Free Sarah's Surrender by Vickie; McDonough

gasped, glancing around to see if anyone had overheard him. “Luke McNeil, wipe that grin off your face.”
    The afternoon hours dragged by at the speed of a turtle. More and more names were drawn, and with each one, Sarah saw her chance at getting land fade. There were only thirteen thousand homesteads—enough for only a fraction of the people who registered.
    At six that evening, after one thousand names had been drawn, five hundred from each district, the drawings halted, and the sides of the tent were lowered. Disappointed people, many exhausted from not eating or drinking anything, dropped to the ground all around Sarah. She looked at them with concern then blew out a sigh.
    â€œWell, that’s that.” Jack rolled his shoulders and rubbed his neck. “Don’t be too disappointed. I read that tomorrow they’ll be drawing twenty-five hundred names. I reckon we oughta get some supper.”
    â€œI want to wash and get off my feet.” Sarah limped along with Luke holding her arm as if to support her. She was too tired and disappointed to resist.
    It took them fifteen minutes to weave through the thousands on the streets to their hotel, which was only a few blocks from the school. Finally, they stepped into the lobby.
    â€œWould you like to go on upstairs?” Luke offered. “I can bring you a supper tray.”
    His thoughtfulness for her comfort, even after he’d stood alongside her all day, touched a place deep within her.
    Jack swatted his hand toward the dining hall. “I’ll grab us a table before the place is packed out.”
    â€œGood idea. Be there in a minute.” Luke turned his attention back to Sarah. He lifted his hand and ran the backs of his fingers across her cheek. “Your face looks sunburned.”
    She raised her hand to her cheek, feeling the warmth emanating from it. Even with her darker complexion due to the Indian blood, she’d gotten too much sun. Although she’d tried to keep her head down and out of the afternoon sun, she obviously failed. “After I wash the dust off, I’ll put some facial cream on it.”
    He smiled, his eyes conveying his affections. “Good idea, although I think the added color is becoming. Make sure to drink lots of water tonight.” He gestured toward the stairs. “C’mon, I’ll walk you to your room.”
    â€œThat’s not necessary.”
    â€œI want to make sure you don’t have any problems. This is a nice hotel, but there are a number of shady people in town.”
    Knowing any argument she offered would be rejected, she started up the stairs. Her feet ached more now than she could remember. Finally, they reached her room on the third floor.
    Luke leaned against the wall next to her door, as if he too were exhausted. “So, what would you like to eat?”
    Sarah shrugged. “I don’t even feel hungry—just tired. You know what I like. Why don’t you surprise me?”
    His lips twisted in an ornery grin. “I like surprises.”
    Before she could react, he leaned down and placed his lips on hers, stealing her first kiss. Warm sensations she’d never experienced surged through her, but then anger took over. She pushed away. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    â€œSurprising you.” He winked then strutted away, whistling as he headed for the stairs.
    â€œWhy, the nerve of that man.” All manner of emotions raced through her, most disturbing was delight at having her first kiss. But then she thought how it had been stolen, and her temper soared.
    Sarah turned to go into the room and gasped.
    Nannette stood at the open door, her face white.

Chapter 6
    O n the second day of the lottery, Sarah, Luke, and Nannette walked down the street toward the Irving School. Nannette had risen early to join them for breakfast and babbled on about the excitement of the first day of drawings. When Luke first met Sarah at her room to