Secluded With the Cowboy by Cassie Miles

Author:Cassie Miles [Miles, Cassie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, General
ISBN: 9780373889518
Google: O92RGyT_nfoC
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2008-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Dylan strode the last few paces toward his wife. What the hell was she thinking? Leaving the house to go out onto the porch would have been dangerous enough. But here? Standing in the snow with nothing to protect her, she was easy prey. He looked toward the trees, half expecting to see the gleam of sunlight on gunmetal.

His hand slapped his hip, reaching for a holster that wasn’t there. The whole time she’d been missing, he’d been armed. But not today. Not when he might really need his weapon.

As he approached, she sank to her knees, breathing hard. Though she waved him off, it seemed like a struggle for her to stagger to her feet. She faced him. “I’m sorry, Dylan.”

“Did you forget what happened the last time you went running off by yourself?”

“Of course not.” Her voice was firm, but she wavered on her feet. “How did you find me?”

He pointed to the snow behind him. “You left a trail a blind man could follow.”

“So I did. I guess…” Her voice trailed off. Her knees sagged.

He stepped forward and caught her before she fainted onto the charred earth beside the burned stable. Her weakness might be a blessing in disguise. He wouldn’t have to waste time arguing with her about why they needed to get back to the house.

From a distance, he heard the lowing of cattle. Overhead, a hawk circled and screeched. Was there a movement in the forest?

If Dylan had been alone, he’d have welcomed the opportunity for a showdown with Nate. But Nicole was with him.

With adrenaline charging through his veins, he easily found the strength to carry her up the slope. It was vital to find shelter, to get her inside where she’d be out of harm’s way. As he made tracks across the snow-covered field, the back of his neck prickled. At any moment, a gunshot could ring out. They’d both be dead, and Nate would have his revenge.

Near the bunkhouse, she fidgeted in his arms. Her eyelids were open. “You can put me down.”

“Planning to run off again?”

“Please, Dylan.” Her tone gave him pause; she almost seemed to be begging him. “Haven’t I been embarrassed enough? I don’t want to be carried into the house like a child.”

Protected by the eaves of the bunkhouse, he lowered her legs to the ground. His arm still supported most of her weight as he looked down into her blue eyes, checking for signs of further weakness. “Are you all right?”

“I’m not going to collapse again.”

“Dammit, Nicole. You scared the crap out of me.”

When he’d realized that she wasn’t in the house, he’d panicked. Losing her again would drive him straight over the edge.

“I didn’t mean to worry you,” she said. “I just wanted to catch a breath of fresh air.”

“Nate could be anywhere,” he warned. “We can’t take chances.”

She nodded. “I understand.”

Did she? Did she, really? Her glib, easy response fueled his anger. Clearly, she didn’t understand a damned thing. She didn’t know what was best for her, best for them.

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