Seeking Mr. Dependable by Cami Checketts

Author:Cami Checketts [Checketts, Cami]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Birch River Publishing

Chapter Ten

Brooke finally settled in his arms and drifted off to sleep. Ryker took comfort from holding her. Her head rested in the crook of his neck and her hand was splayed across his chest. The warmth of her shapely shoulder pushed against his side, and her light floral scent was intoxicating. If he hadn’t just lost his favorite horse and was worried about the grizzly returning, he’d be acting on the impulse to kiss this amazing woman. He didn’t know the grown-up Brooke very well, but from what he could tell, she hadn’t changed much—still vivacious, fun, kind, and beautiful.

A tremor ran through his body as he thought about when he had asked Brooke to release Girlie with a seven-foot grizzly bear less than twenty feet away. If the bear had gone for Brooke … He shook his head. He would’ve protected her, somehow. Had he put his horse’s life in front of Brooke’s? If there was any way he could’ve loosened the reins and kept firing the gun, he would have done it. He swallowed hard and focused on the beauty in his arms, not allowing himself to ponder on a poorly made split-second decision for too long. Hopefully Brooke didn’t resent him for putting her in danger. His dad would’ve been ticked at him. Women always came first.

He stroked a hand through her silky hair, allowing his fingertips to revel in its texture. He’d had many a woman in his arms, but had it ever felt this good? Had he ever wanted to protect a woman and spend every minute with her?

He forced himself to close his eyes and not overthink it. They were in a dangerous spot; that was why he was thinking like a sappy fifteen-year-old. Crew would be laughing his butt off if he could glimpse Ryker’s thoughts right now. He needed to stop letting this attachment and desire grow. He needed to get some sleep and then make sure he could protect Brooke tomorrow with a measly .22 rifle and a handful of bullets. He shuddered and murmured a heartfelt prayer.

He felt like he’d barely drifted off when the sun was shining through the windows and Brooke was noticeably absent from his arms. He sat straight up, his head pounding from the short amount of sleep and the stress of the night before.

Brooke was standing at the window. She’d pulled her sweatshirt back on, and she was looking over the spot where Hula’s remains surely were. Ryker’s gut tightened, and he stood quickly and strode across the cabin. She shouldn’t be dwelling on the attack or Hula being shredded by that bear. How Ryker wished for his .450 Marlin rifle or his 12-gauge Remington shotgun. He’d be the one hunting the bear if he had the right weapons.

Brooke turned at his approach. Tears glistened in her eyes. It wasn’t sorrow he saw, but fear.

“Brooke?” he murmured.

She didn’t answer, just pointed out the window. Ryker didn’t want to look. He loved Hula. His favorite horse for the past four years.

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