Where The Heart Is (Choices of the Heart, book 1) Read Online Free

teaching Martin his notes.”
    Chelle tried to picture a fiddle in Martin Rainnie’s big, rough hands and failed. “Really? I can’t imagine him having any interest in music. He didn’t seem like the kind of man who’d have much use for anything that impractical.”
    “Perhaps not, but he did back then. I remember Connor saying what a quick learner Martin was.” Her father shook his head. “I don’t know whether he kept it up or not, but I think he had talent. Jack says Martin’s been hard on himself since losing his wife.”
    “Jean said the same thing. He could certainly stand to learn some manners. He was so standoffish and rude he made me feel guilty for rescuing his silly lamb.”
    Her father stood. “Ruffled your feathers, did he? Don’t be too hard on him, lass. He’s got his troubles. Now, back to work before Jack and Brian get home and find me idling.”
    In the kitchen, Aunt Caroline was in the middle of dinner preparations while Jean sat at the table, trying to soothe her fussy son. Leah lay in the family cradle nearby. Chelle looked down at the baby and saw the resemblance to Mr. Rainnie stamped on her little face.
    How could the man turn his back on his own flesh and blood?
    Chelle picked Leah up and nestled the baby’s head against her shoulder. “If you were mine, I’d—”
    She isn’t yours, never will be. She’ll be leaving here soon. Don’t let yourself care too much.
    Only it might already be too late to keep Leah out of her heart.
    * * *
    Martin leaned into the cow’s side and felt his irritation drain away as his hands took up the familiar, calming rhythm of milking. He wasn’t sure why, but the McShannon girl had set his teeth on edge. Probably because he’d come upon her without warning.
    Her father would likely have a time with her. Headstrong, Martin guessed, with looks that would turn the lads’ heads. A combination that spelled trouble.
    He’d seen more than a strong will in those blue eyes. The lass was unhappy, which wasn’t surprising. The whole village knew Colin McShannon had come home after losing his wife. Before her arrival, Martin had even heard some idle speculation as to what Colin’s daughter would look like. Would she be attractive? New young, single women didn’t move into the district every day.
    Now that he’d seen her, Martin had to admit that gossip hadn’t come close to the reality, though she wasn’t his type. He’d always preferred dark girls, like Eleanor, with her ebony hair and luminous gray eyes, her body generously curved whereas the McShannon lass was tall and lissome… Martin closed his eyes, remembered the feel of Eleanor’s curves under his hands. Then his gut clenched at the memory of her labor, her screams, her blood. The same memories that assailed him whenever he thought of his wee child.
    Eleanor’s daughter deserved better. She deserved to be raised by people who could look at her without flinching. Right now, she got everything she needed from the McShannons, but she’d be weaned by summer’s end. Before then, Martin would have to find a place for Leah to grow up, a place where she’d get the affection he couldn’t give her.
    Martin knew people talked about him turning his back on his daughter, but if he wasn’t going to raise her it was best he left her alone. The less confusion in the child’s life, the better.
    And in your own. Martin ignored the taunting whisper of his conscience, finished milking and took the full pails to the cellar. As he poured the rich, creamy milk into enamel pans to separate, his came to the door and looked hopefully down the cellar steps.
    “Aye, Gyp, I’ll save some for you.” He left a cup or two of milk in the bottom of one pail, returned to the byre and poured the milk into two dented tin bowls, one for the cats and the other for the dog.
    He ran a hand over Gyp’s back as he drank his milk. Time to be bringing on a young dog while the old lad could still help train it, but after nine