Dakota Born Read Online Free Page A

cabinet.
    â€œI heard you and Maddy are driving across the country. Two women alone—it’s not safe, Lindsay. If you’re angry with me, fine. Be angry. But we both know you’ll get over it soon enough. I already have. We had an argument. We’ve had them in the past and probably will again. Let’s put it behind us and move on. But don’t do anything stupid.”
    â€œI am over it,” she assured him sweetly.
    â€œLindsay…”
    â€œOur relationship is finished, Monte. I meant what I said.”
    â€œIf that’s what you want, fine,” he responded, as if their relationship was of little importance to him. “Why don’t you wait till I can take some time off and I’ll go with you? This vacation with Maddy could be dangerous.”
    â€œWe’re capable, confident women. But thank you for your concern.”
    He hesitated. Lindsay continued filing.
    â€œI really am sorry about Friday night.” His voice was gentle. “We were both upset.”
    â€œI’m not upset.” She turned her back on him and slipped an invoice into the appropriate file.
    â€œYou know how I feel about you.”
    He did love her; in her heart of hearts she believed that. She would never have stayed with him this long otherwise. Seeing him now, so handsome, his expression so caring, she found it hard to think of her life without him. “Marry me, Monte,” she pleaded before she could stop herself.
    His eyes filled with regret.
    As soon as she’d said the words, she wanted to grab them back. She’d done it again, tried to change a situation that couldn’t be changed. Sorrow washed over her and she shook her head hopelessly.
    â€œYou’re going without me?” he murmured.
    â€œWithout you.” That was the only way she could think clearly. The only way she could teach her heart to forget him.
    â€œWhen are you leaving?” he asked in a resigned voice.
    â€œSaturday morning.”
    Monte buried his hands deep inside his pants pockets. “Two weeks?”
    She nodded.
    â€œWill you phone me? At least give me that much. Just a quick call so I’ll know you’re all right.”
    Lindsay shook her head again. “Please, don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.” She couldn’t. Talking to him would be too painful, too risky.
    â€œI’ll miss you,” Monte said quietly. He hesitated before he turned and walked out the door.
    Â 
    It was after ten once Gage Sinclair had parked the tractor and finished cleaning his equipment. He’d been in the field from dawn to dusk cutting alfalfa, and he was weary to the bone. Funny how a man could work until he was so damned tired he could fall into bed without removing his boots, yet still experience the exhilaration that comes with pride.
    As he walked toward the house, he saw his mother sitting on the porch, her fingers busy with her latest knitting project, probably another sweater for him. Generally she was in bed by this time, since she was up before dawn, feeding and caring for the animals and the garden. With the hottest part of summer almost upon them, it made sense to finish chores in the cool of the morning.
    He’d been looking for Kevin, but his younger brother—half brother, actually—was nowhere to be seen. It was too damn hot to be holed up inside the house, and he couldn’t hear the television or what teenagers called music these days.
    The boy was an object of frustration to Gage. In another few years, Kevin would be taking over the farm. Naturally Gage would be around to guide and advise him, but the land belonged to Kevin and he would have to assume his responsibilities.
    Gage had been fifteen when his mother remarried after ten years as a widow, and eighteen when the boy had been born. John Betts had died when Kevin was five, so Gage had been more father than brother to the seventeen-year-old.
    Leta set aside her