Read Online Rescued by the Ranger by Dixie Lee Brown - Free Book Online
Authors: Dixie Lee Brown
Ads: Link
her eyes. “Just one thing wrong with that plan. I work for a living. I can’t let my other chores slide to babysit some city boy.”
Garrett’s ego cringed at that description. Was that really how she saw him? “Now, see? That was a perfect example of not being nice.” He scowled until she looked away. “Anyway, I’m sure if I asked Aunt Peg, she’d arrange for someone to take over your duties so that you could help me out for two days.”
Rachel chortled. “Peg doesn’t show preferential treatment to anyone, so if you can get her to agree . . . you’re on. But if not . . . you leave today.” She turned toward the door again. “I wouldn’t bother unpacking if I were you.”
He chuckled. “See you at dinner, Rachel, and don’t get too cocky. The game hasn’t even started yet.”
She disappeared inside without another word. Garrett shook his head and blew out his breath. What in the hell just happened? He could no longer deny the attraction he felt for her, but this was the act of a crazy, desperate man. Yep—that seemed to describe him right down to his boots, all right. Still, a small spark of resolve swelled within him at the thought of the challenge ahead. He had to admit that he’d likely be going down in flames unless he came up with a plan to reinvent himself in her eyes. That wasn’t going to be easy because Rachel held her bitterness with both hands, and she was determined to see him out of here in two days . . . or sooner. That meant he had very little time. He’d have to move fast.
First thing on the agenda was to search out Aunt Peg and find out how she felt about rescheduling the help so that Garrett could spend two days with the lovely, though sharp-tongued, Rachel. While he was at it, he’d better ask Peg to keep the details of his mother’s will quiet for the time being. If his best guess was right, Rachel would waste no time in putting this mountain behind her if she learned he might actually be her boss.
Chapter Four
R ACHEL STOPPED JUST inside the door to let herself fall apart. How would she ever get through the next few days? Peg had practically begged her to treat Garrett Harding like the honored guest he would have been if his mother was still alive. Now, he’d offered her an easy way out if she’d show him around and be nice to him for two days. It sounded simple enough, but it had taken a surprising amount of effort to stand her ground and agree to Garrett’s proposition.
Her breathing started to slow as she leaned against the wall. There was no chance Peg would concede to trade her shift out, but it would have been worth it to get Garrett out of their lives in two days. She wouldn’t even consider whether she could have been nice to the egomaniac for that long, because it was probably a challenge that was doomed from the beginning.
Why did she have to literally bump into him anyway? The resort was big enough that she should be able to stay out of his way. Sure, he’d saved her from a nasty tumble, but then he’d held her too close . . . for too long . . . and she hadn’t stopped him quickly enough. The heat of a telltale blush crept up her neck and into her face. Damn it! She hated him. So why had his arms around her been so comfortable and made her feel so safe? She drew a ragged breath and leaned her head against the door. He was going to drive her crazy if he stayed for more than two days.
Rachel pushed away from the wall and made a beeline for the stairs and her room on the second floor. She had a few minutes before she needed to join Dory in the kitchen to help with dinner. That would be enough time to change and wash away Garrett’s musky scent so she wouldn’t have to relive her embarrassing moment every time she breathed.
Five minutes later, clean and clothed in khaki slacks, a salmon-colored T-shirt, and wedge-soled sandals, she closed her bedroom door and skipped down the stairs. It smelled as if Dory’s famous pot roast was on the menu tonight. As
Garrett’s ego cringed at that description. Was that really how she saw him? “Now, see? That was a perfect example of not being nice.” He scowled until she looked away. “Anyway, I’m sure if I asked Aunt Peg, she’d arrange for someone to take over your duties so that you could help me out for two days.”
Rachel chortled. “Peg doesn’t show preferential treatment to anyone, so if you can get her to agree . . . you’re on. But if not . . . you leave today.” She turned toward the door again. “I wouldn’t bother unpacking if I were you.”
He chuckled. “See you at dinner, Rachel, and don’t get too cocky. The game hasn’t even started yet.”
She disappeared inside without another word. Garrett shook his head and blew out his breath. What in the hell just happened? He could no longer deny the attraction he felt for her, but this was the act of a crazy, desperate man. Yep—that seemed to describe him right down to his boots, all right. Still, a small spark of resolve swelled within him at the thought of the challenge ahead. He had to admit that he’d likely be going down in flames unless he came up with a plan to reinvent himself in her eyes. That wasn’t going to be easy because Rachel held her bitterness with both hands, and she was determined to see him out of here in two days . . . or sooner. That meant he had very little time. He’d have to move fast.
First thing on the agenda was to search out Aunt Peg and find out how she felt about rescheduling the help so that Garrett could spend two days with the lovely, though sharp-tongued, Rachel. While he was at it, he’d better ask Peg to keep the details of his mother’s will quiet for the time being. If his best guess was right, Rachel would waste no time in putting this mountain behind her if she learned he might actually be her boss.
Chapter Four
R ACHEL STOPPED JUST inside the door to let herself fall apart. How would she ever get through the next few days? Peg had practically begged her to treat Garrett Harding like the honored guest he would have been if his mother was still alive. Now, he’d offered her an easy way out if she’d show him around and be nice to him for two days. It sounded simple enough, but it had taken a surprising amount of effort to stand her ground and agree to Garrett’s proposition.
Her breathing started to slow as she leaned against the wall. There was no chance Peg would concede to trade her shift out, but it would have been worth it to get Garrett out of their lives in two days. She wouldn’t even consider whether she could have been nice to the egomaniac for that long, because it was probably a challenge that was doomed from the beginning.
Why did she have to literally bump into him anyway? The resort was big enough that she should be able to stay out of his way. Sure, he’d saved her from a nasty tumble, but then he’d held her too close . . . for too long . . . and she hadn’t stopped him quickly enough. The heat of a telltale blush crept up her neck and into her face. Damn it! She hated him. So why had his arms around her been so comfortable and made her feel so safe? She drew a ragged breath and leaned her head against the door. He was going to drive her crazy if he stayed for more than two days.
Rachel pushed away from the wall and made a beeline for the stairs and her room on the second floor. She had a few minutes before she needed to join Dory in the kitchen to help with dinner. That would be enough time to change and wash away Garrett’s musky scent so she wouldn’t have to relive her embarrassing moment every time she breathed.
Five minutes later, clean and clothed in khaki slacks, a salmon-colored T-shirt, and wedge-soled sandals, she closed her bedroom door and skipped down the stairs. It smelled as if Dory’s famous pot roast was on the menu tonight. As
Similar Books
