Rocky Mountain Hitched: Contemporary Western Romance (To Love Again Book 6) Read Free Page A

too small, Daddy,” she said. “Lizzie doesn’t want to go, take me.”
    “We’ll go in the daytime, Sarah,” he said, his hand on her head.
    “Promise?”
    “Daddy promises, Sarah. Come sit with me and Lizzie,” Ann said. Sarah dragged her feet through the hay and plunked down next to her mother.
    “I never get to go,” she mumbled.
    “You will, Sarah, soon. Just not tonight.”
    “Ya,” Tray called, and the horses pulled the sleigh forward. Moonlight shimmered off the snow, the rails of the sleigh squeaking along the frozen ground. Isabel pulled the blanket tighter. “We’ll head back, it’s getting cold.”
    Jesse and Michael rode ahead to open the doors of the barn. Tray drove the team of horses straight in. The musty smell and warmth of the barn enveloped them. The two brothers pulled the doors closed behind them and the frozen prairie was shut out.
    Isabel stood, ready to step down. Damn, she still couldn’t put weight on her leg. She turned back to Tray but Jesse was speaking quietly to Tray.
    “You want to go again?” Jesse asked.
    Tray shook his head. “Another time. It’s too cold.”
    “Sorry about that,” Jesse said.
    “Don’t worry,” he shrugged. He turned toward Isabel.
    She started singing. Jingle bells. Good grief, that’s original. The conversation had clearly been private - she didn’t want him to know she’d overheard. Apparently he did have a plan for tonight and it looked like she was the only one not in the loop.
    “Hang on, I’ll help you,” he said, jumping down and coming around to her side of the sleigh. He put his hands just above her hips and she fell into his arms. Lowering her gently to the ground, he hugged her. “Can you put more pressure on it now?”
    She shifted her weight, but her leg threatened to collapse beneath her. She winced. “Not yet.”
    “Give it time,” he said, looping his arm around her. “Let’s head in.” He turned toward his brothers who waved him out of the barn.
    “We’ve got it,” Michael said. “Get the women and children inside.”
    She hobbled along at his side, savoring one last look at the moon before he scooped her up in his arms and carried her up the stairs. The jury was in — sore leg or not, she loved the farm. And she sure as hell loved this gorgeous man who had brought her here.
     
    ~~~
     
    Tray set Isabel down in the warm, brightly lit hallway and closed the door tightly against the night. “Let me help you with your boots,” he said, crouching.
    She swatted him playfully. “I’m not an invalid yet,” she said. She tried to toe her boot off.
    He waited a few seconds, then pulled them off for her. “One day you’ll realize you don’t have to do everything yourself.”
    “Lover’s quarrel already?” Betty stuck her head around the kitchen door. “Just so you know I’m here. Tray… ? You’re down on one knee? In my front hallway?”
    “I’m helping her with her boots, Mother.” Damn it, it was only a matter of time until someone in his family proposed before he had the chance. It’s not like he could have said no to the kids once they knew about the sleigh ride, but considering Jesse and Michael knew his plan, they could have helped out somehow. Like possibly a touch of discretion. Would that be too much to ask? He caught the flush in Isabel’s cheeks and knew it wasn’t from the cold. He shot his mother a warning glance.
    “How’s the leg, hon?” Betty put her hand on Isabel’s shoulder and smiled down at her. “You holding up okay?”
    “Absolutely. I’m sure it’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
    Betty nodded. “I made some fresh tea biscuits and hot cocoa. Come on.”
    Isabel rose and linked her arm through Betty’s and limped down the hall to the kitchen. Hanging their coats and scarves on hooks, he followed behind.
    “Susan and Ann left fast,” he noted.
    “Susan grabbed the baby and they took off. The kids were asleep on their feet.” Betty plunked mugs in the center of the table