Free Daniel's Desire by Callie Hutton Page B

Rosemarie let her gaze roam over the group. Her children’s faces were flushed red from their playtime in the cold air, and they ate with enthusiasm. Daniel discussed the fine art of whittling with Chandler, while Amelia hung on to his every word. Jace, his eyes heavy with fatigue, spooned the stew into his mouth.
    Don’t get used to this. Regardless of how he makes you feel, remember, this is all temporary. Daniel doesn’t belong here.
    • • •
    Daniel explained whittling to Chandler, all the while aware of Rosemarie across the table from him. Each time he’d glanced in her direction, she would shift her eyes, a slight flush on her cheeks. Had her feelings also grown over the past week?
    Once recovered from the worst of her infection, the dark circles under her eyes disappeared and the sunken look to her cheeks filled out. She was truly a beautiful woman, even after years of hard work and bearing three children. Her full breasts, hidden under her work dresses and aprons, would fill his hands nicely. Earlier, as he watched her walk from the house to the barn, even with her slight limp, her hips swayed enticingly enough to cause him to re-adjust his trousers.
    Her soft voice as she read to her children at bedtime each night brought a sense of happiness and security he’d had as a child when his stepmother did the same with him and Stephen. His gut twisted when he remembered the present time and place. Nothing had changed.
    They’d hidden the horse he’d stolen from the soldiers in the back of the barn, only letting him out to exercise, always concerned someone would ride up and ask questions. As much as he hated to admit it, the time grew near for him to leave.
    “Mr. McCoy, when the weather gets warmer, will you take us fishing?” Chandler wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
    “Fishing.” Jace nodded.
    “Can I come, too?” Amelia asked.
    Daniel pushed his plate away and leaned his forearms on the table. “I have to return to my regiment very soon.”
    “What’s a regiment?” Chandler wrinkled his forehead.
    “That’s the group of soldiers I’m fighting the war with.” Daniel glanced over at Rosemarie. She placed her spoon alongside her bowl and folded her hands in front of her, eyes downcast.
    Amelia left her chair and climbed onto Daniel’s lap. “I don’t want you to fight in a war.” She stuck her fingers in her mouth and rested her head on his chest.
    His large hand smoothed her golden brown curls. “Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do.”
    The little girl raised her soft blue eyes to him. “Like go to bed?”
    He chuckled and hugged her. “Yes, like going to bed.”
    “Speaking of bed, it’s time you all got washed up and into your nightshirts.” Rosemarie pushed away the food that had turned to dust in her mouth. She stood and began collecting dishes.
    Amid groans, the three children left the table and headed down the hallway.
    • • •
    “I love listening to you read stories each night.” Daniel slid over on the settee to give Rosemarie room to sit as she returned to the parlor.
    “A habit my mama started when we were all young.” She settled next to him. Very little pain radiated from her wound. In a day or so, she would be back to normal. And there would be no reason for Daniel to remain.
    Her heart thumped. When had she gone from despising the idea of having another husband to wishing this man could somehow fill that role? So different from her father and husband, Daniel McCoy was all that a man should be. He’d made her realize a man could be strong, but tender. Since he could have easily left days ago, the silent message he spoke warmed and chilled her at the same time. He wanted more, too.
    “You’ve never spoken much about your family. Tell me about them. Do you have brothers or sisters?”
    Rosemarie smiled, happy for the distraction from her troubling thoughts. “We were seven daughters. Papa was not happy with all the girls.” She turned