Temptation by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

nightingale.”
    The shadows had merged. The mare stood quietly, breathing softly. His hand was in Eden’s hair now, as if it belonged there. “I have to go in.” But she didn’t move.
    â€œEden and the apple,” he murmured. “I can’t tell you how tempting I’ve found that combination. Come with me. We’ll walk.”
    â€œNo.” Something was building inside her, too quickly. She knew he was touching more than her hand, more than her hair. He was reaching for something he should not have known existed.
    â€œSooner or later.” He’d always been a patient man. He could wait for her the way he waited for a new tree to bear fruit. His fingers slid down to her throat, stroking once. He felt her quick shudder, heard the unsteady indrawn breath. “I’ll be back, Eden.”
    â€œIt won’t make any difference.”
    Smiling, he brought her hand to his lips, turning it palm up. “I’ll still be back.”
    She listened to his footsteps, to the creak of the door as he opened it, then shut it again.

Chapter 3
    The camp was developing its own routine. Eden adjusted hers to it. Early hours, long, physical days and basic food were both a solace and a challenge. The confidence she’d once had to work at became real.
    There were nights during the first month of summer that she fell into her bunk certain she would never be able to get up in the morning. Her muscles ached from rowing, riding and endless hiking. Her head spun from weekly encounters with ledgers and account books. But in the morning the sun would rise, and so would she.
    Every day it became easier. She was young and healthy. The daily regimented exercise hardened muscles only touched on by occasional games of tennis. The weight she had lost over the months since her father’s death gradually came back, so that her look of fragility faded.
    To her surprise, she developed a genuine affection for the girls. They became individuals, not simply a group to be coped with or income on the books. It surprised her more to find that same affection returned.
    Right from the start, Eden had been certain the girls would love Candy. Everyone did. She was warm, funny, talented. The most Eden had hoped for, for herself, was to be tolerated and respected. The day Marcie had brought her a clutch of wildflowers, Eden had been too stunned to do more than stammer a thank-you. Then there had been the afternoon she had given Linda Hopkins an extra half hour in the corral. After her first gallop, Linda had thrown herself into Eden’s arms for a fierce and delightful hug.
    So the camp had changed her life, in so many more ways than she’d expected.
    The summer grew hot with July. Girls darted around the compound in shorts. Dips in the lake became a glorious luxury. Doors and windows stayed open at night to catch even the slightest breeze. Roberta found a garter snake and terrorized her cabin mates. Bees buzzed around the wildflowers and stings became common.
    Days merged together, content, but never dull, so that it seemed possible that summer could last forever. As the time passed, Eden began to believe that Chase had forgotten his promise, or threat, to come back. She’d been careful to stay well within the borders of the camp herself. Though once or twice she’d been tempted to wander toward the orchards, she stayed away.
    It didn’t make sense for her to still be tense and uneasy. She could tell herself he’d only been a brief annoyance. Yet every time she went into the stables in the evening, she caught herself listening. And waiting.
    * * *
    Late in the evening, with the heat still shimmering, Eden stretched out on her bunk, fully dressed. Bribed by the promise of a bonfire the following night, the campers had quieted down early. Relaxed and pleasantly weary, Eden pictured it. Hot dogs flaming on sharpened sticks, marshmallows toasting, the blaze flickering heat over her face and