Rescued by the Ranger Read Free Page B

dropped his head toward his chest. A heavy breath escaped. Behind him, Cowboy whined, no doubt sensing his subterfuge. Garrett flashed a hand signal for the dog to stand down so he wouldn’t interfere.
    He nodded. “Okay, I can do that, if you’re sure that’s what you want.”
    “I think it’s the only way,” she replied.
    “Now, wait just a doggone minute.” Riley sputtered and started shuffling backward. He tripped over one of his buddies and almost fell. His buddy came to, scrambled to his feet, and stumbled for the door, keeping a wary eye on Cowboy.
    “If you don’t shoot him, he’ll just come back next time I’m here alone.” Rachel cast an accusing glance at Riley.
    “Are you bat-shit crazy, bitch? I’m never settin’ foot in this place again.” He turned and raced for the exit, hitting the swinging doors with such force they slammed shut on him halfway through, and he had to shove them apart again. Once Riley was outside, Garrett heard the pickup roar to life and its tires squeal away from the Watering Hole before silence finally settled over the bar.
    It took Rachel a moment to regain her former confidence, but when she smiled, she revealed a dimple in each rosy cheek and no small amount of amusement. “That was fun. We make a good team.”
    Garrett chuckled as he handed her the revolver and had to tear his gaze from her exuberant expression. “If that’s your idea of fun, I’d hate to have to entertain you for any length of time.”
    She laughed easily, her delight contagious, and suddenly all Garrett could think about was finding an excuse to stay a little longer and get to know her. The women he usually met were nothing like this girl. She was all sunshine and clean mountain air, and something about her intrigued him.
    Darryl #2 was still out cold when Garrett bent to check for a pulse and then hauled him over his shoulder and dumped him outside in the parking lot. The old Ford truck was nowhere to be seen. Riley and his friend hadn’t waited around for their comrade.
    When he stepped back inside, Rachel was rearranging the chairs that had been disturbed by the three miscreants. Garrett watched her move gracefully around the floor—as if it wasn’t the first fight she’d ever cleaned up after. She wore a white button-up shirt made of some kind of gauzy fabric, knotted at her hips. The first three buttons were undone, revealing a lacy camisole and the fullness of her breasts. A short denim skirt hugged her hips and then flared out to midthigh—and damn fine thighs they were, too. Equally nice calves disappeared into red cowboy boots. Simmering heat began to grow in his abdomen.
    Rachel finished her chore and sashayed behind the bar. “That drink is on the house if you still want it.”
    He hadn’t realized earlier that a band of darker green outlined the pale of her eyes. Strikingly attractive, they pulled his gaze away from the red tresses that fell, curly and untamed, to cover her shoulders.
    “Actually, I think I’ve got a ways to go yet. I was hoping for some coffee . . . and directions.”
    “I’ll put on a fresh pot. Won’t take a minute. What’s your dog’s name?” She turned her back to start the coffee, giving Garrett ample opportunity to scrutinize her nicely rounded backside, and his manhood, having been on an enforced hiatus, twitched in appreciation.
    “Uh . . . Cowboy.” The dog padded up alongside him and waited attentively to see why Garrett had called his name. “We served together in Iraq. When it was my turn to go home, I brought him with me. He’s got my back.”
    “He’s gorgeous, and obviously devoted to you.”
    “So what was that about? Riley and the other two—what did they want from you?” Garrett stared at her back until she flipped on the coffeemaker and turned to face him.
    Her smile was gone. “Riley wanted me to go for a ride with him, and when I refused—well, you saw the aftermath. I don’t know what he was thinking, but from the