Sarah's Surrender Read Online Free Page A

blond head popped up from where he sat polishing a saddle by lantern light. He grinned. “Howdy, Uncle Jack.”
    â€œHow come you wasn’t hollerin’ and poundin’ on the door?” Drew asked.
    Michael grinned. “Because I knew that’s what you wanted me to do. I figured I’d continue on with my chores since I couldn’t go nowhere.”
    â€œAw, no fair.” Drew kicked the door frame.
    â€œWas it fair for you to lock your brother in the tack room?”
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œI think it would be fair for you to finish polishin’ that saddle for Michael.”
    Drew’s gaze shot to his. “But—”
    â€œWould you rather I tell Pa what you did?” Michael winked at Jack.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œCody, you get in there and help, too. And you boys be careful with the lantern on.” Jack stepped back so the boys could enter the small room.
    Michael rose and stretched then stepped around the boys. “All that’s left is the other side of the saddle. This one’s done.”
    Jack wrapped his arm around his nephew, who’d be close to his own height in another year or two. “I’m proud that you kept a level head and were a good example to your brother and cousin.”
    Michael beamed, his blue-green eyes shining. “Thanks. I guess I should get to feeding the horses before the sun sets all the way.”
    Jack nodded and watched him go in the dimming light. He peeked at the younger boys, glad to see they were obeying. He sure would miss all of the young’uns when he and Cody left. He hadn’t considered how hard that might be on his son. Drew and Cody were nearly inseparable. He needed to pray more and make sure he was doing the right thing and not running away again.

    The railcar shimmied and the whistle screeched a long wail as the train pulled into the Perry depot. Sarah’s stomach churned with excitement at seeing Jo and her family again. Jo and Baron were so tied to their general store that they rarely got to visit the ranch anymore, especially when Jamie, their oldest son was attending school.
    She spotted Jo on the platform with her two youngest children and waved. Four-year-old Emma hopped up and down, waving one hand while holding her mama’s skirt with the other. Jo held Matthew. The toddler stared wide-eyed at the noisy contraption. The train squealed and whooshed as it stopped, and the boy buried his face on Jo’s shoulder.
    Sarah smiled, shaking her head. How in the world had fierce-hearted Jo ended up with a timid son? He must take after his father, not that Baron was spineless, but he certainly had a milder temperament than Jo. Sarah rose, eager to see her good friend. If not for Jo, her life would have been drastically different. She might still be living in a den of sin, and her father might still be running that dreadful bordello instead of eking out a decent living as a cattle rancher.
    When it came her time to exit, Sarah trotted down the steps and into Jo’s open arms. She peeked at Matty as she hugged her friend. The boy offered a shy smile before turning his head away.
    â€œHug me, Aunt Sarah!” Emma tugged on her skirt.
    Sarah put down her satchel and picked up the darling blond-haired, blue-eyed girl. She placed a loud smack on Emma’s soft cheek. “I couldn’t forget to hug you, sweetie. Look how much you’ve grown.”
    â€œI’m a big girl now.”
    â€œYes, you are. And you’re getting heavy.” She gave the girl another squeeze then set her down and smiled at Matty. “And look at that boy. I can’t believe he’s already a year and a half.”
    â€œI know. He’s growing fast.” Jo shifted Matty to her other arm. “You look wonderful. How are things at the ranch?”
    â€œThank you, and everything is good.”
    â€œI was thrilled to get your telegram about your visit, but I was surprised since you were only