Protecting Josie by Katie O'Connor

Author:Katie O'Connor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cowboy, Western Romance, romantic suspense, cowboy romantic suspense, Canadian Authors, Rural Romance, librarian
Publisher: Snarky Heart Press
Published: 2019-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

IT WAS THE QUIVER IN her voice that broke him. She’d been tough all day, fighting and strong. Now, in the dark of late evening, that small tremor cut deeply. He swallowed a sigh. He shouldn’t be in here. He should be patrolling the house, checking windows and doors, and watching the yard for unusual activity. Sitting in the dark with her was dangerous on too many sides. He’d be derelict in his duty if he stayed.

“Climb into bed and cover up. I’ll sit down here by the footboard.”

She climbed into the bed and covered up. After a moment of serious wiggling, she flung the shorts she’d been wearing from under the covers. They landed against the far wall. She grinned. Her expression was playful, grateful, and seductive all at once. He was certain the last part was unintentional; she was a natural seductress without even trying. Seeing her snuggled under his covers, her dark hair splayed over the pillow he used every night, sent his hormones into overdrive and his imagination straight into the gutter.

Yeah, Josie Lyons was going to be a big pain in the—libido. He perched on the end of the bed, feet firmly on the floor, his body twisted enough so his back rested lightly against the footboard.

“Seriously? Aren’t you going to get comfortable?” She raised up on her elbows and blinked at him.

“I’m fine here. I need to stay alert. It’s been a long day. I’ve been up since five a.m. If I get comfortable, I’ll probably doze off. Not a good idea right now.”

“But we don’t know who these guys are. Or when they’ll come here. Or if they’ll come at all. You can’t stay awake for days. You have to rest. It’s too much.” Her voice quivered.

Damn. Don’t get hysterical. If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was a crying woman. He had no idea how to deal with them. He despised the resulting incompetent feeling. He shifted slightly, leaning back and lifting one leg onto the bed. She was trying to be strong. In the dim light spilling from behind the ensuite door she’d left ajar, he could make out her expression. Her smile was weak and watery.

“Go to sleep, Josie. I’ll watch over you. If I leave, I’ll only be gone long enough for a quick reconnoiter. I’ll check things out and come right back.”

She nodded and cuddled deeper under the blankets. She closed her eyes and wiggled about. Eventually, she stilled. Good, maybe she’d fall asleep. The blankets over her trembled then stilled. A moment later, they shook again. Dammit. She was crying. If she kept quiet, he could ignore it, pretend he didn’t notice. Then it came. A muffled sob. She didn’t want him to hear. Damn her. That made it worse. Based on what his sister had told him after being trapped in an overturned truck on a freezing cold fall night, delayed emotions were taking over. Like Emily had tried to do, Josie was protecting him from her overwhelming emotions.

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