Free Daniel's Desire by Callie Hutton

snapped. “Sorry.” She turned to Jacob. “There’s no need to trouble yourself, Jacob, he’s been here for a while now, sleeping in the barn, and won’t be much longer. He just needed some work, and then he’ll be on his way.”
    Jacob glanced at his wife. One look at her glare and he rose. “No problem, Miz Wilson. It would be a good thing to take a look at the man.” He slapped his hat on his head and left the house.
    “Really, Rosemarie, how could you allow a strange man to stay in your barn? And with three children? Why, he could be dangerous.” She touched Rosemarie’s hand to stop her from arranging biscuits on a blue and white flowered plate and leaned in close. “You know,” she whispered, “I had a visit from some soldiers who were looking for a Rebel who escaped from prison!”
    Rosemarie’s heart thudded. Although no longer in a Confederate uniform, once Daniel opened his mouth, Jacob would know he was a Southerner. She’d had another visit herself from Captain Nelson and his men, and got the distinct impression he knew Daniel was here. Luckily, that day Daniel had been away from the farm on the horse he’d stolen, hunting deer. The way things stood, he’d have to leave soon for his own safety.
    Susan prattled on while Rosemarie kept her ear cocked, waiting for Jacob to rush in and announce that the Wilson farm harbored an escaped prisoner. No matter how much she strained, all she heard was the laughter and excited shouts of her children playing with the McDonough children.
    After what seemed like hours, Susan stood, shaking out her skirts. “Well, land sakes, I don’t know where Jacob has gotten himself off to, but I have to get home and start my supper.”
    The two women walked to the front door, Rosemarie with visions of Jacob tied up in the barn and Daniel miles away. Even though she knew that day would arrive, and most likely very soon, the thought of him leaving tightened a knot in her stomach.
    Ever since the night a week ago, when he’d returned and kissed her with a passion she’d never felt before, things between them had shifted. After his last kiss, he’d pulled away from her, ran his knuckles down her cheek, and left the room. The longing in her body kept her awake most of that night. She’d been embarrassed to admit to herself she wanted more. More of his kiss, his touch.
    The next morning, she took extra pains with her hair, made sure she wore a clean apron. Then she laughed at herself. What was she doing? Daniel had a life to return to, if he wasn’t recaptured first. She was a plain, work-worn mother of three children. Obviously, nine years with Hans had left her aching for tenderness and caring. But this was not the man, nor the time, to imagine she’d found it.
    But one glance at Daniel when he’d arrived at her bedroom door the next morning to help her into the kitchen twisted her emotions. His warm smile and strong arms as he scooped her up and carried her down the hallway had her heart thumping again.
    More than once, she’d caught a hunger in his eyes, right before he shifted his gaze away. If it hadn’t been for the distraction of the children, and the exhaustion of trying to work while her leg healed, she feared she would have done something foolish. Daniel was a hunted man, and it would serve her well to remember that.
    No longer using the walking stick, Rosemarie hobbled to the front door. A sense of relief swept over her as Jacob and Daniel made their way from the barn to the house. She and Susan joined them as they reached the bottom of the porch steps.
    “Seems like your man here has things under control,” Jacob said as he slapped Daniel on the back. “The barn’s clean, the wood’s piled up, and it looks like he’s getting your garden ready for plantin’ in a few weeks.”
    “Where are you from?” Susan peered at Daniel, her eyes narrowed.
    Jacob chuckled. “Won’t do you any good to ask him questions, Susan. The man can’t talk. He’s been