Free Untamed by Nora Roberts Page B

guess that’s why he kept yesterday in this box.” Glancing down, she began to straighten the chaos she had caused while looking for the book. A snatch of red caught her eye. Reaching for it, her fingers found a familiar shape. Jo hesitated, then drew the old doll out of the chest.
    It was a sad piece of plastic and faded silk with its face nearly washed away. One arm was broken off, leaving an empty sleeve. The golden hair was straggled but brave under its red cap. Ballet shoes were painted on the dainty feet. Tears backed up behind Jo’s eyes as she made a soft sound of joy and despair.
    â€œWhat is it?” Keane demanded, glancing down to see her clutching the battered ballerina.
    â€œNothing.” Her voice was unsteady as she scrambled quickly to her feet. “I have to go.” Though she tried, Jo could not bring herself to drop the doll back into the box. She swallowed. She did not wish to reveal her emotions before his intelligent, gold eyes. Perhaps he would be cynical, or worse, amused. “May I have this, please?” She was careful with the tone of the request.
    Slowly, Keane crossed the distance between them, then cradled her chin in his hand. “It appears to be yours already.”
    â€œIt was.” Her fingers tightened on the doll’s waist. “I didn’t know Frank had kept it. Please,” she whispered. Her emotions were already dangerously heightened. She could feel a need to rest her head against his shoulder. The evening had been a roller coaster for her feelings, climaxing now with the discovery of her most prized childhood possession. She knew that if she did not escape, she would seek comfort in his arms. Her own weakness frightened her. “Let me by.”
    For a moment, Jo read refusal in his eyes. Then he stepped aside. Jo let out a quiet, shaky breath. “I’ll walk you back to your trailer.”
    â€œNo,” she said quickly, too quickly. “It isn’t necessary,” she amended, moving by him and into the kitchen. Sitting down, she pulled on her shoes, too distraught to remember she still wore his socks. “There’s no reason for us both to get wet again.” She rambled on, knowing he was watching her hurried movement, but unable to stop. “And I’m going to check on my cats before I go in, and . . .”
    She stopped short when he took her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. “And you don’t want to take the chance of being alone in your trailer with me in case I change my mind.”
    A sharp denial trembled on her lips, but the knowledge in his eyes crushed it. “All right,” she admitted. “That, too.”
    Keane brushed her hair from her neck and shook his head. He kissed her nose and moved down to pluck her hat and coat from their hooks. Cautiously, Jo followed him. When he held out her coat, she turned and slipped her arms into the sleeves. Before she could murmur her thanks, he turned her back and pulled up the zipper. For a moment his fingers lingered at her neck, his eyes on hers. Taking her hair into his hand, he piled it atop her head, then dropped on her hat. The gestures were innocent, but Jo was rocked by a feeling of intimacy she had never experienced.
    â€œI’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, pulling the brim of her hat down further over her eyes.
    Jo nodded. Holding the doll against her side, she pushed open the door. The sound of rain was amplified through the trailer. “Good night,” she murmured, then moved quickly into the night.

Chapter Five
    The morning scent was clean. In the new lot rainbows glistened in puddles. At last the sky was blue with only harmless white puffs of clouds floating over its surface. In the cookhouse a loud, crowded breakfast was being served. Finding herself without appetite, Jo skipped going to the cookhouse altogether. She was restless and tense. No matter how she disciplined her mind, her thoughts wandered back