Free The Vicar's Frozen Heart by Karyn Gerrard

him, reached up, and rested her petal-soft lips against his. Despite the chill in the air, her lips were all warmth and fire. The sensation tore through him, heating his blood. His tightly held restraints fell away, and he cupped her face and dove in, probing her with his tongue until she opened and allowed him access. With a groan, he took the kiss deeper, desperation fueling him onward. How tempted he was to toss her little basket aside and press her against the wall so there would remain no doubt of the desire he experienced. His cock throbbed and hardened, and for a blessed moment he no longer felt any pain in his wretched, mangled leg--or in his heart and soul.
    The kiss grew fierce. Eliza moaned and returned it with equal lust. How he wanted more. He wanted to feel everything. Through the haze of yearning, the back door creaked open. With haste, he let go of Eliza and stepped back, snatching the basket from her hands.
    Mrs. McKinley stood in the open doorway. “Vicar? Bob Taylor be here with the coffin.”
    “Yes. I will be along directly.” Amazing he could keep his voice steady, for inside he was a bubbling cauldron of unknown emotions. The door closed and relief unfurled in his chest. He was certain the neighbor had not witnessed their kiss. Since Eliza entered his life he tempted censure and fate at every turn. “Thank the Tompkinses for the food and I thank you, Miss Winston, for bringing it along.” He gave her his best coldly polite tone, one he’d honed through his misery.
    Eliza frowned and flame crackled to life in her emerald eyes. “You are the most infuriating and annoying man I have ever met!”
    “So I’ve been told at various times in my life,” he replied.
    “You can’t keep doing this. Pull me close then push me away. I abhor such games,” she snapped.
    “I assure you I do not play games. I also assure you this will never happen again.”
    Her laugh was brief and brittle. “Liar. It will. You know it will.”
    “Go back to the pub, Miss Winston. Now,” he commanded.
    Eliza curled her lip at him, then turned on her heel and marched out of the alley. He reached for his cane, which he’d left propped against the wall, and leaned on it for support. The slow, pulsating stab of pain in his leg returned.
    Eliza was quite correct. It would happen again and he had no earthly idea how to avoid it.
     

Chapter 10
     
    Tremain and Drew arrived at the vicarage at about five in the evening, the sun nearly set. Since he had known Ruth Payne’s passing drew near, Tremain made all the arrangements beforehand and the small funeral would take place tomorrow. For tonight, her body rested in the shed behind the inn. There would be no viewing, no wake, as per her instructions. Bob Taylor would bring the coffin on his wagon tomorrow for burial. The grave was already dug in the churchyard. Good thing the ground was not frozen. A small graveside service with a few mourners would see the poor woman laid to rest.
    Unpacking the contents of the basket, he bade Drew sit at the table as he passed him one of the bacon butties. The lad remained quiet during the trip from the village and while he settled him in the guest room. Tremain poured him a glass of milk from the pitcher. “It’s cold and fresh. I have an icebox, if you can imagine. Eat up, lad.”
    Tremain sat, picking up his mug of hot tea and taking a sip. He watched the boy slowly take small bites, his expression blank as if in shock. Death had a way of numbing those left behind.
    “Will...will I live here with you, Vicar?” Drew whispered in between bites.
    “For a few days at least. One of your mother’s final wishes was that you continue with your education.” Hawksgreen did not have a school, but many of the children traveled to nearby Cranbrook thanks to the generosity of the viscount. Drew had not attended in many months, electing to stay home and care for his mother. Tremain could not fault the boy. It showed compassion and a sturdiness of