Read Online Rough Road Home (The Circle D series) by Audra Harders - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Audra Harders
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and find his fame and glory.
All glory is Mine.
Poor choice of words, she acknowledged as they echoed through her brain. But then, this entire adventure was becoming one big poor choice. For now, she’d just have to make the most of it and pray no more obstacles arose.
Focusing on the painted door, she drew a breath and swallowed her pride. “I’m sorry, Nick, I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just that going to the lodge by myself is not a problem. I’ve been going places alone for years.” She brushed the worn finish of the brass door knob with her fingertips when the reality of her words hit her square between the eyes. Alone. Yes, she wandered through her life alone. She tamped down the annoying reminder. Now was not the time to deal with the fences she needed to mend in her life. “I’ll follow the light around the building, run in, run out, and be back before you even miss me.”
“Missing you is the last thing I’m worried about.” A sharp hiss of air echoed across the room. “You don’t know what you’ll find in there.”
“It can’t be any worse than what I’ve got in here,” she mumbled under her breath. Defenses in place, Rachel rested her hand on her hip and turned to face him. Nick had stood up, the effort manifesting itself clearly on his face. “I can take care of myself.”
Looking around with controlled moves, he grabbed his hat and jacket. His gaze raked over her like he might assess a prize heifer. “I don’t care if you have a black belt in every oriental mind form in existence. To quote your own immortal words, ‘you’re stuck with me’.” Sidestepping the coffee table with surprising grace, he caught the knob and opened the door. “Let’s go.”
Rachel fumed as she lead the way along the concrete walk beside the lodge. A night chill edged a breeze that smelled of wood smoke and pine. She huddled into her jacket.
Barbarian. Just like a cowboy to think it their mission in life to save every damsel in distress, even if said damsel didn’t need saving. She stomped along the walkway, careful to stay a couple of body widths ahead of her bodyguard. Sure, spill concern over her now, but where would the same chivalrous cowboy be when he was really needed? On the back of some fool bull, riding for the roar of the crowd, that’s where. She kicked a stone out of her way. Oh no, she didn’t need him or any other rodeo-minded man, and she’d do well to remember that for the rest of the trip.
The rest of the trip. She glanced at her watch as they came up to the lodge. She needed to check in with Uncle Mitch before he worried about them. Patting the pocket of her jacket, she reached in and pulled out her phone. Stopping at the foot of the porch steps, she checked for bars and was relieved to find the reception good.
“Go ahead, Nick, and get out of this wind.” She gestured toward the door. “I need to make a call.”
At his skeptical look, she spread her hands and indicated the lighted porch. “No one is going to bother me. Stand by the window and watch if you need to, but give me a couple minutes.”
Nick peered out into the darkness, his one eye scanning into the thicket of trees with apparent care. He stopped beside her and draped his solid arm across her shoulders and pulled her close. Cold denim brushed her cheek as she inhaled the warm scent of clean male wrapping around her from the open edges of his jacket. Surprised by the embrace she lifted her chin and stared past the stubble on his face to the scowl in his eye.
“Two minutes, no more.” Warm breath caressed her cheek as he pressed her closer before dropping his arm. With light steps, he climbed the two steps onto the porch and opened the door. The smell of wood smoke from the fireplace spilled out, along with the hoarse laughter of one of the patrons inside. Holding up two fingers, he mouthed two minutes before he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
Rachel exhaled a breath she hadn’t
All glory is Mine.
Poor choice of words, she acknowledged as they echoed through her brain. But then, this entire adventure was becoming one big poor choice. For now, she’d just have to make the most of it and pray no more obstacles arose.
Focusing on the painted door, she drew a breath and swallowed her pride. “I’m sorry, Nick, I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just that going to the lodge by myself is not a problem. I’ve been going places alone for years.” She brushed the worn finish of the brass door knob with her fingertips when the reality of her words hit her square between the eyes. Alone. Yes, she wandered through her life alone. She tamped down the annoying reminder. Now was not the time to deal with the fences she needed to mend in her life. “I’ll follow the light around the building, run in, run out, and be back before you even miss me.”
“Missing you is the last thing I’m worried about.” A sharp hiss of air echoed across the room. “You don’t know what you’ll find in there.”
“It can’t be any worse than what I’ve got in here,” she mumbled under her breath. Defenses in place, Rachel rested her hand on her hip and turned to face him. Nick had stood up, the effort manifesting itself clearly on his face. “I can take care of myself.”
Looking around with controlled moves, he grabbed his hat and jacket. His gaze raked over her like he might assess a prize heifer. “I don’t care if you have a black belt in every oriental mind form in existence. To quote your own immortal words, ‘you’re stuck with me’.” Sidestepping the coffee table with surprising grace, he caught the knob and opened the door. “Let’s go.”
Rachel fumed as she lead the way along the concrete walk beside the lodge. A night chill edged a breeze that smelled of wood smoke and pine. She huddled into her jacket.
Barbarian. Just like a cowboy to think it their mission in life to save every damsel in distress, even if said damsel didn’t need saving. She stomped along the walkway, careful to stay a couple of body widths ahead of her bodyguard. Sure, spill concern over her now, but where would the same chivalrous cowboy be when he was really needed? On the back of some fool bull, riding for the roar of the crowd, that’s where. She kicked a stone out of her way. Oh no, she didn’t need him or any other rodeo-minded man, and she’d do well to remember that for the rest of the trip.
The rest of the trip. She glanced at her watch as they came up to the lodge. She needed to check in with Uncle Mitch before he worried about them. Patting the pocket of her jacket, she reached in and pulled out her phone. Stopping at the foot of the porch steps, she checked for bars and was relieved to find the reception good.
“Go ahead, Nick, and get out of this wind.” She gestured toward the door. “I need to make a call.”
At his skeptical look, she spread her hands and indicated the lighted porch. “No one is going to bother me. Stand by the window and watch if you need to, but give me a couple minutes.”
Nick peered out into the darkness, his one eye scanning into the thicket of trees with apparent care. He stopped beside her and draped his solid arm across her shoulders and pulled her close. Cold denim brushed her cheek as she inhaled the warm scent of clean male wrapping around her from the open edges of his jacket. Surprised by the embrace she lifted her chin and stared past the stubble on his face to the scowl in his eye.
“Two minutes, no more.” Warm breath caressed her cheek as he pressed her closer before dropping his arm. With light steps, he climbed the two steps onto the porch and opened the door. The smell of wood smoke from the fireplace spilled out, along with the hoarse laughter of one of the patrons inside. Holding up two fingers, he mouthed two minutes before he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
Rachel exhaled a breath she hadn’t
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