Where the Heart Leads Read Online Free

her dishtowel down the handle of a fry pan. “I’m all set to fix supper here. We won’t have to have another meal out.”
    “Your aunt Josslyn will be disappointed.”
    “She can come here!” Leigh brightened, hanging the dishtowel to dry next to the stove. “What a brilliant idea. I should have thought of it earlier. We can invite Seth over and make it a celebration. After all, it’s his last night as a bachelor.”
    “Something tells me he probably already has plans.”
    “Oh, too bad. I should have thought of it earlier. I just didn’t know we could get everything delivered so fast.” Leigh threw open the pantry door and started pulling out ingredients. “We’ll have our own little celebration anyway. This is our first night in the new house. I still don’t know why you want to live so far away from me.”
    “I know, it’s a dumb decision of mine.” Grinning, he pushed off the wall and ambled into the kitchen. “Is the tea water hot?”
    “Yes. I was just waiting for you to come in to steep your tea. Honestly, I miss Eleanor. You need to hire a maid, Pa. I won’t go home until I know someone is taking good care of you.”
    “I can take care of myself.”
    “Foolish men. They always think that, but it’s never true. Admit it, Pa. You men need us.”
    “I’ll always need you, Princess.” It was hard to believe his little girl was all grown up. It felt like yesterday when she was just a little thing, toddling around the parlor, tiny and precious, the owner of his entire heart. “You can always change your mind and stay here with me.”
    “What about my fiancé? No, my life is back home. You’ll just have to find a way to survive without me.” She winked, smiling airily.
    “Yes,” he agreed dryly. “Don’t know how I’ll manage.”
    He saw the shadow at the window in the back door and whipped it open before she could knock. His sister looked up at him with surprise and delight.
    “Gabriel. I can’t believe you, moving here.” Josslyn pushed past him, her red hair wet from the rain. She shook off her coat and sidled in at the stove. “Hi, Leigh, my love. Why did you let your father do this? He never should have bought this place.”
    “I tried to stop him, but did he listen to me? No.” Leigh set down the tea kettle to embrace her aunt. “You know Pa. Mules look weak-willed by comparison. Let me pour you some tea.”
    “Isn’t that tea for me?” Gabe spoke up, giving a soft bark of laughter when both his sister and daughter gave him a look. He held up his hands. “Fine, fine. You two have tea. I’ll go out and put up your horse, Josslyn.”
    “Good, because I left him for you.” His sister winked, smiling her thanks before accepting a cup of tea—the one Leigh had brewed for him.
    He grabbed his coat off the hook. “A man deserves better treatment.”
    “Some men, maybe.” Josslyn took a sip of tea. Leigh nodded at him in agreement.
    “I know when I’m outnumbered.” He donned his Stetson and closed the door behind him. The ring of female laughter was muffled, but he liked the sound.
    Rain pounded down to bounce off the brim of his hat and ping in the mud puddles. He took Josslyn’s gelding by the reins and led the animal to the barn. The wind blew them in. He liked nothing better than a spring storm. They were quick, electrifying and they turned the whole world a little greener.
    The team he’d bought from his nephew, Seth, looked over their stall gates, watching him with curious, bright eyes. Probably hoping for grain. Maybe he would spoil them with a treat. Buy their good regard. At the start of any relationship, it always worked out best for a man if he came bearing gifts.
    Which brought his mind back around to Aumaleigh. He shook his head, gave the horses a little grain and started rubbing down Joss’s gelding. He hadn’t been able to get the woman out of his head since he’d seen her back in December—and earlier today.
    She was still grace and loveliness.