded to a halt at the open stall. Beaming, she stared up at Chase. Her adolescent heart melted. “Hi.”
    â€œHi.”
    â€œRoberta.” Voice stern, teeth nearly clenched, Eden stepped forward. “It’s almost an hour past lights-out.”
    â€œI know, Miss Carlbough. I’m sorry.” When she smiled, Eden thought you could almost believe it. “I just couldn’t get to sleep because I kept thinking about my cap. You promised I could have it back, but you never gave it to me. I helped Mrs. Petrie. Honest, you can ask. There were millions of pans, too. I even peeled potatoes, and—”
    â€œRoberta!” The sharp tone was enough for the moment. “Mr. Elliot was kind enough to return your hat.” Whipping it off her own head, Eden thrust it into the girl’s hands. “I believe you should thank him, as well as apologize for trespassing.”
    â€œGee, thanks.” She treated him to a dazzling smile. “Are those your trees, really?”
    â€œYeah.” With a fingertip, Chase adjusted the brim of her hat. He had a weakness for black sheep and recognized a kindred soul in Roberta.
    â€œI think they’re great. Your apples tasted a whole lot better than the ones we get at home.”
    â€œRoberta.”
    The quiet warning had the girl rolling her eyes, which only Chase could see. “I’m sorry I didn’t show the proper respect for your property.” Roberta turned her head to see whether Eden approved of the apology.
    â€œVery nice, Roberta. Now straight back to bed.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” She shot a last look at Chase. Her little heart fluttered. Crushing the cap down on her head, she raced to the door.
    â€œRoberta.” She whipped back around at the sound of Chase’s voice. He grinned at her. “See you around.”
    â€œYeah, see you.” In love, Roberta floated off to her cabin. When the stable door slammed at her back, all Eden could manage was a sigh.
    â€œIt’s no use,” Chase commented.
    â€œWhat isn’t?”
    â€œPretending you don’t get a kick out of her. A kid like that makes you feel good.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t be so sure of that if you’d seen what she can do with mashed potatoes.” But Eden gave in enough to smile. “She’s a monster, but an appealing one. Still, I have to admit, if we had twenty-seven Robertas in camp this summer, I’d end up in a padded room.”
    â€œCertain people just breed excitement.”
    Eden remembered the dinner hour. “Some call it chaos.”
    â€œLife flattens out quickly without a little chaos.”
    She looked at him, realizing she’d dropped her guard enough to have an actual conversation. And realizing as well that they’d stopped talking about Roberta. The stables suddenly seemed very quiet. “Well, now that we’ve gotten that settled, I think—”
    He took a step forward. She took a step back. A smile played around his lips again as he reached for her hand. Eden bumped solidly into the mare before she managed to raise her free hand to his chest.
    â€œWhat do you want?” Why was she whispering, and why was the whisper so tremulous?
    He wasn’t sure what he wanted. Once, quickly, he scanned her face before bringing his gaze back to hers with a jolt. Or perhaps he was. “To walk with you in the moonlight, I think. To listen to the owls hoot and wait for the