Where the Heart Leads by Jillian Hart Read Free Book Online

reminded him something was up. That bad feeling in his gut was still there.
    Something wasn’t right.
    The uppity old McPhee woman drove away. Funny how she didn’t drive a sparkling new buggy or a fine-stepping horse. No, her vehicle was in good repair but had a lot of miles on it, and her mare was old and slightly sway-backed. Certainly nothing of quality.
    She’s filthy rich.
Giddy’s words troubled him. It had to be true if she had the ranch. And just because he’d developed a soft spot for Iris didn’t mean he had one for the rest of the McPhees.
    He and Giddy were gonna get Pa’s fair share one way or another.
    That Aumaleigh was gonna regret pulling a fast one on Pa. Just you wait and see.
    “What’s going on there, young fellow?” A sociable voice interrupted his thoughts.
    He blinked, realizing he was standing in the middle of the boardwalk in plain sight of the horde of lawmen gathering in front of an empty store front, that was in the middle of a remodel. The sheriff led the pack of a dozen men, riding fast and hard out of town.
    Heading in the direction of their miserable little cabin.
    Junior’s blood went cold.
    “Did you come by thinking we’d be open?” the chubby postman asked amiably. “We’re closed for a few more hours yet. I’m just slipping out to get me some coffee. Come back closer to opening time and I’ll let you in early. Mostly because I’ll be heading off to Rose and Seth’s wedding.”
    “Right, thanks,” Junior said absently, walking off, staring at the tail end of the horses carrying the lawmen out of sight.
    Giddy was at home alone. Junior took off, running across the street, even knowing the shortcut through the hills wouldn’t get him there in time. But he had to try and save his brother.
    “Hey!” The postman shouted out after him. “Your leg is healed! Good for you!”
    Junior kept running.

    “For a while there, I wasn’t sure this day was gonna happen.” Gabriel kept his voice low as they stood at the front of the church.
    “Neither did I,” Seth confessed, looking fine in his suit and tie. The boy didn’t look nervous. No, he looked absolutely certain.
    Gabe knew how that felt. He’d once stood before an altar, more than ready to take his vows and looking forward to the life to come. That was one adventure he wouldn’t have missed for the world.
    “You’re going to do just fine, you and Rose.” Gabriel knew it beyond all doubt. “From here on out and this day forward, your only job is to love her. Just love her. That’s all. That’s everything.”
    “That’s my plan.” Seth gave a wide grin. “Glad you could be here, Uncle Gabriel. But you didn’t have to move out here and buy a place just on my account.”
    “Now you’re teasing me, kid.” Gabriel chuckled and shook his head. He caught sight of the full church behind them as folks settled into the last available spaces on the pews.
    That’s when the ground shifted and the sunlight falling through the stained-glass windows brightened. Aumaleigh McPhee stood behind the archway, giving the bride one last hug before making her way down the aisle.
    “Wow, she’s more beautiful than ever,” Seth breathed. “I can’t believe my eyes.”
    “I know how you feel.” Air wedged sideways in Gabriel’s chest.
    How did Aumaleigh get more stunning over time? She wore a blue dress the same shade as her bluebonnet eyes. Her porcelain, heart-shaped face was dear to him, but time had changed it, drawn tiny lines around her eyes and softened the high cut of her cheekbones and the point of her chin.
    Maturity looked good on her. She was more sure of herself, almost stately as she took her place in the second aisle on the bride’s side of the church, next to some ladies he didn’t know. Pain clutched his chest. She wouldn’t look his way.
    She had to have seen him. He was hard to miss standing front and center alongside the groom.
    The minister cleared his throat. “Are we ready to