Free Restless Heart by Emma Lang Page B

for you and take you to Angeline.” Lettie stepped forward until she was mere inches from his face. “I’m warning you, Jonathan Morton, I will do everything I must to protect her and myself. Do you understand me?”
    He didn’t miss the threat, that was for sure. “Yes, Lettie. I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t betray you.”
    She stared at him a few moments longer, then turned. “See you at six tomorrow.”
    With that, she walked away, leaving Jonathan standing on the steps of the hotel, confused and heartbroken. He wondered if he’d even be able to sleep.
    Angeline dreamed of Sam, of his hands, his mouth, his dark eyes. She woke with her entire body humming with need. She had never experienced such a thing, and was therefore frustrated beyond measure to not understand how to relieve it, other than being with Sam again.
    She splashed cold water on her face, which helped a little, but not much. Her nipples actually ached and when she took off her nightrail, the cool morning air made them pucker even harder. She looked down at the rosy nipples and touched them with her fingertips. A pure bolt of lightning shot down her body directly between her legs.
    Angeline gasped at the sensation, so she touched them again, this time with thumb and forefinger. It felt even better, easing the ache within her. She closed her eyes and imagined it was Sam touching her. His callused skin caressing hers.
    A knock at the door startled her, breaking the spell of imagining what might happen.
    “What?”
    “Good morning to you too.” Lettie sounded like her usual chipper self. “Get downstairs, it’s nearly five and you haven’t started the biscuits yet.”
    Angeline stuck out her tongue at the closed door. “I’ll be right there.”
    She was confused and excited by everything that had happened with Sam the night before. If she was smart she’d talk to someone about what she was feeling, but Angeline didn’t feel comfortable telling anyone. It was so personal.
    Was this how lovemaking was supposed to feel? If so, she realized what Josiah had forced on her was simply against nature. Sam had showed her that a man could be gentle, respectful, and still find pleasure, as well as give it.
    Angeline dressed quickly, her mind still buzzing with questions she didn’t have answers to. Lettie waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, her foot tapping and a scowl on her face.
    “You know people might think your face has a permanent frown.” Angeline was pleased to see Lettie’s mouth twitch.
    “Get in the kitchen and bake.” The older woman ushered her through the kitchen door.
    Marta was absent so Angeline and Lettie stoked the fires, readying the oven for baking breakfast. It was an easy partnership, one they’d cultivated over the last year. Some folks never saw past the gruff exterior Lettie showed the world. She was really an emotional person, capable of great courage and deep friendship. Angeline never could have made it on her own without Lettie by her side. She was closer to Ange-line than her own sister, Eliza.
    “I have something to tell you and you’re not going to like it.” Lettie set the flour canister on the table.
    Angeline didn’t like the tone in her friend’s voice. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. “What is it?”
    “Yesterday afternoon I saw you with that man, Samuel Carver.” Lettie met her gaze. “He kissed you right on the street. You need to be more careful than that. I thought you understood the danger of getting involved with someone.”
    Angeline felt her cheeks heat. “I like him, Lettie. A lot.”That particular fact made her feel both guilty and wonderful. “I won’t stop seeing him because you think I won’t be safe. I can’t. Sam is a part of me now.”
    “More than Jonathan?” Lettie stared at her.
    Angeline swallowed. “Yes, much more.”
    “I’m going to tell you something and you’ve got to promise not to have a fit of the vapors.”
    “What? Vapors?”