This Savage Heart by Patricia Hagan Read Free Book Online Page A

the only way I can get any peace at all is to tell it to somebody who might give a damn, like you.” He rushed on. “I went back to find my farm burned to the ground. Louise and Betsy had been shot like dogs. The damn Rebs didn’t even stop with two bullets. They kept on shooting and filled them full of holes. They weren’t part of the goddamn war, and Betsy was four years old. Now they’re both dead.”
    “Oh, Arlo, I’m so sorry,” Julie whispered, cut clear through. “What a terrible grief you must carry. Dear Lord, I am sorry.”
    He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, gazing into the distance as though attempting to avoid the memories by looking far away into space. “That’s why I’m traveling alone, Miss Marshall. I’m searching for some peace, and I’ll keep on moving till I’ve found it.”
    After a silence she spoke. “Please call me Julie,” she offered in a gesture of friendship. “I’ve known grief from the war, too, and I do understand.”
    “Then you’ll do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the dance?” he asked.
    “Of course,” she told him. “I’ll look forward to it.” The poor man wanted a friend, that was all.
    Later, when she told Myles, he was instantly furious. “He’s not taking you to any dance. I won’t allow it. I’m the head of this family, and—”
    “You’re the head of your family, yours and Teresa’s,” Julie cried, her own anger rising. “I am in charge of my own life. You don’t tell me what to do, Myles.”
    They glared at each other, and Teresa said, “Both of you, stop it right now! This is ridiculous!” To Myles she said, “Julie is capable of making her own decisions about her friends, and she should be allowed to do so without interference from either of us. If Mr. Vance proves to be undesirable company, I am sure she will end their relationship at once.”
    Myles scratched at the stubble of his beard. Teresa was right. And Julie wouldn’t bend to his will, anyway. He just hoped Vance wouldn’t bother his sister further. Damn it, he wished he knew what it was that bothered him about Vance. There was just something…
    Sudden shouts around them turned their attention to Derek and Thomas riding up the slope. They rushed outside to join the others.
    “It’s warming up,” Derek told them, sitting atop his palomino, “and it doesn’t look as though the snow will be a problem. If we move out right away, we can still make a few miles today, before the snow turns into slush and mud. Get ready to leave at once.”
    The men moved to harness their horses, and the women scurried to prepare for the journey. Julie hung back. She didn’t know why, but for some unexplained reason she could not tear her gaze from Derek, who was staring at her intently.
    Finally he dismounted and took a few steps toward her, but a woman’s voice stopped him.
    “Derek! I must talk to you.”
    Elisa Thatcher approached, and Derek was forced to turn away from Julie and see what Elisa needed.
    With a deep sigh, Julie left to help Teresa and Myles prepare for the day’s trek.

Chapter Five
    At long, long last, they arrived in San Angelo. The townspeople were happy to see the wagon train, and after introductions to more people than Julie could possibly remember, Myles whisked her and Teresa to one of the town’s few hotels, dismissing their protests that they would save money by staying in the wagon.
    The next day, while Myles went off with the men to barter some of their horses for mules or oxen, Julie and Teresa shopped. Everywhere they went people were friendly, glad for the excitement of new faces, glad for an excuse to be festive despite the bleak winter.
    There had not been much to choose from in the few shops, and Julie made up her mind not to buy a dress for the dance, to forego the ball altogether. She returned to the hotel and was surprised, a few hours later, by the delivery of a dress she had admired. Teresa had told Myles how pretty the dress