Read Online Wild At Heart by Vickie Mcdonough - Free Book Online

passenger rubbed his eyes then pressed his palm against his bandaged forehead. The woman’s steps pounded as she ran toward the wagon. She skidded to a halt at Mr. McFarland’s side, honey blond braids flapping, and climbed up onto the wagon wheel. She glanced at him and then to Mariah. “What happened?”
    “He was shot in a train robbery.” Mariah laid down the reins and attempted to wrestle the brake into place.
    “Quinn!” the woman yelled toward the barn, “Adam’s hurt!”
    “I don’t need him.” Mr. McFarland stood, wobbled, and then sank back onto the seat. “Gimme a minute, and I’ll be fine.”
    “Good grief, Adam, you’re not invincible. It’s not a shame to ask for help.” The woman reached for his hand, but he shook it off.
    A tall, broad-shouldered man ran out of the barn, followed by two other men. His concerned brown eyes mirrored the woman’s. In fact, they resembled each other so much that Mariah felt sure they must be related.
    Her hero stood again and climbed down, albeit very ungracefully. He landed on the ground, grimacing, and grabbed his arm. Her heart ached for him, and she wished she could ease his pain.
    The man named Quinn hurried to Mr. McFarland’s side, and ignoring the protests, assisted him into the house. The young woman followed then stopped and looked back at Mariah. “Thank you for bringing my brother home. Would you please come into the house and wait while we get Adam situated?”
    Mariah nodded and allowed a skinny ranch hand to help her down.
    Her brother.
    Now why was that such welcome news?

    Adam hated leaning on Quinn, but he doubted he’d make it all the way to the house on his own. He’d tried ever since their father died to prove himself responsible to his big brother, and once again he’d failed.
    Quinn’s strong arm upheld Adam and half dragged him through the front door Anna had left open in her haste to get to him. He figured he’d be coddled and babied by her and Leyna for the next few days, not that he’d mind some of Leyna’s fine cooking. But rather than enjoying their fussing over him, it would remind him that he wasn’t pulling his weight.
    Anna took his hat and Quinn’s and hung them on their pegs inside the front door. Quinn shouldered him down the hall to Adam’s small bedroom then set him on the bed and removed his boots.
    “Lie down and tell me what happened,” Quinn ordered.
    Adam complied, only because he didn’t have the energy to argue. “There was a train robbery a few miles outside of town.”
    Eyes wide, Anna clung to the doorframe, listening. “How did you get shot?”
    He explained how the robber had taken Miss Lansing captive and how he’d gotten shot trying to rescue her.
    “You’re a hero.” Anna smiled.
    “You were stupid to interfere.” Quinn glared at him.
    Adam struggled to sit again so he didn’t have to look so far up to Quinn. “I couldn’t very well let those thieves take an innocent woman with them, could I? You know what would have happened to her. I kept thinking, ‘What if it was Anna?’ ”
    “At least you’re all right.” Quinn sighed and stood. “Stay in bed for the next few days.”
    He strode out of the room, and again Adam felt his big brother’s disappointment.
    Anna crossed the room and hugged him. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just worried about you.”
    “He’s got a funny way of showing it.”
    “I’m so thankful to God that you’re safe. Let’s get that dirty shirt off.” Anna tugged at his sleeve, freeing his arm, then wadded up the soiled shirt. She sat on the edge of the ladder-back chair in the corner by the window, brown eyes dancing. “So, tell me about the woman you brought home.”
    Adam harrumphed. “She brought me home. Not the other way around. Wanted to help me as a way of saying thanks, so I let her.”
    “She’s pretty.”
    “For a greenhorn.” Adam scooted down, trying to get comfortable. Every way he moved made his arm ache. Exhaustion weighed