Free Heart So Sweet: Book 3 in the Great Plains Romance Series by Corrissa James Page B

morning.
    “Why would you even think that?”
    When he looked back to her, he did not try to hide his pain. He wanted her to see how deeply she affected him. “I believe the word you used was ‘ew’.”
    She scowled, as if trying to remember, then her face went slack. “No, that was for Andrew, so he wouldn’t do anything stupid. If he knew what we’d just done—that you’d bedded his sister—he would’ve killed you!”
    “I think you’re exaggerating a bit, Susannah.”
    “No, I’m not, Tate.”
    She reached out for his hand, but he snatched it away from her. He was afraid to touch her, afraid he would smother her with kisses and try to forget the sting of her words. But she would not be deterred. When she couldn’t grab his hand, she held on to his elbow, not letting him escape.
    “You don’t know him. Since losing our parents, he’s gotten out of control. He does things just to hurt people, probably to cover up the hurt that he’s feeling. At least that’s what I tell myself. My God, I hope it isn’t something worse, but I can’t be sure. And Lucas is the only one who can control him, but even that is a tenacious control at best. So that morning I panicked—yes, I said some stupid things because I was terrified that he would find out just how much I care about you and do everything he could to destroy that. He doesn’t want anyone to have anything he can’t have, don’t you see? And he doesn’t do it with maliciousness and spite, but through his stupid pranks. Everyone else is so damn quick to dismiss it, but I see it. I see the real hate in him, and it is ugly. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
    She was gasping for breath after the rush of words, but Tate just stared down at her, keeping his expression neutral.
    “You have to believe me. I could never hurt you like that.”
    He looked away finally, then walked back along the path. She went with him, and they paused in the clearing just long enough for Tate to pick up several blankets. Then he led her deeper into the trees. She stayed close enough to him that he could feel her breath on his shoulder. When they finally emerged from the trees, they were standing on a bluff looking out over the river and beyond, to her family’s farm.
    “What are we–”
    “Just breathe,” he said. “Let the calmness in.”
    The sky spread out above them, a million stars shining down as if they were just out of reach. Tate glanced at Annie as she looked up, marveling at the beauty of the night. A light breeze played with her hair and a faint smile of wonder tugged at her lips. He could smell the river below them as well as the sand from the banks, its sun-baked smell providing a sharp contrast to the cool night.
    Tate pushed aside his anger and confusion to get to his real problem: fear. He was afraid that his feelings for Annie were too intense, too overpowering. If he let his emotions run free, would it be too much for her?
    “He was right, you know. My father.”
    When she turned to face him, he leaned down to kiss her, a soft gentle kiss to show her just how much he cherished her. If his love for her was so intense that the spirits would take her away from him, then he would have to spend every moment of their remaining time telling her how special she was. They both turned to watch a shooting star trail into the distance, and with it, some of Tate’s fears dissipated, being carried away by the breeze.
    “Sorry I couldn’t come for you.” He nuzzled her ear, leaving his soft kisses.
    “Was what you heard that morning, was that why you hid from me?” Her voice was taking on a huskiness that signaled her body was responding to his attention.
    He pulled back slightly to look into her half-closed eyes. “At first, yes. But as the sponsor of the spirit release, I had to ensure morality in my father’s home. I couldn’t do that with you around.”
    Her eyes flew open and she stepped back from him, her anger flashing to the surface. “Are you