Rescued by the Ranger Read Free Page A

Cowboy.”
    A streak of black and tan running in under the swinging doors went unnoticed until the dog charged and leaped, hurtling ninety-five pounds of muscle and fury toward Darryl #1. The man turned to face the threat at the last minute, and Cowboy hit him squarely in the chest. The back of Darryl #1’s head walloped the floor, and he didn’t get up.
    Darryl #2 backed away as Cowboy stalked him with a menacing snarl, wrinkling his muzzle. Before the man could get his wits about him and think to use his shotgun for something besides a shield, Garrett stepped between them and let go with an uppercut that dropped the man in a crumpled heap. There was no movement when Garrett nudged him with the toe of his boot. Tapping his leg, he called the dog to his side. “Take no prisoners.” He spoke softly, and Cowboy dropped to his haunches and stood guard over the fallen enemy.
    Garrett swung around to locate Riley, but Rachel already had that situation under control. She gripped a .38 special in her hand. “Jesus. How many more guns do you have back there?”
    “I suppose you want this one, too?” She barely moved the weapon as her gaze flicked over Garrett dismissively.
    “Not at all. It appears you’ve got this handled. I’m not too proud to admit when I’ve been wrong.” He waited, giving her time to think things through. After about thirty seconds of silence and nervous vibes inside the dimly lit establishment, he figured she’d had enough. “Are you going to kill him?”
    “Aw, Rach. I was just havin’ some fun. I wasn’t gonna hurt ya.” Riley backed away as he whined.
    “What were you going to do, you moron? Leave us at the bottom of Addison’s Mine? I wonder what your mama would think of you now.” Rachel raked one hand through her hair, brushing it back from her face. Frustration and uncertainty were clear in the deep furrow between her brows.
    A twinge of protectiveness rocked Garrett when her chin trembled for the first time since he’d walked in the door. She was a fighter—no doubt about that—but something was going on here that clearly had her off balance.
    “Who said anything about Addison’s? We was just out drinkin’ and havin’ a good time. Problem is you’ve always thought you was too good for me and the boys. But then I met an old friend of yours, and he told me you know how to party real good.” Riley leaned his hands on the bar and grinned lecherously.
    “Who? Who’s been talking about me? Did someone put you up to coming in here today and causing trouble?” Damned if Rachel’s voice wasn’t shaking more now than when they’d had a gun on her.
    Riley smirked. “If I told you, it would spoil the surprise. No can do, Rach.”
    “Okay, that’s enough.” Garrett was surprised by the intensity of his anger. Seeing Rachel scared for the first time since he’d walked through the door hadn’t helped. “Either shoot him or give me the gun.” He held out his hand.
    Rachel darted a glance at him, a wisp of a smile floating over her face. She apparently considered her options before placing the revolver in his outstretched hand. Humor flashed in her eyes and lifted the corners of her mouth ever so slightly. When she spoke, though, she was still nervous and edgy. “I wasn’t kidding when I said the cops are useless . . . so . . . maybe you could shoot him.”
    Garrett held his breath and searched her face. She looked serious enough except for a sparkle in her eyes that disappeared a heartbeat later when she lowered her lashes. She’d proved she wouldn’t use her weapons as anything beyond a warning, so this suggestion had to be a con intended to drive her point home to the not-so-bright Riley. Obviously, she didn’t want Garrett to shoot him either, no matter what kind of vermin he was. Okay, he’d play her little game . . . to a point.
    He turned until Rachel was the only one who could see his face and gave her a wink. Then he braced his arms against the log bar and